Massdrop x XMIT Hall Effect Mechanical Keyboard Discussions | Drop

Mar 15, 2017

Got the keyboard yesterday - three things: 1. Certain keycaps occasionally fall out when pressed quickly. 2. Right shift constantly gets stuck. 3. This only applies to people with bamboo models - the wood smells like it might have been treated with Formaldehyde. (this is based on previous fabbing experience)
As for point 3, unless it's been made clear that it's not Formaldehyde, keep it out of reach of children and wash your hands after touching the keyboard. If it is Formaldehyde... why wasn't a neutralizing pad included in the packaging? It's illegal to ship a product without a neutralizer in some countries. (Like the one I'm living in.)
Not entirely impressed... No reply from Massdrop about point 2 - raised a ticket yesterday.

Mar 15, 2017

Mar 16, 2017

innodbAbout point 3 - I really doubt this is formaldehyde but I've contacted the factory to get a better answer.
For loose keys, I'd recommend a 1cm square of clear plastic bag material between the stem and the key cap as a shim for the time being.
As for right shift getting stuck, you might try removing the switch, removing the stabilizer, making sure the stabilizer plastics are correctly assembled (the inner piece looks like it has rotational symmetry but there is a small notch that needs to line up), and re-assembling. There have been some tolerance issues noted. I hope this helps.

Mar 16, 2017

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Mar 17, 2017

XMITSo... I've personally had some woodwork done in China which got stuck (and eventually disposed by) in customs due to formaldehyde - and it smelled extremely similar to this.

Mar 17, 2017

Mar 17, 2017

innodbHmm. What country are you in out of curiosity?
Tung oil was offered as an option for treating the bamboo but I decided that had too strong a smell to bring to production.

Mar 17, 2017

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Mar 17, 2017

XMITI am based in Japan, but the formaldehyde problem I experienced was in Korea. (Bringing in 1000 bamboo carved keychains which haven't been properly neutralized was the problem)

Mar 17, 2017

Mar 17, 2017

innodbThe manufacturer responded, saying that they use Feed-N-Wax polish by Howard Products in Paso Robles, CA, USA. A quick look at the MSDS shows petroleum distillates, but not formaldehyde, on the list. Please see for yourself at http://howardproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/HOW-100_Feed-N-Wax-1.pdf .

Mar 17, 2017

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Mar 17, 2017

XMITThanks for clarifying. I'll try your suggestion on the stabilizer, but is there any chance that the manufacturer can deal with the questionable QC of this run?

Mar 17, 2017

SQWI

Mar 18, 2017

XMITWhile it can be used in the coating, it's much more likely it would be contained in the glue used in the pressing process of the bamboo.

Mar 18, 2017

Mar 18, 2017

innodbI've got a long list of issues for the manufacturer that I'm pulling into a cohesive document, and yes, we'll chat about this quite a lot.

Mar 18, 2017

Mar 18, 2017

SQWII will check with the manufacturer about this now.

Mar 18, 2017

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SQWI

Mar 24, 2017

XMITAny update about this?

Mar 24, 2017

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