Interest in Replacement Keyboard Membranes

[RWAP]

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.

[Mrs Beanbag]

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.

[amigakit]

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.

[Mrs Beanbag]

@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?

[Lord Aga]

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

[RWAP]

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)

[RWAP]

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!

[RWAP]

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

[Jope]

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.

[magnetic]

beanbag

Obviously they are old commodore/escom stock they have. Only in white i'm sure. Oh and prolly stupid eu keymaps

[mutch]

One of each ordered!! Oh boy, this has been such a frustrating problem, cannot wait to get these installed.

[Lord Aga]

Hi RWAP
Are you planning a run of A1200 membranes ?

[Cosmos Amiga]

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...

[RWAP]

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)