deskthority

... is installed in the keyboard?

Please let everyone know your techniques, tools used, and recommendations. Toothpick with one end trimmed down? Chopstick? A certain type of tweezers? A small screwdriver with magnet and with the end trimmed off a bit?

Some folks have trouble reinstalling the ...

I have not done this, but has the old "chopstick" method been deprecated?

... up the key will not reliably buckle.

Some other methods of spring installation are mentioned on the forums as well as in the manual, such as the chopstick/toothpick method (breaking off one end so that the end is flat), or using a small eyeglass screwdriver whose diameter matches the spring's inner ...

... of the barrel and maybe experimenting with tilting the keyboard). Some required turning the spring a little bit until the key felt good (use a chopstick or over-sharpened pencil to carefully twist the spring without removing it—takes some experimentation and care, please do not destroy your ...

... occurs. Has anyone experienced a similar issue, and how should I fix this?
Turns out mine had the same issue. Noticed after some use. Whittled a chopstick to a narrower point and used that to reseat the spring a few times. I eventually decided it was a bad spring, so I installed one of my spares ...

... occurs. Has anyone experienced a similar issue, and how should I fix this?
Turns out mine had the same issue. Noticed after some use. Whittled a chopstick to a narrower point and used that to reseat the spring a few times. I eventually decided it was a bad spring, so I installed one of my spares ...

21.
Was there an official IBM method of reattaching a buckling spring that fell out of the module. People now often use a chopstick to press it on. How would you have restuck a spring that came off while the board was assembled?


The way people in production handled this was to use a toothpick or ...

... the same way.) Try pulling and reinserting the comma key in question. That alone may just do the trick.

The next stage beyond that is the “chopstick method”. Similar strategy: watch how tos before you try it. It lets you re-seat the spring which may well work, too. But again no guarantees.

A ...

I fried two Model M2 PCBs trying to replace those damn capacitors. I also messed up the chopstick method on a Model M and turned the switch rocker out of place. That was actually fortunate because it prompted me to learn how to do a bolt mod.



I've had capacitor replacement on my M2 on my todo ...

I fried two Model M2 PCBs trying to replace those damn capacitors. I also messed up the chopstick method on a Model M and turned the switch rocker out of place. That was actually fortunate because it prompted me to learn how to do a bolt mod.



I've had capacitor replacement on my M2 on my todo ...

I fried two Model M2 PCBs trying to replace those damn capacitors. I also messed up the chopstick method on a Model M and turned the switch rocker out of place. That was actually fortunate because it prompted me to learn how to do a bolt mod.



I've had capacitor replacement on my M2 on my todo ...

... down the drain



Just imagining this hurts badly.


I fried two Model M2 PCBs trying to replace those damn capacitors. I also messed up the chopstick method on a Model M and turned the switch rocker out of place. That was actually fortunate because it prompted me to learn how to do a bolt mod ...

I fried two Model M2 PCBs trying to replace those damn capacitors. I also messed up the chopstick method on a Model M and turned the switch rocker out of place. That was actually fortunate because it prompted me to learn how to do a bolt mod.

... key: enter was both non-responsive and binding, but a lot of fiddling (as per the manual) has helped. It's still not 100% though, so it may be chopstick time tomorrow.

The main disappointment is the solenoid, which sounds puny regardless of the throw. It looks like a lot of trial and error is ...

“Chopstick” out the spring on F. Swap it for a spare or with a working key. The springs themselves are detachable from the flipper.

Or if you prefer: dive in and swap the flipper too! It’s a Model F (Chinese clone with no quality control, asterisk asterisk) there’s nothing to be afraid of!

... undue stress.
Then I placed the steel plate on top of these screws to check the fit.
The tape only really needs to hold the screws own weight. A chopstick is handy to rub the tape between the keys.
After adding the springs, liner, membrane and still plate, I tightened these line-up screws ...

I use the chopstick method (or, rather, some kind of wooden meat skewer or cocktail stick) as well - hasn't failed me yet

... m seems quite difficult:

https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=19677

It’s possible. I’ve done Ms and Fs with a sharpened matchstick. The “chopstick method” can be fiddly but once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll have a slow and fiddly skill you won’t need very often, for life!

I believe the ...

... spring typewriters have horizontals but no verticals.

Depending on how far "off" the shaft is, I have successfully used something like a chopstick to move or rotate the insert the tiniest bit (a small fraction of a millimeter) to ease the binding. Remember there are roll, pitch, and yaw and ...

... spring typewriters have horizontals but no verticals.

Depending on how far "off" the shaft is, I have successfully used something like a chopstick to move or rotate the insert the tiniest bit (a small fraction of a millimeter) to ease the binding. Remember there are roll, pitch, and yaw and ...

... or if I'm not pressing it down with enough force on the tweezers, or what.

I don't have any screwdrivers skinny enough to fit down the middle of the spring, and I'm not clear on how the chopstick method is supposed to work.

Does anyone have suggestions for reattaching the spring to the flipper knob?

... this so some kind of parallel pliers could grip the switch from below?

21.
Was there an official IBM method of reattaching a buckling spring that fell out of the module. People now often use a chopstick to press it on. How would you have restuck a spring that came off while the board was assembled?

Try taking the spring out for examination. There's a non-invasive technique known as the "chopstick" method I can vouch for, and a quick search on the forum shows several threads where it and similar techniques comes up, including the new Model F manual:

https://deskthority.net/search.php?keywords ...

... enough onto the nub or maybe it was stretched too much (once that happens, the spring cannot be repaired and must be replaced).

I have found that tweezers are easier than the chopstick method (more details in darkcruix's work in progress Model F manual https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=24416 )

Thank goodness for the chopstick method of replacing springs.

You really have no idea how thankful I am. Seriously if you're ever in Pasco County FL, I'm getting you a beer.

(Ironically the bad springs are working fine in the Unicomp so wtf lol)

... that might not be it, but it's an option you can try if you have spare springs without having to take the keyboard apart. E.g. search for Sandy's chopstick method. Basically you take the keycap off, insert a stick (I use a toothpick) that has just enough friction to remove the spring and insert a new ...

... job.
3mm diameter leather punch
Keycap puller
Tweezers
Needle
Some tools needed in case you can to remove and reattach springs, like chopsticks and ballpoint pen assembly

tools.jpg


For convenience I'll show this using a Model F switch tester by orihalcon, but will work the same for ...

... on the M2, if you pull a key and do not put it back properly). The spring would have to be repaired, and those are not rare. I don't know how easy it is to open it up... I wouldn't dare myself without first reading more about it.
There should be a "chopstick method" to seat a spring from the top...

... to be a lot more careful when replacing the keycaps than you would on a Model M.
Oh yes, I had achieved springs broken as in the image in the top post, and had to open it up again because I did not know about the chopstick method ...

It's so true.

Smith.jpg

The chopstick can save much of this.

digital_matthew wrote: Reassembly is a pain too. You'll have to be a lot more careful when replacing the keycaps than you would on a Model M.

Oh yes, I had achieved springs broken as in the image in the top post, and had to open it up again because I did not know about the chopstick method ...