Lowrey Holiday TLOK-R - springs and actuators

[Lazlo]

Hi All

I had to change come broken keys on my Holiday, but managed to well and truly dislodge the springs that make contact with the bus bars. These are tiny springs that run horizontally and are pushed up by the plastic actuators attached to key on the manual. Anyway, I've managed to make a bit of a mess inside there and despite repeated attempts to re-insert the springs, there doesn't seem to be a easy way. Is there a tool someone would use like tweezers? I've been using hook-type tools, but to no avail. Crazy design and very frustrating.

Any advice most welcome. This will be the same design for '60s-era Lowreys, like DSO/A, TBO etc

Thanks
Lazlo

[you795a]

I have a Lowrey TLO-K and I cleaned the contacts for the keys. I agree with you they are hard to work on. What I did was remove the key and use a light and working from the bottom of the actuator carefully put the springs in the plastic actuator and then carefully put the key back in and hook the actuator on the key. I didn't use any tools just my fingers and a lot of patience. That is how I did it. The hook type tools sound like a good idea. Some of the keys have a lot of spring type contacts on them. Be careful not to stretch the springs. Hope this helps.

[Organfella]

I can sympathize with you fellows. I own a few Lowreys and worked on a few more and those designs really have an itchy side to them. My old H25-3 needs some work on one of the keys but up to now I have been shying away from tackling the job - you now know why. Some time ago I dismantled an ailing TLOK-R which had been left out in the rain and was ruined beyond even salvaging any parts. Taking apart the keyboards revealed the real intricate designs employed there - I suspect the designers might have been under the influence of something when they settled for that particular make-up!:o
Good luck!
Nico

[Lazlo]

Thanks for the moral support chaps. I've just ordered some long engineer's tweezers. Hopefully this tool will able me to accurately hold the end of the springs and coax them in to the actuators.

My advice (with bitter hindsight) to removing keys and keeping the springs in place is to keep a sharp eye on them at all times as you gently remove the key from the actuator, and if necessary, bend the metal bar (that's attached to the key) as you remove it. By bending the bar, it keeps the springs horizontal and in position.

regards
/L

[Organfella]

If you can lay your hands on one, those expensive "pliers" used by surgeons to clamp, hold, pinch or otherwise wrangle a patient's insides also work well for some small work. I have one (canna remember where I got it from...) and use it regularly. It has a ratchet type lock between the ears that holds the grip and keep it from letting go of whatever is gripped and is a very handy tool indeed. Time to make friends with a nurse, paramedic, doctor or anyone that may use these things to torment their patients with...?;-)

Nico

[KC9UDX]

I found one today at Hobby Lobby for $7 plus tax. It was called a hemostat.

[myorgan]

KC9UDX, those are clamps for arteries during surgery. I had forgotten the Pennington Forceps had a triangular end with an open center-presumably so a doctor could sew through the hole. I stand corrected.

Michael

[KC9UDX]

Hopefully no one is using these cheapies to stop blood flow. :)

[KC9UDX]

[myorgan]

Show off!!!;-)

[Organfella]

If you acquired one of each of those tools you should be able to get those pesky little springs replaced, unless you want to take up surgery... Some of those pinchers have angled noses so you can reach in awkward places - and all of the Lowrey places where you need to work are awkward. If they don't work for you I would suggest a 10-lb hammer. Luck!
Nico