The latest mac build. A Mac Plus/Core 2/Color.

[Mac128]

I had not thought about using OS X. 800x600 is the minimum and many applications require 1024x768.

I found this one on eBay for an exceptional price, but it seems to indicate a native resolution of 640x480, though it claims to support SVGA and XGA, so that must mean it will up-res the higher resolution? On such a small screen perhaps that won't matter? For US $70 it seems worth trying.

 

[superpantoufle]

This one is exactly the one i used for my project. It doesn't show on eBay US, I don't know why.

but it seems to indicate a native resolution of 640x480, though it claims to support SVGA and XGA, so that must mean it will up-res the higher resolution? On such a small screen perhaps that won't matter? For US $70 it seems worth trying.

Actually, as I said before, it does matter a lot in my opinion. Especially on such a small screen, the native resolution is way better than any re-scaled resolution.

I'll make some screenshots on mine to let you see!

 

[Bunsen]

Here's an SE/Color CRT modified project

It looks fine in situ ...

... and in use ....

... but this ...

I can easily pick it up from next to the stereo

... makes me flinch. Hello? Exposed high voltage circuitry?? :O

 

[Dennis Nedry]

You could easily build the enclosure for the back out of Lexan or plexiglass if you're going to paint it. Lexan is a little easier to work with and more durable in my opinion (doesn't crack or shatter), and you can get the stuff at the hardware store. And you're just building a rectangular prism I think. That's not difficult. Do get the special plexiglass cutting tool if you use lexan though because it won't snap if you just score it and try bending it. It's strong stuff. Either that or run it through a table saw. Once you glue it together, you can sand the edges and make it all look seamless.

I'm not sure exactly where you can get sheets of plastic but that could be a better alternative, maybe cheaper too. (Lexan isn't cheap, maybe 2x cost of normal plexiglass.)

 

[GnatGoSplat]

A better idea than Lexan would be to use ABS sheets. Parts-Express.com has it in several thicknesses. It cuts easily with a hack saw and can be solvent-welded with MEK for an extremely strong bond. I love using the stuff for custom dash work in car audio installs.

 

[Dennis Nedry]

A better idea than Lexan would be to use ABS sheets. Parts-Express.com has it in several thicknesses. It cuts easily with a hack saw and can be solvent-welded with MEK for an extremely strong bond. I love using the stuff for custom dash work in car audio installs.

I agree that would be superior to lexan. Maybe you can even somewhat match the color an not need to paint it? I wish they had that at the hardware stores around here. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough!

 

[GnatGoSplat]

The stuff from Parts-express comes in black, so it would already be color-matched for that guy.

I think platinum or beige-colored plastic would be hard to get in an exact match, although if Mac cases are made of ABS plastic, you could actually cut up a donor Mac case for a color match. I'd only recommend doing that if the donor case is already badly beaten, broken, and cracked! You could also cut up and use pieces from the donor monitor. That MEK stuff is like magic on ABS, it bonds instantly and dries fast because it's actually solvent-welding. MEK is also not known to be carcinogenic (but should be used with adequate ventilation). I've never seen ABS sheets at hardware stores, but car audio shops may have it. You can also cut up the shell of a broken discarded TV, radio, etc.

 

[superpantoufle]

I tried the Dremel diamond-cutting of a CRT front to put over a LCD on my Macminitosh/Macintosh SE/x mod (see thread). It looks great, and is IMHO much better than "over-modding" the case's back.

 

[Bunsen]

You could also cut up and use pieces from the donor monitor

/facepalm. Of course!

One CC hack I recall had part of an Apple Stylewriter attached - the colour matched perfectly.

I had a strange idea - what if you found an even smaller LCD, and made the cut CRT into a back-projection screen? ie like one of those DIY home theatre projectors, but inside the Mac. The resulting image would be sitting perfetly on the curve of the CRT glass (in theory)

 

[Mac128]

I had a strange idea - what if you found an even smaller LCD, and made the cut CRT into a back-projection screen? ie like one of those DIY home theatre projectors, but inside the Mac. The resulting image would be sitting perfetly on the curve of the CRT glass (in theory)

Excellent idea. Something like this would work perfectly. Just reverse the image and you're in business. This helps put it into perspective better.