Do you know, what is wrong here?

Do they know?

Making key caps for my #C64 #keyboard project. It definitely takes its time. The laser etching takes about as long as I need for installing 9 keys on the keyboard and loading the other 3x3 jig. It is faster with a jig, than the 3 hours for 1 set without using one.

The User Port Case for the C64 Ultimate and the Ultimate 64 is now available on Github: github.com/svenpetersen...

Guess, what I like better than label making? #Label making is a lengthy and complicated process, since my #Brother #CM900 cut plotter does not automatically adjust to register marks. I have to do it (sizing, rotating and moving) manually on the PC.

I have created a case for the C64 Ultimate/Ultimate 64 user port PCB. I will print the label tomorrow. And I am drying the tan64 (grey beige, RAL1019) for a 2nd case for the C64U.

The PET SNES Gamepad Adapter is nie on github: github.com/svenpetersen...

Testing the #C64 expansion port extension. With a 25cm cable, all cartridges work. With a 100cm cable, some cartridges don’t.

@janbeta.net alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Jan! 🎶🎵🍀🎂🥳🎉🎁🍾🎊🍻🥂🎈🕹️🍀🎶🎵 Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag mit deinen Lieben.

It looks like PCBs got cheaper due to the dropping dollar exchange rates. I have ordered the next revision of the #C64 #keyboard pcbs. Definitely the last created with #Eagle 🦅. #Autodesk has forced it to land.

Yesterday, I have found a photo, that I took of Michael Brecker in 2001, on Facebook. It was properly referenced and I was delighted. 1. they liked my photo. 2. they have done it the proper way. The camera was a Sony Mavica, which stored the photos on floppy disk. My first digital.

I am still documenting the #C64 #keyboard project. Got the big lamp out to take some pictures. The ribbon cable is for the keyboard matrix, the dupont cable for controlling the kernal EPROM, RESET and EXROM.

Today, I have learned, that we have more different tea spoons, than the highest number of the same sort. This is a private household. Where do all these teaspoons come from—and where do they keep disappearing to? Has this been scientifically investigated?

I have drawn the block diagram for my #C64 #keyboard.

Some of the kernal switching and RESET functionality. RESET and EXROM RESET can be triggered by holding RESTORE for >3sec or >5sec respectively. RESTORE and NEXT or PREV will switch between the kernals. RESTORE for a short time will issue a burst pulses to overcome the issues of older models.

My slightly messy test #C64. Actually the main device, that I use for everything. Right now for keyboard testing.

The Scroll lock circuit of the C64 keyboard was still not perfect. I have added a capacitor and some botch wires. So, there will be Rev. 2. Fortunately, I have done it in time. My Eagle will expire in a few days. Autodesk is killing that CAD software 🤮

I have received a parcel from Commodore, today. No case crack, everything works. ARM2SID installed… check✅ I have used the same screwdriver, that I have used to open my original C64. No kidding 🙂

I have made a #C64 „all black“ #keyboard. Even the key legends are black. Now I have to program the Haka on the controller 😉 I am preparing two keyboards for being UV printed (the legends).

I’ve visited a lot of companies through my job. When you’re waiting in reception, you often see the company policies on the wall. Read them carefully—they’ll tell you exactly what that company struggles with.

Again. Oh no! It works perfectly from a lab PSU, but when powered from a C64, the shift lock is on on power up. Even worse than the last attempt. And I am already using a voltage monitor reset circuit TL7705 for the shift lock circuit of the keyboard

I have built another C64 keyboard to try out uv printing of the keycap legends on the blank keycaps.

I have soldered the C64 keyboard. One version has hot swap sockets for the switches. Installed the stabilizers, inserted the switched and the key caps. Testing is tonight.

I have assembled the PET SNES Gamepad adapter Rev. 1. Rev. 0 worked, but I discovered, that PETSCII Robots for C64 works with it, so I have added a „+5V from User Port“ option via switch.

Cool new solder tool. The spade shaped solder tips for C245 also work with my FNIRSI HS-02A. And they are good for de-soldering. Keyboard switches out. SO14 IC out, even the connectors out. Easily! I want to re-use at least the switches for Rev. 1 of the keyboard.

