After 3 years, *brand new* C64 keycaps are here!

The extraordinarily convoluted story of how new Commodore 64 keys came to be.
Channel Membership: kzbin.infojoin
Patreon: / retrobits
Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/retrobits
Twitter: / retrobitstv
Indiegogo Campaign - www.indiegogo.com/projects/ke...
Purchase Keycaps - www.cbmstuff.com/
CRX Presentation - kzbin.info41r3KGrX...
Thanks to our awesome Patrons for their support!!!
Kevin Gonzalez
Jon Ingersoll
John DiLiberto
John Trammell
Paraffine
Eric Stacey
Pinay Collectibles - / @pinaycollectibles3074
Josh K
Mitch Hoffman
Alex Smith
Wolfgang Behrens
Peter (Melair)
William Sullivan
Matthew Warren
Ryan Brooks
FULLSET
Allister Fiend
Joshua C. Forest
Pierre Kressmann
RobF228
James Taylor
Jim Leonard
Rayner Daniel Pedersen
Indiegogo keycap campaign images and video used with permission from Jim Drew.
00:00 Introduction
00:24 The Campaign
02:11 Designing the Keycaps
08:24 Setbacks and Challenges
14:04 Unboxing and Install
20:22 Conclusion
*Retro Bits earns money from Amazon and eBay Partner Links

[@philrod1]

As an early backer for this project, I can tell you it has been quite a ride. The amount of effort Jim and others put in to this, not only on the design side, but pushing through all the difficulties of dealing with the manufacturers during a global pandemic, has been tremendous. Truly awesome!

[@YoreHistory]

To think we can build a completely brand new C64C in 2023 is pretty amazing. We live in great times...

[@bradnelson3595]

The words "Chinese fire drill" come to mind. Yikes, what a process. We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States.

[@superviewer]

Amazing. Who would have thoght that the C64 would live on so strong for so long.

[@VinceValenti]

Whoever built that keycap color simulator did a real nice job.

[@retrobitstv]

No argument here 😁Thanks for your contributions to the project and also for supporting this channel!

[@CommodoreGreg]

I love the effort to match the key installation to the drum beat of the music.

[@AmigaLove]

As seems to be the 'case' with so many of these prints, your = sign is at a very slight angle in both sets. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. Sucks that the factory made someone do these manually one at a time; no wonder there are so many micro misalignments. Massive props to Jim for never giving up and delivering *something* we can all be happy with at the end of the day. And now that this is behind him (almost) I can only think we'll see even better options in the future (esp. if he swaps factories).

[@retrobitstv]

I didn't notice while I was filming the video but yoiu're right: once I saw it I can't unsee it. I'm on the list to receive re-printed versions of those crooked keys now.

[@ejstacey]

They look good! I'm not sure I like the mixed colours, but as you said, you can make whatever combos/changes you want! It's really cool to see an Indiegogo project follow through despite the chaos of everything. I backed one 7 years ago and they still talk about delivering stuff, but I'm not holding my breath. Kudos to the creator(s)!

[@DrDavesDiversions]

Great storytelling, Matt! I'd already seen another channel's introduction to these and, as usual, you've contributed a ton more detail.

[@retrobitstv]

I've been following the story since day 1 and while it's not my own, I figured it was worth re-telling for posterity :)

[@jonarse]

insane story, I like the red and blue combo on the transparent case myself.

[@OtterlyInsane]

Not sure that experience with typewriters made it to the original PET 😂

[@retrobitstv]

I remember hearing somewhere that Commodore repurposed existing 3rd party keys for their early machines so that may have been where the PET keyboard came from. I can't remember the specific details though :(

[@johnandrews2167]

Beautiful! I do believe you chose well.

[@CobraTheSpacePirate]

It has got to be hard starting a retro channel later in the game even from 3 years ago or even 5, and with so much already covered on multiple different channels but you really keep coming out with original stuff, I really appreciate your effort and hard work. I see you got some stuff from Japan, if you ever looking for material from here, I can probably hook you up. Like if you want to cover the government program that supported computer companies early on stuff like Sony stuff, Fujitsu FM7 etc. Stuff like even though Sharp didn't get any subsidies did so well with the X1 and X68k, are a pretty interesting history.

[@retrobitstv]

Thanks! It certainly can be difficult getting started in what is now a saturated 'market' with a somewhat niche audience. On the flip side, there are so many new and interesting projects being developed in the retro community these days that we're spoiled for choice when it comes to picking things to talk about! Appreciate the offer! I'll admit I don't know anything about the government program you mentioned. In fact, it seems like outside of video game history, not a lot of information about that time in Japan's history made it to the west. Sure, everyone knows about Apple, Atari, Commodore, and Microsoft in the 80's... I'd be interested in learning more but of course I can't read Japanese :(

[@CubicleNate]

Great video and thanks for the backstory on this. Now I really want to build a C64. At least, that is on my bucket list. :)

[@tetsujin_144]

Looks great! For what it's worth I say don't worry about the color being too much. That kind of thinking is what got us beige computers in the first place. The red keyboard looked great as it was coming together, and I think it's a good combo with the blue case as well. Pity about the Commodore logo, but I get it. The set seems pretty decently priced, too. I'll have to give it some thought.

