geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: johnoh on Mon, 15 June 2015, 10:10:37
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Hi all - new to the group, with a question for all. I have three Adesso MCK-86 keyboards that I've been using for 15 years or so, and would like to keep using. But one space bar only works if you strike it right in the center, one "m" key does not work at all, and one escape key and one "d" key only work intermittently unless you strike them extra firmly. There are probably a couple other key issues that I'm not remembering. Does anyone know of a reliable and reasonable place that can bring them back to good as new? I've looked up a few "how to repair alps keyboards" links and am willing to try to fix them myself if there is no other choice, but would prefer to have someone else do it. I'm in San Jose but have no problem sending them away if that's the best option. What I do not want to do is take them to just any old repair local place pulled out of a hat. Thanks!
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A bunch of people here would be willing to help. It is probably just a bad soldering issue.
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Since these keyboards had not been used much recently, I spent the last couple days using each keyboard a lot and that cleared up some of the issues. I now have just two specific questions if anyone would be so kind as to offer advice:
1. on the escape key, I took it apart and after removing the simple alps switch to reveal the two parallel copper plates, I can feel that the uppermost copper square that protrudes up from the "floor" of the keyboard (and is soldered underneath) has become loose. Are there instructions anywhere as to how to re-solder this? And is the black plastic cube-like casing glued to the "floor"?
2. One space bar still works only 90% of the time. I read that if you take apart the space bar it can be difficult to get back together. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks!
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No, its just held there by being in the plate and the solder. If you're talking about it being broken on the inside... then it is broken on the inside.
They do keep saying that about spacebars, and other than something like various IBM model F's I've never had a problem because they aren't that complex. (And I've never tried that on one of those anyway) Who knows, maybe you will. It can be annoying on Alpstype boards to get it back on, but I've not had one brake.
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If you don't get this fixed on your own, it's worth checking with Bob Tibbetts at http://www.northgate-keyboard-repair.com/ . He cleans and repairs Northgates and most Alps keyboards. My experience is that he does good work at a reasonable price.