Atari 800 Broken Stackpole Switch

[chillywaffle]

Hey, 

I am new here and new to Atari systems in general but found an Atari 800 and an 810 disk drive in the back of a thrift store and I am working to get them back into full working condition.  I have the 800 almost completely working with the exception of a single key.  It looks like the metal leafs in the "8" key switch have broken off.  Is it possible to find replacement leafs or has anyone had any luck hacking a replacement into the switch to complete the circuit?  I have attached a picture of the broken switch so you can see the broken leaves in question. 

Thanks!

 

[Sugarland]

Thank you for rescuing them! I'm sure someone here has replacement leafs or Best Electronics will have some. Send them an e-mail.

[6BQ5]

I'm also thinking Best Electronics may be the way to go. Brad sells so much more than what is listed on his website. Send him an email with "Atari" in the subject line so he knows its not spam.

 

 

[chillywaffle]

Thanks for the response guys, Brad actually led me here because he was out of replacement parts for the stackpole keyboards :-(.  Are there any resources online for disassembling the switch?  All the images I have found show them disassembled not the actual process for disassembly.  I have read that the plastic is very fragile so I don't want to attempt without some prior knowledge.  

I think if I can get the leaf out of the switch, I can fabricate a replacement.

Thanks! 

[Mclaneinc]

Not good if Brad's out...

 

Can't help re the switch as my 800 is both intact and in semi storage above me. I can't imagine its more than 2 contacts through the PCB and soldered underneath..

 

Yeah, be careful with the boards etc....Like most of us now, getting old and delicate

[wt808]

I believe the plunger will lift straight out, sometimes coming out when you pull the keycap. The spring is not captured in any way so be careful not to let it drop and lose it. 

If the plunger gets damaged beyond usefulness, I have a 3D-printable model of one that might help:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3666154

You will need to carefully sand the sides smooth to get smooth action, and use a narrow flat file on the inside surfaces to fit the keycap.

My keyboard had a badly crumpled leaf but I was able to straighten it with pliers. I reheated the solder joint to get it realigned. I think that fabricating a new leaf from a strip of copper should not be too difficult.

To reinstall the plunger, I inserted a pair of tweezer tips into the plunger from the top so that each tip passes through each of the two holes. Gently squeeze the tips together. As you lower the plunger into the opening, the tweezer tips spread the leaves and guide them into their respective openings, at which point I opened the tweezers slightly and lifted the tweezers out.

Edited July 1, 2019 by wt808

[griff3125]

Maybe message this guy who's selling Atari 800 keys on eBay and ask if he could pull a leaf or a complete cap for you.......

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-800-Individual-Keyboard-Keys/153483724728?hash=item23bc57c7b8:g:wlsAAOSwMQ1cMlW2

 

He's 100% legit, I've purchased from him before.

[adam242]

There was a thread here a while back that details the process.

 

Also, I have a junk 800 keyboard, but it's a Hi-Tek. Not sure if the contacts would be usable in a Stackpole.

[chillywaffle]

Thanks for all the replies!  @wt808 was right, the plunger just pulls straight out using a terrifying amount of force for such a flimsy piece of plastic.  I was able to desolder the two broken leafs and I have a 0.3mm copper sheet that I am going to try and cut out some replacements. On a side note, I want to meet the person whole came up with the formula for the double sided tape they used on the back of the keyboard.  I have no idea how tape that is 10 years older than me is still capable of being that sticky.  

 

 

Success! 

 

I will update this once I have new new leafs fabricated.  Fingers crossed this works. 

Thanks again for everybody's help! 

[andrew@meler.us]

I'm pretty sure I have some leafs for StockPole (I'll check tonight).  That's my auction for the keys quoted above.  PM me your address and I'll send it out.  I'll probably cut out a piece from the PCB or de-solder, whatever is easier.

[griff3125]

Any luck on the leaf fabrication?

 

[chillywaffle]

@griff3125

The 0.3mm copper ended up being too thin for fabrication.  Unfortunately I have been super busy with work so I haven't had a lot of time to dedicate to this.  Hopefully I will be able to tackle this again in a week or so.

@andrew@meler.us Thanks for the offer. I'll fire you a PM on Monday when I get back from this work thing.  Thanks again for looking into this.