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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: fohat.digs on Tue, 13 May 2014, 14:08:18

Title: Filco Spacebar stabilizer inserts and wire
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 13 May 2014, 14:08:18

Recently, I was able to fulfill a long-time dream and got a Filco Zero keyboard.

It was not new, but I have it working properly in general.

The problem is the spacebar. It came with a beige spacebar from a Dell AT101W (in fact, the entire set was on it except for CapsLock) but, of course, the wire stabilizer does not work. Besides being too short, it is too thin in diameter to fit the slot.

I was lucky enough to get the original Filco keys, but the inserts and wire have been stripped from the spacebar.

The holes are Cherry-style crosses and I don't know whether the opening for the wire is a hole or a slot, but it may not matter.

I do not have a lot of experience with this type of keyboard part, but I need 2 inserts and a C-shaped wire something just a bit over 9 cm long. This wire needs to be approximately as thick as the spacebar wire of a Model M.

Does anybody have these and/or can you tell me where to get them? Thanks!

Title: Re: Filco Spacebar stabilizer inserts and wire
Post by: Hyde on Tue, 13 May 2014, 14:58:32

Things you need:

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-parts/cherry-mx-keycap-stabilizer-insert-2pcs.html#ad-image-0

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-parts/cherry-mx-stabilizer-spring-for-spacebar.html#ad-image-0

I'm assuming your board might already have this:

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-parts/cherry-mx-plate-mounted-stabilizer-clips-2pcs.html#ad-image-0

Then you gotta do this:

And:

Of course I don't own a Filco Zero so I could be completely wrong.  I'm just hoping they'd use the same stabilizers.  :P

Title: Re: Filco Spacebar stabilizer inserts and wire
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 13 May 2014, 17:29:12

Thank you, that looks like it.

Of course I had to buy a key just to get above the minimum to make an order!

It is so annoying that the little things like clips make the real things unusable.

Title: Re: Filco Spacebar stabilizer inserts and wire
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 17 May 2014, 14:14:21

Update: thanks, Hyde!

Quick delivery from WASD for $7 shipped including a cool green keycap.

Installation was a snap, and I only installed the clips backwards once.

Eat your hearts out - Filco Zero with blue Alps!

If only there were a plethora of choices for Alps caps like there are for Cherry.