Apple //c keyboard

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retro_bill's picture
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Apple //c keyboard

Just picked up a brand new //c. Its hard to press the keys.

 

Is there anyway to make it easy to push the keys? 

 

 

Thanks!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eX3IGPq8AQ

 

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desiv wrote:https://www
desiv wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eX3IGPq8AQ

 

No, no, no. Never ever do that. 

 

Especially not if the syetem is truly new old stock. 

 

Are the keys stiff just to press them, or do they stick/act nonresponsive? If they simply feel tight, that likely because well, they are brand new, old stock keys. Is the unit the A2S4000 or A2s4100?

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Check if it has the rubber

Check if it has the rubber "splash guard." A flat membrane between the keycaps and the switches. This often gets hard and brittle and will make all the keys mushy and hard to press. If so, you can just remove it and all will be good.

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jeffmazur wrote:Check if it
jeffmazur wrote:

Check if it has the rubber "splash guard." A flat membrane between the keycaps and the switches. This often gets hard and brittle and will make all the keys mushy and hard to press. If so, you can just remove it and all will be good.

This is why I asked for the model number. A2S4000 will have that, A2S4100 will not.

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I had to "flood" mine

I had to "flood" mine multiple times with contact cleaner.

 

I sprayed each single contact with the spray, let it affect one day, pressed all keys and repeated this procedure twice.

No it works fine again... except the CAPS-Lock, this does not lock any more.

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What type of Caps Lock switch

What type of Caps Lock switch is it? The KCL lock type is easy to open up.

By comparison, KFL lock is more complicated internally and harder to open:

However, as you can see, it is possible to get it KFL lock apart without destroying it. I forget how, because they are not designed to be opened, and tend to snap if you try. Opening it while still soldered down may have helped.

The latching mechanism in most alternate action switches uses a three-dimensional cam track, and a follower arm that must press against it. KCL lock uses a cheap but simple approach of a springy plastic arm, while KFL lock has a backing leaf spring and a miniature follower pin inside a slide block. (Cherry, Omron and (in at least one example) Fujitsu used a far simpler rotary approach. Rotary switches are perfectly smooth, without the jarring feel you can get off the cam system.)

The //c also used a different brand of alternate action switch for the top toggles — I have no idea who made those, but they appear to be heat staked.

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