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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Thanks for posting this information and leaving the equally helpful comments with all of the links to suppliers up all these years. I let my husband use my T3 for work for several months, and only recently discovered that he had somehow lost all 4 side screws on the thing, rendering it pretty much out of commission. I just ordered some replacement screws and will (hopefully) have working PDA again soon.
I have a T3 and have the same problem. Thanks.
I have a problem with my palm tungsten w. the sim card access door is damaged. i don't know from where i can get a replacement. even a piece from the old unused unit will serve the purpose. can anyone help ?
I have had trouble with the T3 screws falling out myself. Palm did offer me a replacement set for US$15.00 wow. Thanks, but no thanks. Some time later I find myself in the market for buying a new PDA and will not look at palm as an option. So you see Mr Palm, the sort of support you give customers results in the same sort of support you receive in return. None=None. Rude=Rude. No Support=No Support. What chance would have received if it were a more serious support issue. Pity you let your investors down. Maybe your investors will read this blog.
I found 25 screw for $2.40 plus five bucks shipping on Amazon merchant Small Parts, Inc. Same merchant had same product for much higher prices within their listings so be careful you find the lower priced product:
The exact listing was: Miniature Stainless Steel 18-8 Phillips Flat Head Phillips Machine Screw 0-80 x 1/8" L (Pack of 25)
Small Parts, Inc. part number: MPX-0080-02F-25
URL for the product: http://www.amazon.com/Miniature-Stainless-Steel-Phillips-Machine/dp/B000FN0J9E/ref=sr_1_9/103-0656061-9970217?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1178845410&sr=1-9
I ordered a Palm T-3 replacement battery on-line. Now I find I can't get it apart to replace the battery. Can anyone help?
Thanks for this site...I was actually googling for a case when i stumble upon this. I called Peggy and ordered 6 screws asap..she said she will try to get them out today... we'll see....75 cents a piece plus $5 shipping. Considering the alternatives..this is great!
Like everyone else on this site, also my Tugsten T3 lost its lateral screws. They have since been replaced with similar screws, but they always looked "different".
Last week, after reading the thread on this site, I have contacted Palm technical support by filling a form on Palm Italy web site, asking for some screw replacement.
To my astonishment, they have promptly replied (in less than half an hour!), saying more or less "Yes, we will do it." And today I got an email confirming the shipment of the screws. Wow! So fast and simple! And free, too.
As someone wrote earlier, maybe Palm has started to pay attention, at last.
This is a great post as I just lost two of the screws holding the sliding part of the housing of my Tungsten T3, and have not been able to find them anywhere. As I live in Munich, Germany, I just ordered from Carmine.
Screw Palm!
just thought I'd add that miniature screws like this are available from:
http://www.smallparts.com
and
http://www.mcmaster.com/