A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Problems with your machine in general.
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rubber_jonnie
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A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Another item that arrived just as our belongings were off into storage was a Mega ST keyboard. I found the box easily, so had to open it.

IMG_20210713_111819.jpg
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IMG_20210713_111948.jpg
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As you can see, it's not in good shape from a case perspective, however I did buy it on the understanding that the case was broken, so this wasn't done in transit.

It was however the only way I could get a Mega keyboard cheaply in any condition. So, fingers crossed the electronics will work ok, I will do a quick test once I find my cables, then it's time to assemble the jigsaw puzzle that is the case and make it look pretty.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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DoG
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by DoG »

:cry:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

DoG wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 12:52 pm:cry:
Don't worry, I will make it better :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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JezC
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by JezC »

@rubber_jonnie good to see that you finally snagged a Mega keyboard!

Looking forward to your posts on the surgery & patient's recovery!

At some point, I still need a third Mega to go with my last /third Mega ST keyboard... :hide:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

One quick lunchtime dismantle later and:

IMG_20210713_125809.jpg
IMG_20210713_125809.jpg (142.57 KiB) Viewed 3822 times

I don't expect the undamaged warranty sticker will get me too far!!

IMG_20210713_130705.jpg
IMG_20210713_130705.jpg (388.03 KiB) Viewed 3822 times

It's messy, but fixable and the inner keyboard mechanism is super sturdy and makes the standard ST keyboard and even the later MSTE keyboard look very fragile in comparison.

One thing it will need though is is painting. There are so many cracks it just won't look good in it's original colour.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Icky
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by Icky »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:20 pm It's messy, but fixable and the inner keyboard mechanism is super sturdy and makes the standard ST keyboard and even the later MSTE keyboard look very fragile in comparison.
Yeas the mega keyboards are great, very sturdy and proper cherry keys not the domes.
rubber_jonnie wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:20 pm One thing it will need though is is painting. There are so many cracks it just won't look good in it's original colour.
Well its a small price to pay to be resurrected. Am sure in your hands its going to look like new once finished.
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PhilC
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by PhilC »

Yeah gotta agree, my Mega ST keyboards are great, even if one is in Spanish :D
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:53 pm Yeah gotta agree, my Mega ST keyboards are great, even if one is in Spanish :D
Mine is German, but I have so many spare UK keyboards I don't see it being an issue :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Icky wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:47 pm
Well its a small price to pay to be resurrected. Am sure in your hands its going to look like new once finished.
My thoughts exactly, if it looks good and it works,I don't care if it's painted :)

I also appreciate the support :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: A wounded keyboard has arrived!!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

And so the rebuild begins:

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IMG_20210804_174739.jpg
IMG_20210804_174739.jpg (195.28 KiB) Viewed 3566 times

I'm using a fast setting epoxy for the joins on the larger parts and once that's done I'll see about the smaller fragments left over.

Once the main parts are done I'll reinforce with a bit of GRP to strengthen things.

I'll then have to fill any remaining holes and paint. I know there's no way it'll ever be in the original plastic again, but at least it'll look OK and is a Mega keyboard.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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