exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

I would definitely love to have a UK keyboard (my ST is German) but whether I can afford it or not is down to the postage to Australia for such a big object. I really only need the key caps. Any chance I could buy a whole board and you just post the key caps and throw the rest in the bin? I understand if it's too much trouble to remove them - I can live with a German keyboard.

Yeah I can do that.

Will start sorting through people's requests shortly...

I'd take the rest of the de-key-capped keyboard above (or a whole one if there are any left) as I have an STFM with a broken keyboard PCB - the centre support punched a hole through it when it was posted to me.

grobda wrote: 31 Oct 2018 12:47 I'd take the rest of the de-key-capped keyboard above (or a whole one if there are any left) as I have an STFM with a broken keyboard PCB - the centre support punched a hole through it when it was posted to me.

I have the decapped one still, send me a PM and will work out postage.

Just thought I'd let you guys know, seeing some of you talk of faded keys, the one thing Atari didn't skimp on was keycaps. All ST keys (not TT/MSTE) are doubleshot plastic. The legend actually goes right through. Take a cap, turn it upside down and you'll see both colors there. You can't wear them out, therefore they cannot fade. Retrobrite and scrub them all you want, they'll be like new. Promise.

Also, note that Atari used several shades for both caps and legends so I would suggest that you don't sell a key separately because chances are it will stick out like a sore thumb. But then again, I'm slightly OCD and most might not give a shit :)

Atarian Computing wrote: 31 Oct 2018 19:12 Retrobrite and scrub them all you want, they'll be like new. Promise.

I word of warning there, albeit not a big one: I did a retrobrite on my keycaps this summer and I managed to fade the key enscriptions for about 20%. The keys became way too bright because I left them for like 6 hours in very bright sunlight (about 30C). But if you check the colour regularly to keep the light part of the keys from becoming too bright, the dark plastic which the key labels consist of, will stay okay.

sandord wrote: 31 Oct 2018 21:16

Atarian Computing wrote: 31 Oct 2018 19:12 Retrobrite and scrub them all you want, they'll be like new. Promise.

I word of warning there, albeit not a big one: I did a retrobrite on my keycaps this summer and I managed to fade the key enscriptions for about 20%. The keys became way too bright because I left them for like 6 hours in very bright sunlight (about 30C). But if you check the colour regularly to keep the light part of the keys from becoming too bright, the dark plastic which the key labels consist of, will stay okay.

Actually, that's what I first thought as well. But no. It's actually residue from retrobrighting that causes that "fading". Get a green dishwashing sponge thingy and scrub a keycap and Bob's your Uncle.

Atarian Computing wrote: 01 Nov 2018 04:24 Actually, that's what I first thought as well. But no. It's actually residue from retrobrighting that causes that "fading". Get a green dishwashing sponge thingy and scrub a keycap and Bob's your Uncle.

Can second that. Retrobright leaves some white residue that is actually not that easy to remove, especially when you let it dry out. If you only casually rinse the parts afterwards, chances are, there is still some left. Scrubbing helps, but is of course PITA.

Any idea when you will be ready to send out the keyboards?

I'm just planning to order some bits from your store & still interested in a couple of these keyboards to go in at the same time...

Probably looking to press the button (sorry for the bad pun!) in the next week but I can wait until the end of the month if that will give you more time. :D

I've sent out some already last week.. Someone else wants one as well, been a bit swamped with everything going on this week :(

My workshop is under a flood of boxes at the moment, will see how many there is left next week... I think there is 4 currently.. at least complete ones... there are a couple with broken or missing keys I think as well.