KG7PFS Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 I don't know how it happened, but when my C128 was in storage, all four F-keys were damaged. The key tops and springs are fine, but the plungers are cracked, causing the key to stay down when pressed. This makes it difficult to use the computer. I ordered replacement key plungers on eBay, and found out the hard way that different keys have different plungers. Does anyone know where I can get original or reproduction (3D printed?) key plungers for the F-keys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KG7PFS Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 Come on, there *must* be someone out there with either some key plungers in their spare parts pile, or with a 3D printer. Am I the only one who has ever broke an F-key? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motrucker Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) You might try asking on Lemon64. There are a couple of people there who have 3D printers, that may not venture over here. Worth a shot, anyway. Wish I could help more...... These would get you half way there; https://www.ebay.com/itm/COMMODORE-128-C-Replacement-Key-F-With-Spring-Plunger-Keyboard/164637581712?hash=item26552a2190:g:mkQAAOSwlgNa~cFX Edited February 14, 2021 by motrucker added info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KG7PFS Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share Posted February 14, 2021 2 hours ago, motrucker said: These would get you half way there; https://www.ebay.com/itm/COMMODORE-128-C-Replacement-Key-F-With-Spring-Plunger-Keyboard/164637581712?hash=item26552a2190:g:mkQAAOSwlgNa~cFX By "F-key" I meant F1/F2, F3/F4, etc. The plunger in this auction is exactly not what I need - but have several of. Anyway, I'll check Lemon64. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 I would assume the supply of C128 keyboard spare parts is rather low. Also I read that when it comes to C128D keyboards, those soon will become as valuable as rest of the computer itself?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motrucker Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) On 2/13/2021 at 11:37 PM, KG7PFS said: By "F-key" I meant F1/F2, F3/F4, etc. The plunger in this auction is exactly not what I need - but have several of. Anyway, I'll check Lemon64. Thanks. I really need to get new glasses. Sorry for the bum steer. The C-128D keyboards are currently selling for around $300.00 plus shipping https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-Commodore-Model-128D-Personal-Computer-Keyboard-with-Cable-Untested/254860915159?hash=item3b56e4f1d7:g:wZ8AAOSwQ-NgIaEG Edited February 17, 2021 by motrucker added info 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Two years ago I got around $70 for a tested C128D keyboard, which I felt like good money. This is insane! One year ago when the pandemic begun, I thought the world economy would crash hard, but apparently it has only affected some people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KG7PFS Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 8 hours ago, motrucker said: The C-128D keyboards are currently selling for around $300.00 plus shipping I'm glad I don't have a D. I could get a new C128 for less - but I'd still have one that needs fixing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motrucker Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I sold an almost complete C-128 keyboard with the top case just a couple of months back (it had one broken F-Key). Maybe I should have asked more for it. I've been looking for C-128 keyboard parts, and I am surprised how unavailable they are today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 You might want to post in the Marketplace as well, in case there are hoarders who don't frequent the system specific subforums. Possibly you'll encounter someone with a working 3D printer there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dankcomputing Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Many Amiga keyboards use the same plungers as the C128, so if you can find plungers out of one of them there's a decent chance it could work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuxon86 Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 9 hours ago, dankcomputing said: Many Amiga keyboards use the same plungers as the C128, so if you can find plungers out of one of them there's a decent chance it could work. They work for the normal keys, but the function keys on the C128 are of different length. I fixed my F7/F8 last year and it stick a bit higher than the rest but I can live with it as long as it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boschloo Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 On 2/3/2021 at 4:19 PM, KG7PFS said: I don't know how it happened, but when my C128 was in storage, all four F-keys were damaged. The key tops and springs are fine, but the plungers are cracked, causing the key to stay down when pressed. This makes it difficult to use the computer. I ordered replacement key plungers on eBay, and found out the hard way that different keys have different plungers. Does anyone know where I can get original or reproduction (3D printed?) key plungers for the F-keys? I'm going through the same thing right now. One Amiga vendor is telling me that A500 plungers will work, but he doesn't get it. The top row plungers are blue and have a square hole flush to the top. I ordered a couple of plungers from elsewhere, hopefully it will work...Those Mitsumi plungers appear to crack way too easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boschloo Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 On 2/17/2021 at 6:07 PM, carlsson said: Two years ago I got around $70 for a tested C128D keyboard, which I felt like good money. This is insane! One year ago when the pandemic begun, I thought the world economy would crash hard, but apparently it has only affected some people. I'll tell what's funny, you can buy a C128D adapter that allows it to use PS2 keyboards, but, I'd never do that because it would feel fake. Not the true Commodore experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 4 hours ago, Boschloo said: I'll tell what's funny, you can buy a C128D adapter that allows it to use PS2 keyboards, but, I'd never do that because it would feel fake. Not the true Commodore experience. I would use a C128D to Amiga keyboard adapter. I have a few 2000, 3000, and a spare 4000 keyboard around my place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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