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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: laqq3 on Wed, 23 May 2018, 19:37:00

Title: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: laqq3 on Wed, 23 May 2018, 19:37:00
I am having a problem with my RealForce keyboard.

I use the Caps Lock key as a Ctrl key and hit it a lot. Now, when I try to depress Caps Lock by pressing down it on from the right edge (or the lower right corner), the keycap "resists" being depressed, probably because the stem pushes sideways against the underlying mechanism.  It feels like there is some sort of friction that pushes against the the key being depressed.

Anyone have insights on what is causing this and how this might be fixed?

Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: ag36 on Wed, 23 May 2018, 20:10:13
Sound like stabilizer is out of place, do you have keycap puller?

Edit: Sorry, seems there's no stabilizer underneath capslock.
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: laqq3 on Wed, 23 May 2018, 21:10:55
I do have a keycap puller and pulled off the Caps Lock keycap to inspect it. By a visual inspection, nothing seems out of place.
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 23 May 2018, 22:20:54
I always felt the novatouch stabilizer is mechanically superior/smoother

but in this case, it'll probably smooth out after some breaking in.
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: laqq3 on Wed, 23 May 2018, 23:28:32
Actually I got this keyboard a while ago (about 2 years ago). I started noticing the problem maybe about 3 months in. I ordered some lubricant on Amazon to see if that'll help.
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: ag36 on Thu, 24 May 2018, 05:56:19
Do you plan to open it up to check is there's anything wrong inside?
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: haydoselefantes on Thu, 24 May 2018, 15:22:21
Caps Lock is the only issue I've had on my Realforce boards:


If I press the edge of the caps lock key, it only activates about two thirds of the time.  I use Caps Lock as Caps Lock so it's not a deal breaker.

Both my 87u's did this out of the box, a variable and an all-45g "EK" edition.  I swapped the domes on my "EK" for BKE ultra-lights and it still happens.  I've swapped all the keycaps a few times as well.
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: laqq3 on Thu, 24 May 2018, 15:29:17
Do you plan to open it up to check is there's anything wrong inside?

I will look into it if lubricant doesn't do the trick. Though after pulling the keycap off, pushing the 'stem' is smooth enough that I don't think it's an internal problem.


Caps Lock is the only issue I've had on my Realforce boards:


If I press the edge of the caps lock key, it only activates about two thirds of the time.  I use Caps Lock as Caps Lock so it's not a deal breaker.

Both my 87u's did this out of the box, a variable and an all-45g "EK" edition.  I swapped the domes on my "EK" for BKE ultra-lights and it still happens.  I've swapped all the keycaps a few times as well.

Hmm, could be a production issue with RealForce + CapsLock keys.
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: Polymer on Fri, 25 May 2018, 04:21:47
Caps Lock is the only issue I've had on my Realforce boards:


If I press the edge of the caps lock key, it only activates about two thirds of the time.  I use Caps Lock as Caps Lock so it's not a deal breaker.

Both my 87u's did this out of the box, a variable and an all-45g "EK" edition.  I swapped the domes on my "EK" for BKE ultra-lights and it still happens.  I've swapped all the keycaps a few times as well.

It looks like you're not pressing it far enough?  Having used/had a number of different RFs..I've never seen this problem...but if I press it how you are I can see how I would...

Topre is incredibly reliable and it doesn't have issues where keys don't work randomly...
Title: Re: RealForce keyboard friction issue
Post by: haydoselefantes on Fri, 25 May 2018, 13:23:24
...but if I press it how you are I can see how I would...

Topre is incredibly reliable and it doesn't have issues where keys don't work randomly...

Agree about the reliability.  I'll stop hijacking this thread, maybe I'll start another one for discussion about my caps lock pressing technique :)