Commodore 64 Case Saver Repair Kit

Description

NOTE: One size does not fit all. During the development of this kit we found that there were no fewer than 6 variations of the class C64/VIC20 'bread bin' case. The rear tabs on the top case are different on every one and each kit we make has the tabs made to exactly fit your case. Having the exact size tab for your case means easier
installation
, a self aligning fit and more surface contact area for a stronger glue joint.
***YOU MUST TELL ME WHAT CASE TYPE YOU HAVE: see the pictures and measurements below. ***
International customers – please read the shipping notice below about shipping options
The venerable C64 and VIC20 are still cherished by folks worldwide. The years have taken a toll on many of our beloved machines cases though. The screw posts crack, the bottom case PCB standoffs crack, and the three rear tabs on the top case tend to snap off.
After a great deal of trial and error, we came up with a ‘C64 Case Saver’ kit. The kit includes repair parts for the screw posts, PCB standoffs and the three rear tabs on the top case. The post sleeves and PCB standoffs are CNC machined out of natural ABS. The three rear tabs for the top case may be CNC machined or 3D printed. We 3D print these in such a way that the strength lies along the length of the tab, so the business end won’t snap off.
The screw post repair sleeves are CNC machined for strength and castellated, so they slip right down over the top of the posts. Some posts might be ‘mushroomed’ (smashed a little on top) and require a bit of sanding.
The PCB standoffs have a wide base for plenty of gluing area but are narrower at the top so they will fit the holes in the PCB bottom metal shield. If they were not narrower at the top they would not fit properly.
The top case rear tabs are designed to self-align to make gluing easier. Be warned that on
e size does not fit all.
Along the way, we have discovered there are at least 6 different types of tabs used on the rear of the top case on bread-bins.
Having the exact size tab for your case means easier
installation
, a self aligning fit and more surface contact area for a stronger glue joint.
Type 1 tabs are flat with Type 1A having two wide tabs and one narrow tab, all three of the Type 1B tabs are wide. Type 2 tabs have a 'recess' or 'notch' in them. Some Type 2 tabs have three wide tabs and some have two wide tabs and one narrow.
The 64C cases so far have only one known variant to the tab type which we are calling the 64CA Type Tab. The screw post uses a different size of repair sleeve and the PCB stand-offs have two different heights that are both different than the bread-bin cases.
To make things a little more complicated all of these tab types take a slightly different size/shape of repair tab. We created an individual 3D model of each to produce repair tabs that fit and work well. We have also recently started embossing the tab type into the tab during the printing process.
Also included is a good drill bit that matches the screw post hole size for your case type (bread-bin and 64C are different). The bit not only aids in aligning the PCB standoffs but is the correct size to drill out the crew holes in the screw mounting posts is you should need to fill one with epoxy to repair damaged threads!
The older VIC20's may use smaller screws for the PCB standoffs. If the screws holding the PCB in place are smaller than the case screws you have this type of case. We don't have the correct standoffs for these cases yet.
Look carefully at the webpage for dimensions table below and the tab drawing above to help you pick out the correct lit. Also, there are pictures of the different types above.
Tab Types
Wide Tab (W)
Wide Tab (N)
Narrow Tab (W)
Narrow Tab (N)
1A
0.79" (20mm)
0.40" (10mm)
1B
0.75" (19mm)
2A
0.79" (20mm)
0.59" (15mm)
0.40" (10mm)
0.19" (4.9mm)
2B
0.75" (19mm)
0.52" (13.2mm)
2C
0.75" (19mm)
0.56" (14.3mm)
0.40" (10mm)
0.17" (4.3mm)
2D
0.77" (19.5mm)
0.49" (12.5mm)
64C
0.49" (12.5mm)
0.35" (9mm)
Check out our installation video on YouTube, the link is in the last picture above. You can also go to YouTube and search for Hey Birt! (can't direct link here).
NOTE: Not all epoxies are created equal. We HIGHLY recommend Devcon Plastic Welder epoxy for the kit installation. 'Super glue' will not work and typical hardware store epoxy does not stick well to the case or repair parts.
What is in the kit?
Screw post sleeves, qty 11, for ¼” OD posts
CNC machined
PCB standoffs, qty 7
CNC machined
Top case rear tabs, qty 3, make sure of your case type!
#39 drill bit, qty 1
International shipping notice – Once again we are seeing slow downs in international shipping services via the mail, i.e. USPS and destination countries postal system. Many parcels are arriving in a normal time frame and some are taking six weeks or more. Judging by the slow mail service in the spring it may take up to 12 weeks to receive your package shipped via the post. Please consult your country’s postal service for up-to-date information about mail delays.