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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: 1138 on Wed, 11 November 2009, 20:39:09

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: 1138 on Wed, 11 November 2009, 20:39:09

I spilled water and dish soap into my ABS M1 and now the L key doesn't work anymore. I liked the feel of the M1 and I want something similar.

Should I get another M1? I have three problems with it: 1) My particular M1 didn't have the spacebar squeak that the Costar boards typically have and I don't know if a new one will have the squeak, 2) the keys on the M1 are too hard to remove for cleaning, 3) there's no N-key rollover, which is fine normally but it's a bit of a weakness.

I checked out the Filco boards and am concerned about the space bar squeak (and given how difficult keys are to remove, I'm not sure I want to try removing the spacebar to add grease to it).

Preferably I'd like something with reasonable shipping rates to Canada.

I'm pretty pissed off that I killed my perfectly working keyboard. It's such a waste of material. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: majestouch on Wed, 11 November 2009, 21:12:35

All FILCO Majestouch spacebars are greased now, thanks to feedback from users. Zero series spacebars don't really come off easily, so these are not yet greased...

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: Hak Foo on Wed, 11 November 2009, 21:32:53

AT101W?

Cheap, Black Alps.

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 12 November 2009, 03:43:00

And they feel pretty terrible compared with other Alps boards...

I'd try opening the dead switch and either swapping it or cleaning it (both are quite easy to do) If you're good with soldering, get an AT101W and use it as a donor board for new switches.

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: 1138 on Thu, 12 November 2009, 20:11:53

Hmm... the keyboard seems to be functioning properly today. I didn't do anything to it except disconnect it overnight. Is it possible that all it needed was to fully dry out?

Good to hear that the new Filcos are greased already. Which of the Cherry switches would most closely approximate the fake black Alps on the M1?

As for removing the keys, I tried prying the L key off with a pair of screwdrivers and all it did was squeeze the key. It wouldn't come off at all.

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: lmnop on Thu, 12 November 2009, 20:24:39

Cherry MX Clear? did you browse Youtube? there are some user submitted videos showing you how to remove them they seem to have a vulcan death grip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqdV-k4czbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AafYXUk413g

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: twokatmew on Thu, 12 November 2009, 20:34:19

1138, I'm glad your M1 is working again.  I recently got an M1 at newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823224001), and there's no keyboard squeak.  Right now they're selling them for ~$45US.

Anyway, your post reminded me:

Years ago I had an old metal Zenith 4-head VCR.  One night I was repairing some tennis shoes and drinking hot chocolate.  When I picked up the remote, I realized I'd super-glued it to the counter!  In my zeal to rip it loose, I knocked over the hot chocolate and soaked the remote.

I figured it was dead, but I washed it and tossed it aside.  A week later I went to throw it out.  Amazingly, it workd!!  I finally donated the VCR and the battered but working remote 10 years or so later.  :smile:

Title: Killed my ABS M1; need replacement.
Post by: 1138 on Fri, 13 November 2009, 21:35:55

The board still seems to work. So it's OK for now. Will look into whether I should acquire yet another board. The thing I like is the compact size while retaining all the keys I use.

I did exactly as those videos mentioned but the key wouldn't come off. The whole key cap deformed and I stopped before breaking it permanently.