[@minombredepila1580]

Amazing caps. Love them. Cool C64s you've got there with the new keys 😀

[@charlesheinle9908]

Someday my set will come!

[@shain6946]

Love the story, what a journey! The constant project updates, help and support from backers and volunteers kept the whole project going. Great 👍🏻

[@steffenjachnow8176]

They are looking really nice. Still waiting for mine :(

[@LeftoverBeefcake]

They look like C64s Captain America would use! :D And the pricing on the keycaps is really good, hopefully I remember to check back when they're available so I can get a set. p.s. Also enjoyed the edits in time with the music, I love video details like that. Nice work!

[@ShinoSarna]

Personally I thought of Spider-Man :P

[@bozimmerman]

Each key placement was synced with the kick bass in the music! How long did that take him? It's the little things that make production values in these videos, IMHO. :)

[@retrobitstv]

A couple extra hours of editing for that 30 second clip 😁It was fun and I learned a new technique in Premiere so it was worth it!

[@tetsujin_144]

I can say from experience it's hard to build a keyboard that fast

[@rodoherty1]

Really enjoyed the background story! Very well done!

[@Fratm]

Super nice.. I think the mixed colors looks amazing. I may buy a set for my breadbin when they are readily available to the public.

[@Rockkaraoke]

Absolutely amazing I really love it Thanks for sharing

[@p0k314COM]

Very professional Kickstarter project.

[@HifiCentret]

Can't wait till they're release to the public. I would have been satishfied with a simpler design with less shapes but hey. If only they would make complete MechBoard64. Perhaps with modified caps that directly fit modern switches. That would be awesome! (I'm fine with a kit as well if that means a lower price that makes sense)

[@prawnmikus]

Most excellent vid, and I hate to whine about something so trivial, but that music -- felt like it was 3x louder than your voice and I had to throttle the volume constantly.

[@retrobitstv]

Sorry about that. I mix the audio with my headphones and try to have everything normalized for my setup, but it's impossible to account for everyone else's audio configurations. I'll try and aim for lower volume in the future!

[@neophytealpha]

Could use a couple of sets myself. Maybe one with black with white letters for main keys and dark grey with white letters. Then translucent red with white letters for main with translucent blue with white letters.

[@ando8262]

very affordable too!

[@Shibu11229]

I think the clear case with the red and blue key caps looked best

[@StariusPrime]

I just wanted to say that out of all the videos featuring the EVO64 so far, yours was the first and is still the best. 👍 I’ve also got a translucent C64C case that I want to pair with a EVO64. However, am going to wait for the Blingboard64 keyboard from CBMStuff. The keycaps should be very similar to these, but with the advantages of modern MX switches. Something tells me you might be interested in that one too! 😁

[@xd3viant]

I'm holding out for the EVO128 😉

[@retrobitstv]

Thanks, I appreciate it! You're absolutely right - I am totally going to be backing the Blingboard64 when that campaign opens! I have been waiting for that one for years so I can finally build the Ultimate64 that I was given as a birthday gift several years ago.

[@StariusPrime]

@@retrobitstv That will make for a awesome C64 system as well as a video I shall look forward to seeing! 👍

[@jamesg872]

Been waiting since 2017 for the Amiga keycaps kickstarter.

[@retrobitstv]

Ouch, I haven't really been following that one as I don't have a suitable Amiga. I did recently watch Jan Beta's video on the subject though and it looks like things are happening there too!

[@Nguyen_Phuc08]

That would mean there are a lot of "old" key caps. Would love to lay my hands on 2 set of "old" key caps. Especially the Black and Brown key caps on the Blue C64 here.

[@skeggjoldgunnr3167]

oh MY!!!

[@daw7563]

Make it back lit with some LEDs👍

[@8bit711]

Times are good!

[@tony92506]

very cool!!

[@RacerX-]

I did basically the same color with my clear case. Although I did get a clear set too just in case. I can see that your set also includes some of the same alignment issues that mine has. I am guessing most ar like this with white print. I wish I didn't know about it because now I can't unsee it. lol.

[@retrobitstv]

I didn't even notice when making the video but Jim pointed out that I had a few misaligned keys and now I too see it every time. I'm now on the list for replacements.

[@RacerX-]

@@retrobitstv Thats good. I bought many sets so I am still going through and taking pictures. Fun task... Not really. ;-)

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

Is it possible to order individual keys? I have a C64 breadbin that is sadly missing a few keys. Can I replace just those, or would I need a WHOLE new set?

[@retrobitstv]

Not that I am aware of at this time. There are so many color variations of original keys and the goal of this project was never to try and replicate all of those variants. That said, there are vendors on eBay that do sell individual replacement keys from parted out machines. I'd also be on the lookout for people selling their entire set of original keys now that they have modern replacements.

[@witness1013]

Fancy!

