Re: compressed air - keyboard

On 10/18/24 4:31 PM, Jolly Roger wrote:

On 2024-10-18, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:

>
About 2 weeks ago, the spacebar on my keyboard (Mac Magic Keyboard)
began causing me heck: to whit: the right most portion of the keyboard
didn't respond to my usual amount of pressure.  Either needed a touch (a
teensy touch) more pressure or that my right thumb hit further to the left.
>
When one types a lot (and I do) the 'muscle memory' is important - but
also hard to re-train.
>
I gave up and started a warranty return with Apple via their chat
service.  They agreed to replace the keyboard but suggested I give it an
air blast first.  OK.
>
Should I remove the key?  No.
>
Of course I didn't have a can lying around - last used such probably a
year ago and I didn't replace it.
>
So ordered a can.  With the thin tube attached, blasted it in the gap
around the rightmost cm or so.  Two rounds.
>
Instant improvement.  Back to normal.
>
Basics often reward.

 That's a good tip.
 I regularly turn my keyboards upside down while wiping the keys with a
damp microfiber towel, and haven't had such issues (knock on wood), but
if I ever do, I'll definitely try this first.
I keep a rechargeable vac handy. In suction, charge, and dust capacity

it's no good for housecleaning, but it's perfect for cleaning my desk and keyboard. First, I'll invert a keyboard and tap it on the desk to knock debris loose.
I keep needlenose tweezers to pluck stuff from between keys. If necessary, I can take a keyboard to the garage for a shot of air from a compressor tank. The compressor will deliver a greater volume than a can. I can regulate the pressure, and the 25-foot hose lets the air warm to ambient temperature.
I used to pop off key caps to reveal debris. I don't recall keyboard trouble in the 20th Century. IIRC, Apple keyboards were mechanical then.
Six months ago I bought a mechanical keyboard. No more trouble! There seems to be 6mm or clearance below the key caps.