Assembling Apple Extended Keyboard II

Description

Apple Extended Keyboard II is an old mechanical keyboard with ADB interface. Many people consider it to be the best keyboard ever, even better than IBM Model M. I think it's not really important actually. I've got both of them and can't say which one I like the most.

What is really important, AEK has a few interesting things from engineering as well as design point of view. This project is not about design nor the engineering however. This is an instruction how to assembly/disassembly the keyboard which one can use or just watch the photos and find out the true meaning of engineering and product design.

Components

1 × Apple Extended Keyboard II

1 × Screwdriver

Build Instructions

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1

Preparation

To assemble keyboard, you need to disassemble it first. Just use screwdriver, gentle force and a bit of patience.

Eventually you may clean all the parts using soft brush, isopropyl alcohol and water with soft detergent when needed.

All of you, retr0bright fans, need to add another step.

When all is done, do double check if none of the parts is missing.

Disassembled keyboard (numbers are for reference in the next steps)

Now you can start to assemble the keyboard.
2

Front rubber feet

Put the long rubber part (1) into the bottom of the housing (3). Push it in until it stops.

Five tabs serves as fasteners for a plate with keys (8).
3

Black pad

Place the black pad (2) in the bottom of the housing (3). Be careful not to bend it unnecessarily, because this part can be deformed easily.

The plastic hooks protruding from the casing are used to keep the pad in place.