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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Special K on Sun, 12 July 2009, 14:25:44

Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: Special K on Sun, 12 July 2009, 14:25:44
I just got a used Model M today that I bought on ebay.  Overall it's in good shape, but one thing I noticed right away is that some of the keys feel "gummy".  I'm not sure what a more technical term would be.  It's as if the keys are being pressed down into gum.  For example, the right shift key travels smoothly and gives a nice click at the bottom.  The left shift key feels like I'm pressing it down into mud or gum, and doesn't give near as much tactile feedback.  As a result, most of my left Shift presses aren't being registered because I'm not pressing down hard/far enough.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about here?  Is there any way for me to fix it?  I'd rather not have to return this keyboard or complain to the seller because technically all the switches "work", it's just that a few of them feel a little bit gummy and require what seems like an inordinate amount of force to actuate.
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: lowpoly on Sun, 12 July 2009, 14:29:28
Did you see this thread?

Ebay M with issues, return? (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=6422)
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: Special K on Sun, 12 July 2009, 14:38:15
Quote from: lowpoly;102249
Did you see this thread?

Ebay M with issues, return? (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=6422)


Thanks for the read.  It looks like I'll need to buy a keycap puller now.
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: Special K on Sun, 12 July 2009, 14:45:43
Quote from: webwit;102255
For an M? I pull those off with my bare hands.


Don't you risk damaging the keys/stems/etc. that way?  I thought that's why people used the key pullers in the first place.
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: keyb_gr on Sun, 12 July 2009, 15:09:19
On Ms, both keycaps and stems are fairly easily removed by hand. Cherry switches are a different story...
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: nanu on Sun, 12 July 2009, 15:16:28
Quote from: webwit;102270
If you bend them out to the proper width, how does it properly snap back under the key?


Keys are tapered.
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: Special K on Sun, 12 July 2009, 15:25:56
Quote from: webwit;102261
I don't like that one as you have to fiddle around to separate the ends for each key. Good to remove one key, but will drive you crazy if you have to remove all keys with it.


You're saying the one sold by Hoolean is better than the one sold by Majestouch?

EDIT:

Hoolean: http://hooleon.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AC-999-0039&Category_Code=KT-P&Product_Count=2

Majestouch: http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,keycaps&pid=fkb118

I'm just making sure I am comparing the right products.

So the one from Hoolean is $14.85 after shipping, but the one from Majestouch is only $6.50 after shipping.  Is the one from Hoolean worth $8.35 more than the one from Majestouch?

$6.50 seems like a really good deal, but if the Majestouch keycap puller doesn't work correctly, then I guess I shouldn't buy it.  Otherwise it seems like a great deal, especially since he doesn't seem to rip you off on shipping for such a small item, as many other online stores do.
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 12 July 2009, 19:17:19
I hear fingers and flat-head screwdrivers are pretty cheap these days...
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: Manyak on Sun, 12 July 2009, 20:09:34
Just to drive the point in, you really don't need one for an M.

The whole point of using them is so you don't damage the switches underneath by pulling the plastic stem out. But the model M caps aren't attached to anything. Just pry them out with a screwdriver.
Title: How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?
Post by: Special K on Sun, 12 July 2009, 20:47:43
Quote from: webwit;102278
I dunno. But you really don't need one for an M.


Wow, you weren't kidding.  Both keycaps popped right off using only my fingers.  Now that I look at the area underneath the keys, I can see this thing needs a good cleaning.

How do I get the screws out that hold the casing together?  My multi-tip screwdriver can't reach down into that narrow of a hole.