Author Topic: Model M strange keyfeel after bolt-mod  (Read 1501 times)

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Offline PgrAm

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Model M strange keyfeel after bolt-mod
« on: Mon, 04 November 2019, 21:02:58 »
Hey all,

A few weeks ago I attempted a bolt mod of my 1996 UK Model M, this was necessary as I needed to repair some membrane damage. After completing the mod I was thankful that everything was once again working and all the keys clicked and registered, however the key feel now felt very inconsistent, and some keys are much louder than others. I have compared the to my 1993 Mexican model M and I'm sure I'm not imagining it.

I think the issue is that some of the keys are now actuating closer to the bottom of their key travel and feel stiffer for some reason. I thought perhaps I dislodged some springs while I was doing the bolt mod so I tried chop-sticking a few keys and this seems to have worked a bit but many keys are not responding to this. Is it possible that I bent the springs? Is there any way to restore bent or stretched springs?

Is a common complaint after a bolt mod? What would people recommend I try to rectify this?
IBM Model M, Northgate OmniKey, Apple extended keyboard II, Dell AT101w, Fujistu FKB4700

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Model M strange keyfeel after bolt-mod
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 05 November 2019, 07:14:08 »
You have replaced soft flexible plastic shafts with hard steel.

The natural reaction is to look at a screw and tighten it down, since that is what you do with screws, right?

My experience is that you only need to tighten the screws only as much as is required to keep the plates in the same relationship to each other that they were before. I recommend that you back them all out a turn or two and then tighten them back only the minimum required to hold everything in place.
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Offline PgrAm

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Re: Model M strange keyfeel after bolt-mod
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 06 November 2019, 00:15:59 »
Thanks! tried that today, the keyfeel doesn't feel as stiff on many keys anymore, Its definitely better but I can't say it feels quite 100%. I'm gonna keep try tweaking things and see if I can get some improvement.
« Last Edit: Wed, 06 November 2019, 00:17:59 by PgrAm »
IBM Model M, Northgate OmniKey, Apple extended keyboard II, Dell AT101w, Fujistu FKB4700