In need of help for a Tandy 1000 keyboard

[Vintage_H._Shack]

Hello all! I have embarked on a task to remake the Tandy 1000 keyboard's PCB. Here's my plan:

1) Create the PCB in KiCad (I have it mostly done at this point)
2) Send the gerbers off for manufacturing.
3) Buy enough Cherry MX switches to assemble a few keyboard PCBs.
4) 3d print adapters to mount the original Tandy keycaps to the Cherry MX switches.
5) Send one or two out to YouTube Content creators for review.

The part that I need help with is number 4. The objective of this is to create a "sleeper effect". I want the keyboard to look like it's original, but I want it to perform like a modern mechanical keyboard. Ideally, I'm looking for someone with experience designing small parts in a 3D CAD program and also has a Tandy 1000 keyboard on hand for reference. I only ask for help because I have tried and tried to get my head around 3D modeling parts and I just cannot get the hang of it. What I was able to do was go into TinkerCAD and create a die that was squished with a hole in the center for the Cherry MX switch, but the hole will not center correctly. Any takers?

 

[Kai Robinson]

Hmm - we have a few people in the 3D printing section that may be able to help with the modelling, but the reference keyboard might be the difficult bit. You can get something like Polycam, though - do a 3D scan of the original object and then that might work as a reference?

 

[Vintage_H._Shack]

Thank you for replying, Kai. I did start playing around with TinkerCAD and I did get something that might work with help from Joe of Joe's Computer Museum. At this point, I have a keyboard of my own but I do not have a 3D printer. That's what I really need now, I guess. I have been trying for a few years now to afford one, but something more important always comes up. I do not have access to a 3D printer near me because I live in "Flyover Country, USA".

Anyway, I'll revise my request to "Looking for someone with a Tandy 1000 keyboard (so mine doesn't have to be shipped all over the place) and working 3D printer on hand." So far, the adapter that I have created virtually is 11.85mm L x 11.85mm W x 8.53mm H overall and shaped like a mushroom with a void cross in the center.