[@CommodoreGreg]

I like the end result of the translucent

[@Shibu11229]

Can the translucent keys be backlit?

[@dougjohnson4266]

Never knew there were differences with the stems, I will take a look at mine. Would Purple Loctite help with keys that do not want to stick?

[@retrobitstv]

I'm honestly not sure. I've never tried to use it in that capacity before. Random thought: maybe a small amount of hot glue? It should fill in the voids and add some rigidity while still being removable and without damaging the plastic or making a permanent bond like super glue would.

[@infinitecanadian]

Why did they wait so long to discover that the keys were different between models? You'd think that'd be common knowledge.

[@paulstubbs7678]

I've kind of given up trying to find a C64, the prices online are now a tad silly, so I wanted to make a C64 keyboard using regular modern mechanical switches and use an emulator board. So are these keycaps usable on modern switches? As for the translucent versions, how about a tad of backlighting?

[@retrobitstv]

There's an existing project called the mechboard64 that uses mechanical switches but it wasn't cheap to build last I looked and still uses original C64 keycaps with 3d printed adaptors. Once this current campaign wraps up, Jim Drew plans to start a new one for an affordable mechanical keyboard for the C64 that will feature Cherry MX switches and new keycaps designed specifically to fit them. The board has already been designed and prototyped so the campaign may hopefully be completed in 2023.

[@tetsujin_144]

There are still deals out there. I picked up a broken C64 for $4 at a flea market in 2021 - of course "broken" isn't much good, but the case is in good shape, the keyboard is in good shape, and there's a fair chance all it needs is a PLA replacement. If nothing else it was worth it for the parts. It can take time to find good deals but they are out there. Don't make the mistake of thinking "ebay price" is all there is.

[@TuffyDK]

I've been looking at their website, and it seems most of the keycaps are out of stock. Does anybody knows if they will have new stock in the future?, or was it a ONE-TIME-OFFER???

[@rasterzeit]

I am still waiting for my keycaps. :(

[@KonuralpBalcik]

RGB led addons needed

[@retrobitstv]

I have an RGB LED strip for the transparent case that were designed to work with the Ultimate 64 board that I originally intended to install in there. Plans changed, but I may try it out in the future :)

[@kenknight5983]

if aliexpress were a factory

[@ArttuTheCat]

I still own the original Commodore 64C and play the games on the tapes and disks 😺👍. Do you think, those KeyCaps also fit on at model?

[@ArttuTheCat]

@@runstopme Sweet! I need some of them 😹👍🕹️.

[@killMC123]

Make more black keys

[@frankrowland63]

They are out of blue key.

[@vanhetgoor]

A few things to think about, the Pound symbol is not that important any more, but the € sign is. Where is it? Why remake the Commodore keyboard with all of its problems all over again? The plastic on plastic, the conducting rubber to make contact on a PCB, it is not that good, there are better ways to do it. The Commodore keyboard is rather high in comparison with modern keyboards. Maybe, just maybe a standard nowadays keyboard could have been used, with an alteration, back in the old days Commodore placed the keys in a strange order, this could be corrected as well. The Control-key is where the Tab should be, the Shift should be on both sides of the lowest line of letters, the Control-key should be on the same thigh is the graphics key and the Commodore key and the space-bar. When a new keyboard is designed, these mistakes MADE BY COMMODORE could be finally corrected! There is nothing wrong with improving something that was made by others. Commodore Business Machines was a bunch of chaep-skates, a flimsy pcb with rubber plungers is not quality, it was not a decision made to compete with the best of the competition, it was made in the cheapest way. I think that it could be that designing this new keyboard costed more money then Commodore ever paid for it when they made the original Commodore VICs and 64. But don't copy their mistakes!

[@tetsujin_144]

That all sounds like a horrible idea. And I think what you're regarding as "good" choices aren't necessarily good, they're just the ones that became standard (things like moving CTRL off the home row)

[@MS-ho9wq]

This has to be a troll lol. I can't believe this is a serious comment. Euro symbol on a C64... dude, it's not even in the char ROM lmaoooooooooooooooo

[@vanhetgoor]

@@MS-ho9wq The Euro-sign is NOT in the character ROM, I know! That is exactly the point why i mentioned it, so that it can be improved. Furthermore the BASIC of the C64 has not had an update for a decades.

[@CitroenGS]

I'm looking for the F5/F6 and F7/F8 Keys for my Commodore 128. Does anybody know where can I find them?

[@retrobitstv]

Best bet for that is eBay - I see individual keys sold there all the time. I am not aware of anyone making replacement keys for the 128 at this time :(

[@CitroenGS]

@@retrobitstv no luck at this time, and I don't want to buy a complete one to take 2 Keys from it. I'll continúe searching...

[@infinitecanadian]

That's what happens if you get a Chinese manufacturer to do the job. A Western manufacturer would have gotten it right possibly the first time.

[@CommodoreGreg]

I got burned on too many projects. I wish I had keycaps.

[@retrobitstv]

They should be for sale soon!