Osborne 1 New mechanical keyboard

[kc4bqk]

I have finished updating a design for a replacement keyboard.
It will be using the original keycaps for this board.

 

[cj7hawk]

Looks nice - What are your plans once it's complete?

 

[kc4bqk]

I will have some to sell.

 

[kc4bqk]

I have started putting a keyboard together. It will work on the early and later 1/1A keyboards. It will also work on the Executive. Here is where I made it so far. The keys are a little lower but look like they will work fine. This is the stock mounting no modifications.

 

[MykeLawson]

Looks like an interesting project. I was looking for a parallel port connected old style ASCII keyboard, but this could work as well. My first keyboard was the one that Radio Shack used to sell and was similar to the kit from SWTPC. It used the KR2376 chip. Several years ago I built a keyboard around the PND1188/EDE1188 Keyboard Encode chip. That chip has 8 row and 8 column decoding and provided parallel or serial output. From the picture, it looks like the keyboard could be adapted to a parallel interface with the '1188 chip.

 

[wowbobwow]

I'm super curious - did this ever come together as a finished product available for purchase? I'd definitely be interested in at least one, and possibly three units depending on price...

Let me know!

Huxley

 

[kc4bqk]

Yes, it almost ready. I am putting the finising touches to it and will start with some in kit form and then move to a complete ready to go unit. The kit should be ready this next weekend.

 

[shirsch]

Very interesting. I hope to be one of your first customers!

 

[Klee]

I will have some to sell.

I'll take one!

I just purchased a early Osborne 1 off ebay listed as not working and from what I have seen the OEM keyboards have issues so I might as well plan on it having issues..

 

[kc4bqk]

The keyboard kits will be ready soon. I am finishing the manual for it. I am a better builder than writer

 

[MykeLawson]

Yes, I am quite interested in this.... Keep me posted please.

 

[wowbobwow]

Yes, it almost ready. I am putting the finising touches to it and will start with some in kit form and then move to a complete ready to go unit. The kit should be ready this next weekend.

Very exciting news! If you're keeping a list of potential buyers, please put my name on it

The keyboard kits will be ready soon. I am finishing the manual for it. I am a better builder than writer

For what it's worth, I do a ton of technical writing for my work (and for fun too - i.e., I've had featured articles in every published issue of Pixel Addict Magazine). If you want any help proofing your manual, feel free to PM me - I'd be happy to help!

Huxley

 

[kc4bqk]

Very exciting news! If you're keeping a list of potential buyers, please put my name on it

For what it's worth, I do a ton of technical writing for my work (and for fun too - i.e., I've had featured articles in every published issue of Pixel Addict Magazine). If you want any help proofing your manual, feel free to PM me - I'd be happy to help!

Huxley

DM sent

 

[kc4bqk]

First 3 kits are listed.

OSBORNE 1/1A and Executive Replacement Mechanical Keyboard Kit OCC1 OCC1A OCC2 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for OSBORNE 1/1A and Executive Replacement Mechanical Keyboard Kit OCC1 OCC1A OCC2 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Klee]

I just snagged one. I did not even read the listing, I just clicked buy it now,

Thanks!!

 

[kc4bqk]

It will ship Tuesday. Thanks!

 

[shirsch]

Ding! Grabbed the last one

 

[kc4bqk]

Ding! Grabbed the last one

Thanks!

 

[kc4bqk]

All sold!
Another batch will be available this weekend.

 

[MykeLawson]

A dumb question though; after looking on bitsavers.org, I can find the schematics of the keyboard interface but not the actual keyboard itself. Given what is shown in the pictures you posted, and seeing that +12v is provided to the keyboard on the OCC2 model, there is circuitry on the keyboard itself. What is a good source for the schematic of the board you are kitting for sale? Myke