Leopold -- Problems replacing keycaps on stabilized keys

[Saturn]

I recently bought an imsto dye sub PBT set of keycaps from another user on the classfieds subforum.

For some reason, I can't get any of the stabilized keys to mount properly on my Leopold FC200RT.  I expected problems with the spacebar because I know Leopolds use a non-standard spacebar... but NONE of the stabilized keys will mount properly.  The keycap will connect only to the cherry switch in the center, but it won't connect to either of the stabilizers.  So it's wobbly, and if I press one side of the key, only that side of the key goes down.  The key doesn't go down evenly.  When you push the key down you can hear the unconnected stabilizers rattling underneath it.

I did an eyeball comparison between the imsto keys and the stock Leopold keys, and I can't see anything obviously wrong.  All the mounts seem to be in the right place and they look exactly the same.  But they just refuse to connect to the stabilizers.

Anyone else with a Leopold have problems like this?  Any suggestions?

[sth]

sometimes the stabs just don't line up right and you have to sort of wiggle the key from side to side as you press down.

[Saturn]

I did try that quite a bit, but still no luck.  it seems to line up just fine with the stabilizers, it just won't connect to any of them.

[TheProfosist]

The holes might be too loose or to tight not sure just from your description though.

[Saturn]

Right, that's what I was thinking too.  Is there another possibility besides there being something wrong with the keycaps?

What I'm getting at is, this isn't a known issue with Leopolds, then?

[metalliqaz]

Probably too loose.  I had that problem with SP keys on my Filco.  Unfortunately, I have no idea how one would go about fixing that problem on the Cherry stabilizers that the Leo uses.  On the Costar stabilizers you can take out the stabilizer pegs, then use a small piece of thin paper to tighten up the fit.  (I use bits of carbon receipts).  Perhaps it is possible to do a variation of that trick on the Leopold.

Take off the surrounding keys so you can get a good view of what's going on in there with a flashlight.  You should be able to see the stabilizers not get picked up with the keys.

[Saturn]

Take off the surrounding keys so you can get a good view of what's going on in there with a flashlight.  You should be able to see the stabilizers not get picked up with the keys.

Right, that's exactly what's happening.  I can push the key all the way to the bottom of the keybed and I can see it being pushed on top of the stabilizer, but when the key comes back up, the stabilizers aren't picked up with it.

I'll see if I can do something similar to your pieces of thin paper.

[metalliqaz]

I turn the keys upside-down on the table then put a small square over the '+' hole, then push in the peg.

On the Leo, perhaps you can bend the tiny square over the peg while it is in the board with your fingers, then push the key over it.

Must be very careful though, because it becomes VERY tight on my keys.  No problem when you remove the pegs with a screwdriver, but on the Leo you would have to rip it off while the stabilizers are installed, and that would put a lot of force on those little parts.

[Saturn]

That makes me a little nervous, I don't know if I'd want to be applying that much pressure on the stabilizer mounts on the board itself.

[tp4tissue]

LOL, too loose or too tight...


You just take out a knife and carve the insides a bit.  If you carve out too much, then just use the plastic wrap trick to tighten it.

[dorkvader]

Take off the surrounding keys so you can get a good view of what's going on in there with a flashlight.  You should be able to see the stabilizers not get picked up with the keys.

Right, that's exactly what's happening.  I can push the key all the way to the bottom of the keybed and I can see it being pushed on top of the stabilizer, but when the key comes back up, the stabilizers aren't picked up with it.

I'll see if I can do something similar to your pieces of thin paper.

It's probably too loose. I have fixed this in the past with some LDPE from a plastic baggie. You might want to try paper, as yours seems even looser than mine.