I picked up two IIc computers, with the original hairspring keyboard, the other day and there keyboards are horrible. Removing the membrane helped but it's still terrible. I spend a few hours searching the internet for a replacement PCB using modern switches but found nothing. I think it's time we came together and fixed that. Has anyone else looked into this or better yet designed a PCB for it?
IIc keyboard replacement
- Thread starter THIRSTYLOTUS
- Start date
They are pretty not great. While I'm loath to alter an original, functioning machine, I do have one //c with some bad lock switches that I'd be open to replacing the keyboard on...
The trick - maybe, I dunno - is finding switches that will be low profile enough to match the original aesthetic and accommodate the caps. The switches are a kind of medium-to-low profile, and I'm not sure if there are modern replacements of a similar size? I really have no idea, I'm not up on modern keyboard switches.
I thought there was a replacement effort underway somewhere.... but whatever, we could certainly spearhead something. I'd be up for assisting with that.
The trick - maybe, I dunno - is finding switches that will be low profile enough to match the original aesthetic and accommodate the caps. The switches are a kind of medium-to-low profile, and I'm not sure if there are modern replacements of a similar size? I really have no idea, I'm not up on modern keyboard switches.
I thought there was a replacement effort underway somewhere.... but whatever, we could certainly spearhead something. I'd be up for assisting with that.
Unless I’m mistaken, @jcm-1 hinted at KansasFest about efforts underway with @MacEffects on just such a project.
I hope that's the case. But I think I will still try and look into making a PCB that holds PCB mount cherry style key switches. If I'm successful I will make the board open source.
Here we go: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5251478676/permalink/10161245550903677/
Not sure of the current status - perhaps @jcm-1 can fill us in?
Not sure of the current status - perhaps @jcm-1 can fill us in?
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Sorry on the delay in reply!
I have designed a replacement keyboard for the IIc. It was a commissioned project for @MacEffects. As I don't own the project, I can't provide an ETA. What I can say is that @MacEffects is having problems with production in China for obvious reasons.
One big problem: the toggles used for 80/40, Keyboard and CapsLock doen't exist. We had to use standard switches, and I designed a flip-flop latch, so normal momentary keyswitches will work.
Myself and Javier Rivera are currently the only ones who have one.
Couple of teaser pictures:
I have designed a replacement keyboard for the IIc. It was a commissioned project for @MacEffects. As I don't own the project, I can't provide an ETA. What I can say is that @MacEffects is having problems with production in China for obvious reasons.
One big problem: the toggles used for 80/40, Keyboard and CapsLock doen't exist. We had to use standard switches, and I designed a flip-flop latch, so normal momentary keyswitches will work.
Myself and Javier Rivera are currently the only ones who have one.
Couple of teaser pictures:
The trick isn't the board really: it's the metal mounting plate and keycaps.
@jcm-1 You guys have done an awesome job on that. I know the mounting plate must have been a real pain to make. But that will make a nice rigid keyboard.
Over the weekend I worked on my PCB and got it about 90% done. I had the same idea on how to tackle the locking switches. My design is quite different then yours is. I went with PCB mount cherry style switches which don't require a mounting plate. To make it more rigid, I'm going to reuse the plastic pcb reinforcement that came with the old hairspring keyboard. As for keycaps, I'm planning on 3D printing a hairspring to cherry stem converter. Should be a very simple model to make.
I'm not going for the most premium (which is good since you guys already have that covered). I'm going for better then the hairspring keyboard. Which admittedly is a very low bar. Basically I just want to make both of my apple iic useable an not spend too much.
I do wish you guy luck with the supply issues you're having!
Over the weekend I worked on my PCB and got it about 90% done. I had the same idea on how to tackle the locking switches. My design is quite different then yours is. I went with PCB mount cherry style switches which don't require a mounting plate. To make it more rigid, I'm going to reuse the plastic pcb reinforcement that came with the old hairspring keyboard. As for keycaps, I'm planning on 3D printing a hairspring to cherry stem converter. Should be a very simple model to make.
I'm not going for the most premium (which is good since you guys already have that covered). I'm going for better then the hairspring keyboard. Which admittedly is a very low bar. Basically I just want to make both of my apple iic useable an not spend too much.
I do wish you guy luck with the supply issues you're having!
The problem I see is the keycaps: producing them would be expensive, using the ones you have would be difficult or frustrating. Maybe somebody want to try adapting cherry switches to the old style caps? I don't have Cherry switches to try, but sounds like a good idea...