Unicomp Spacesaver build quality issues

[VoodooIT]

Hello guys, I'm a new member and this is my first post here!  I just started reading and following Geekhack over the past month when my mechanical keyboard obsession began.

Anyways, I was hoping to get some advice and info about the Unicomp Spacesaver.  After reading about it here and finding the price very reasonable, I decided to order one a couple weeks ago and I finally received it a few days ago.

Quick Tangent:  For anybody interested in buying from Unicomp, you should know the turnaround is pretty slow.  It took them like 10 days just to process my order and ship the keyboard and it took about 2 weeks to go from ordering the keyboard to having it in my hands.  I don't know if this is typical or not, my order did include an extra set of 'WASD' lavender keys that might've delayed the process.

The key feel, the sound and the switches are all really solid and awesome.  In that regard I am very pleased with the keyboard.  My issues are with the overall build quality which is lackluster.  The first and biggest issue is that the keyboard doesn't lay flat on the desk.  What I mean is, if you push down on the lower left side of the keyboard, for example the left Shift key or CTRL key, it will cause the keyboard to wobble and bump up and down on the desk.  This is really annoying and shouldn't be a problem on a high quality mechanical keyboard.  For the record, I have a Leopold Tenkeyless that has this same problem.  It's not the desk as I have tried it on multiple desks.  It doesn't matter if the back stands are up or not, it still wobbles.  The second noticeable build quality issue is that when I squeeze/pinch the keyboard casing on the sides, it definitely flexes and moves up and down.  That's a little disconcerting.

Here are my questions.  For people that own a Unicomp, is this standard?  Do any of you guys have these issues as well?  I'm wondering if I should ask for a replacement or if I should just accept that this is how all Unicomp keyboards are.  My next question is, what's the best way to fix a wobbly keyboard that doesn't lay flat?  Obviously I could just put a piece of paper underneath one side to even it out, but that's a pretty ghetto solution and not ideal since I have to move the keyboard around sometimes.

Thanks for reading and I would appreciate all tips and advice!

[modest]

I've got a Unicomp Spacesaver! I don't have any kind of wobble with the stands up or down. Solid. I do, however, have the flex when I pinch the sides / press down on the corners hard for the wobble test. This slight movement is accompanied by a groan as the plastic moves a little. Wobble would definitely bother me, but this flex/groan doesn't. Maybe because I'm not as much an aficionado, or maybe the Unicomp is my first-and-only mechanical keyboard.

The long turnaround doesn't sound right though. My keyboard was shipped the next day and arrived in 4 days +/-. I ordered a full set of blank, black keys also.

[czarek]

I have Endurapro which is almost the same board. It took around a week to deliver from Kentucky, LX to Poland and I must say I'm pretty happy with this board. It's not as solid as real Model M but not as bad as I expected. The sound is more plasticky than metallic Model M but the key feel is almost the same.

[shrap]

I've got a Spacesaver. Mine isn't crooked, but if I press down on the plastic surroundings it does flex a bit. The plastic just isn't as thick as other keyboards, but then again the plastic does not appear to be structural. My Filco did the same thing. There's just no metal in these boards compared to the vintage Model Ms and other keyboards from that era.

However, if the whole keyboard is crooked/wobbly, I would call Unicomp up and see what can be done. Seems like a major manufacturing flaw. Mine is not wobbly.

Unicomp does not have the best fit and finish, but if you want a buckling spring keyboard made in the USA with 30-year old tooling, they are hard to beat.

[VoodooIT]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys.  I should clarify that the keyboard wobble isn't drastic by any means; it's pretty subtle.  Most typing won't even cause it to tip, it's only when I hit keys on the lower left most side.  I guess I'm nitpicky, but I notice it and it is somewhat annoying always knowing that it's there.  I'm basically looking at returning for replacement as a last resort, I kind of assumed that the expert keyboard tinkerers here would have some easy fix-it solution like playing around with the keyboard feet or something?

[itlnstln]

Somewhat OT...

I just bought a new washer and dryer.  Leveling those feet is an utter *****.

More On-Topic:

You could try using some rubbery shelf-liner or a mousepad underneath.  That might help.

[itlnstln]

2X4.  Both to prop up the dishwasher and hit the Unicomp until it levels out.

That's exactly what I did.  It's still a pain in the ass, especially when you're by yourself.

[itlnstln]

I think it's my goal of perfection that was the biggest issue.

[shrap]

You can buy cabinet drawer bumpers (adhesive rubber feet) and file them down to level things out. I did it on my chopped keyboards (where half the original keyboard feet are gone).

[itlnstln]

He said he did, but I have a suspicion that it might be the desk(s).  I would use a confirmed straight-edge to double check.

[itlnstln]

Well, depending on the prior use of the desks, he may lean on them, or something, where there is a depression in the surface caused by some kind of habit (I have scratches in the same place on all the office chairs from similar behavior).  There could be an outside chance that multiple desks are defective.

[Deverica Wolf]

My Spacesaver does not wobble and got here quick. <----- Quick post.

[dorkvader]

My spacesaver (black) doesn't have that issue. The only imperfection is the spacebar, which has a bit of a "pinch" on the righthand side (I strongly suspect it's right above where the stabilizer clips in, from what I know of plastic manufacturing.

Unicomp twists more in torsion than WASD. Also, like whoever said it before me, if you press hows hard on the sides, there's a bit of "creak", though it's still flat on my desk.

[hashbaz]

My Unicomp order took forever too (and I also ordered some non-standard colored keys).

