« previous next »
Pages:  [1]     Go Down

Author Topic: Model M button problem  (Read 1430 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Rapsodia

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Model M button problem
« on: Sun, 22 February 2015, 17:28:13 »
Hi there,

I've got a Model M keyboard 139101 and I have a slight problem with my Numpad's "0" Insert Key. Whenever I press it I don't hear the click after one point, as with the other buttons. Have a look at the spring http://goo.gl/QWC2wi

Do you happen to have any idea about the problem?

Thanks,
George
Logged

Offline chyros

  • a.k.a. Thomas
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 3499
  • Location: The Netherlands
  • Hello and welcome.
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 22 February 2015, 17:39:57 »
Have you opened the keyboard up? Sounds a bit like a few of the plastic rivets might have snapped off around that area.
Logged
Check my keyboard video reviews:

Offline brimborion

  • Posts: 91
  • Location: Austin, TX
  • Likes Matias Switches
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 22 February 2015, 17:43:20 »
Also, try tilting the keyboard forward while reseating the cap. That can get the spring back in the sweet spot where it clicks again. Your spring looks a little bent but I don't think that's the issue.
Logged
Buckling Spring: 42H1292,  1391401, Unicomp Linux 101, Customizer 104 | Cherry Blue: Rosewill RK-9000, Das Keyboard S Pro | Cherry Black: Wyse/Link 840358-30| Rubber Dome: various Key Tronic, HHKB Lite, HHKB Lite 2, KB-8923, 71G4644 | Topre: Type Heaven | ALPS: Matias Mini Tactile Pro, 2xKBP V60

Offline Rapsodia

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 22 February 2015, 17:44:19 »
OK I'll do it tomorrow and I'll report back. Thank you!
Logged

Offline 1391406

  • Posts: 1191
  • Posts: 24838
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 22 February 2015, 19:06:01 »
Based on the pic, the top of the spring looks like it could be damaged.
Logged
Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
IBM Model M13 | Apple Extended Keyboard | Apple Extended Keyboard II | MTEK K104 | NTC KB-6251/2 | Realforce 87U | Realforce 104U | Type Heaven

Offline fohat.digs

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 6533
  • Location: 35°55'N, 83°53'W
  • weird funny old guy
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 22 February 2015, 19:11:28 »
Quote from: 1391406 on Sun, 22 February 2015, 19:06:01
Based on the pic, the top of the spring looks like it could be damaged.

Absolutely. That spring is a goner. It will have to be replaced.
Logged
"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline keyhopper

  • Posts: 81
  • Fun is Key.
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 22 February 2015, 21:04:42 »
Unicomp sells the springs:

       "Pivot Plate & Spring Assembly"
       http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/Misc/PVPLASM

Cheers!
.KeyHopper.
Logged
RealForce 87UB 55gr    |    IBM Model M (1995)    |    Razer B.W.T.E. Stealth (w Razer oranges)

Offline arakula

  • Posts: 50
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 23 February 2015, 00:48:48 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sun, 22 February 2015, 19:11:28
Quote from: 1391406 on Sun, 22 February 2015, 19:06:01
Based on the pic, the top of the spring looks like it could be damaged.

Absolutely. That spring is a goner. It will have to be replaced.
Replacing it would surely be the best.

As a temporary solution, it might be possible to bend the spring back into shape. Fiddly work, and I've never been 100% successful at it, but at least I've been getting a click again, just not the same click of the other keys around.
Logged

Offline Rapsodia

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 23 February 2015, 03:44:35 »
What a fantastic community! Thank you all for the answers!

Now, have a look at the keyboard's backplate: http://goo.gl/boCIIw

Seems that many rivets are already broken, but the insert key rivet (bottom row, 2nd from the left) is OK.

I'll try fixing that spring, even I have tried unsuccessfully in the past. Correct me if I'm wrong, but replacing the spring requires cut down of all rivets and then appliying the screw mod, which seems rather tricky (especially the drilling process).

God, I love my Model M!

Waiting for your feedback.
Logged

Offline fohat.digs

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 6533
  • Location: 35°55'N, 83°53'W
  • weird funny old guy
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 23 February 2015, 07:25:14 »
There are techniques for replacing springs in situ.

I have never done it, but there is the "Chopstick of Death" as well as a much more elegant procedure involving a modified pop rivet body.

They are both buried in here somewhere.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63278.msg1482918#msg1482918
Logged
"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rapsodia

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Re: Model M button problem
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 23 February 2015, 15:01:04 »
thanks, I'll check these out.
Logged
Pages:  [1]     Go Up
« previous next »