Amiga 1000 Keyboard Plunger Problem...

KLund1 · 25 January 2022, 21:06

Hello,
I have a 1000 keyboard with a broken white key stalk plunger that has split in half. I want to glue it carefully back together.

I have tried superglue, and acetone and these do not work. They hold the two vertical halves together lightly, but the slightest pressure from a test fitting the keycap back on slits it again.

I only put the slightest amount of glue/acetone along the broken edges so it will still slide up and down. I let dry for hours before testing.
What type of glue would be better?
Thanks

coldacid · 25 January 2022, 21:18

Try plastic cement, maybe pinning the two pieces together first (look up miniatures modelling techniques).

deimos · 25 January 2022, 21:21

There is a 2 part superglue for plastics,

https://www.amazon.fr/Loctite-transp...dp/B008F7YHLS/

has a liquid activator that you put on to both surfaces first. No idea whether it will work for you, and you'll have to clean off all traces of previous glue first, but it has worked for me in the past, for gluing plastics that superglue otherwise won't work with - gluing plastic is hard.

KLund1 · 25 January 2022, 22:10

Thanks for the very quick replies !!
My hands could not do pinning such small pieces, but the idea is sound. Thanks
I'll try the two part superglue. I have never tries that.
I'll report back with results.
Again thanks!

pandy71 · 26 January 2022, 00:52

I know how this sounds but best is reinforcing both pieces with metal wire (paper clip wire?) - hot iron, metal wire U shape or O shape, flat surface, melt wire in plastic at least to surface level or slightly bellow, iron should have temperature not to high to avoid plastic decomposition (but sufficient to melt plastic) you can use soldering iron with precise temperature control or dedicated plastic soldering iron.
Glue both parts together before reinforcing it with wire...
Later you can finish part to hide metal wire (you can use dedicated plastic putty).

Why reinforcement is required ?? - forces are high and they will accumulate at the broken edge - normal glue, even epoxy will be probably insufficient to resist, metal wire will reinforce part sufficiently so everything will work fine.

you can practice on something else to avoid potential damages on plunger surface

good luck!

25 January 2022, 21:06	#1
KLund1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Livermore CA Posts: 35	Amiga 1000 Keyboard Plunger Problem... Hello, I have a 1000 keyboard with a broken white key stalk plunger that has split in half. I want to glue it carefully back together. I have tried superglue, and acetone and these do not work. They hold the two vertical halves together lightly, but the slightest pressure from a test fitting the keycap back on slits it again. I only put the slightest amount of glue/acetone along the broken edges so it will still slide up and down. I let dry for hours before testing. What type of glue would be better? Thanks

25 January 2022, 21:21	#3
deimos It's coming back! Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: comp.sys.amiga Posts: 762	There is a 2 part superglue for plastics, https://www.amazon.fr/Loctite-transp...dp/B008F7YHLS/ has a liquid activator that you put on to both surfaces first. No idea whether it will work for you, and you'll have to clean off all traces of previous glue first, but it has worked for me in the past, for gluing plastics that superglue otherwise won't work with - gluing plastic is hard. Last edited by deimos; 25 January 2022 at 21:34.

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25 January 2022, 21:18	#2
coldacid WinUAE 4000/40, V4SA Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: East of Oshawa Posts: 538	Try plastic cement, maybe pinning the two pieces together first (look up miniatures modelling techniques).

25 January 2022, 22:10	#4
KLund1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Livermore CA Posts: 35	Thanks for the very quick replies !! My hands could not do pinning such small pieces, but the idea is sound. Thanks I'll try the two part superglue. I have never tries that. I'll report back with results. Again thanks!

26 January 2022, 00:52	#5
pandy71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: PL? Posts: 2,741	I know how this sounds but best is reinforcing both pieces with metal wire (paper clip wire?) - hot iron, metal wire U shape or O shape, flat surface, melt wire in plastic at least to surface level or slightly bellow, iron should have temperature not to high to avoid plastic decomposition (but sufficient to melt plastic) you can use soldering iron with precise temperature control or dedicated plastic soldering iron. Glue both parts together before reinforcing it with wire... Later you can finish part to hide metal wire (you can use dedicated plastic putty). Why reinforcement is required ?? - forces are high and they will accumulate at the broken edge - normal glue, even epoxy will be probably insufficient to resist, metal wire will reinforce part sufficiently so everything will work fine. you can practice on something else to avoid potential damages on plunger surface good luck!

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