Keytronic "Foam and Foil" Pads - How to Make Them Yourself

Рет қаралды 773

9 ай бұрын

There are many computers and terminals out there in the world still that use keyboards and buttons manufactured by Keytronic. These devices use a capacitive surface with a soft foam backing in place of a more complicated switch mechanism. With time these assemblies fail and need to be replaced.
In 2023 there is two or three major vendors selling replacement pads. The most notable of the group is Texelec. Due to the success of their product I have found that availability can at times not be assured. If you are looking to re-pad a quantity of keyboards the cost can also add up quickly.
For those of you who do not mind the extra effort or sourcing the materials and tools here is a method I developed several years ago which initially I used on my Apple Lisa and subsequently another half dozen machines over the years. While the "feel" of the key might be different, I just don't care. I need working keyboards.
Please note that in the video I list sources for the foam and the Mylar sheets. While availability might be a problem where you live and work, these materials should at least be a good reference for you to find a substitute.
Remember to follow me on "X" at @CelGenStudios to keep up to date on what I am doing and what might be happening in the next video.

Пікірлер: 18

@JanusCycle 9 ай бұрын

Your knowledge and skill at maintaining these old computers constantly amazes me.

@CelGenStudios 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! this was a bit of homework and a LOT of experimenting what was available locally.

@andrewcakebread3317 9 ай бұрын

Your videos are consistently watchable. I appreciate you making this tutorial.

@sbrazenor2 9 ай бұрын

I still feel like this channel is extremely under-rated. You should have money coming in from the community and frankly ads or some other thing, so that you can do more with your channel without it becoming financially unfeasible.

@CelGenStudios 9 ай бұрын

I'll be addressing this in my annual Year-end video. I've been pressured to enable monetization for a few years but there's been some things in the background I've been having to deal with.

@chrissingleton6029 9 ай бұрын

I totally agree!

@wimwiddershins 9 ай бұрын

I didn't know these were capacitive. Good to know. Thanks.

@piggypiggypig1746 9 ай бұрын

Jamie's Hack Shack recommended his viewers check you out, so here I am. Looks great! Subscribed

@CelGenStudios 9 ай бұрын

Thank you! I hope everyone enjoys the video!

@classicalgasemission 9 ай бұрын

Rona sells 1/4" open cell foam by the roll for around $12 which already has the wax paper attached. Like you. I'm Canadian and I have no desire to spend $50+ on the pads, so I've ended up reusing the metallic discs and just replacing the foam. I ended up just cutting them in (jagged) circles and gluing the metallic discs back on. It's worked pretty good although I've had a few that don't work afterwards. I usually either re-assemble them or I delegate the non-working pad to keys that I don't use. Nice to know Dollarammy and Princess Auto have the stuff I need to mass produce pads. Thanks!

@minty_Joe 9 ай бұрын

Excellent presentation! You are doing a great service to us all!

@deathshaker0026 9 ай бұрын

Would Aluminum Foil Tape work?

@PINKBOY1006 9 ай бұрын

No unfortunately. The problem is that the keyboard works on capacitance, not a straight short and aluminum tape would present a short and make the keyboard freak out like it did when he used his finger. Basically anything mylar backed will work for making these however. Foil balloons, Space Blankets, and what he used; decretive adhesive mylar. All of those have one thing in common, they have plastic covering the metal. So that creates a capacitor. I hope that explains it for you. :)

@lowlevelretro 9 ай бұрын

Ah I didn't realize it was capacitance either.. great vid! Thanks! Also in Canada and trying to avoid US purchases... and home made twinkies.

@KLund1100 Ай бұрын

Excellent video on this subject. But it damn near IMPOSSIBLE to find Mylar sheets that are sticky on one side. The video is informative, but USELESS without the ability to find the material to do the project. VERY FRUSTRATING !! You do note this below the video. Please make a followup video explaining other methods of making these important keyboard repair supplies.

@CelGenStudios Ай бұрын

Yeah sorry I couldn't come up with a solid product name or part number for the mylar. It really does seem like something that can be found form larger chain craft supply stores. I mean, this stuff fit the bill perfectly and it was available at the dollar store.

@KLund1100 Ай бұрын

@@CelGenStudios Thanks. I did a lot of thinking on the project. While checking out at the grocery store I noticed lots of balloons. What are most of those made from? MYLAR !! At least those are available everywhere. I got mine for free from that grocery store because it had a hole in it ;) Then I went looking up and down the isles around my local Home Depot (in CA) for similar foam padding. I found Frost King Camper Mounting Tape for Trucks 1-1/4 x 3/16 self stick vinyl foam, about $7usd. Then I walked past the tape section and saw 2" double sided carpet tape, about $9usd. I went home and made a sandwich of a cut up mylar balloon.( I used masking tape to stretch and hold the shiny side down mylar on a flat surface), then put the sticky side of foam to the painted/colored side of the mylar, then applied the sticky side of the 2-sided tape to the foam, leaving the paper still on the back sided of the tape face up. Then proceed as you do in cutting up the slices, and then punching holes. I got an 11mm punch like yours from aliexpress for about $2usd. I would suggest using somewhat fresh and smooth surface wood to punch holes on. Old wood splinters too much. I tested these in a Compaq Portable KB and they work perfectly!! Oh, be sure to peal off the tape backing from the pads before you put these into the keyboard. I thought I'd share first my frustration, sorry, then my solution so others could benefit.

@CelGenStudios Ай бұрын

@@KLund1100 A Mylar balloon was also what I experimented first with as well! To this day the pads I made out of it are still working in my Lisa 2.