digger wrote on 2021-03-20, 13:27:
I've also been toying with the idea of building a C64 from scratch, using only modern components, so without having to cannibalize any original C64s or components. I know the idea isn't new. You just did something close to that, and I believe Jan Beta recently tried something like that on his YouTube channel. Most components are either still being produced, or have modern drop-in replacements these days. The keyboard caps might be the only real remaining challenge there, in terms of sourcing.
Also, I'd really need to get a lot more soldering practice in, before attempting such a feat! 😅
Yup....
As for now, it is not only the keycaps that are impossible or extremely hard to source. The Mechboard have been out of stock for a couple of years now, and I doubt there will be any more produced. The other things that are not reproduced, are the CPU, CIA's, VIC-II, cartridge shield and a number of the smaller logic chips. Else you can buy or get pretty much everything brand new in modern recreations. I did buy a couple of old defect boards to canibalise parts from. What I reused was: Cartridge bracket/shield, choke coil, heatsink for the 5volt regulator and the two DB9 ports, as none of those that are in production have the correct screw mounting.
I actually recieved my SixtyClone board, about half a month before Jan Beta got his donated. Or something in that line. Might be a bit longer between. I saw it in Januaery of 2020 for sale on Tindie, and instantly bought one. That is why my board is a revision 1.2 of the 250466 SixtyClone.
Don't eat stuff off a 15 year old never cleaned cpu cooler.
Those cakes make you sick....
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