I really like that Harlequin project. Replacing the PLA with off-the-shelf components goes a long way keeping the Spectrum alive. I like that mechanical keyboard replacement, too. Only thing I couldn't be arsed is soldering the LEDs - I'm not one for flashy but function-less RGB lights on keyboards.
I'm getting a bit nostalgic... In around 1983 ish i remember copying a kempston joystick interface & also replaced my z80 ( which didn't have a socket) And copying many basic programs from Crash magazine 👍 Excellent days.
The key with SMD is flux paste and a chisel or bevel tip. Put a dot of flux on each pad, sit the part in it, and hold steady with tweezers. Apply a tinned soldering iron bit to either end and you get a neat joint.
Your a brave man to take on that smd job by hand! Perhaps the reason why the built boards are not that much more expensive, is they may be made using solder paste, laid by a screen printer onto the pads, then place the parts and send through a nice hot oven, solder paste melts and solders all the smds. Many joints can be made in very quick time. That's how we did it when i worked in an smd dept years ago. I want one of those harlequins myself, is it the Byte Delight kit James?
Great video as always HLD! The microscope view is very cool. I also built this kit and had a lot of fun with it. I wasn’t familiar with SMD so it was an exciting crash course. Well worth it for the final look though! (I also bridged the blue LEDs in lieu of 0ohm) so I’m glad to hear it wasn’t just me!)
I've done over 30 of these now for ZX renew and other people items to do them 5 at a time lol the best technique is to do all the buttons in one go as it's the biggest component and uses the most heat then you can work around them to do the small led next followed by the right resistor and then the diode as you can probably imagine because I have done so many I've got it down to a fine art good video though Retro Robbins
That looks absolutely amazing. The glowing keyboard really makes it something special. I'm so tempted to get one but I think I'd look for the presoldered option as I don't think I could cope with SMD parts.
Nice! I really love the keyboard PCB, I didn't know that was a thing when I made my Harlequin a few weeks back. Definitely be looking to get one of those.
Fantastic!! Always hated the 48k case (I was a child of the +2 era) but I’d love that if it can run a 128k rom! Those LEDs really are a touch of class!! I love soldering but there is no way in hell I could solder that keyboard though!!! Amazing job but yeesht!! That does not look like a fun way to spend a few evenings!!!
Very impressive, looking forward to modding mine now, i'll not be sorry to see the back of my flimsy broken keyboard membrane. i'm assuming that since the reg works off a 5v supply that it could take a supply from the reg in a traditional speccy, that's what i'm hoping to do...
Really nice! Too much work for me but might be worth getting it pre assembled. Would be nice with a white case too. BTW - I'm only getting 360p for the video, is that just my end?
Wow! That looks stunning. You touched on the feel of it earlier in the episode but didn't mention it when it was assembled? I've seen another video mention they found the keys a little tricky to press, having to hit the middle of each key. How did you find yours? Lovely video BTW 😁
I think I overdid the flux and flooded the switches, making them sticky and odd feeling under the key mat. A good dose of IPA and some scrubbing with a brush loosened most of them up. I think with use the remaining few will ease up too, the rest all feel lovely and mechanically clicky.
Have you had any issues making a good connection with a cartridge? I thought the kit was absolutely fantastic in the way it was put together and documented but was a bit disappointed to find they used HASL for the edge connector. Sometimes I have to play with it a bit to get a connection and I'm worried it might not hold up well over time. Mind you, it's no worse than what Sinclair used I don't think.
I really like that Harlequin project. Replacing the PLA with off-the-shelf components goes a long way keeping the Spectrum alive. I like that mechanical keyboard replacement, too. Only thing I couldn't be arsed is soldering the LEDs - I'm not one for flashy but function-less RGB lights on keyboards.
It's always an option to go without RGB, it would simplify the build a lot!
@@HappyLittleDiodes oh yeah, for sure. And it would feed into my laziness.
I'm getting a bit nostalgic...
In around 1983 ish i remember copying a kempston joystick interface & also replaced my z80 ( which didn't have a socket)
And copying many basic programs from Crash magazine 👍
Excellent days.
The key with SMD is flux paste and a chisel or bevel tip. Put a dot of flux on each pad, sit the part in it, and hold steady with tweezers. Apply a tinned soldering iron bit to either end and you get a neat joint.
That is freaking nuts! I am just finishing up my ZX 48 Spider.