A #JLCPCB (the PCB giant with less aggressive youtube advertisement) parcel arrived today. Two versions of my C64 keyboard (one with hot swap sockets), the keyboard connector PCB and a user port SNES game controller adapter (C64 and PET). Works with PETSCII Robots.

On request I have made an extension cable for the C64 expansion port. The purpose is to relocate that port. Still untested, but preliminary released on github: github.com/svenpetersen...

Great wireless game controller for imaginary games. It always wins.

Just because 🤣🤣🤣 I have made slow advances in my C64 keyboard project. The shift lock circuit was sensitive to the supply voltage, which is not ok, so I have redesigned that. I will soon buy new prototype PCBs. I also want a version with hot swap sockets for the switches.

New video! Refurbishing 5 broken Commodore Datas(s)ettes with various different problems. YouTube: youtu.be/iCeelTxUmiQ PeerTube: makertube.net/w/5tPAz5zpzU... #Commodore #C2N #Commodore1531 #Commodore1530 #Commodore64 #Commodore16 #C16 #C64 #Datasette #Datassette #RetroComputing #VintageComputing

Lo, thy laboratoire shal be bespeckled unto the Yonge Doom itself; for thou, with brussh and spirit of ysopropanol, dost scour the newe-sowed boordes of copper and tynne. (Cleaning up flux residues from 100 little PCBs)

I have installed an LED strip under my work bench, because I drop a lot.

Blue tack is a cool thing, which I have learned about after having an „away from home“ job. It is great to keep components in place before the actual soldering. It sucks, when it gets warm, so I only solder one pin and then remove it.

@morefunmakingit.bsky.social This is my favorite dispenser thingy for flux. Why? Once you learn, it works in the opposite direction (ccw=press), you can control it pretty well. After applying the flux, turn it clock wise and the pressure is released, no further flux comes out.

Today, I have learned, that 30mm wide shrinkable PVC sleeve, like it is used for batteries, is also cool for protecting the label on a DIN connector. The length is also shrinking a couple of mm.

Soldering DIN connectors with The Potato is so easy and relaxed. It even reminds you to install the sheath. What could go wrong?

These vertical DIP switches are really ugly to assemble🤮🤮🤮. The pins are never aligned and they don’t stay in place. Every of them is a puzzle. The piano style ones and the horizontal are way easier.

I still don’t have DSL internet. After a week talking to hotlines for four hours. My mobile network reception is close to zero, too.

Happy Easter egg day, y‘all!

New video! Recapping the Amiga 3000T power supply. YouTube: youtu.be/uKZePkkBd9g PeerTube: makertube.net/w/rSCTC3Ddws... #Amiga #Amiga3000T #Amiga3000 #A3000T #Commodore #Restoration #PSU #PowerSupply #Recapping #Capacitors #Replacement #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #RareCommodore

Ready for some retro yuck?

@morefunmakingit.bsky.social Did you know, that the AMTECH NC-559-ASM flux is fluorescent in UV light? That is for making checking for a proper cleaning easier.

I am trying to understand my precision source (U, I, R, f). It is not very intuitive. And I don’t know, how well my multimeters are calibrated. Good enough for normal work. #FNIRSI #SG004A #precisionSource

This is such a great youtube channel about photography. The guy has some great stories to tell. youtube.com/@fredandharr...

Actually a nice toy for little money. I think, it should include adapters for other type of barrel connector. It has a 5.5mm/2.1mm connector input and does not work with most 5.5/2.5mm PSU connectors. And in some modes there are too many decimals for the accuracy.

Another one back to life. It was simple: the fuse was blown by testing a harness with a short circuit. Result: blank screen. I am glad, anyway. #commodore #C64 #repair #diagnostic #harness

New lab power supply. Unfortunately, not every review on youtube is great. But it looks pretty cool.

Pewww… finally, it works.

Another hot plate soldering. It is so much easier and faster than through hole assembly. #diagnostic #harness #C64 #Commodore

@morefunmakingit.bsky.social That is the glass isopropanol dispensers, which I have mentioned. It is still working (other than the two before, that I have binned).