deskthority

I just got my first IBM Model F, and all keys work just fine. My issue however, is that E and V pretty much have to bottom out or they don't click. Sometimes when I press them, it bottoms out, but no click occurs.

The foam is actually still good luckily, and from what I can see, nothing is actually wrong with the spring, barrel or even the keycap that is visible. So I don't know really why these two keys need to REALLY bottom out like this to click or be registered. Any suggestions?

It's a Model F XT.

There's probably some gunk in the notch that the flipper rests in. My recommendation would be disassembling it to do a quick cleaning

They don't appear to be gummed up at all. They are literally sparkling clean. The more I pull the key cap off to try and figure this out, the worse it gets, yet absolutely nothing visually seems wrong. The flipper is clean, it's a spotless keyboard. The springs are of equal height, not bent, nothing.

I noticed if anything, hitting the problematic keys at the top always works, but hitting them at the bottom of the legends, it bottoms out without a click.

Inxie wrote: 14 Jul 2020, 22:38 They don't appear to be gummed up at all. They are literally sparkling clean. The more I pull the key cap off to try and figure this out, the worse it gets, yet absolutely nothing visually seems wrong. The flipper is clean, it's a spotless keyboard. The springs are of equal height, not bent, nothing.

I noticed if anything, hitting the problematic keys at the top always works, but hitting them at the bottom of the legends, it bottoms out without a click.

Have you tried swapping keys around? ie put the w key in the e spot etc

And to confirm: you have taken the keyboard completely apart? What happens when you switch flippers and barrels around from different keys?

When you re-insert the key are you tilting your keyboard all the way back as you press it in?

I've tried swapping keycaps, no change, same switch has the issue. I have taken it apart to try and resolve this issue, but I didn't think of changing the the location of the barrels. Being with how hard it was to get back together I don't know if I'm ready to do that just yet.

Here's a video of the issue: https://streamable.com/a15znr

To confirm, hitting the keys at the top left ALWAYS works and feels fine. Anywhere else especially towards the bottom is when the issue happens most frequently.

Inxie wrote: 14 Jul 2020, 22:48 I've tried swapping keycaps, no change, same switch has the issue. I have taken it apart to try and resolve this issue, but I didn't think of changing the the location of the barrels. Being with how hard it was to get back together I don't know if I'm ready to do that just yet.

Here's a video of the issue: https://streamable.com/a15znr

To confirm, hitting the keys at the top left ALWAYS works and feels fine. Anywhere else especially towards the bottom is when the issue happens most frequently.

Hello. If you have model M flippers lying arround (or if you want to get some from Unicomp) try swapping the springs.

PlacaFromHell wrote: 14 Jul 2020, 22:56

Inxie wrote: 14 Jul 2020, 22:48 I've tried swapping keycaps, no change, same switch has the issue. I have taken it apart to try and resolve this issue, but I didn't think of changing the the location of the barrels. Being with how hard it was to get back together I don't know if I'm ready to do that just yet.

Here's a video of the issue: https://streamable.com/a15znr

To confirm, hitting the keys at the top left ALWAYS works and feels fine. Anywhere else especially towards the bottom is when the issue happens most frequently.

Hello. If you have model M flippers lying arround (or if you want to get some from Unicomp) try swapping the springs.

Ok I owe you a drink. I am typing this on the Model F right now, I don't know why, because the springs looked identical as if nothing was wrong, but yep, took springs out of my Unicomp, and now they click properly now.

Thank you thank you thank you!! I now have a mint condition Model F with ZERO issues.

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)

I'm happy it worked. The same happened with my model F XT. I guess the springs just get old or fatigued and start failing. Unfortunately I'm not even close of your city We'll see latter.