Unscrewed: Finding Replacement Screws for Palm Tungsten T3 (Jerz’s Literacy Weblog)
A few weeks ago, I was comparing PDA’s with Josh Sasmor (a Seton Hill math professor), when Josh noticed that one of the four tiny screws on the lower body of my Tungsten T3 was missing. I forgot to bring the charger home one weekend, and took the following week off, so my PDA’s batteries died and I didn’t use it for more than a week. When I picked it up again, I noticed that now, three of the four tiny screws were missing.
I hit the Internet, and found that I am not alone. Palm does not sell replacement screws, and in fact will not replace them at all unless you send in your PDA for servicing — which costs $125, plus shipping and the time you have to spend without a PDA — and that you might get somebody else’s used PDA back instead of yours. A few posters in online forums mentioned finding replacements in out of the way places, so I was hopeful (though Finn never replied to my e-mail). One online poster said a railroad hobbyist eyeballed the screw, said “Looks like a #80,” opened up a drawer, and presto — problem solved.
After checking Wal-Mart, Lowe’s (a hardware chain), three eyeglass stores, two jewelry stores and a Radio Shack, I was feeling pretty discouraged. The culture here in Pennsylvania is small-town friendly, so I didn’t get the idea people were blowing me off; but nobody had a drawer full of odd screws, and nobody knew how to get in touch with a supplier who might stock such parts. “The parts I’m supposed to need just arrive from the warehouse,” said one employee.
Today I was in downtown Greensburg, and found screws that fit at Bortz Hardware. They had about twenty in a little drawer; The part number: 0-80X 1/8, flat head Phillips, 64084. I bought seven. When I told employee Peggy Felton about the Tungsten problem, she looked in her drawer and said, “I’ll order more.”
Update, June 25 (photo added): The replacement screw, on the right, sticks out ever so slightly on the downslope edge, but it seems to fit tightly.
If you’re looking for replacement Tungsten T3 screws, you might want to give Bortz Hardware a call at 724 834 3770. (I have no financial stake in the transaction… I’m just hoping I might be of some service to somebody whom Google throws my way.)
According to the chatter on user forums and an online petition, Palm’s position is that the screws were lost due to user error, and thus the replacement is not covered by warranty. Many unhappy consumers note that they have owned countless electronic devices with tiny screws that do not need to be tightened regularly, and feel it is a design flaw.
Oh… the price Bortz Hardware charged for the screws? Eighteen cents each. That sure beats $125.
Post was last modified on 2 Jul 2020 2:26 pm
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I think you can just download the desktop software from Palm's website. I don't know if that would get you Docs2Go or any of the other freebies, but the synch software wouldn't be much good without the hardware, so I don't see why they'd hide it.
thank you for this link Dennis.
i just ordered from Carmine Castiglia.
I have gone with 3 screws missing for past 4 months and just stumbled on your link.
thanks again...
Any ideas on how I could get Tungsten T3 software for hotsink....I lost my original CD.
Thanks for any info
P.S. to the above: my replacement order was from Carmine Castiglia (whose name I got from this weblog; thanks!). He is at http://www.infosystemspro.com/pdaparts_screws.htm
I just received my package of four replacement screws for palmOne Tungsten T, T2, & T3, and have installed them using Super glue gel. This is a relief, as at this point I had lost all but one of the original four (more below)!
I ordered the replacements exactly a week ago; they shipped First Class USPS mail from Connecticut on the same day (a Saturday). They arrived today in a small ziploc bag inside a small manila envelope, inside a letter inside a standard business envelope. All four screws were inside.
The replacements are slightly brighter and less grey than the original T3 side casing screws, but are otherwise an exact replacement, fit perfectly, and on my T3 at least exactly match the finish of the two upper back screws (apparently only the lower side ones were finished to match the grey metal case color).
As a test, I removed the one remaining original screw that I had used Super Glue to secure to my T3 several days ago. It came out, though VERY reluctantly, even after the first full turn. That tells me it was securely locked in.
The history of my T3, a case of accelerated lossage:
1. Purchase in November, 2004;
2. Notice two lower left screws missing, move lower right to lower left and tighten the remaining two, late 29 January 2005;
3. Notice lower left screw missing, and find in pocket and retighten both, March 5, 2005;
4. Notice upper right screw missing only 3 days later, March 8, 2005.
So, while the first retightening gave me over a month, the second one lasted only a few days. This may indicate that as these screws are retightened they become MORE LIKELY TO FALL OUT SUBSEQUENTLY. For this reason I believe anyone who replaces these screws should secure them with Loctite or Super Glue.
Carson
Thank you very much for your efforts. I will order the missing screws from Carmine right away.
While on a European trip, I found that all four screws were missing from my T3. I had planned to contact Palm for replacememt screws, but now I know better. I will be contacting Carmine this morning. Thanks to everyone for your posts. This made is painless to find a solution.
Frank...
It's great to know I'm not alone (T|3; found two lower left screws missing this morning).
I had a similar problem with my Jornada a few years ago, and used Super Glue to secure the screws; they never came loose again. I first cleaned the screws thoroughly with a solvent cleaner, then dried them thoroughly, to remove any oil that might interfere with the bond. I doubt this would prevent the screws being removed if necessary, and suspect it works better than loctite.
Carson
Carmina,
many thanks for shipment of T3 screws to Belgium. received them today and they fit like a glove
cheers,
Harm Spanhaak
I need to find a new grey flip cover also. Palmone said they won't sell it separately, although the rep said he gets requests for this all the time and feels they should sell it. HELP!
Thanks for the organized effort. Just ordered the screws from Carmine. Looking forward to finally fixing this problem!