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Offline Jixr

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keycaps pulling out stems
« on: Mon, 06 July 2015, 20:09:24 »
Has anyone come up with a good fix for keycaps that are way to tight ( i've had two tai-hao sets that rip out stems and stablizers )

Any fixes?
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Offline ConscienceDrop

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 06 July 2015, 20:30:45 »
Sticking something flat under to push against the stem.

Not always possible however. I have some pbt on a Leopold 63% with clears that will be on forever lol. Can't get at the stems and way way too tight.
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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 06 July 2015, 21:20:17 »
Someone suggested fabricating a tool to help open up the key caps slightly so they weren't so tight.

I've also heard of people putting a very small amount of lube on the stem.
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Offline hwood34

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 07 July 2015, 00:33:43 »
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Mon, 06 July 2015, 21:20:17
Someone suggested fabricating a tool to help open up the key caps slightly so they weren't so tight.

I've also heard of people putting a very small amount of lube on the stem.
Yeah, lube usually works great for sticking stabilized keys, but I guess just to squeeze em in would work well too
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Offline Giorgio

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 01 November 2015, 10:44:40 »
Does this happen with currently sold abs and pbt sets?
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Offline rowdy

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 01 November 2015, 23:49:47 »
Quote from: Giorgio on Sun, 01 November 2015, 10:44:40
Does this happen with currently sold abs and pbt sets?

In general it happens with many keycap sets on MX clear stems, and with older SP DSA sets (which were specifically designed to be difficult to remove - see their FAQ).
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Offline user 18

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 01 November 2015, 23:56:21 »
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 01 November 2015, 23:49:47
Quote from: Giorgio on Sun, 01 November 2015, 10:44:40
Does this happen with currently sold abs and pbt sets?

In general it happens with many keycap sets on MX clear stems, and with older SP DSA sets (which were specifically designed to be difficult to remove - see their FAQ).

Gateron PBTs have been known to have this problem as well.
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Offline swimmingbird

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 00:24:30 »
I'd recommend what ConscienceDrop says - I used a small flat head screwdriver when taking keycaps off a board with fresh MX Clears - basically you use the flathead screwdriver to push the stem down while you wiggle the keycap off with a puller with your other hand
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Offline Oobly

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 09:25:53 »
Quote from: swimmingbird on Mon, 02 November 2015, 00:24:30
I'd recommend what ConscienceDrop says - I used a small flat head screwdriver when taking keycaps off a board with fresh MX Clears - basically you use the flathead screwdriver to push the stem down while you wiggle the keycap off with a puller with your other hand

This.

In addition you can use a spare switch to prepare the caps by putting them on and taking them off a few times to loosen 'em up. Then leave them on at least a month so they settle in and they'll be a bit easier to remove.
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Offline rowdy

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 17:00:33 »
Quote from: Oobly on Mon, 02 November 2015, 09:25:53
Quote from: swimmingbird on Mon, 02 November 2015, 00:24:30
I'd recommend what ConscienceDrop says - I used a small flat head screwdriver when taking keycaps off a board with fresh MX Clears - basically you use the flathead screwdriver to push the stem down while you wiggle the keycap off with a puller with your other hand

This.

In addition you can use a spare switch to prepare the caps by putting them on and taking them off a few times to loosen 'em up. Then leave them on at least a month so they settle in and they'll be a bit easier to remove.

People have wondered about a Cherry stem-shaped mini file or something that you can use to ream the keycaps, although that would make said keycaps loose on stems other than clears.
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Offline Belfong

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 17:12:03 »
On the other hand, I have problems with those co-star stab stem on the modifier keys. They are too loose and my mods are always coming out. I tried pieces of paper or stickers to no avail. What the best remedies?
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Offline rowdy

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 17:17:22 »
Quote from: Belfong on Mon, 02 November 2015, 17:12:03
On the other hand, I have problems with those co-star stab stem on the modifier keys. They are too loose and my mods are always coming out. I tried pieces of paper or stickers to no avail. What the best remedies?

I use small squares (about 1cm square) of plastic.  Slightly thicker plastic, like on ziplock bags or sandwich bags, seems to be the best.
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Offline Belfong

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 17:57:36 »
I tried that but the plastics were pushed inside the keyholes instead of wrapping around the stem as I’ve hoped.
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Offline rowdy

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 19:45:50 »
Quote from: Belfong on Mon, 02 November 2015, 17:57:36
I tried that but the plastics were pushed inside the keyholes instead of wrapping around the stem as I’ve hoped.

Maybe 1.5cm square?

I place the keycap upside down on my desk.  Put the square of plastic over the stem on the underside of the keycap.  Push the stabiliser insert into place.

Every time when I've removed a stabiliser insert, the plastic has come out with it, usually still tightly wrapped around the insert.
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Offline raymogi

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 02 November 2015, 19:48:09 »
Try to wiggle it instead of just yanking it right out.

I threw away my Poker 2 cause of this. Tried on the white jellypom keycaps and it took out the switch with it.
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Offline shibataken

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 10 November 2015, 13:55:43 »
Is this a Taihao problem?  I just put some on my poker 3 and now afraid to take them out....
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Offline rowdy

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 10 November 2015, 19:57:43 »
Quote from: shibataken on Tue, 10 November 2015, 13:55:43
Is this a Taihao problem?  I just put some on my poker 3 and now afraid to take them out....

I have had no problems with Tai Hao.  Their PBT ones are a tad easier to remove than the ABS ones, especially the older ABS ones.

But as long as you are careful, and don't just yank the keycaps straight up but wriggle then around very slightly, you should be fine.
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Offline shibataken

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Re: keycaps pulling out stems
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 11 November 2015, 08:41:45 »
Quote from: rowdy on Tue, 10 November 2015, 19:57:43
Quote from: shibataken on Tue, 10 November 2015, 13:55:43
Is this a Taihao problem?  I just put some on my poker 3 and now afraid to take them out....

I have had no problems with Tai Hao.  Their PBT ones are a tad easier to remove than the ABS ones, especially the older ABS ones.

But as long as you are careful, and don't just yank the keycaps straight up but wriggle then around very slightly, you should be fine.


Thanks for the advice!  Was a relief!  First board first keycaps didn't want to mess it up :D
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