ZX Spectrum Mechanical Keyboard 3d Printed Case

Lee Smith sent me a ZX Mechtrum 3D-printed mechanical keyboard case. In this video I put it all together and get to feel probably the best keyboard it's possible to get for the humble little rubber key Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
This case will be auctioned for the Befriending Scheme charity, along with another two special Sinclair ZX Spectrums. Keep following the project for an update regarding the dates and times of these auctions.
If you are keen and able to donate early you can do so here:
www.justgiving.com/page/moref...
Keyboard pcb project by Don Superfo:
www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
Lee Smith's Workshop:
/ @leesmithsworkshop
And the Mechtrum case is available for purchase here:
leesmithsworkshop.co.uk/produ...
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[@leesmithsworkshop]

The hole at 3:24 is used to secure the top keyboard to the base and shouldn't be drilled out. Another top tip for anyone making these keyboard PCB is to solder one leg only and then push down on each key while heating that one leg, it will make sure they are all the same height. Then you can solder the other leg. If you are using with an original spectrum PCB make sure to note the direction of the keyboard connectors because they are single sided so you need to put one of the thin pcb facing forward and the other backwards. Then last this is still 3d printed so do not crank down to much on the screws that fit into the plastic. I hope this case and the Harlequin will fetch a good price for the charity.

[@stevemcknelly5036]

Now that is something that would make me want a ZX Spectrum! Here in the States, all we ever had was the Timex Sinclair ZX 1000 and the keyboard always turned me off. I may have to end up with one of those keyboards and cases!

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

It feels amazing. Especially compared to the old rubber keys!

[@CallousCoder]

Hey! KZbin, why wasn't I alerted of my youtube friend Les' ;) new video? Ah nice cup of morning tea, and watching Lee at least a great start of the Saturday!

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

I wish I knew!

[@CallousCoder]

@@MoreFunMakingIt Yeah me too. A German viewer of my channel knows about my hekath issues and waiting for treatment, so he wrote “ah so you finally must have had your surgery, how are you feeling?” And I was like: “what made you think that? I’m still waiting on line to get the heart ablation and valve repair.” He replied: “oh I thought so because you didn’t release any videos.” And I was confused and said but I’ve been releasing pretty much every other week. He also didn’t get any of the alerts and he’s my first subscribe 😄 I love that the most form this KZbin stuff, the new friends you make.

[@julianbrown1331]

Just in case anyone wants to go their own way on the keyboard PCB it is a design from Don Superfo (creator of the Harlequin boards), I sold Lee (Smith) his first one (or maybe one of his first before ordering a batch of his own) when this was all an interesting but largely unformed idea - I seriously recommend going with Lee's design though just for the keycaps. Re-using regular caps leads to a definite sub-par result thanks to the projection on the caps if you go for standard ones. Really happy to have been part of this particular story :D

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Thanks Julian! Thats great info. I've linked to the PCBWAY project in the description. I'll put Dons name there too

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Also, it's very cool that it's going to get one of Dons Harlequin boards! I wasn't aware of the connection.

[@JamiesHackShack]

Great looking case/kb!

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Cheers Jamie!

[@RetrogradeScene]

Really is a great case! It will be amazing when its done.

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

It will indeed! Cant wait to see this in the auction.

[@andrewsearle9153]

I loved the mechtrum idea so much that mine arrived earlier this week. The heatsink on the old Spectrum issue 2 needs some trimming but love the look & feel of the new case/keyboard.

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Thank you for the donation Andy! Highly recommend switching the voltage regulator for a switching type. The pla case could warp with the heat that old regulator puts out.

[@Bergi2000]

Well done! 😊

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Thank you! 😃

[@CallousCoder]

That case and keyboard are simply awesome! Are all Lee's such creative geniuses?

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Definitely no. I could name a few that certainly don't fall into that category 😜

[@miguelrios4602]

Thanks for the video. Appreciate it!

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

😁

[@RudysRetroIntel]

Excellent!! Love the keyboard and will help with the fundraiser. Now that I got my first speccy, I shoukd look at that keyboard. Thanks for sharing and all the hard work you do!🍻

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Thanks Rudy! 😁

[@bobbus_74]

Lee Smith has done a great job with this keyboard and case. Looking forward to seeing the Harlequin board go inside.

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

He's a clever man!

[@CurtisOvard]

That looks so nice.

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

It really is. Someone is going to be very happy with this!

[@sirrichardpitchard]

Great stuff!

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Cheers Richard! And thank you for the donation 😁

[@YARC-1981]

Nice one, Lee! This should fetch a nice sum for the charity!

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Cheers mate! Fingers are crossed 😁🤞

[@bigbadhodad3894]

So that is the case Sir Clive should have made rather than the cheap out one he made, yes I understand why he made the cases he chose, but That is a beautiful case.

[@dadsdoinggreat]

Hi! Love it. Can you tell me what flux you are using please?

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

Topnik! 😁

[@retrotechtive]

4:28 The only thing I felt was missing on this keyboard is a space bar under the thumb that a full PC keyboard would have. In this sense, the keyboard is actually a victim of its own success - it feels so good to use that I forget it's *not* a full keyboard while typing on it, and automatically go to press space 😄 Maybe one day, Lee S can make a Spectrum Plus form factor that solves this (go on Lee, you know I'd buy one 😉)

[@leesmithsworkshop]

I am trying to make a plus style mechtrum, but it's not easy because the plus uses two membranes that are joined together. This will not work with new keys so it needs a circuit to cope with the extra keys. I have two prototypes so far based on the 48p-kdlx design and they are just not that good and very picky on what spectrum boards they work on.

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

I felt exactly the same way. I do remember after typing for years on a Spectrums rubber keys out felt odd going to a C64 with a proper space bar.

[@leesmithsworkshop]

@@MoreFunMakingIt I could do a 48k with big spaceboard

[@retrotechtive]

@@leesmithsworkshop That's all I meant really, though I mentioned the Plus simply because it might appeal more to people's nostalgia.

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

Noice!😀

[@skagon_]

I just can't wrap my head around the fact that nobody seems to make one of these with a proper space bar.

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

I think one might be in the works!