Swetland ZX81+38 Mechanical Keyboard PCB only - 3 available

[Paul]

@Paul - I'm happy to share my version if you're interested.

Yes please.

[Andy Rea]

Hi guys... reworked everything so should ( but have not tested ) be an easier fit.

not very good with this dropbox thing but...here goes STLS
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jpcsm9e8 ... bsbs6&dl=0

print faceplate with bobbles up, and print case with the open end up.

also Tinkercad links

face platehttps://www.tinkercad.com/things/eOoNpM ... 9s7701pY
case https://www.tinkercad.com/things/eOrypM ... m4VSRKnJj8

regards Andy

Edit :- think i fixed the tinkercad links...

[Trevor_B]

I've spent an hour desoldering the keys on the first board, and it looks like it's going to work, however I did spot why Andy put in the little riser blocks (great catch Andy!)

I've tweaked mine to add the little risers (I'm definitely ripping off your design here - not intentional but as the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!)

I ran out of black filament (some due later today - Thanks Amazon Prime!), so I'll give it a try in white to see how it looks

Trev

[Andy Rea]

of course the simple solution would be to order the right key switches with the location pegs...

looking forward to seeing your progress and how those clear top keycaps work out.

Andy

[Trevor_B]

Ok, so the reprint went well - so reprinted in black.
I also made up a blank to go on the rear side as tbh I quite like the minimalist look for this one as you'll see on the image.
The clear key-caps seen to work ok - it took me bloody ages to get the keys right for printing - I scanned a standard keyboard membrane and spent ages retouching each key to be a bit more visible - I think it shows!

Anyway - here's my attempt...

https://ibb.co/SfNzDND

[Trevor_B]

@system11
Yes - I still have a keyboard PCB available, and due to buying another Minstrel 3 PCB, I have a ZX81+38 PCB available too

I've tried PM'ing you but my messages are just getting stuck in the outbox - they don't seem to be reaching you

Trev

[Moggy]

Messages only leave the outbox when the recipient actually reads them.

[Trevor_B]

I'm looking at taking a different route to Andy - incorporating the full keyboard into an enlarged zx81 case.

I've been playing with Tinkercad and this is where I've got to. I know that the '81 motherboard (actually it'll be one of Mr Curran's finest Minstrel 3's) will dictate how the base is laid out - I'm expecting the expansion cut-out to be more in the middle of the case than on the right hand side. It's a work in progress and so far I've JUST managed to get it to stay within print boundaries of my 3d printer.

https://ibb.co/vVCWksm

[Trevor_B]

I should probably move this to a different board but here's my first (draft - lower quality printing) attempt at the top of what I'm calling my ZXtended 81

https://ibb.co/NmS141t

[mrtinb]

That look brilliant Trevor.