Apples aren't the only fruit.

Blogs & guides and tales of woo by forum members.
User avatar
stephen_usher
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Posts: 7384
Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
Location: Oxford, UK.

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by stephen_usher »

Yeah, I think all the ones for the 80s are fully ripe now.

Oh well, the foil covered foam has been delayed. Probably tomorrow now.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14912
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 27 Feb 2024 12:46 Yeah, I think all the ones for the 80s are fully ripe now.

Oh well, the foil covered foam has been delayed. Probably tomorrow now.
I don't doubt it.

So are the keyboard foam/foil pads anything like these? Foam/Foil pads

I know these are in the US, just curious if they are similar as I see these types of keyboards failed a lot on YouTube.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
stephen_usher
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Posts: 7384
Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
Location: Oxford, UK.

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by stephen_usher »

Yes, they're the very same, but the Texelec ones have a longish lead time... and they're from the 'States.

If I can find some local foil coated and self-adhesive foam which works then that will solve the problem more cheaply and more quickly. (Basically ~£30 for a very large number of pads I can use with other keyboards, such as the Sun Type 4 ones.)

The 11mm leather hole punch is arriving today. I was hoping the foam would as well so that I could check if 3mm thick foam was thick enough or I'd need thicker stuff. (Or, indeed, I could at a pinch stick two layers together to make 6mm.)
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
User avatar
stephen_usher
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Posts: 7384
Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
Location: Oxford, UK.

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by stephen_usher »

Just as a back-up I've ordered a roll of "Stormguard" tape from Amazon. That'll arrive tomorrow.

Seeing as it's 5mm thick and looks flatter it may work better anyway. (And it's only £7.99 a roll.)
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14912
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 27 Feb 2024 13:20 Yes, they're the very same, but the Texelec ones have a longish lead time... and they're from the 'States.

If I can find some local foil coated and self-adhesive foam which works then that will solve the problem more cheaply and more quickly. (Basically ~£30 for a very large number of pads I can use with other keyboards, such as the Sun Type 4 ones.)

The 11mm leather hole punch is arriving today. I was hoping the foam would as well so that I could check if 3mm thick foam was thick enough or I'd need thicker stuff. (Or, indeed, I could at a pinch stick two layers together to make 6mm.)
Yeah, shame the Texelec ones are so hard to get and have such a long lead time. Would almost be worth doing a bulk order and reselling them. Be nice if you can find some foil backed foam in the UK, but it mostly seems to be for insulation purposes and looks rather unsuitable.

Do you think it'd be possible to make it by combining foil and thin foam?
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
stephen_usher
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Posts: 7384
Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
Location: Oxford, UK.

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by stephen_usher »

The insulating stuff will probably work perfectly well. That's what I'll be trying with. Far easier if it's just punch out a circle of that material which is already manufactured and go.

Yes, reports of cooking foil + foam mat stuck with Spraymount work fine. Best to use the original circle of plastic on the base so that it clips into the holders correctly.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14912
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 27 Feb 2024 14:16 The insulating stuff will probably work perfectly well. That's what I'll be trying with. Far easier if it's just punch out a circle of that material which is already manufactured and go.

Yes, reports of cooking foil + foam mat stuck with Spraymount work fine. Best to use the original circle of plastic on the base so that it clips into the holders correctly.
Yeah, I saw they needed the little plastic discs in order to clip in to the keys. I guess if you're making your own with all 3 layers, cutting them out evenly and consistently is going to be the hardest part.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
stephen_usher
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Posts: 7384
Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
Location: Oxford, UK.

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by stephen_usher »

You can rescue the discs from the original foam pads, just clean them up.

Cutting the foam and foil together is easy with an 11mm leather hole punch.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 14912
Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
Location: Essex

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 27 Feb 2024 14:50 You can rescue the discs from the original foam pads, just clean them up.

Cutting the foam and foil together is easy with an 11mm leather hole punch.
Will look froward to seeing the results :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
stephen_usher
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Posts: 7384
Joined: 13 Nov 2017 19:19
Location: Oxford, UK.

Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.

Post by stephen_usher »

I just tried an experiment with foil on some foam... WAY too conductive. It turns out the original discs have megaohm resistance.

So, I tried with a circle of anti-static bag and.... perfect!

I just need a way of reliably gluing the foam to the other materials as Copydex fails totally.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.

Return to “MEMBER BLOGS”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: apple [bot], Baidu [Spider], Barkrowler [bot], ClaudeBot and 41 guests