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Project: Modern Macintosh Plus mini conversion + paint job

marcushe

Member
Hi everyone! I was able to recently finish a Macintosh 512k / Plus conversion to a modern Mac by fitting a 2018 Mac mini inside.

Really the main secret is that a modern Mac mini will fit into a Plus rear housing just fine if the Mac mini is placed upside-down into the Mac Plus rear housing. The ports actually line up with the original case quite well!

I just wanted to post online for others to see. I think it came out really great. I want to stress that no Mac's were harmed in the making of this - all usable original parts from this Mac Plus are being sold and repurposed. Many items are addressed in the YouTube build video. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me here!

YouTube video - Introduction (~3 minutes)


YouTube video - Build (~30 minutes)

Photos:
IMG_6306.jpeg

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Parts List:

Mac 128k or 512k front bezel
Mac Plus rear case housing
Mac Plus 128K / 512K / Plus chassis
M0110A Keyboard - Platinum
M0100 Mouse - Mitsumi Japan Platinum
Mac 128k / 512k / Plus Battery Door
Mac mini 2018 i3
Apple Mac Carrying Bag - Black with Apple Logo (eBay)

Screen parts:
Custom sourced 8” LCD with 3D Printed fitted bezel and acrylic sheet, fabricated and provided by RetroAppleAT on Etsy
Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroAppleAT

USB to DC 5.5x2.1mm Power Cable
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MZ0FWSK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HDMI Ribbon Cable 20cm:
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R6CWPH1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Internals:

TWOPAN USB C Hub HDMI 4K, 5-in-1 iMac USB Hub Multiport Adapter
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8H6K6S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

KMAG USB Lavalier Microphone
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RYC5435/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Itramax Right-Angle USB C Extension Cable 0.66FT,Type-C 3.1
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LQZ8YBQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

USB-A to USB-C to adapter black generic ( For mouse connection - optional)

LIELONGREN [Newer] USB Computer Speaker for Desktop
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QRYTPGH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

tinkerBOY M0110 Keyboard to USB Adapter
Link: https://www.tinkerboy.xyz/product/t...-the-apple-macintosh-128k-512k-plus-keyboard/

tinkerBOY M0100 Mouse to USB Adapter
Link: https://www.tinkerboy.xyz/product/tinkerboy-m0100-mouse-to-usb-converter/

M0110 Keyboard cable
Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1854541648...uid=CrnBgVnPSim&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

M0100 Japanese Mitsumi Mouse Capacitors (two per mouse):
Link: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/667-ECE-A0JKA470

M0010A Malaysian Keyboard Capacitors (two per keyboard):
Link: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/80-ESS105M050AB2AA

Parts considered:

USB-C Ribbon Right-Angle cable T4A to T2, and T2 to S4 (unused)
Link: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255...20P9QU9&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

FFC USB 3.2 Type-C Extension Flat Ribbon Cable 90 FPV T7B to T9A-NC (unused)
Link: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...2mIy9ZF&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

Printable White Sticker Paper (Rear label)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T1HRYL5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Preparation Items used:

Hydrogen Peroxide (Retrobright) - Salon 40 alternative
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OKA0EI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Steel Wool Pads for case housing preperation
Link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-3-75-in-x-6-in-Fine-Steel-Wool/1000065599

J-B Weld 8237 PlasticWeld Plastic Repair Epoxy Putty (for repairing cracks and missing chunks of bezel / housing)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-823...=1677207128&sprefix=plasticweld,aps,95&sr=8-3

Krylon COLORmaxx Flat White Spray Primer (Four - five cans)
Link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Krylon-COL...r-In-One-Actual-Net-Contents-12-oz/1000459761

Rustoleum Satin Paint & Primer Spray Paint (Four - five cans)
Link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rust-Oleum...imer-In-One-Actual-Net-Contents-12-oz/3728797

Craft wooden lowercase letter “L”, sanded
Link: https://www.michaels.com/product/8-...rtminds-MP663908 (singles available in-store)

UniPOSCA Black Paint Pen, Extra Fine (For coloring around Apple Logo & generic touchups)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B2OKI...crid=PCE97A36UOBV&amp=&sprefix=uniposca+black

Gorilla Clear Epoxy Adhesive for letter “L” adhesion to inner rear housing
Link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gorilla-Ep...j7aBJWZlwZ96AMfFm_gaAqfCEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Gorilla Gel Super Glue (For reapplying rubber feet to keyboard and rear housing, and applying felt to inside rear housing)
Link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gorilla-Super-glue-gel-2-3g-tubes-2-Pack-3-gram-Super-Glue/5013943395

Super Glue - Total Tape Pre-Cut Strips - for reapplying Apple Logo to front Bezel
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Super-Glue-1...1-1-5985efba-8948-4f09-9122-d605505c9d1e&th=1

Velcro - Strenco 2 Inch Hook and Loop Strips with Adhesive (For mounting removable USB speaker and USB-C Hub to chassis)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H3R9S1..._6&amp=&crid=3L1XPHGPN9CZ&amp=&sprefix=velcro

Black Felt for covering rear housing original power switch and power port outlets
Link: https://www.michaels.com/product/black-felt-D004741S

Pocket Knife Saw for modifying rear housing internal mounts and security attachment
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-S...206598&sprefix=pocket+knife+saw,aps,88&sr=8-8

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Driver (For modifying SCSI port of rear housing)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NNF0YU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit (For mounting USB Microphone to front bezel)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K791YRP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Custom Modifications Made:

Rear case housing internal lower cross mounts bottom halves removed
Rear case housing internal security lock attachment bottom half removed
Rear case housing , drill bit used to extend SCSI port a few mm longer to the right for fitting Mac mini power cord.
Rear case housing - Craft letter l adhered for securing Mac mini position
Mac mini bottom cover removed (required)
 
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