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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: PointyFox on Thu, 26 December 2013, 17:46:30

Title: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: PointyFox on Thu, 26 December 2013, 17:46:30
I need a spring for my 45g Topre space bar.

Does anyone know where I can get another or know of an equivalent replacement?
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: jalaj on Thu, 26 December 2013, 17:48:41
what happened to the original?
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: PointyFox on Thu, 26 December 2013, 18:20:27
Don't know, got it used.  Also it has a full length space bar, so wouldn't that mean it had one spring at each end?
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: Polymer on Thu, 26 December 2013, 18:35:56
It has one spring on top of the switch (this is different than the springs underneath the domes of all of your Topre switches).

I don't know if there is a definitive word on this but most people seem to feel this is just so it requires a bit more force (maybe 5g) over a normal switch to press down. 
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: PointyFox on Thu, 26 December 2013, 18:38:30
It has one spring on top of the switch (this is different than the springs underneath the domes of all of your Topre switches).

I don't know if there is a definitive word on this but most people seem to feel this is just so it requires a bit more force (maybe 5g) over a normal switch to press down. 

Strange, it feels lighter than the other keys to me when it doesn't have the spring.  Maybe it's due to the weight of the key?  I kept accidentally pressing the space bar without the spring.
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: Polymer on Thu, 26 December 2013, 18:51:48
It has one spring on top of the switch (this is different than the springs underneath the domes of all of your Topre switches).

I don't know if there is a definitive word on this but most people seem to feel this is just so it requires a bit more force (maybe 5g) over a normal switch to press down. 

Strange, it feels lighter than the other keys to me when it doesn't have the spring.  Maybe it's due to the weight of the key?  I kept accidentally pressing the space bar without the spring.

Yeah..it is a much heavier key..not to mention the variability of the rubber cups anyways.  Some people hate the idea but I've always thought it made sense for the space bar to require a bit more force than other keys...
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 26 December 2013, 19:15:24
Don't know, got it used.  Also it has a full length space bar, so wouldn't that mean it had one spring at each end?

Did they put it under backspace perhaps?
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 26 December 2013, 19:26:41
Another factor might be that you (at least I do) tend to press the space bar with your thumb, which is inherently stronger than your fingers.

Quite a few people have removed the extra spring, and probably kept it.

You might try a WTB thread.  Someone might even give one to you!
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: PointyFox on Thu, 26 December 2013, 19:31:31
Another factor might be that you (at least I do) tend to press the space bar with your thumb, which is inherently stronger than your fingers.

Quite a few people have removed the extra spring, and probably kept it.

You might try a WTB thread.  Someone might even give one to you!

Thanks :)

I've been fine-tuning that wire spring I made and it feels pretty good now.  I hope it holds up.

Is there a difference between springs used in different weight switches, like 45 or 55g?  Also, the 87U, it only has a spring in the center of the space bar, right?  I've never actually seen one :P

The wiki seems to say that only the ones with the short Japanese style space bars had ones in the center, and the longer space bars were supported by one on each end, though mine just has stabilizers on the sides and I don't think that would make sense.
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 26 December 2013, 19:38:34
The difference in 45g and 55g topre is the domes.
Title: Re: Replacement Topre Space Bar Spring
Post by: Polymer on Thu, 26 December 2013, 19:48:00
Is there a difference between springs used in different weight switches, like 45 or 55g?  Also, the 87U, it only has a spring in the center of the space bar, right?  I've never actually seen one :P

The wiki seems to say that only the ones with the short Japanese style space bars had ones in the center, and the longer space bars were supported by one on each end, though mine just has stabilizers on the sides and I don't think that would make sense.

No...There is only one spring on the RF with full sized keyboards..and one spring w/ the HHKB....As you said, the sides have stabilizers so it doesn't make any sense there would be a spring there..