Removing Numerical Keypad

Written By: Stanko Vuleta

Comments: 9

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

35 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to cut off numerical keypad from your keyboard.

Why do this?

If you spend a lot of time typing and are experiencing pain in your right shoulder, numerical keypad may be the cause of your pain. When working with your mouse, your right hand is awkwardly positioned far right because of the useless numerical keypad.

There are myriad short keyboards on the market, but almost none retain the regular layout for insert/home/delete/arrows. This hurts me as much as my shoulder.

Tools

Step 1

You can do this with most keyboards. I had an older Dell keyboard model L100.

Step 2

Turn the keyboard over and you will see 15 screws. Remove them.

Step 3

Take the keyboard apart. You will find a white rubber sheet under the top part of the keyboard. Cut off the part for the numerical keypad.

Step 4

Fasten the top part of the keyboard and take the hacksaw to it. Cut off the numerical keypad part. Do not use power tools because you may produce toxic fumes and even activate fire alarm.

Step 5

On the bottom part of the keyboard, remove the three screws and the metal bar holding the keyboard PCB and fold the plastic sheet so it is out of your way when cutting.

Step 6

Now mark the bottom part of the keyboard for another cut.

Step 7

Cut the bottom part of the keyboard too. Fold or remove the plastic PCB out of the way when cutting.

Step 8

Screw the PCB and the metal bar back on.

Step 9

Assemble the rest of the keyboard, and fold the plastic sheet under your keyboard. Do not cut it because it will render the keyboard useless.

Step 10

Since you have cut the portion of the keyboard with the supporting leg for tilting, supply it with a new leg. You can use a key from the numerical keypad.