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 am in Argentina. Do you have any idea how I should order the T3 screws? I mean the technical specifications of these screws so it facilitates my search.
Thanks, Ignacio Filici.
What is the actual thread size of the perfect replacement screws. I know I could order them at the sites above, but that would be too easy.
I can't comment on Peggy v Carmine. I'll share my ordering experience with Carmine Castiglia:
I ordered replacement screws from Castiglia last month for my Tungsten T3. They arrived in Austin about 3 days after the email acknowledgment. The packaging was as another poster described: letter-size envelope -> small manila envelope -> small plastic zipper-seal bag. And receipt was enclosed.
I compared the replacement screws with an original and found the pitch and length to be the same. I installed 2 screws and tightened up the remaining original screws (with a #0 phillips jeweler's screwdriver). This left me with 2 spares should any be lost. I may loctite them all in the future.
Castiglia offered a quick, inexpensive, and effective solution. My experience with him was professional-- he delivered what he said he would. I'm pleased with the fix, and I will recommend the same to my friends should they need it.
I looked (over the net) at both product Peggy and Carmine are selling. Ihaven't bought any of them yet. I have a T3 that's been missing 3 screws for the last past 2 years.
Indeed, it is inconcievable that PalmOne will charge $125 just to replace those.
It is conforting that there is something about this issue out on the web.
To Carmine's defense, it looks like he's also a "small-town-shop" and was able to get the actual replacement screws. Come payday, I will be buying Carmine's product just because I am a perfectionist (that is, if he's still alive... It's been 2 years since his last update).
In any case, thank you all for the help. It's been bugging me for the longest time and because of that, I haven't used my palm for over a year.
The screws that I bought from Peggy are still in my PDA. I probably remembered to tighten them a few times after I bought them, but it's probably been a year since I've tightened them, and they're still just fine. I didn't add any glue or anything.
Bortz Hardware is a mom-and-pop outfit in a small town. Carmine runs a slick online tech-and-geekery shop, and obviously cares about his online reputation.
Some folks have had luck getting Palm to replace the screws for free, but your mileage may vary.
Do I order screws from Carmine or Peggy? Who has the better screws with the best price?
The first time this happened to me, I got the customer service rep in India to give me a phone # in the US (which I, of course, can no longer find). I called Palm, and they sent me four new screws, no charge. Even with Loctite, I've since lost another one. But now I'm out of warranty, so will be buying a new set. BTW, pdaparts.com no longer seems to be charging shipping. The screws are $6.99.
Thanks for the tips on the screws. I will get some ASAP.
I lost three before I noticed. I tightened and trapped the remaining one with a strip of "Scotch super strength packaging tape" It is 2 inches wide and you can get it at many stores. The tape is VERY durable and nearly invisible and I have never needed to retighten the screw. I also use the tape to scratch-proof the entire body. It is easy to trim away where you don't want it. Any more news on availability of the original gray flip cover?
I want to sign this petition that everyone talks about, but don't know where it is. Can someone help me?
T. Scott
Also found another site that may be useful:
http://www.gethightech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PA1694&Category_Code=PC
A bit more expensice than Carmine but another source none-the-less.