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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Half-Saint on Thu, 18 February 2010, 04:12:42

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: Half-Saint on Thu, 18 February 2010, 04:12:42

I somehow managed to stretch one of the springs in my "broken" model M. I'm saying it's broken but I don't remember what's wrong with it anymore. All the rivets appear to be intact. Anyhow.. I'm going to re-solder a cable and try to fix it.. so, can a spring be removed and "shrunk" back to the original size or do I need to find a new one?

Cheers
SainT

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 18 February 2010, 16:54:57

You can try squishing it back down and having something hold it in that position for a while.

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: Xuan on Thu, 18 February 2010, 17:52:13

You can replace the spring, if you're not attached to pause or scroll lock keys use them as spare parts. Otherwise you can contact unicomp or clickykeyboards and get new ones.

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: Half-Saint on Fri, 19 February 2010, 02:06:05

I should be getting a few replacement springs soon. Thanks ricercar :)

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: trievalot on Fri, 19 February 2010, 06:06:48

if you need any spare parts i have plenty! (im AU)

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: Rotsiser Mho on Sun, 28 March 2010, 13:32:38

Can anyone tell me how to replace a spring?  I accidentally pulled one off (I have spares from another board) but can't for the life of me get it on the little peg as snug as it was originally.

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: kishy on Sun, 28 March 2010, 13:40:15

Consider that when the spring is twisted in one direction, it "loosens" as the coils spread a bit. Use this to your advantage...once it's on the peg, rotate it in whichever direction gets that to happen while applying a downward pressure and you should be able to get it to go on further. I did this once...it was a frustrating but successful process.

Title: Fixing a stretched spring - model M
Post by: kode on Mon, 29 March 2010, 03:11:55

Yeah, that's basically the tool to use. Last time I had to do it, it was quite meticulous until I had crafted the best possible tool shape so that I could both rotate the spring correctly while applying force without the spring bending. Rotating clockwise to fasten it seemed to work best for me.