C64Mini – Quiet but still Tinkering…Keyboard Mod

Some time back I purchased a Lovely little Commodore Retro item – A C64 Mini

 

Borrowed off the Retro Games website – The C64 Mini

 

It’s a TINY C64…….With a non-functional, cosmetic appearances only keyboard 😦

Lets fix that…………….

 

First thing needed – Is it even possible to mechanically fit a working keyboard in this device? –

Have to quickly whip out Fusion360

Explaining the images….

Looks like we can – This is a rough outline of the shell of the C64Mini. The shell is about 2.4mm thick injection moulded plastic

The dimensions i’m interested in are below – Switch and PCB

The Volume my keyboard modification can occupy is highlighted in yellow –

My custom Keyboard PCB Can be up to 6.1mm thick (including components) on the rear side before I run into possible interference with the LED plug on the Mini’s motherboard

The Switch Clearance – From the top of the PCB to the bottom of the plastic shell – that’s 4.8mm

So, No problem at all right now – There looks like there’s enough space!