⚠️ALERT⚠️: The Google Form is no longer how you order a kit. Instead visit here (https://tilde.club/~jy4m/alphasmart/).
It's finally here!
The
Mechanical Keyboard Mod Kit for the AlphaSmart 3000
A very few of you may remember an old thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=91504.msg2489336) where I showed off the AlphaSmart 3000 mechanical mod I did. Here's a picture of it at the first New Jersey meetup:
[attachimg=1 align=center width=500]
This is the first prototype, not the kit I'm selling here
To recap: The AlphaSmart 3000 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uqeh9HK8kE) is one of a line of word processing devices that was popular with schools at the turn of the millennium, and has found new life as a distraction free writing tool à la the Astrohaus Freewrite. At the time of this writing, you can get one on eBay for about US$20. This is a mod that replaces the original mini-rubber-dome keyboard with the mechanical switches you know and love. Since the first version I posted about, I've smoothed out some of the bugs, changed the layout, added some features, and am now selling revision C as a kit with everything you need to make a mechanical AlphaSmart other than the switches, the keycaps, soldering tools, and an AlphaSmart 3000.
Features
- Compatible with PCB-mount MX-style, Alps-style, and Kailh PG1350 Low Profile Choc switches.
- Split spacebar (because if it wasn't you'd have to try to find a 4.5U spacebar).
- Both QWERTY and Colemak layouts available! Colemak lacks a caps-lock key, as is the tradition. (The AS3k supports Dvorak already, so you can just get the QWERTY kit and change the setting to Dvorak).
- Optional DIP switch that disables the On/Off key.
Layouts
The two layouts available are QWERTY and Colemak (keycap sizes in the bottom right corners):
[attachimg=2]
QWERTY
[attachimg=3]
Colemak
Contents
The kit will include
- Paper assembly instructions
- 1 x PCB
- 2 x Cherry stabilizers for the space keys
- 1 x 1-position SPST DIP switch
- 1 x 16-contact flat flex cable
- 1 x 10-contact flat flex cable
- 1 x 16-pin FFC connector
- 1 x 10-pin FFC connector
All components are through-hole
Not included:
- Keycaps
- Switches
- Any tools
- An actual AlphaSmart 3000
W2C?
Fill out the Google Form here (https://forms.gle/iNBkLo216dVMKfYX6) and I'll send you a Paypal invoice within a day or two. The PCBs are being ordered from JLCPCB, and I'm offering a preorder price of US$30 for orders placed before July 1st. After that, the kits will cost US$36 the price is US$36. Shipping is free within the United States, and US$5 anywhere else.
Timeline
It's very simple: this is a preorder, meaning that the materials have already been ordered. All that remains is testing the boards and finalizing packaging. The last day to place a preorder is June 30th. All such preorders will be shipped out by the end of July 2nd. It will still be possible to order the kit after June 30th, but these orders will not be eligible for the preorder price noted above. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I have confidence in my ability to stick to this timeline.
If you have any questions, you can PM me here, or email me at jyamine815@gmail.com
Updates
June 13th: After a more serious consideration of production costs and the wider market, I've decided to lower the price. Shipping remains the same.
July 1st: Preorders have ended! Essentially all this means is the price is $36 now.
July 2nd: The initial orders have all been sent out via USPS first class parcel service. If you ordered a kit, paypal should have sent you an email with the tracking number. Again, contact me if you have any questions or trouble.
March 16th, 2020: Finally there is a pretty web page (https://tilde.club/~jy4m/alphasmart) to order from instead of a Google Form.
It's finally here!
The
Mechanical Keyboard Mod Kit for the AlphaSmart 3000
A very few of you may remember an old thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=91504.msg2489336) where I showed off the AlphaSmart 3000 mechanical mod I did. Here's a picture of it at the first New Jersey meetup:
(Attachment Link)
This is the first prototype, not the kit I'm selling here
To recap: The AlphaSmart 3000 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uqeh9HK8kE) is one of a line of word processing devices that was popular with schools at the turn of the millennium, and has found new life as a distraction free writing tool à la the Astrohaus Freewrite. At the time of this writing, you can get one on eBay for about US$20. This is a mod that replaces the original mini-rubber-dome keyboard with the mechanical switches you know and love. Since the first version I posted about, I've smoothed out some of the bugs, changed the layout, added some features, and am now selling revision C as a kit with everything you need to make a mechanical AlphaSmart other than the switches, the keycaps, soldering tools, and an AlphaSmart 3000.
Features
- Compatible with PCB-mount MX-style, Alps-style, and Kailh PG1350 Low Profile Choc switches.
- Split spacebar (because if it wasn't you'd have to try to find a 4.5U spacebar).
- Both QWERTY and Colemak layouts available! Colemak lacks a caps-lock key, as is the tradition. (The AS3k supports Dvorak already, so you can just get the QWERTY kit and change the setting to Dvorak).
- Optional DIP switch that disables the On/Off key.
Layouts
The two layouts available are QWERTY and Colemak (keycap sizes in the bottom right corners):
(Attachment Link)
QWERTY
(Attachment Link)
Colemak
Contents
The kit will include
- Paper assembly instructions
- 1 x PCB
- 2 x Cherry stabilizers for the space keys
- 1 x 1-position SPST DIP switch
- 1 x 16-contact flat flex cable
- 1 x 10-contact flat flex cable
- 1 x 16-pin FFC connector
- 1 x 10-pin FFC connector
All components are through-hole
Not included:
- Keycaps
- Switches
- Any tools
- An actual AlphaSmart 3000
W2C?
Fill out the Google Form here (https://forms.gle/iNBkLo216dVMKfYX6) and I'll send you a Paypal invoice within a day or two. The PCBs are being ordered from JLCPCB, and I'm offering a preorder price of US$30 for orders placed before July 1st. After that, the kits will cost US$36. Shipping is free within the United States, and US$5 anywhere else.
Timeline
It's very simple: this is a preorder, meaning that the materials have already been ordered. All that remains is testing the boards and finalizing packaging. The last day to place a preorder is June 30th. All such preorders will be shipped out by the end of July 2nd. It will still be possible to order the kit after June 30th, but these orders will not be eligible for the preorder price noted above. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I have confidence in my ability to stick to this timeline.
If you have any questions, you can PM me here, or email me at jyamine815@gmail.com
Updates
June 13th: After a more serious consideration of production costs and the wider market, I've decided to lower the price. Shipping remains the same.
hey bud, you still on track to get these out this week? I'm stoked for this project! I already painted my donor A3000 and got my keycaps sorted. Used this as an excuse to buy a nicer soldering station too. No rush if you're busy with the 4th just wondering how it's going.