Duddie Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I am going to manufacture new keyboard membranes for 800XL and XE series (for keyboard with springs). Maybe also for 1200XL. Would be here any interest? Price $25 for XL and XE. 1200XL would be slightly more expensive. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Yes I would be interested in one each.. 800XL/XE series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Is there any advantage to this than the $22 XE one listed at Best Electronics? I haven't actually ordered anything yet from Best myself before, maybe minimum orders/shipping are a factor there. I may be in the market for a few of these if my attempts to repair fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duddie Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 Hello Nezgar, I don't know quality of their membranes. Best Electronics sells usually NOS things, therefore their membranes, although new, may be 30+ years old. Mine will be freshly manufactured. I haven't decided that I make them for sure. If demand is too low, I cannot make it, because production preparation is very expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KlasO Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Hello, I am interested in two - one for an 800XL and one for a 130XE. I must check what type my 130 keyboard is before deciding, so it might be only one. Kind regards, Klas Edited June 12, 2017 by KlasO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I am going to manufacture new keyboard membranes for 800XL and XE series (for keyboard with springs). Maybe also for 1200XL. Would be here any interest? Price $25 for XL and XE. 1200XL would be slightly more expensive. Hi, you wrote "800XL"... new membrane for the Stackpole keyboard with metal back plate? BR JUrgen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darwinmac Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 While Best does sell mostly NOS stock, he does create some new replacement parts. The Mylar is one of those parts. However, if they have them in stock, the $22 might not be a great deal when you take into account the shipping to Europe. However, for the one American person in the thread, I would contact Best first if you need a new keyboard membrane. His website is hard to search because it is so antiquated but the part number appears to be CB101049 (Best upgraded Atari New XE Keyboard replacement internal Mylar). I haven't needed to purchase a replacement Mylar, but I've been very happy with his upgraded CX-40 joystick. I am not saying not to do this, but I would check with Brad first to see if he already has a modern replacement before you recreate the wheel. Bob C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timofonic Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 What about putting Real Mechanical Key-switches? This could make the A8 compies to suck even less possible, despite something like that would seem impossible 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEtalGuy66 Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) 1200XL: good idea! There are at least three different "spring design" 800XL keyboards. Some are MUCH BETTER than others. The "spring design" xe keyboard sucks only marginally less than the "cup design".. The XE just needs a new keyboard altogether, or its always gonna feel like cheap trash compared to the XLs.. Edited June 12, 2017 by MEtalGuy66 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACML Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) I have yet to find a 1200XL keyboard that couldn't be restored. The problem with the 1200XL is that little 1/4" x 2" tape sandwiched between the Mylar and PCB traces. I guess it's purpose was to raise the PCB contact pads to insure they made good contact on the Mylar. It apparently oxidizes and it loses continuity. In hindsight, if Mitsumi left that out of the design, a lot of these keyboard would still be Code 1 (USAF slang for no write ups) today. The Retrobits fix is not for everyone, but if you have patience and take your time, it's not a difficult fix. A replacement Mylar is a welcome option! Not sure, but my guess is that Mitsumi used a graphite based conductive trace. Edited June 12, 2017 by ACML Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlowingGhoul Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Do all 800XL keyboards use the same mylar? I'd definitely be interested in as many as 20 depending on price. (ie, $10-$15) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 For reference ... From BEST Website: http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/130xe.htm#TT "65XE / 130XE Mitsumi(56-3217, part number on Mylar) made XE Keyboard, single layer Mylar. This Best Electronics Manufactured replacement Keyboard Mylar is an Improved version over the stock Atari keyboard Mylar! Each Best replacement Mylar has a thin dielectric Protective coating over the complete Mylar except the conductive key contact pads. This conductive coating gives your replacement Best Mylar the Best Resistance to flexure cracks on Silk screened traces and prevents internal keyboard Mylar supports from wearing or rubbing away traces. Its also prevents tiny objects that drop thru the Keyboard from wearing or shorting out keyboard traces. This replacement Mylar also has 1/4 inch longer extended Traces on the connector side of the Mylar so they can be trimmed back if required. One way you can tell if you have a Mitsumi version XE keyboard is to pull off one key cap. It is best to pry off a key cap using two small straight blade screw drivers, one a 12 and 6 O’ clock positions. The Mitsumi XE keyboard will have a spring under each key cap." $22.00 http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/1200XL%20keyboard%20Mylar.htm "The New Best Upgraded Lifetime Atari 1200XL Keyboard Mylar CB103156 $39.95" 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 The one that no one has in stock is the mylar for the Mitsumi keyboard in the original 800. It would be great to have a source for them. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLund1 Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I have purchased and installed the 1200XL and 800XL Best Mylars and they work great. The 1200XL especially so!! I would recommend it. But the shipping costs maybe an issue for many. (not for me as Best 1/2 mile from my office) But for the 65/800/130XE's, well, I agree with all above in that a mylar will help for a units that as been in barn for years. A new keyboard would be a major benefit, and what is really need for these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 The one that no one has in stock is the mylar for the Mitsumi keyboard in the original 800. It would be great to have a source for them. That would be a godsend! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duddie Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share Posted June 14, 2017 Hi, you wrote "800XL"... new membrane for the Stackpole keyboard with metal back plate? BR JUrgen Yes Jurgen. AFAIK, there are 5 different XL keyboards, four of them have membranes. But it is the same membrane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Hello guys And there are two different types of XE keyboard mylars. Single layer and dual layer. These are NOT interchangeable. Sincerely Mathy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom4728a Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 i would probably take one each of the 800xl and 130xe to have as spares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duddie Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 All of you can send your pre-orders to jurek (at) retronics (dot) eu - mylars will be available around August (limited number). For now, I will have 800XL mylar and spring version of XE mylar. Others to be considered, you can declare your interest too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 What are we looking at for cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 I would be very interested to know if Original 800 ones will be available. Others with this same question should speak up NOW. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 (edited) I would be interested as well, the mylars used to cost 10.00 retail... then suddenly jumped sky high.... and of course cost much much less to manufacture at quantity Edited June 15, 2017 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 What are we looking at for cost? Ignore me, I just realized it's in the first post DOH! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duddie Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 $25 is only estimated cost. Can be less, if I collect more orders. Mylar for 800 is possible, even keyboard for 400. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 400 Keyboard? a full stroke board or a replacement membrane keyboard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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