re-assembling Model F

feltel

03 Feb 2025, 17:48

Recently I was lucky and got hold of an Model F XT keyboard. I ordered a replacement foam on eBay from Canada. Upon re-assembling I`m struggling much more than expected. Over the years I renovated, bolt- and screw modded different Model Ms but the F is taking me to the limits. Even if I use as much clamps as possible there is a visible gap (ca. 4-5 mm) on top around the controller where the barrel plate and the PCB plate do not come together. I dont want to use more force cause I already killed two flippers :cry: in the process. I watched several F XT related videos and it seems an not to complicated task. When the two "parts" are clamped together how to slide the PCB plate "under" the barrel plate? Both the PCB plate and the barrel plate are straight and not bent.

For the moment I put the parts to the side. *meh*

User avatar
DMA

04 Feb 2025, 03:24

pull all the key caps off.
Make sure flippers move freely inside their barrels and don't protrude outside of the barrel into the area that will be occupied by PCB - it's quite easy to dislodge them and either break them or simply wedge them into the barrel so they can't move.
Then use however many clamps you need on the top and bottom ("north" and "south", whatever) of the assembly, preferably near the "claws" on the top part. top and bottom part will be somewhat shifted relatively to each other in "east-west" direction, that's normal.
Once you're happy with alignment of the "claws" with the slots on the bottom part, take the assembly, rest it on the left edge. The bottom part supposed to be higher than the top one now.
Now, take the hammer and tap the bottom part until it slides onto the top part's "claws".

OR

Just throw the foam away, it doesn't really affect anything. Yeah, the sound will be a bit more high-pitched, but otherwise everything will be the same.

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