on my 1200 using the KB hack (2 wires to keyboard MPU and +5 and 0v), soldering is not a problem :-)
i got the PS/2 sockets (as I hack a lot of C64DTV's, colour corrections modding them into handhelds etc)
I have a reset switch wired to TP1 so not worried about that.
the next project for this 1200 is to tower it.
gotta love a Dremel