Mac Classic Mini-ITX Case Mod opinions?

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I think that surround looks great. It's an elegant solution to using the flat panel in the un-hacked CRT bezel. How did you fabricate it?

The DVD Player came from Radio Shack as well as the Projector. I spotted it when I returned the first projector to another store. It had been purchased, damaged and returned. I measured the DVD tray while I was there. I went back after double-checking the FDD slot and the young lady behind the counter helped me to take the display unit apart to see if the goodies inside would work for my hack.

 

[tecneeq]

The projector-idea is truly awesome! :approve:

And the ABS-pieces in the pics above are too. 8-o

 

[GnatGoSplat]

I think that surround looks great. It's an elegant solution to using the flat panel in the un-hacked CRT bezel. How did you fabricate it?

Thanks. I made it using ABS plastic sheet. First, I cut out a flat bezel shape. I originally tried to use a heat gun to heat it to see if it would conform to the shape of the CRT - it wouldn't. It just wanted to warp. So instead, I made a cardboard template of the curvature and made 4 pieces for the inner bezel which are curved on one side and completely flat on the other. On the curved side, I used MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) to solvent-weld the pieces to the bezel. When all 4 pieces are attached, it makes the bezel curve appropriately. Then I filed and sanded it smooth. I kept all the sanding/filing dust and mixed it with MEK to make an ABS paste with which to fill imperfections and gaps (mostly occurring where I joined the 4 inner pieces to the bezel). Then more filing and sanding. On the backside, I used MEK and more ABS to make the mounting ears so it bolts into where the CRT was.

The ABS I used is leftover from a car stereo project, it's 1/8" textured ABS from Parts Express, but I used the smooth side. Any scrap ABS plastic like from the enclosures of dead/broken electronics would work too, though.

 

[onlyonemac]

Is the touchscreen going to work through the plastic?

(Also, are you hacking or leaving the case alone? I.E. Do I need to HackWhine ?)

 

[GnatGoSplat]

I'll be removing the protective plastic. I only left that on so it doesn't get scratched up. However, it does actually work through the protective plastic so it should work even better without it! The bezel itself doesn't interfere with the touchscreen since it only touches at the very edge which I think is a "dead" area not sensitive to touch.

I'm still undecided on hacking up the case or not. I kind of like the idea Trash80 mentioned of cutting out a hole for the I/O shield, but setting it inwards about an inch so the VGA loopback cable doesn't look so obvious. That would also make the whole thing able to sit closer to the wall as all the cables would be more inset as well.

 

[onlyonemac]

I meant the plastic CRT-shaped cover that you made.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Ah, there's actually no CRT-shaped plastic covering the LCD. Just the bezel around the outside edge of the LCD to fill the gap between round CRT shape of the case and flat LCD.

 

[onlyonemac]

Yet it was so good that I thought there was a CRT-shaped cover over the screen!

So when you, err... touch the touchscreen , you actually touch the screen itself, not a cover.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Yes, that's correct.

I'm glad you think the LCD w/custom bezel idea looks good. I was trying to preserve as much of the compact Mac "personality" as possible, but still have the touchscreen work, so I'm glad the bezel is enough to give the illusion of a CRT without needing a cover!