68kMLA Classic Interface

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Can anyone help me identify the key switches used in my Apple IIe, and (hopefully) find some replacements?
Posted by: Huxley on 2022-05-11 15:01:11 As seen in this album, I'm restoring and repairing this beautiful Apple IIe computer. It's gone well so far, but the keyboard is in rough shape, with mis-matched key-switches and several broken switches too. There were apparently a pretty wide range of switches used in Apple IIe systems, and I'm not sure what specific switches I should be searching for, or where I might buy them. Given that the ones in this system are literally falling apart with age (the plastic housings are super brittle!), I'd love to replace them with modern switches that will still pair to the original key-caps, but I'm not sure if that's an option. Either way, I really want to find some correct-type replacements (new or old), so any guidance here is most appreciated! Thanks for any tips or suggestions!
Posted by: olePigeon on 2022-05-11 16:22:47 Looks to be Alps SKCC Tall Cream or tall black. Here's an eBay auction for a start.
Posted by: Huxley on 2022-05-11 18:09:15 Update: I think I jumped the gun (kinda) with this question! When I was pulling the keys off the switches, as you can see in the pics I linked above, some of the switches did come apart, with lots of little orphaned bits of broken plastic. HOWEVER! I took some time to really clean the keyboard (without any further disassembly), and it started to look like maybe the bits of broken plastic weren't actually from the switches, but were instead just crap that had fallen into the keyboard over the years. With a newly-renewed sense of hope, I tried reassembling the switches that had come apart, and they all more-or-less came back together! I'm hopeful now that I can keep using the existing switches, rather than having to replace them entirely. Progress! All that said, I do believe I need to replace the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the motherboard - it's frayed and broken on both ends, and just generally doesn't look trustworthy. Looks to be Alps SKCC Tall Cream or tall black. Here's an eBay auction for a start. Great info, thanks! I'll keep this in mind if / when I do end up needing replacement switches 🙂 Huxley
Posted by: Johnnya101 on 2022-05-11 18:59:09 If you have the extra money to throw around, maybe a new MacEffects keyboard kit is the better choice (if you want something newer)? https://maceffects.com/products/apple-iie-mechanical-keyboard I do not know how they are, but like the rest of his products, I'm sure it's great if you want something new and shiny in there.
Posted by: Huxley on 2022-05-11 19:00:56 If you have the extra money to throw around, maybe a new MacEffects keyboard kit is the better choice (if you want something newer)? https://maceffects.com/products/apple-iie-mechanical-keyboard I do not know how they are, but like the rest of his products, I'm sure it's great if you want something new and shiny in there. This is the kind of good advice that's kept me returning to the 68kMLA for 20+ years now 😂 I'll keep that in mind! Huxley
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-08-30 21:04:13 Check out THIS manual I uploaded to archive.org it describes all apple ii and iii stuff but point is starting on page 4.8 it shows part numbers for the keys and the following two pages after show all the different key switches and how to recognize them, I hope this helps : ).
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-08-30 21:09:02 Here just made screenshots so you can see and don't have to go looking through.
Posted by: olePigeon on 2022-09-13 13:59:05 Oh, interesting. I've never encountered an Apple Ii with the Datanetics switch. I've seen the other two.
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-09-13 17:58:35 Same here apparently these were obsolete even in the early 80's, so Id imagine very few II Pluses have them and that they'd likely be found in the original Apple II.
Posted by: LaPorta on 2022-09-13 18:33:21 I wonder if mine has them. It was made in '79.
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-09-13 18:34:07 Why don’t you take it apart and see?
Posted by: LaPorta on 2022-09-13 18:37:32 At some point I can, I'll have a look see. I've never taken its keyboard apart (always worked).
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-09-13 19:14:09 I'm going to take a look at mine too its an early II Plus
Posted by: waynestewart on 2022-09-14 10:56:09 I have a few with Datanetics switches but they are all from before the separate keyboard encoder board
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-09-14 10:59:14 I have a few with Datanetics switches but they are all from before the separate keyboard encoder board Do you have photos, if you don’t mind sharing?
Posted by: waynestewart on 2022-09-16 16:12:30 Do you have photos, if you don’t mind sharing? I never took any photos and would have to disassemble an Apple II to get some However Mike Willegal has a number of pics on his site Apple II
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-09-16 16:35:13 I never took any photos and would have to disassemble an Apple II to get some However Mike Willegal has a number of pics on his site Apple II Hey thanks for the link that’s super cool, had no idea you could wire up 4 keys.
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