F120 Selector button replacement

[albert]

can the red or white selector buttons be changed out?? I see where someone on ebay sells them with springs. My problem is that about 5 of them are lifted up about 3/8 of on inch and are not even with the rest of the bank. haven't started cleaning them with the deoxit yet but they look like they cant be changed out. looks like only the complete bank can be changed out.  thanks  Albert

[Ron Rich]

Albert,

I hope you are not cleaning the plastic ( or anything else on that keyboard), with Deoxit ! Those are friction fit buttons, which MUST remain almost even, or they will interrupt the selection process.  Most people cure the loose problem with glue--

Ron Rich

[albert]

no rich im not. will clean plastic buttons only with q-tips and a little fantastic on the q-tip itself. the contacts themselves are like the old points on a car ignition and very dirty. I will use deoxit with small slices of paper to get in there and clean each one on both sides so contacts can make connections. I was wondering why some buttons are not lining up. maybe someone tried pulling them out. anyway for 10 bucks I bought a complete bank of switches and cant figure out how to remove a single switch. hence I said maybe the banks are designed to be changed out as a whole?? what do you think?  Al

[broadway110]

I have the same problem with the buttons sticking out.We need to find out what kind of glue to use on the buttons.Jim

[albert]

My buttons don't come out just stick out. here is a pic. maybe if I hold the back pushrod down I can press them back into place. either way I will handle it gingerly. will keep you utd.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Al,
I don't recall, but if the switches are in a "switch-bank", I would be very careful in cleaning them. Deoxit is great, but it does leave a residue, which in a switch bank can cause flash-overs. I would if a switch bank, remove it, and wash it in hot (dishwasher) detergent and rinse wit hot water--then re-wash it with (sudsy--if you can find it) ammonia and hot water, and a very hot water rinse. Yes--Hold the shanks when forcing the buttons back on--As for "glue"-- I like "Testors brand, model airplane glue". Ron Rich

[albert]

here is a pic of the 12 contacts. I just bought this and buttons are all lined up. these contacts like mine are very dirty and like mine will either not work properly or work intermittently. they are easy to get to and easy to clean. I still cant figure out how to remove buttons so I will leave them alone if all work. lot of soldering to remove the whole bank. looks like 14 wires but if I have to I will replace so it looks  aligned.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Al,
Thanks for the pix--I now recall that system- You should be fine with the Deoxit, as long as you don't spray it. I would use a safety solvent on course paper to remove the dirt-- Deoxit, to "finish it" after seeing that no burrs were on them. That button is a friction fit, that after years of the shock of being released, has worked it's way off the shank--just apply some glue to the shank, support it, and re-press the button down.
Ron Rich

[albert]

Thanks ron, in the old day when I fixed the older vcr's they had a lot of what I called elevator contacts. like these u could use a harsher contact cleaner. then came the newer contacts that worked with soft plastics. if you used the regular contact cleaners they would melt the pot's and relays right off the board> I swore by the radio shack tuner cleaner that was safe for plastics. unfortunately I cant get it anymore. believe me I wont play games with the deoxit. an old trick was to use a book of matchsticks and use them as mini q-tips. then take the matchbook cover and cut it into 1/4"x2" strips and wet them with cleaner and get them into the smaller contact areas. these contacts from 1954 were made to last forever. unfortunately a lot of these older jukes were stored in humid garages and barns. I think I told you that I am having so much fun with this. my r83 is working perfectly. trying to get this one perfect too since I was born in 1954... LOL

[Ron Rich]

Hi Al,
Yep-- contact cleaners are very critical, and can cause more problems then they are worth. "Radio Shack's" contact cleaner was made by Deoxit it !
I have used many a match, and match book cover, in my life-- I also tend to run thru burnishing tools quite often ! Ron Rich

[albert]

yep its so cool. nothing better than fixing a piece of equipment and knowing you got skills. my wife keeps telling me to stop saying I'm disabled when I still can fix almost anything... LOL. just takes me a little longer with my bad left hand. I tell everyone to watch your blood pressure. that's what led to my stroke. right now I work with 60% of my left side still strong. next month I will probably try my hand at pinball machines. we've got 3 IDT slot machines here I repaired that my wife loves and wont give up. here is a pic of the one that got me back into electronic repairs 2 years ago. before that I just sat around and in rut. that's why I appreciate everyone's help on here. I'm not in it for the money. those days are gone. so thanks Ron and everyone else

[TCW]

"Ron Rich
Global Moderator
Feb 7, 2019 at 9:19am

That button is a friction fit, that after years of the shock of being released, has worked it's way off the shank--just apply some glue to the shank, support it, and re-press the button down.
Ron Rich"

I have the same problem with my F-120. I had to exert a lot of force to get them to budge as far a re-seating the shank on to the button. I have half of them done and decided to site down and wright while I wait for the strength to return and my finger to stop throbbing.

[Ron Rich]

Jest Git a bigger hammer ! Ron Rich