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TAZMANIAC

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:10 am
by gammaray
Anybody interested in a kit to transplant a ZX81 motherboard into a Spectrum style case with a few integrated improvements like we have seen come out on SMR?

That would mean upgrading to a rubber keyboard preferably paired with a KDLX key-switchboard. Implementing the other improvements would need a little modding to the case and the mainboard.

You would buy or provide on your own the case and keyboard assembly and ZX81 board.

You would get the goodies to mount and fit the board inside the bigger keyboard/case.

Any takers??

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 5:33 pm
by Lardo Boffin
Sounds interesting! One of the drivers behind getting a TS1500 was the keyboard (aside just wanting one anyway).
Sadly it doesn’t work with my ZXChroma or (safely) with my ‘spand.
If I can put a ZX81 directly into a Spectrum case then that would def be good.

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:32 pm
by gammaray
Working on it!

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:39 am
by Dim_75
interesting. I never was able to find a TS in France ( i mean at a reasonable price) with the rubber keyboard.
Let us know about the cost for this kind of kit ;)

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:29 am
by siggi
I am interested too.
But would we then need this?
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2461&hilit=ts1500

Siggi

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 1:50 pm
by PokeMon
Isn't it the same, here: ;)

http://retroradionics.co.uk

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:00 pm
by gammaray
Yes aftermarket bare case, faceplate at Retro' and membrane or KDLX switch at SMR would be needed in which to install my kit. Having T'ZX81'000 rubber keyboard with proper silk screening made is an unknown right now as I have not talked to the ones having these items made for Spectrum...

Maybe I should call it the FrankenZed instead?

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:37 pm
by PokeMon
FrankenZed sounds nice to me. 8-)

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 1:00 am
by dessony
I totally support it 100%! I really want to see these new designs adding to the original TS1500 design. For example, a SD slot, USB memory stick port, 64k to 512K RAM, keyboard port (very good one for loading these machine code programs into the computer, using existing hexloading programs) 64k to 512K ROM similar to the ZXmore's, a ZIF socket for the ROM, 2 joystick ports and an effective switching mode regulator. And video output jack's distance to be far from the computer's exposed connector similar to the Spectrum 16/48's. And a full computer case with its own two or three hinges. I am the certain person who begs a businessman to create keyboard parts for the TS1500s!

Thank you very much in advance.

Sincerely yours,
Dessony (William)

Re: TAZMANIAC

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 1:13 am
by gammaray
Since there is some enthusiasm for this project, I will ask for input!

But just one issue at a time...

I have looked at some options for placement of ports. Case differences between 1500 and Spec' cases necessitate this.

Firstly, should one goal be to fit a ZXPAND on the rear without a EXTENSION?

If so, I plan on moving the ear/mic over but a case mod' will be necessary.

Charles