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Author Topic: Keyboards with Spherical Keys  (Read 3243 times)

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Offline Markell1991

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« on: Tue, 20 March 2012, 09:45:40 »
Hi everyone, I've been lurking around the forum for a couple of days now and thought I'd get involved... Well, I'll ask a question and expect answers back. So really you'll be doing most of the work.
Anyway, enough of that! :)  I am going to be getting a new computer, and as I'm interested in retro gaming (be it consoles or micro's) I really want a keyboard that has the feel of something like a Commodore 64. I want a mechanical keyboard with keys similar to the C64, spherical. Does anyone know of such a keyboard? I'm new to the whole keyboard game, so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
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Offline Human

  • Posts: 596
Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 20 March 2012, 10:30:05 »
Quote from: Markell1991;551409
Hi everyone, I've been lurking around the forum for a couple of days now and thought I'd get involved... Well, I'll ask a question and expect answers back. So really you'll be doing most of the work.
Anyway, enough of that! :)  I am going to be getting a new computer, and as I'm interested in retro gaming (be it consoles or micro's) I really want a keyboard that has the feel of something like a Commodore 64. I want a mechanical keyboard with keys similar to the C64, spherical. Does anyone know of such a keyboard? I'm new to the whole keyboard game, so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Order spherical double shot from Signature Plastic, replace the one on your mechanical keyboard(profile/height may not be very compatible/suitable), PROFIT?
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Offline kps

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 20 March 2012, 10:47:11 »
I'm not aware of any current production keyboards that have spherical caps.

In general, older spherical key caps fit key switches that are not generally available today, so they can't be moved to current keyboards.

You essentially have two options:
  • Find an old keyboard that you like, and either use an adapter (which likely means at least assembling an adapter, if not designing and programming it) to convert it to USB (or PS/2), or else re-wire the keyboard with a modern controller.
  • Get a modern keyboard, and purchase spherical caps for it. Unless your budget is in the four-figure range, this group buy is probably your only realistic option for keycaps at present. You will probably want Cherry MX Black or Red key switches. WASD Keyboards sells keyboards without keycaps.
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Offline Markell1991

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 21 March 2012, 15:09:03 »
Quote from: kps;551466
Find an old keyboard that you like, and either use an adapter (which likely means at least assembling an adapter, if not designing and programming it) to convert it to USB (or PS/2), or else re-wire the keyboard with a modern controller.[/LIST]
Does anyone know of such a keyboard? I'm new to the keyboard game but have no idea where to start.
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Offline Taracta

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 21 March 2012, 16:13:57 »
I think kps worded his reponse wierdly.  The option you have chosen is the one that is going to be in the four-figure range, that is the first option.  The second option is the cheaper and more realistic option, that is getting a modern Cherry MX keyboard and going to the Doubel Shot Round Four group buy and getting the SPH keys.  This should cost you ~ $200 if you are smart.
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Offline sth

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 21 March 2012, 16:15:17 »
Be aware that although DSGBR4 is close to 'ending', you will likely receive the keys when you reach retirement age.

Just kidding, get in there and order some! It'll be the least headache-y way of getting those keys.
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Offline Daniel Beardsmore

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 21 March 2012, 16:58:29 »
What switches did the C64 have, anyway?
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Offline Hak Foo

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 21 March 2012, 20:38:29 »
I think foam and foil.  I broke a key on my purchased-in-late-90s VIC-20 and it wasn't easily fixed.
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Offline dirge

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 22 March 2012, 03:02:48 »
The new c64 uses cherry switches. Expensive for just caps mind. Got some c16s the have the cherry + mount but its too shallow and need stem Modding. Some BBC MICROS and amstrad cpc 464 can be dremmeled to fit. Lots of revisions tho so do homework before buying
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Offline frankfrank

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 22 March 2012, 03:37:36 »
I'm not aware of that
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Offline kps

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 22 March 2012, 09:58:29 »
Quote from: Taracta;552809
I think kps worded his reponse wierdly.  The option you have chosen is the one that is going to be in the four-figure range, that is the first option.


No, I mean, getting a one-off set of new spherical keys made would be very expensive. The Round 4 group buy is currently the only realistic way to get new spherical keys for a contemporary PC-10x style keyboard.

As far as old keyboards go, someone has already built a USB interface for a Commodore 64 keyboard. There may be similar projects for other keyboards. At worst, most mechanical contact keyboards could be rewired similar to this, although many keyboards older than that directly expose their matrix on the connector. (There were some dirt-cheap ALPS boards in bulk around a while ago, from Heath HTX-10 terminals, and someone within shipping range of you may have one to spare.)
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Offline HairyTroll

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Keyboards with Spherical Keys
« Reply #11 on: Fri, 23 March 2012, 02:01:08 »
Quote from: kps;553529
As far as old keyboards go, someone has already built a USB interface for a Commodore 64 keyboard.

The .htm]Keyrah is the one to use.
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