Plastic Slot Broken During Enter Keycap Removal

therecorder · 05 Jul 2012, 12:42

Wanted to fix the rattling on the Backspace, Enter, and Spacebar of my Choc Mini, by putting paper under the stabilizer bars. Backspace process went fine. However, when removing the keycap on the Enter key, I broke off the piece of the cap that holds the stabilizer. Put back the cap without the stabilizer, and everything seems fine. Is a stabilizer really needed on the Enter key, or the Backspace key? I assume it's absolutely required on the Spacebar.

Thanks in advance

kalrykh · 05 Jul 2012, 12:47

You can probably live without it. There are places that sell replacements, such as wasdkeyboards.com. If you're in Europe, not sure how expensive shipping would be on something so light, but the peace of mind might be worth it.

therecorder · 05 Jul 2012, 13:03

kalrykh wrote:You can probably live without it. There are places that sell replacements, such as wasdkeyboards.com. If you're in Europe, not sure how expensive shipping would be on something so light, but the peace of mind might be worth it.

On these smaller keycaps, what is the purpose of the stabilizer?

Soarer · 05 Jul 2012, 13:27

If your habit is to press those keys near the centre anyway, then they have no purpose at all!

therecorder · 05 Jul 2012, 14:31

Ended up removing the stabilizers in both the Enter and Backspace keys, and think I'll buy and use some heavy lube to quiet the Spacebar. Paper is a sloppy and tedious way to handle this annoyance.

Thanks Guys

therecorder · 05 Jul 2012, 20:03

After more messing around with the Mini, I realized that I hadn't broken off the slot of the Enter key - I had simply pulled the piece out of it's socket. So, I returned the three keys to the way they originally were (with the stabilizers), to await lubricant. However, I discovered that the Backspace key is missing one of its slot pins, and this is probably the reason why this key has been rattling the most. Can I order these pins?

ripster · 06 Jul 2012, 00:32

This thread needs pics.

Are you SURE you are missing a pin?

therecorder · 06 Jul 2012, 01:07

Hey Ripster... It's the Backspace key... Do some only use 1 insert?

ripster · 06 Jul 2012, 01:21

Nope!

therecorder · 06 Jul 2012, 01:36

That's what I thought. So, either I lost one on the floor (the first time I pulled the key), or Noppoo's QC missed it. Either way, I need to get a WASD order together (so that the parts to shipping costs ratio doesn't suck too much).

Thanks for the help...

The_Ed · 06 Jul 2012, 02:43

Is this what you need? (bottom left)

dorkvader · 06 Jul 2012, 06:49

Soarer wrote:If your habit is to press those keys near the centre anyway, then they have no purpose at all!

If your habit isn't to do that, you can sometimes get stepped keycaps, like on older WYSE 'boards. I believe my board form a WY50 has stepped modifiers, and my keycaps from a WY-60 (as well as my board from a WY-30) do not.

It's a pretty good solution, and thick doubleshots are nice.

Still, to fix it properly, getting a new one from WASDkeyboards is a good idea. If they quote you something incredible for international shipping, maybe send weyman an email. If it's still to high, I'd be happy to proxy one for you. I need an excuse to get a wire keypuller anyway. These paperclips are hard to use!

longweight · 06 Jul 2012, 07:05

International shipping is $3.

therecorder · 06 Jul 2012, 09:32

Thanks to all... There's a bunch of small things I want to order from WASD (mostly spares), so I don't think the shipping will be so bad.