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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Hello Carmine Castiglia and Dennis G. Jerz- 9/24/06
With one screw and tape holding my "Palm Tungsten T" together I found your web-site via Jerz's Literacy Weblog page. After doing much searching myself (Wal-Mart, a number of hardware chains, eyeglass stores, two jewelry stores and a photo store, I was feeling pretty discouraged myself). I found that this was MUCH the same way Dennis had done after I found his weblog site. I read much of the reviews that people had written and looked on your page. With the same question two others had asked #57 and #58 about the $1 increase-then after reading what you had written, I also noted that when you first stated the $4.95 was Jul 2004, it being Sep 2006 and what you had stated (#59), as well as looking at your site, the comments that Dennis and others had written-I too placed my order. I am glad that things have gone well for you over the years. You have a very good web-site, very professional. I liked the fact that I felt like I was doing business with someone that took this "little" problem seriously and have put something together for the remaining of us that knows the problem is BIGGER then the "little" screws that you provide.
I would also have to TRULY THANK Dennis G. Jerz (#60) that was the original person that has provided this information to us that are one screw short from falling apart. If it were not for Dennis's trouble and doing much of the same searching that others have done themselves-as well as his willingness to provide such help I might have fallen apart. So THANK YOU both for Truly providing a service that might have Never been, if it were not for your effort to make a difference in our life.
Sincerely,
Carrie P.
This is the very reason why I haven't made the move for a new Palm.
I have owned 4 over the years, and while I LOVE the PDA, the Customer Service and support from Palm is sorely lacking.
I also lost a ton of information due to the lost slide plate. As a matter of fact, Thanksgiving 2005, my Palm 'died' on me. Sadly, I set it to the side. I haven't found another brand that seems to compare, but not wanting to invest any more money in a company that didn't care about me once they had my cash (My T3 is out of warranty, and I'm already on one refurbished model), I just went without and cried frequently.
A few days ago, I decided to show some one how bad off the device was, and found it actually worked. Seems if I keep it held together, it's ok, and I can get by.
Today, I just grabbed a binder clip and guess what? It's working. But I do want to get screws - and a new case.
I love my PDA, and I love having my information at my fingertips, but I am not loving Palm because they would let me, and others, suffer, and not even SELL the replacement screws!
It's a mystery to me, but thanks for returning with the follow-up.
Update: After hard reset and then draining the battery completely and recharging completely, and then jiggling the loose slide plate due to missing screws, it finally came back to life. Thanks to BackupBuddy, I was able to quickly sync all my software back on my T3. Not sure why the hiccup and freeze, whether due to software conflict or perhaps the loose slide plate. Oh well, there goes my excuse to get the Tx.
I am now a member of the missing screws club. I also found the two screws on the left side missing after reading your messages and then checking.
Unfortunately, I have a more pressing problem. My screen is frozen on with the Palm Power logo screen always on. No amount of soft, warm or hard resets seems to help. If I leave it out of the cradle, it eventually drains the battery to zero and the screen goes blank. I really don't need this as an excuse to buy a new Tx, but I'm headed in that direction. Has anyone had a similar experience?
P.S. I used an old trick to keep my screws in place. Guys, if you are married, have a girlfriend, or sister in the house just borrow their clear fingernail polish. Dab a little on and you have an inexpensive alternative to Loctite!
I ordered my screws for my Tungsten T3 from Carmine. He sent them ASAP. I totally agree with Post number 69! I would recommend his service to anyone. BTW, he's still at http://www.infosystemspro.com for anyone else who wants to order.
BTW, where is this petition so that I too can sign it?
I too found that I am missing two of those 4 screws from the left side of my Palm T3! Thanks for all the geat information! I am going to contact Carmine ASAP!
Aconsola and Ignacio, all I know is the part number that I incuded in the main blog entry: 0-80X 1/8, flat head Phillips, 64084