Homebrew PCBs

Stefan Trethan wrote:
> On Mon, 14 May 2007 21:06:04 +0200, Mike Bauers <mwbauers55@...>  
> wrote:
> 
>> This reminds me........ my keyboard has a few keys with worn-off
>> letters.... sure messes up the spelling now and than.......
>> Best to ya'
>> Mike Bauers
>> Milwaukee Wi, USA
> 
> 
> i have finally found a way to fix that semi-permanently.
> Write the correct letter on each key with permanent marker pen. This alone  
> will not last, but here comes the trick:
> Cut squares of clear tape a little smaller than the key surface and stick  
> them over the keys. This seems easier if you remove the keys (better  
> remember how to put them back ;-) )
> 
> I admit it is a bit tedious, so choose a good time to do it. I watched a  
> documentary about the building of the london sewer system while  
> re-lettering mine.
> 
> May seem silly at first, but it works really well. Only on two or three  
> keys the edge of the tape is peeling, i coud re-do them but it's still  
> perfectly good to read. This has held up better than any new keyboard so  
> far and better than anything else i tried (a coat of clear laquer is  
> totally useless). It's a bit of work, but sure beats buying a new keyboard  
> every few months. This particular keyboard is badly abused, often hitting  
> keys with a fingernail or even a tool, that's why it wears so fast. It's  
> also laptop size and often used one-handed and for intermittent inputs,  
> that's why i really need the letters for reference even if i do not need  
> them for continous typing.

If you have a Brother P-Touch labeller, you can use tape that has black
lettering on a clear background. The tape gets laminated with an over-layer
of clear, so the letters won't rub off. My keyboard has lettering made of
molded-in black plastic on white keys, so they'll never wear off anyway.