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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: RWAP on September 12, 2012, 08:17:57 AM

Title: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: RWAP on September 12, 2012, 08:17:57 AM: Following a discussion with one of the moderators on Amibay.com, it seems that the Amiga A1200 and A600 (in particular) are now suffering badly with failing keyboard membranes.

I am interested in maybe arranging a new production run if there is sufficient interest.

The main issue has to be the amount of capital investment required - the A1200 has one membrane, and there are two different types for the A600.

A minimum production run is 50 units to make it worthwhile, but even then the sale price per membrane would need to be around £25 - produce 250 units and that could drop to around £15 (based on costs of producing Sinclair QL and Spectrum membranes)..

So, what interest would there be and in which type of membrane?

You may want to add your interest to the poll on Amibay - http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=34587 to help move this forward.
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: Mrs Beanbag on September 12, 2012, 08:27:13 PM: I'm seriously considering dismantling a microswitch keyboard and re-arranging it. A printed circuit board is easy to make. Then it's just a case of replacing some of the keycaps, for those few keys that are a different size. And the caps lock key with the LED in it, that might be fun.
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: amigakit on September 12, 2012, 08:50:40 PM: Interesting idea, however, you can buy a brand new Amiga 1200 keyboard from us for £15 - so it may not be enconomical at that price to manufacture new membranes.
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: Mrs Beanbag on September 12, 2012, 08:56:19 PM: @amigakit where do you get these from? Are they old but unused surplus stock, or are they still in production somewhere? Can you supply them in black?
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: Lord Aga on September 12, 2012, 08:57:59 PM: Wow ! Mememe ! I want one for my A1200 and one for my A600 :)
Didn't know this kind of production runs were even possible. 25 GBP per membrane is fine. Of course 15 GBP is even finer :)

Can anyone elaborate on those type of membranes ? I can't see the Amibay thread :(
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: RWAP on October 08, 2012, 08:18:24 PM: It makes sense to use up the A1200 stock from AmigaKit first as they are selling the complete keyboard for about the price of a new membrane!

However, I am definitely pursuing membranes for the A500 and A600 computers - I need sample membranes and a keyboard unit ideally to pass onto the factory! (they will be returned)
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: RWAP on September 14, 2013, 07:03:56 PM: Just a quick update - Amiga A500 membranes are now available, and we are inviting pre-orders for the A600 keyboard membranes - see

http://www.sellmyretro.com/search/naturalSearch?keyword=amiga+keyboard+membranes

The A500 membranes replace the two Mitsumi types for the A500 and A500+ with or without the international / blank keys.

The A600 membranes will be the more common blue and green ones - you will need to ensure you purchase the correct one for your machine!
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: RWAP on October 07, 2013, 07:03:18 PM: Blue and Green A600 keyboard membranes are now available - see:

http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/%2ABRAND-NEW%2A-Commodore-Amiga-A600-Blue-Keyboard-Membranes-3265

and

http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/%2ABRAND-NEW%2A-Commodore-Amiga-A600-Green-Keyboard-Membranes-3264
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: Jope on October 07, 2013, 07:16:09 PM: Good job!

By the way, the NMB keyboard is the one which has the C= key, the Cherry with red Amiga keys was only made for the A2000. Neither has a membrane, both have individual keyswitches soldered to a PCB.
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: magnetic on October 08, 2013, 01:24:41 AM: beanbag

Obviously they are old commodore/escom stock they have. Only in white i'm sure. Oh and prolly stupid eu keymaps ;)
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: mutch on October 08, 2013, 04:19:12 AM: One of each ordered!! Oh boy, this has been such a frustrating problem, cannot wait to get these installed.
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: Lord Aga on October 26, 2013, 08:44:13 PM: Hi RWAP
Are you planning a run of A1200 membranes ?
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: Cosmos Amiga on June 20, 2014, 10:05:07 AM: Any news ? (I don't have access to Amibay, a %&$#?@!%&$#?@!%&$#?@!%&$#?@!er banned me few years ago...)

I need three membranes : 2 for A4000D keyboard and 1 for A600...

:)
Title: Re: Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes
Post by: RWAP on June 20, 2014, 10:26:22 AM: We currently only offer 3 different Amiga keyboard Membranes:

One which suits both the A500 and A500+
http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/%2ABRAND-NEW%2A-Commodore-Amiga-A500-~~-A500%2B-Keyboard-Membranes-2871

(ie. it copes with the extra keys)

And two for the A600 -
a blue one:
http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/*BRAND-NEW*-Commodore-Amiga-A600-Blue-Keyboard-Membranes-3265

and a green one:
http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/*BRAND-NEW*-Commodore-Amiga-A600-Green-Keyboard-Membranes-3264

Unfortunately, there has just not been enough interest in A1200 membranes to make the investment worthwhile (we would at least like to recoup the money we have spent on getting the A500 and A600 membranes before making any further investment)

:)