To build or not to build

Anything to do with New Zealand Classic or Vintage Computing not covered in the other forums

To build or not to build

Postby acsi on Fri May 15, 2015 8:19 pm

That is the question :?

Do I build this Maplin ZX81 keyboard kit or not?

Image
'acsi' on trademe
acsi
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:03 pm
Location: Wellington

Re: To build or not to build

Postby Clym5 on Sat May 16, 2015 1:29 am

I vote yes! Another whole, and new unit. Saves parts getting lost too I guess?
Amiga 4000: Apollo Turbo 040, 128MB Fast, 40gb HDD, CD-ROM (needs internet)
C64: 1541U-II, MixSID, WiFi, LumaFix64
ZX Spec, A1200, CD32, MacPlus/SE, A500, BBC Turbo Master (NASA), 2600, Acorn 4000, VIC-20, IBM 5155, GameBoy
Clym5
 
Posts: 284
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2014 5:23 pm
Location: Meadowbank, Auckland

Re: To build or not to build

Postby kevman3d on Tue May 19, 2015 8:46 am

I'd say that it depends on whether you want to keep it as an investment (ie. "unopened", making it possibly more valuable) or as a part of your collection (something that you'll use).

If you put it together, post piccies as it would make for an interesting thread here. :wink:
"kevman3d" on trademe.
Blog
kevman3d
 
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:54 pm

Re: To build or not to build

Postby acsi on Tue May 19, 2015 10:43 am

Nice stumbling block here. No instructions :x

Although most of it is self explanitory the resistors, caps and IC's are not. I am not even sure its all there as it looks like there are some "spare parts" included (ZX81 Rom's for example).

Google didnt help so Ill try posting a message on the Sinclair World website to see if anyone has them.
'acsi' on trademe
acsi
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:03 pm
Location: Wellington

Re: To build or not to build

Postby kevman3d on Fri May 22, 2015 2:33 pm

I did manage to find a PDF scan online for that from http://www.neoncluster.com/projects-zx81/zx81-maplin.html. Just go to the FTP site link and browse, or here's the link to the file itself...

ftp://neoncluster.com/Sinclair/ZX81/Sinclair%20ZX81%20documents/Maplin%20Projects/ZX81%20Keyboard.pdf


The FTP login is posted under his updates section... Here's the details to save you browsing for them.

Username: user1@neoncluster.com
Password: user1

I took a peek - its a little hard to read in places - hopefully its decipherable...
"kevman3d" on trademe.
Blog
kevman3d
 
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:54 pm

Re: To build or not to build

Postby acsi on Fri May 22, 2015 10:20 pm

Perfect thanks.
'acsi' on trademe
acsi
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:03 pm
Location: Wellington

Re: To build or not to build

Postby acsi on Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:58 pm

OK so I had a quiet day at work and managed to assemble the keyboard. (Sorry no bit by bit photos) although I must mention that I love the large solder pads we used to have as opposed to todays ones, so much easier to use.

Only 1 part was missing in the end. An IC which luckily enough was easily acquired from Jaycar.

The keyboard itself is not to bad to type on. It adds a Shift lock and a Graphics lock which could be handy (and would have been) when typing out listings from magazines.

Image

Currently it is soldered onto one of my barebones 81's. And yes that is Dragons lair playing on it (Available from Sellmyretro) :lol: .

Image
'acsi' on trademe
acsi
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:03 pm
Location: Wellington

Re: To build or not to build

Postby kevman3d on Wed Jun 03, 2015 3:53 pm

Good to see it all came together. Awesome stuff... :D
"kevman3d" on trademe.
Blog
kevman3d
 
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:54 pm

Re: To build or not to build

Postby tezza on Wed Jun 03, 2015 3:56 pm

Good job!
Tez (Terry Stewart) (Administrator)
Collection: https://www.classic-computers.org.nz/co ... /index.htm
Projects and Articles: https://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/index.htm
Twitter: @classiccomputNZ | YouTube: Terry Stewart
Trade Me: tezza5
tezza
Site Admin
 
Posts: 2382
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 pm
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand


Return to General

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 28 guests

cron