A couple keys on my Filco now require more force

[dfrey]

I have noticed that a couple of keys on my Filco keyboard (spacebar and period) have become more difficult to press.  The spacebar is noticeable regardless of where I press it, but the period key is particularly noticeable if I press it closer to the bottom of the key.

I have removed both keycaps and I didn't immediately notice anything suspicious.  It kind of seems like the switch mechanism is a bit worn because the keys seem harder to press and I think they aren't popping back quite as quickly.

Is there a simple fix?  It seems impossible that this could just be due to wear since I bought the keyboard new from elitekeyboards only a few months ago.

The keyboard is a tenkeyless otaku model with cherry brown switches.

[wellington1869]

too bad  you cant just pop those switches open and see.  cherries not very user-serviceable unless you have a soldering iron.

you could try blowing into the switch, maybe with a pump or straw or canned air... i remember a thread from before where someone did that and cleared up some friction.  Or maybe a squirt with silicon spray (via one of those tubes attached to the spray can)?  Silicon spray should be dry (also graphite or teflon spray might be dry too, you can check on the can, it should say).

[JBert]

While it would be odd for the period key to block, there's probably some dust in it. Canned air could clean it.

As for the space bar: did you check if the spacebar uses a different switch than the period key? I know some keyboards use a gray switch there so your thumb can easily rest on it.

[itlnstln]

too bad you cant just pop those switches open and see. cherries not very user-serviceable unless you have a soldering iron.

Only in the case of plate-mounted Cherrys (like the Filco, unfortunately).  PCB-mounted Cherrys you get at as much as you want.

[wellington1869]

Only in the case of plate-mounted Cherrys (like the Filco, unfortunately).  PCB-mounted Cherrys you get at as much as you want.

true dat. arent those relatively rare tho?

[itlnstln]

true dat. arent those relatively rare tho?

Not really, it's about 50/50.  All Cherry 'boards (that I know of, anyway) are PCB-mounted.  I think your TVS is PCB-mounted, too. Steelseries, Deck and Costar are plate-mounted.  I am not sure about the i-Rocks 'board, though.  I'm sure in Korea, Japan, etc., you would see more variety.

[wellington1869]

the tvs was plate mounted (ie, switches inaccessible). Same with the m10 scorpius.

i only had one cherry-manufactured board (mx 11800) and it was pcb mounted as you say.

So basically the cherry-manufactured boards seem to be pcb mounted (ie, easy access to switch), but other cherry boards (ie, made by other manufacturers) seem to be plate mounted (ie, inaccessible switches). That seems to include m10, tvs, steelseries, deck, costar (including filco, das).

So basically unless you have a cherry-manufactured board, sounds like you're out of luck.

[maxlugar]

the tvs was plate mounted (ie, switches inaccessible). Same with the m10 scorpius.

i only had one cherry-manufactured board (mx 11800) and it was pcb mounted as you say.

So basically the cherry-manufactured boards seem to be pcb mounted (ie, easy access to switch), but other cherry boards (ie, made by other manufacturers) seem to be plate mounted (ie, inaccessible switches). That seems to include m10, tvs, steelseries, deck, costar (including filco, das).

So basically unless you have a cherry-manufactured board, sounds like you're out of luck.

Yeah but the arguable benefit of plate mounted Cherry keyswitches is more solid overall feel.  Some people prefer PCB mounted Cherry switches because they generally aren't as loud.  I personally pound the hell out of all my keyboards and I hate to feel any flex or give in the case.

I would like my Chicony KB-5181 keyboards much better if the case plastics were more ridgid.  Actually, I think the SMK Monterey key switches in the Chicony are plate mounted.  The case just feels extremely fllimsy and makes creaking sounds when I start typing fast.

[wellington1869]

ya but pcb mounted cherry switches can be opened up, and in the case of the problem the OP is having, you have some chance of fixing it if you can open up the switch, I guess.

[timw4mail]

Yeah but the arguable benefit of plate mounted Cherry keyswitches is more solid overall feel.  Some people prefer PCB mounted Cherry switches because they generally aren't as loud.  I personally pound the hell out of all my keyboards and I hate to feel any flex or give in the case.

I would like my Chicony KB-5181 keyboards much better if the case plastics were more ridgid.  Actually, I think the SMK Monterey key switches in the Chicony are plate mounted.  The case just feels extremely fllimsy and makes creaking sounds when I start typing fast.

I know the Chicony keyboard that I've got has PCB mounted Cherry copies, and it does feel like it has an extreme amount of flex.

[itlnstln]

My G80-3000 doesn't flex at all, but someone mentioned that the G80-8100 did.  It might be due to a larger PCB.

[timw4mail]

My G80-3000 doesn't flex at all, but someone mentioned that the G80-8100 did.  It might be due to a larger PCB.

I think the MX8100 flexes more because of the snap-together construction, rather than a difference in the PCB itself.

[bigpook]

How would dust even get into the switch in the first place? Unless you are using it in a coal mine or something.
How old is the keyboard?
All of my cherries are new so I have no idea as to how well they age. I would think the most used keys would fail first so I guess the spacebar, enter etc could all be suspect.

[itlnstln]

I think the MX8100 flexes more because of the snap-together construction, rather than a difference in the PCB itself.

The 3000 also uses a snap-together case, but I think the difference in dimensions (i.e. the leverage one can apply) might separate the two regardless if it's the PCB or the case that flexes.

[ironcoder]

I know the Chicony keyboard that I've got has PCB mounted Cherry copies, and it does feel like it has an extreme amount of flex.

I haven't tried any of their mid or high-end boards if they even have such a thing but I do have (or should I say had, now that I smashed 2 of them) 4 Chiconys and they are truly ****e. The sad thing is that they actually feel reasonable and you can go pretty quickly on them. The problem is after a few hours or days of use keys stop registering. Then it's smash em on the floor time. They are the cheapest (as in shoddiest) boards I have ever seen and they do flex and squeak like an old car.