Mechanical C64 Keyboard!
The one point of contention on the original Commodore 64 is definitely the keyboard — you either love it or hate it. I’m okay with it for short periods, but if I were to type in something more lengthy its clunky keys and lack of wrist rest are definitely downsides. This doesn’t solve the wrist rest issue, but the MechBoard64 Mechanical Keyboard definitely addresses the mushy key feel!
This version is a DIY kit, with a few surface-mount parts pre-soldered for you. If you’ve ever assembled a custom mechanical keyboard before you know the process — it comes down to a lot of repetitive soldering. As the product page notes, it’s important to take your time and make sure to solder in a well-ventilated area. This is more important than usual because of the length of time you’re likely to be soldering. If you’re using leaded solder, make sure to wash your hands very well after such a long soldering session!
Once you’re finished soldering the Gateron keyswitches, it’s time to put the anodized frame on, and then use the included 3D-printed key adapters to attach the original Commodore keycaps. After this is complete, use the included ribbon cable to attach the keyboard to the original keyboard header, and you should be ready to test.
A note about the keyswitches: because they are pretty much standard footprints, you could, in theory, replace them with your preferred brand of keyswitch. Just make sure the footprint is compatible with Gateron switches and it should be a snap to customize. The very patient could even solder in individual socket pins to make the keys hot-swappable, though it’s worth checking if this will cause issues with the clearance inside the C64.
In any case, we are glad to see a project putting keyboards back into C64s instead of removing them! There is a pre-assembled version available also if you’re not up to soldering that many switches.