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Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 12:46
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.
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 13:14
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.
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 13:20
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.)
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 13:36
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.)
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 13:55
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?
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 14:16
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.
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 14:37
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.
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 14:50
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.
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 14:51
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 :)
Re: Apples aren't the only fruit.
Posted: 27 Feb 2024 19:30
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.