Mini PET - Build a Commodore PET from all new parts!

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Buy the PET-compatible "Petskey" keyboard PCB here:

And a big thanks to PCBWay for rushing me those boards!

[PCBWay]

Hello ~ It's me ~ !
Super excited and honored to be part of 8-Bit project :)

[reggiep]

Never in my life did I think that retro computer kits would be a thing, over 40 years after they were originally released, but I'm glad. I can show my daughter the 8-bit computers I grew up with as she looks at lines of code and at simple looking games (slightly bemused) and yet having played like Space Invaders, she returns to them later on, as she finally understands gaming concepts like playability meaning more than something looking good or sounding good. So far it's all been on emulations so something running on a PC or tablet means it's still attached to today's technology but a board and chips shows how old computers were.

The beginnings of affordable home computing is a subject today's tech nerds need to delve into to understand it and it's a fusion of generations who enjoyed it long ago and get to enjoy it again.

4:49 - I noticed the board label 'tynemouth software mini pet V1.44' and then googled out of curiosity and found that the company is just under 5 miles away from where I live.

[basvisscher]

Here is a tip, measure the voltage before putting the chips in, otherwise if something is wrong with the regulator all your chips will fry.

[artstrutzenberg]

What is totally awesome: how you said on one hand there were probably more pets out there than functional keyboards...and it sounds like that problem just got solved :D

[KJWUmbralEcho]

I really appreciate how you narrate your mistakes and setbacks. It is such a good representation of what the work is really like that it makes it a great tool for beginners to understand the mindset

[ericdmation]

Using a Stabilizer for the Space Key would prevent awkwardness with the 3 separate Switches while preventing wobble.

[SpacePatrollerLaser]

PCB way!!! Because we all know that PCB stands for "Pet Compatible Boards". Right Chip-dippers?

[andreasrohmann]

You could install a switch to the jumpers near the power socket

[ScientificSolutions]

Thanks for the memories! I got my first Pet 8K back in August 1977, who could forget the day that Elvis died! I was going into grade 11 at the time. I worked many long hours to save enough for that machine; it changed the course of my life, I design and prototype embedded systems now! Thanks again!

[Cyortonic]

To fix your keycap issue, you may want to look into DSA, XDA, MDA, NP, or OSA style keycaps, as they have completely uniform keys. The set you have is an OEM style set and they keys are going to be sculpted for ergonomics. Cherry and SA style sets will have the same sculpted design as the OEM set that you have. With the DSA, XDA, etc keycaps, you can have any key you like at any location without keys being taller or shorter than the others around it

[JohnDlugosz]

re concern about selling the Commander X-16 as a kit:
You should turn it into a proper learning tool, especially now that many in the audience will not have experience with this anymore. Give step by step instructions with details and rationale like you mentioned in the video of doing the sockets first;
but also include *checklists* of Q/A checking along the way.
Design it so it can be tested electrically, as much as possible. Tell them to check the power before putting the chips in, etc.
Finally, make it a WIKI site so that people can add their own notes and experiences and post solutions to problems that are found in the wild.

[dwaynezilla]

Damn! Just whipped up two PCB designs outta nowhere! They look so much better! And I'm always impressed when I see PCBWay boards in videos. They look high quality, solid, and sexy. Great video and effort from everyone involved!

[MrMe]

When you were soldering the keyboard at 17:00 I caught myself holding my breath so I wouldnt breathe the fumes.

[tfr]

I've watched all of your videos, I swear even if I have no clue what's happening, I always get intrigued and always love every video

[djhaloeight]

Man that green phosphor monitor is PERFECT! Reminds me of learning to type on the old TRS-80 Model 4’s in high school 🤣

[mikesnapper]

I can't believe the makers of that kit thought that keyboard was in any way shape or form acceptable. Specially at the premium pricing for that kit. I mean it's just a bunch of bare microscwitches without any keycaps on them, with their labels being literally just a silk screen on a PCB. When he took the keyboard out i assumed the keycaps were in a separate bag, but nope, that was the whole thing. Like.. seriously? Using even the cheapest keyboard switches (or just rubber membrane) and cheapest plastic caps would give the user wayyy better typing experience at about the same manufacturing price.

[MontieMongoose]

Looks like it would be a good PET project.

[CDBlackmage]

I would absolutely love to have something like the Mini-PET, but that upfront investment is just so hard for my wallet to justify. Still, what an absolutely brilliant piece of hardware! Maybe these will be cheaper with time...

[WaynesWorld]

I really enjoy your videos. In this one I learned your techniques for soldering components to the PCB. Thanks for the high quality production.

[stevenA]

Well that's a pretty cool little computer kit. I like the idea of those power switching jumpers to allow different polarity power supplies! I've never seen that before on anything. Like that keyboard PCB design too.