Interest in HP Button Spring Metal? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 12:05:13 am
content: I have a 3456A with some missing button springs. I can get my hands on some 1095 Hard Carbon steel (0.002" thick) but the quantity is WAY more than I would ever need. Would anyone be interested in buying some off me? I can sell it in 3" wide (makes about 21 button springs) strips cut to the correct length (about 14mm).

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 12:22:25 am
content: Don, you might also check with any who have a repair thread for HP gear with that kind of keyboard. I remember reading about some in the past, at least one of which talked about restoring key functionality.

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 12:41:13 am
content: I looked at a few. I have reinserted all the springs I have and for them the keyboard works fine but I will need new springs for the rest and they aren't easy to come by from what I can see.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 12:59:13 am
content: Yeah, I meant in case someone has a thread where they need such springs since they may not be watching this forum.

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 01:16:56 am
content: Oh right! Haha... I'll post in the repair and test forums.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 07:20:17 am
content: Cool. I'm glad I noticed this.What size roll(s) are you buying?Is it the McMaster-Carr Number 485556619503K11 Blue-Tempered Spring Steel Shim Stock Roll, .002" Thick, 3" Width X 50" LengthI'd be happy to buy a whole roll or two. plus postage to Australia. It's the sort of thing I'd end up using for other things, besides the HP button springs I need.

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 04:23:34 pm
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on March 02, 2018, 07:20:17 amIts a very similar one. Apparently it comes flat !!!... all 50 inches of it. I was only going to buy 1 sheet and cut it up. Its US$35 delivered for the first sheet and US$21 for sheet each sheet after to me. I would have to investigate postage to you. They are sold on Amazon, maybe you can order it direct.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00065V03A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1PS: If you do manage to get someIwould be interested in buying a few inches of it offyouas that is all I really need for the foreseeable future.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 11:12:13 am
content: Quote from: don.r on March 02, 2018, 12:05:13 amFor something available in small qtys and a variety of sizes, how about guitar strings ?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 01:08:54 pm
content: AFAIK member free_electron has lots of these. Anyway last time I restored these buttons I inserted small coil springs inside (there is a hole) instead of the metal clips.

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 04:01:34 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on March 03, 2018, 11:12:13 amUnfortunately guitar strings are too narrow for this application. The springs HP uses are 0.002" X 0.14" X 0.588"

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2018, 04:03:26 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on March 03, 2018, 01:08:54 pmGreat idea! Since I'm only interested in functionality and not authenticity I'll give it a go with some small springs. Getting the caps off might be tricky on some keys.