My SpaceSaver has never wobbled, but my Filco did.  After getting advice in this thread, I just twisted it slightly, holding the two short edges in my hands, and that corrected the problem.  Worth a shot.  And if that doesn't work I'd definitely contact Unicomp about a replacement.

[duncan]

Did people notice this bit in the OP's comments?

I have a Leopold Tenkeyless that has this same problem.

Whatever is happening here is not just about the Uni board.

Not sure what, if anything, this adds to the conversation but it is interesting isn't it?

[VoodooIT]

Just to be clear, it is definitely the Spacesaver that is uneven, not the desk(s).  Whether it's sitting on any of my desks, on my cabinet, on my shelf, on my kitchen counter, it wobbles.  My Leopold Tenkeyless also has a slight wobble, less than the Spacesaver, and it goes away when I pull out the back stands so it's basically a non-issue.  I have a Das Keyboard that does not wobble at all even if I sit on it (not really) so I think I can remove the desks from suspicion.

I'm going to try the counter-twist method tomorrow when I get a chance and hope that fixes it.  If not, I'm more than willing to use some rubber spacers if I can find some.  I'm really trying to save replacement as a last resort here.  Thanks for the responses guys!

[pangloss]

I just bought the classic unicomp and it is a complete piece of ****.

The shell creaks and bends. There are jetting artifacts all over it from bad injection molding. All the keys have excess mold spill at their bases. It's just an overpriced piece of ****. Having used an IBM for years, how can any of you recommend these things. There are so many improperly supported, bendy, creaky parts of this shell. It's a waste of money.

[Puddsy]

hoooooooooly necro

[nubbinator]

hoooooooooly necro

Not only that, but necro by a new account registered today.  Impressive.

[Puddsy]

hoooooooooly necro

Not only that, but necro by a new account registered today.  Impressive.

well i can understand

but there's a warning that tells you when a thread is over 60 days old before you post in it

[dorkvader]

I just bought the classic unicomp and it is a complete piece of ****.

The shell creaks and bends. There are jetting artifacts all over it from bad injection molding. All the keys have excess mold spill at their bases. It's just an overpriced piece of ****. Having used an IBM for years, how can any of you recommend these things. There are so many improperly supported, bendy, creaky parts of this shell. It's a waste of money.

Visual imperfections like with the molding aren't too big a deal to some people. I want a keyboard to last, and the unicomp should.

The mold marks are not from improper molding, and are actually common amongst injection molded items. The novatouch for example has a huge amount of streaks from where the plastic was injected. The difference is the novatouch they are only visible on the inside, and on the unicomp you can see them on the outside. Topre are famous for having imperfections on their black case. My 104-pro 10'th anniversary sure does.

Also note that unicomp uses a more sturdy case material than IBM (more tough and less brittle anyway).

The excess plastics on the keycaps doesn't really get in the way of anything and is easy to remove.

Back in the day these keyboards costs several hundred dollars. Unicomp has had to cheapen them up somewhat to get the price down so low. This is the price you pay: lower visual quality, close to the same durability.

[supamesican]

Wow, over 3 years since the last post then that, thats a thing I guess.

[supamesican]

Back in the day these keyboards costs several hundred dollars. Unicomp has had to cheapen them up somewhat to get the price down so low. This is the price you pay: lower visual quality, close to the same durability.

This too, heck after inflation isn't the modern unicomp like 1/20 the cost of the classic model m at its height of cost?

[Touch_It]

The only thing I wish Unicomp did was find a better way to rivit than molded plastic, but I imagine something like that would cause costs to soar.

[dorkvader]

The only thing I wish Unicomp did was find a better way to rivit than molded plastic, but I imagine something like that would cause costs to soar.

They'd have to retool their assembly line, which would be really expensive for them.

[fohat.digs]

This too, heck after inflation isn't the modern unicomp like 1/20 the cost of the classic model m at its height of cost?

My understanding was that the classic M sold in the $150-250 range in the 1980s which was supposed to be a huge price cut from the $350+ that the Model F sold for.

[dgreekstallion]

This too, heck after inflation isn't the modern unicomp like 1/20 the cost of the classic model m at its height of cost?

My understanding was that the classic M sold in the $150-250 range in the 1980s which was supposed to be a huge price cut from the $350+ that the Model F sold for.

You referring to our 122s?

[fohat.digs]

You referring to our 122s?

No, I doubt that those were ever sold "retail" since they are terminal keyboards and obviously some number of them came as part of a much larger computer package. The mid-1980s was back in the heyday of "Big Blue"

[mikekey]

Too bad.  I thought they looked interesting.

[supamesican]

This too, heck after inflation isn't the modern unicomp like 1/20 the cost of the classic model m at its height of cost?

My understanding was that the classic M sold in the $150-250 range in the 1980s which was supposed to be a huge price cut from the $350+ that the Model F sold for.

Did the math, $250 in 1985 money is roughly $561.17 in 2014 money. So really expecting a $80 keyboard to be just as nice as a >$500(in today's money) keyboard is a bit out there.

[dorkvader]

This too, heck after inflation isn't the modern unicomp like 1/20 the cost of the classic model m at its height of cost?

My understanding was that the classic M sold in the $150-250 range in the 1980s which was supposed to be a huge price cut from the $350+ that the Model F sold for.

Model F sold for about $500 in 1983 and $225 in 1986. This is for the "unsaver".
http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/1/897/ENUS186-011/index.html&breadCrum=DET001PT022&url=buttonpressed=DET002PT005&specific_index=DET001PEF502&DET015PGL002=DET001PEF011&submit.x=7&submit.y=8&lang=en_GB&request_locale=en

http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/5/897/ENUS183-145/index.html&lang=en_GB&request_locale=en