Laser 3000 - Apple IIe Clone

Welcome! That's a beautiful Laser 3000. Nice to see the box and manuals. Have you powered it up?

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So, mine does not have the home row stickers but hat should make it easier to replace a key cap and make a set of stickers which match.

If you can't identify the correct replacement key cap, you could use another one to make a resin mold and create a new one. Something like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2ogJkjjuC0

I'm also interested in a copy of the cassette tape if it still works.

jeff34 wrote:

Thanks !

My Laser 3000 works fine :) (see photos below)

 

I would like to make a copy of the tape ... but I have no more material to do it ...:(

Just a information, keyboard is a OEM type.

 

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I think that a keycap from an A2000 keyboard would fit that. Seems to be the same sculpt and same crosspin. I have a few floating in a desk drawer that keep getting mixed up with Apple II keys, and will try to photograph one for you so that you can compare it to the sculpt of your keys. The print would of course be different, but it should otherwise match close-enough to allow you to type on it. 

jeff34 wrote:

Thanks TimeLord !

But font print is not the same... and it's not center like Laser 3000.

snifff

I said that, but you arelady have several keys with stickers. It's better to have a key that fits and feels right than no key at all, if you intend to type on it. That is, unless you are a mule like me, and will code on a KB missing three keys for two years. Until you find the right key, if the sculpt and fitting are the same, it will make it usable. 

I suppose you could replace all of the main keys with the CBM keys if you want it to be unform, but that seems pointless given that you are already missing critical keys. This of course, is founded on the keycaps working. That is mere speculation on my part, as they look correct, and would be the right colour. 

I agree with jeff34 that a matching stable key, expecially on the home row is pretty important.  It is a nice piece for your collection.  If it was mine I would try the following strategy

1) Find or make a new K key

   A) locate an acceptable key cap  perhaps as per Amiga 2000 recommendation above which is a good match.

   B) Repurpose existing key and replace that key

        1) pull the - (minus) and + (plus) keys from the numeric keyboard.  Use one of them to replace the missing key K key, making a matching set of stickers for the F, G J and K keys similar to what you have now. Then, font match and position is easy. This will allow for a proper color and luster match on the main keyboard keys. If you ever locate a "good K key", then it is easy to remove the stickers and put the keys back in their original position. Keep the spare key cap.

      2) Replace the + and - keys from the numeric  with new keys

        a) locate an acceptable key or make a pair of matching keys using the resin processes similar to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2ogJkjjuC0

        b) If there is a slight varaiation of color, (at least to me) it makes sense to have it there  on both of those "related keys"  on the numeric pad.  Any slight variation in color would likely go unnoticed here or appear intentional as compared to other key colors. The + and - markings on the new  numeric pad keycaps should be easy to reproduce in paint or could even be stickers like the homerow keys as a last resort.

Good Luck