I've set my file deletion shortcut back to the [DEL] key as described at https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=916646#p916646 . To clarify, these are the actions I've taken: 

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Quote:
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Run dconf-editor, and open:
org -> gnome -> desktop -> interface
Enable "can-change-accels".

Open nautilus, select any file/directory, then click "Edit" from menubar, and hover on "Move to Trash" menuitem.
While hovering, click on your delete key. The accel should change from "cntrl+del" to "del".

Make sure you have selected a file, else the "Move to Trash" menuitem will be greyed out.

I suggest you disable "can-change-accels" afterwards, to prevent accidental accel changes.
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I changed the "can-change-accels" setting back as suggested. 

Now, if I try to rename a file and press the [DEL] key to delete a character in the filename, the whole file is deleted (i.e. moved to the trash), but nautilus doesn't show this. You can continue typing in the filename, but nautilus then shows an error saying "the object couldn't be deleted" (translated from German) that refers to a file named »« (sic) after you completed the renaming via pressing [RETURN]. 

Example: 

1. Create a file ~/myfile. 
2. Select the file in nautilus. 
3. Press [F2]. 
4. Position the text cursor left to the "f". 
5. Press [DEL]. 
6. Type "abcdef" (or something else). 
7. Press [RETURN]. 
8. Look at the error message. 

Marvin