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Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2018 4:57 pm
by Jeff
I am thinking of building a C4P Replica.

I have a bare 502, a bare 540, a memory board, and a backplane.

What I am missing is a keyboard. Does anyone know of replica keyboard boards?

EDIT: (added links to sub projects)

542C Keyboard...follow here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=433
502 CPU... follow here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=468
540B Video... follow here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=457
470HR Klyball... follow here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=469

/Jeff

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 1:58 am
by Klyball
I've got one ready to go if there is interest

But those custom keys are expensive

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:02 am
by Jeff
Is there a way to use standard mx keys?

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:41 pm
by Klyball
I have a board ready for mx keys like the superboard clone or the original keys

The custom made keycaps are pricey , but I believe the one that were used on the briel superboard III are reasonable , but are not very close to the original's , the custom ones are minimum run of 10 sets and they are double shot like the originals

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:08 pm
by Jeff
Here is a photo of the Superboard 3 keys, just for reference.

/Jeff

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 4:24 am
by Klyball
Klyball replica keys
600key.jpg
600key.jpg (110.67 KiB) Viewed 14876 times

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 2:50 pm
by dave
Grant,

Your contributions to the state of OSI hobbying have been nothing short of astounding!

It would be great if you made your keyboard design available. I am in the process of removing keys from a 542B keyboard for scanning, but was also considering making a keyboard replica from your 600D cherry and original flavors. I was also thinking it would be nice to have a generic ASCII keyboard based on the OSI layout, for other retrocomputing projects.

It would also be great to have information on your source for the custom cherry keycaps. Your keys are truer to the original than the SB III keys. I would consider doing a bulk buy to have these available.

The original keys are readily available, and very cheap, but keycaps would have to be custom, and possibly more expensive than cherry keys, for which tooling is abundant.

The cherry keys are a bit pricey for a full set, but an inexpensive way to get them is to buy a cherry keyboard used (about USD$30-40) and harvest the keys. That gives enough for 2 OSI keyboards, after buying 2 shift lock keys.

Dave

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 6:46 pm
by Jeff
I agree, Grant's keycaps are way closer to the original, and the original switches are easily available. I have purchased them for my 600D and also replaced all the switches on my C4PMF.

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:43 pm
by Klyball
The caps I had made fit the cherry keys , probably they could mold them to fit original keys if I sent them one. but I think it would serve better to use cherry keys as it would be easier and more reliable in the long run for everyone. even the new old stock originals are still old.


I could do a small run of 5-10 boards if there is interest
542c_new.jpg
542c_new.jpg (665.74 KiB) Viewed 14869 times
542c_old.JPG
542c_old.JPG (640.5 KiB) Viewed 14868 times

Re: Building a C4P Replica

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:47 pm
by Jeff
Put me down for 2 or 3
/Jeff