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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Shyfe on Thu, 29 October 2009, 13:45:54

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: Shyfe on Thu, 29 October 2009, 13:45:54

If I hit the enter key all the way on the left, it appears to grind on something inside the stabilizer and has a hard time going down/returning, especially if I press slowly. I tried changing the stabilizer as well as the enter key. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 29 October 2009, 13:53:58

Don't press the Enter key all the way on the left.

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 29 October 2009, 13:54:53

You might want to try a little lube and see if that helps.
 
(I couldn't just leave that a-hole post and bounce.)

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 29 October 2009, 14:10:23

In case of my stubborn right Shift that would stick if pressed at certain angles, a q-tip and some silicone spray fixed the problem (I think I used that on both the stabilizer and the stem in the end). So yes, a bit of lubrication seems like a good bet. Silicone or teflon (PTFE) grease/spray, preferably pure, would be some good options. Don't overdo it though, silicone grease in particular likes to creep everywhere.

I have a feeling that early Ms with their proper stabilizers would be less susceptible to such issues, but it's hard to prove.

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: Shyfe on Thu, 29 October 2009, 14:30:35

I've switched both the stabilizer and the key though for one that didn't get stuck on another keyboard which leads me to believe it's something with the plate itself.

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 29 October 2009, 15:29:23

Now that you mention it, I suspect a case of broken rivet(s) around my Enter, just above said RShift. That area has some of the highest tension on the rivets, too. Now if things start to lift off, this could well mean that stem and stabilizer are no longer exactly parallel, thus the friction problems.

Ah well, seems like I'll have to obtain a suitable 5.5 mm socket wrench one of these days.

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: Shyfe on Thu, 29 October 2009, 17:59:17

I just opened it up and checked. No broken rivets around that area although there aren't a lot around that area either.

Title: Enter Key on 1991 Model M is a bit stiff
Post by: Shyfe on Fri, 30 October 2009, 14:40:13

Jeez. I put motor oil on both the stabilizer and the thing sticking out of the key and it still does the same thing. even put my screwdriver in there and tried to bend the board a little, even deforming the circle thing where the stabilizer goes.. Nothing works. This is really starting to bug me.