How to fix 'gummy' keys on a used Model M?

[Special K]

I just got a used Model M today that I bought on ebay.  Overall it's in good shape, but one thing I noticed right away is that some of the keys feel "gummy".  I'm not sure what a more technical term would be.  It's as if the keys are being pressed down into gum.  For example, the right shift key travels smoothly and gives a nice click at the bottom.  The left shift key feels like I'm pressing it down into mud or gum, and doesn't give near as much tactile feedback.  As a result, most of my left Shift presses aren't being registered because I'm not pressing down hard/far enough.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about here?  Is there any way for me to fix it?  I'd rather not have to return this keyboard or complain to the seller because technically all the switches "work", it's just that a few of them feel a little bit gummy and require what seems like an inordinate amount of force to actuate.

[lowpoly]

Did you see this thread?

Ebay M with issues, return?

[Special K]

Did you see this thread?

Ebay M with issues, return?

Thanks for the read.  It looks like I'll need to buy a keycap puller now.

[Special K]

For an M? I pull those off with my bare hands.

Don't you risk damaging the keys/stems/etc. that way?  I thought that's why people used the key pullers in the first place.

[keyb_gr]

On Ms, both keycaps and stems are fairly easily removed by hand. Cherry switches are a different story...

[nanu]

If you bend them out to the proper width, how does it properly snap back under the key?

Keys are tapered.

[Special K]

I don't like that one as you have to fiddle around to separate the ends for each key. Good to remove one key, but will drive you crazy if you have to remove all keys with it.

You're saying the one sold by Hoolean is better than the one sold by Majestouch?

EDIT:

Hoolean: http://hooleon.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AC-999-0039&Category_Code=KT-P&Product_Count=2

Majestouch: http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,keycaps&pid=fkb118

I'm just making sure I am comparing the right products.

So the one from Hoolean is $14.85 after shipping, but the one from Majestouch is only $6.50 after shipping.  Is the one from Hoolean worth $8.35 more than the one from Majestouch?

$6.50 seems like a really good deal, but if the Majestouch keycap puller doesn't work correctly, then I guess I shouldn't buy it.  Otherwise it seems like a great deal, especially since he doesn't seem to rip you off on shipping for such a small item, as many other online stores do.

[ch_123]

I hear fingers and flat-head screwdrivers are pretty cheap these days...

[Manyak]

Just to drive the point in, you really don't need one for an M.

The whole point of using them is so you don't damage the switches underneath by pulling the plastic stem out. But the model M caps aren't attached to anything. Just pry them out with a screwdriver.

[Special K]

I dunno. But you really don't need one for an M.

Wow, you weren't kidding.  Both keycaps popped right off using only my fingers.  Now that I look at the area underneath the keys, I can see this thing needs a good cleaning.

How do I get the screws out that hold the casing together?  My multi-tip screwdriver can't reach down into that narrow of a hole.