Replacement keys?

[Mr B]

I've been offered a A1200, if i promise not to butcher, or throw it away. (Well, actually, i've been asked if i want it, if his nephew doesn't want to bring it home.) The "only" flaw it has, is a missing shift key, (left) and the harddrive cradle is nowhere to be seen. Apparently the keyboard is leaning against a 3.5" harddrive instead.

I could live without the harddrive cradle, but i'd really like to replace the shift key. I read something, somewhere, about the Amiga using a fairly common set of keys, so i should be able to steal a new key from a old PC keyboard. But i cant seam to find the source, and i have no memory of what type of keyboard (no memory of brand, model range, nothing) would be right. And start tearing up keyboards just for fun, well, it might actually BE fun, but i'd rather not. Does anyone know?
B!

[roy bates]

you can buy an amiga keyboard off ebay for peanuts,yellow ones can be soaked in h2o2.

EDIT:-also the cradles are cheap as well.

[rare_j]

I've replaced the enter key (numpad) on an A1200 keyboard, dont worry it's easy. Just need a small phillips screwdriver, and get a spare shift key from a broken a1200 keyboard off someone.

As for the drive caddy, Amigakit sells spares, or ebay.

Amigakit might even be able to sort you out for the shift key.

The biggest porblem with replacing keys is they the keyboards yellow at different rates. so you have a yellowed old keyboard with a bright shiny new shift key which sticks out like a sore thumb! or vice verca.

If you are of a particular nature and and the keyboard you have has seen better days, you might want to go for a new keyboard. again, Amigakit or ebay.

[Mr B]

I'm guessing the whole thing will get the once over with retrobright, (or the equivalent) if it ends up here.
I might end up "begging" for a shift key later. For now, it's all put on hold. No use getting a key if the nephew gets it. In a few months it's going to be a broken pile of junk, sadly.

Thank you for your time, and inputs.
B!

[roy bates]

dont feel so down.even a "broken pile of junk" can be brought back to life.

im not saying the one your getting will be yellow just the "donor" keys.

i worked out that you can get a whole keyboard and cradle plus a bottle of h202 for about 10 pounds.but like you say no point in getting all that without the 1200.

[Mr B]

Actually, i got 35% H2O2 just laying around. You know, for making bombs and stuff.

The one i might be getting (hopefully yes, yes.) is more yellow then my own, and with a backup at hand, i would, for sure, try and clean it up. 35% would be far to strong, but that can be remedied.
B!

[roy bates]

dont worry about it being 35% it dont matter, it just works faster.

i use it at that strength.no harm done .

[Mr B]

Oh. Scary. I thought it would strip the letters of the keys, to say the least. Well, guess that is what i get for taking it for granted.

Thanks for letting me know.
B!

[Fingerlickin_B]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Actually, i got 35% H2O2 just laying around. You know, for making bombs and stuff.

PZ.