IBM Model M spacebar problem - help!

[bgee]

Hello guys.
My recently arrived IBM model M needs help .
After heavy using of spacebar the wire started to fall of those little plastic forks on the spacebar itself. Hope you'd understood me. Now the bar works  only in case I press straight on the middle of it. What should I do?

[ch_123]

You should be able to reattach the stabilizer bar, unless the slots on the space bar have been damaged.

[bgee]

yes but they are damaged, well not completely, but they became a little bit "weak".

[theferenc]

I have a space bar like this. The little tabs holding the stabilizer in place just weren't there on one side when I got it.

The easiest way to deal with it is to order a new one, either from Unicomp, Clicky Keyboards, or Fentek. Last I checked, they all sold them.

It will only cost a few bucks to do. Assuming you're in the US, anyway. In Europe or APAC, it would cost more due to shipping from the US, but I don't know of any source for parts that would be local to the EU, let alone APAC.

[bgee]

I see, thanks.

[elef]

I guess you could try putting some scotch tape on the stabilizer wire to make it a more snug fit. You might break the tabs on th spacebar when you try to put it back together, but if it's bad as it is, you don't have much to lose.

[WubbaDucki]

I had the same problem.

My solution was to use a garbage twist tie and hot glue. Problem solved and it works 100%. The extra weight the glue and wire add are not significant to impact performance.

Steps:

1. Take two garbage twist ties, burn off the outside plastic, and clean wires
2. Twist wires together to strengthen
3. Wrap wire around metal space bar bracket, then
4. Navigate remaining wire around plastic space bar hole
5. Hot glue it!

Pics: