Help, i am to scared to remove keys from A1200 keyboard

[imaga_050]

As title says, they sit tighter than A500 keys i think and i usually just remove those with a flatheaded screwdriver an let the black plastic thing under provide leverage.
I am in the mood for some cleaning today and i thought i will do the keyboards. But i always end up loosing a spring or two because sometimes they leap in the air if i remove key to fast!
Can someone guide me to a tool or technique that will do this without breaking keys, or am i just a sissy and should pull harder?

 

[c64retro]

Place a finger gently over the key that you are trying to remove.Once you begin to apply some leverage the key and spring will not go anywhere and can be easily picked up and placed to one side.

 

[thecellartroll]

I saw a picture of someone using IC removing tweezers to do it recently. Looked like quite a good way.

 

[BLTCON0]

As title says, they sit tighter than A500 keys i think

The design is exactly the same, this is mostly a subjective feeling I think

and i usually just remove those with a flatheaded screwdriver an let the black plastic thing under provide leverage.

yep. use a flat screwdriver with a wide head, so not too much pressure is concentrated on a small part of the key frame and cracks it (even if it doesn't crack it, it can weaken and/or discolor the pressure spot).
I use the adjacent key for leverage and use the plastic base only when there's no adjacent key left :roll: I also prefer to first grab the key to be removed and "try" to pull it out with my fingers only, of course it won't come off but I sustain this "pre-force", then by slowly increasing the screwdriver force you have great control and they pop-off really smoothly.
And as C64retro said, with your finger protecting it it won't go anywhere.

I am in the mood for some cleaning today and i thought i will do the keyboards. But i always end up loosing a spring or two because sometimes they leap in the air if i remove key to fast!
Can someone guide me to a tool or technique that will do this without breaking keys, or am i just a sissy and should pull harder?

Nope, you're right to be cautious, breaking or deforming a key is a very real risk

 

[imaga_050]

Thank you all for the very nice pointers and tricks! After i gather some courage i will try again!

 

[Beaps]

stripped mine last night, some keys was stiffer than others.

just cup the whole key & lever up!

 

[imaga_050]

Now i feel like i have a new A1200

I washed each key BY HAND under running water with a bit of soap (so it smells nice too) , i think everything took about two hours

 

[BLTCON0]

And your Amiga feels like she has a new owner
j/k, good job there, totally worth the couple of hours spent