Despite very limited demand for these keyboard reproductions, I decided to pull the trigger on another batch. I think I am having more than enough made for everyone that has expressed interest, but in any case, let me know, if you are seriously interested in getting one or more.
This time, I will be only selling blank PCBs, no brackets or anything else, so these are for the advanced hobbyist, only. I may do a brief instruction sheet, if I have time, but most of the info needed to build one up, is already on this blog (check the Datanetics category) or my website. I have to think some more about price, but I expect they will be around $80, including shipping. Even to me, this seems high for a blank PCB. However, keep in mind that these are fairly big boards by modern standards, and I only make a few in a batch.
Like all my PCBs, they are made to a very high quality standard, right here in the USA.
Is the only source for the keys to pull them from an Apple II Plus?
Well, I haven’t found any other reliable source. Occasionally you see individual key switches on ebay, but the pricing is not practical to make an entire keyboard from that source. Research indicates that Datanetics worked with MITS on calculators, Mattel on electronic games and some cash register company, but I haven’t found a matching swith on other products. In any case, you need keycaps. One other thing to be aware of is that the Datanetics rev B used more keyswitches than the Apple II, so you will need to find some extras.