Your a brave man to take on that smd job by hand! Perhaps the reason why the built boards are not that much more expensive, is they may be made using solder paste, laid by a screen printer onto the pads, then place the parts and send through a nice hot oven, solder paste melts and solders all the smds. Many joints can be made in very quick time. That's how we did it when i worked in an smd dept years ago. I want one of those harlequins myself, is it the Byte Delight kit James?
No they are hand made. The price will be going up soon! :)
Yes that's right it's from Byte Delight, a very well put together kit
Great video as always HLD! The microscope view is very cool. I also built this kit and had a lot of fun with it. I wasn’t familiar with SMD so it was an exciting crash course. Well worth it for the final look though! (I also bridged the blue LEDs in lieu of 0ohm) so I’m glad to hear it wasn’t just me!)
I've done over 30 of these now for ZX renew and other people items to do them 5 at a time lol the best technique is to do all the buttons in one go as it's the biggest component and uses the most heat then you can work around them to do the small led next followed by the right resistor and then the diode as you can probably imagine because I have done so many I've got it down to a fine art good video though Retro Robbins
30! That's some patience
That looks absolutely amazing. The glowing keyboard really makes it something special. I'm so tempted to get one but I think I'd look for the presoldered option as I don't think I could cope with SMD parts.
Nice! I really love the keyboard PCB, I didn't know that was a thing when I made my Harlequin a few weeks back. Definitely be looking to get one of those.
Fantastic!! Always hated the 48k case (I was a child of the +2 era) but I’d love that if it can run a 128k rom! Those LEDs really are a touch of class!!
I love soldering but there is no way in hell I could solder that keyboard though!!! Amazing job but yeesht!! That does not look like a fun way to spend a few evenings!!!
I think you can buy it preassembled!
Fantastic Sir 👏
Very impressive, looking forward to modding mine now, i'll not be sorry to see the back of my flimsy broken keyboard membrane. i'm assuming that since the reg works off a 5v supply that it could take a supply from the reg in a traditional speccy, that's what i'm hoping to do...
It's worth trying, but bear in mind the instructions suggest using 9V directly
Really nice! Too much work for me but might be worth getting it pre assembled. Would be nice with a white case too. BTW - I'm only getting 360p for the video, is that just my end?
Yes TH-cam is causing me pain. I've resubmitted and it's stuck on Checking now. It's done this before. Fingers crossed it resolves itself soon
Hooray! HD available if you want to re-watch :D
Nice video Sir!
Wow! That looks stunning. You touched on the feel of it earlier in the episode but didn't mention it when it was assembled? I've seen another video mention they found the keys a little tricky to press, having to hit the middle of each key. How did you find yours?
Lovely video BTW 😁
It's feels great, I didn't notice any issue with having to be precise. That might be down to the rubber mat I've used
@@HappyLittleDiodes might be they were using an older mat with a bit more flex. Ok, I'm interested again now!
I think I overdid the flux and flooded the switches, making them sticky and odd feeling under the key mat. A good dose of IPA and some scrubbing with a brush loosened most of them up. I think with use the remaining few will ease up too, the rest all feel lovely and mechanically clicky.
You could always replace the ones that are affected, did you get spares?
@@HappyLittleDiodes hmm, I’ll need to check. The kit was generous with extra LEDs and diodes, so I think so.
Have you had any issues making a good connection with a cartridge? I thought the kit was absolutely fantastic in the way it was put together and documented but was a bit disappointed to find they used HASL for the edge connector. Sometimes I have to play with it a bit to get a connection and I'm worried it might not hold up well over time. Mind you, it's no worse than what Sinclair used I don't think.
No issues so far! The DivMMC connector always seems to be super snug
Beautiful❤
Great job. What was the total cost of this project? How easy is it to make a Harlequin 128K and did it work first time.....lol.
Region of £170, it did work first time once I'd programmed the ROM!
What the model of microscope do you use?Nice 👍
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08G4Y6C65?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Amazing
lead free solder really does look like sh*t when you zoom in on it :)
Thinking of getting this kit for my harlequin. Would you recommend hot air for this, would the PCB take it?
I'm not too experienced with hot air! I would expect so but maybe best to check with the vendor to be sure
if i had a clear case do you think it would ruin the rgb look?
It would look different! That's about all you can say I suppose. Personally I like the opaque case with the RGB keyboard