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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Hey everybody. The screw problem is pretty sucky, I know. However the screws from Carmine at InfosystemsPro.com fit PERFECTLY. No one will know the difference. I think they are 100% the same. Anyway, they're cheap, and your (T3) chassis will slide out without a hint of wobble. If you are without the proper screwdriver for these undeniably small screws, Sunglass Hut's Sunglass kit has amongst other things, a very handy sunglass' hinge screwdriver. Works perfectly for the T series screws.
Thanks Carmine.
I ordered the screws from Carmine and he mailed them right away. THEY ARE PERFECT! And the price is right. I ordered the plated screws and they look very handsome in place.
This is a GREAT site! I hopped over and signed the petition THEN went to infosystemspro.com and ordered screws from "them" (him? :o) ). Thanks Jerz! Thanks Carmine!
I have lost 3 screws and I was even aware of the need to tighten them! Just after I bought my T3 I had noticed the screws loosening - so I'd give them a tweak each week...okay, not EACH week, but the rhyme was kind of cute. Despite my tweaking/tightening (I tightened each nighten?) I still lost them.
I read with amusement Palm support's [lame] cautionary comment that putting the screws in ourselves was "too delicate an operation." Heck, I wedged a toothpick in the hole for a few days and got it out jus' fine. I can handle your fancy-schmanzy screw.
Dave Taylor
Thank you Carmine. Your screws arrived as promised and they fit perfectly.
Tibor,
Your replacement screws are already in the mailbox. I hope you will find dealing with me to be a lot more pleasant than your experience with palmOne. :)
Looks like Palm has changed its policy on sending replacement screws, although you may have to pay a $25 charge (I've already ordered mine from Mr. Castiglia). See e-mail string below:
Dear [Customer]:
Thank you for contacting palmOne? technical support. My name is Carlos and I will be assisting you with your issue about the screw on your handheld.
Please contact Technical Support hotline for online help about the issue since email support is limited to technical issues and simple inquiry only. By the way we can now send screws to you through carrier this is an updated policy.
If these steps have not resolved your issue, you may want to contact our telephone Technical Support center for additional assistance. This team can be reached at: 813-313-4913
Please note, support telephone calls are subject to a technical support fee of $25 per incident after 90 days from the date of purchase. However, if your call results in a Service Repair Order, or we are unable to resolve your issue, this fee will be waived. U.S. customers may also purchase the palmOne OnCall plan which provides a full year of telephone technical support.
Thank you for choosing palmOne.
Sincerely,
Carlos
palmOne Technical Support
--- Original Message ---
Dear Palm:
I have been a loyal Palm user for many years, but your refusal to solve
a simple hardware problem by providing a few small screws, and instead
require an expensive and highly inconvenient process to remedy an
obvious design flaw, is commercially unacceptable behavior for a
consumer electronics company.
[Customer]
---Prior Message---
Dear [Customer]:
Thank you for contacting palmOne(tm) Technical Support. My name is
Jalaja and I will be assisting you with your inquiry about placing an
order for missing screws for your handheld. I understand that the
screws of your handheld are missing and would like to get the
replacement for it.
We are sorry to inform that the replacement screws are not available and
in order to get the handheld fixed please set up a Service Repair Order.
Service Repair Orders must be set-up by the palmOne telephone Technical
Support team. This team can be reached at: 813-313-4913
Please note, support telephone calls are subject to a technical support
fee of $25 per incident after 90 days from the date of purchase.
However, if your call results in a Service Repair Order, or we are
unable to resolve your issue, this fee will be waived. U.S. customers
may also purchase the palmOne OnCall plan which provides a full year of
telephone technical support.
Thank you for choosing palmOne.
Sincerely,
Jalaja
palmOne Technical Support
Thanks Denis - I'm practically blushing!
If you should find yourself in the mood for something wild & crazy, I am now also offering the same screws electroplated with real 24 Kt Gold! Adds a tiny touch of class to your T, T2, or T3 and goes great with the (somewhat ostentatious) palmOne Gold Plated Stylus. :)
Carmine
I just installed the replacement screws available from Carmine Castiglia (ccastiglia@infosystemspro.com)on my T3- they fit perfectly, recessing just right compared with the slightly long 0-80X 1/8, flat head Phillips, 64084. I put a drop of locktite on each screw to reduce the problem in future.
Also, buying from Carmine reminded me of the early days on the Net - very personalized service from someone who found a way to solve a problem. I'd happily count on him again...which is far more than I can say about PalmOne these days!
Palm V->Vx->m505->Tungsten->Tungsten T3->??
They are the real thing. High precision stainless steel, made in Germany. They are even better than the Palm originals and sit tight and firm.
See for yourself at http://joyma.com/palm.htm
Ah, but are they the real thing? Exact replacements for the factory-installed screws? Or are they the poorly fitting 0-80 x 1/8" screws?