At the same time, the production of key duplicates required manual grinding or filing of the key blank. The method was difficult to master and only a locksmith could do the job accurately. Modern technologies make creating a duplicate key fast and economical. Hardware stores are now equipped with automatic or semi-automatic key cutters that can follow the shape of the teeth along the key as they turn blanks into replicas.
Insert the original key in the vice with the teeth facing upward.
Insert the blank key into the second vice, where the cutting blade is located.
Close the protective cover and turn on the machine. The micrometer will track the original key. Automatically controls the angles and depth of the high-speed cobalt blade.
When copying is complete, turn off the machine and remove both keys. Use a high-speed wire brush to buff out any rough edges or spurs.
Place the new key and the original key side by side and compare. They should be equal. If not, another key may need to be cut.
Items you will need
- Key-cutting machine
- Original key
- Key blank
How to Fix Sticking Laptop Keys
Items you will need
- Small screwdriver
- Cotton swabs
- Rubbing alcohol
- Household cleaner
- Super Lube Dry Film Lubricant
Stuck laptop keys are a common problem due to the accumulation of dirt such as dust and hair, spilled drinks, and worn-out factory lubrication. Laptop keyboards don’t wear out if you clean and lubricate them properly. There is no need to spend money on an expensive replacement keyboard because you can reset your laptop keyboard yourself. With these methods, you can solve sticky keys problems and get your keyboard back in perfect working condition.
Use the small tip to gently release the adhesive from the keyboard. You don’t need to use too much force, as a little pressure should allow the key to release easily. If you’re cleaning your laptop keyboard completely, draw a keyboard map on a piece of paper so you know exactly where each key goes. There may be a small piece of rubber attached to each key depending on the brand of your laptop, so take them out and put them in a small box as they are small and easy to lose.
Thoroughly clean the exposed areas under the key with a cotton swab lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol. Change the cotton frequently when picking up residue, but make sure it’s only slightly damp as too much water can damage the piano. You can run a swab over the opening of the alcohol bottle to remove excess water, and make sure that the alcohol does not drip from the swab.
Rinse the real keys and their rubber parts with cotton swabs and alcohol to remove all traces of grease and sticky residue. Spray the keys with a regular household cleaner and leave them on for at least five minutes before rinsing them thoroughly with hot water. Lay the keys on a paper towel and let them dry completely.
Set the rubber parts aside and place the laptop keys upside down in a paper bag. Lightly coat the keys with lubricant and let dry. Make sure the grease coats all the little guides inside each key; however, care must be taken not to use too much lubricant as the solvent can damage the plastic.
Apply a small amount of solvent to the tip of a cotton swab and lubricate the exposed key areas of the keyboard, again making sure to cover all the small areas. Let the keyboard dry completely.
Replace all rubber parts on the keyboard and install the keys. Make sure the wire is inserted into the guide groove on the side of the key and apply firm but gentle pressure until the key clicks into place. Congratulations, no sticky keys!
Warnings
Always read the laptop manual before cleaning it. Most, but not all, laptop keyboards will have pop-off keys, so make sure you know before you try.
When copying is complete, turn off the machine and remove both keys. Use a high speed wire brush to buff out any rough edges or spurs.
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