Classic accelerator?

[beachycove]

Can I be reading this right?

This advert appears to say that accelerators (at 25MHz and at 40MHz) for the Mac Classic were once sold.

Have never heard of them, and have never seen such a product — but would love to. Did such an accelerator actually exist? It would surely need to be a different logic board, would it not?

 

[techknight]

I wish it were that easy to find macs like that anymore. on thrift shelves, rummage sales, etc...

sometimes, most of the time no....

 

[Bolle]

there were more accelerators for classics out there. The one from Micromac clips onto the 68000 on the classic board. Tho I dont see that as a good way to securely attach the accelerator as the 68000 on the classic was surface mount as far as i remember.

 

[bengi3]

I have one (a Techworks 68030 at 40 MHz, sold by Sonnect) since 1995, this is the original web page that I made, I am translating into english so far I have translated 50%, enjoy:

http://www.webalice.it/beniamino.cenci.goga/68k/Macintosh_Classic_XLR8d.html

Ben

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Here's a pic of the one I found in my triply upgraded 128k/Classic.

I love it when old threads rise to the surface! [] ]'>

p.s. I fixed the link in your post, Ben, thanks for contributing.

 

[bengi3]

I love it when old threads rise to the surface! [] ]'>.

indeed!

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Yep!

technight, I forgot to mention that I found the accelerated 128/Plus at a flea market, so it is still possible to find these things. But, if it hadn't been for the curious branding ironed "DayStar Inside" logo on the front, I would have missed out on the MicroMac accelerator upgrade in the Plus Bucket from the first of the 128k upgrade series.

IRS Refund Madness! Multiple Conquests!

 

[bibilit]

I have translated 50%, enjoy:

i love your basement, and enjoyed the reading :

Seems to be easier to remove the Classic Logic board and to slide a Classic II one instead.

 

[Mk.558]

I like seeing interesting widgets in foriegn countries.

However I couldn't help but be piqued by the use of the word "retractor". The device or tool picutured in English is called a clamp, usually used for light clamping purposes such as holding some paper to some kind of backing material, or light sheet metal being held up onto a board while it is being painted. Specifically, the tool pictured is being used a prying tool, using the lips of the clamp to wedge the two case halves apart. A better tool is a metal spudger or putty knife.

Now a retractor can be many things: such as someone who goes someplace to retrieve something, or a tool used to grab something that fell someplace, like an automotive tech who dropped a bolt or nut down a chassis rail.

 

[techknight]

Hey trash, i made that post before i hit the hamvention in dayton in may of 2011. Thats when i discovered the plus with the hyperdrive 2000 emblem, which instead of the drive, it had the 030 accelerator. So ya, its still possible, but not probable.

Speaking of which, its that time of year again. hamvention is around the corner.

 

[bengi3]

I like seeing interesting widgets in foriegn countries.However I couldn't help but be piqued by the use of the word "retractor". The device or tool picutured in English is called a clamp

thanks a lot, I was pretty sure of this term since I got it from the Techworks manual! I will amend and replace with "clamp".

The only thing is that clam is associated with clamping while the tool is actually used to wedge the two halves apart.

Ben

Ps, time to translate the second part too.

Seems to be easier to remove the Classic Logic board and to slide a Classic II one instead.

correct, but this beast is much faster!

 

[Mk.558]

The only thing is that clam is associated with clamping while the tool is actually used to wedge the two halves apart.

Huh? That statement is very confusing: I think you mean to say...

"This clamp is used as a wedge to pry the two case halves apart."

There. Also, a "spanner" is usually a British English term for a what the Americans call a wrench, like a combination open end wrench with the other end being a box end (google it). The tool you translated is more accurately described as a Torx bit T-handle driver (the cheap version with no rubberizing or comfort grip: anybody wanna line up to remove a mega-over torqued bolt with that wire framed version? Not me).

The SE and SE/30 have a T15 size machine screw, I don't know if the Classic is the same, but giving people a reference helps sometimes

 

[bengi3]

The only thing is that clam is associated with clamping while the tool is actually used to wedge the two halves apart.

Huh? That statement is very confusing: I think you mean to say...

"This clamp is used as a wedge to pry the two case halves apart."

This exercise is much better than evening english classes! ;-)

I copied your sentence from the first message and I thought to have learnt a new verb: "to wedge" as a synonym for to pry!

By the way the action is not similar to a wedge as the two parts of the clamps for small movements (2 to 10 mm) are parallel and the risk of damaging the case is actually zero.

Will scan and post the Techworks user manual for the accelerator to see how they describe the thing.

Ben

 

[bibilit]

I don't know if the Classic is the same, but giving people a reference helps sometimes

Yes Torx 15 are also used in the Classic series, and probably for the Colour / Color ones.

 

[sirwiggum]

Mac Plus is T15 too.

 

[Bunsen]

Hey bengi3, I enjoyed your write up on the accelerator. Well done.

One thing: Allen and Torx are two quite different shapes of heads and drivers - it may be best to remove the reference to Allen to save confusion.

A better tool is a metal spudger or putty knife.

That's ... a horrible idea, and likely to lead to damage to the plastics along the seam.

For reference, here's the "official" Mac cracker, as used by authorized service shops back in the day:

[image TBA - still searching]

It's a wide spring clamp used in woodworking, often called a framer's or framing clamp, I believe. The idea is to apply pressure evenly along the length of the seam, and in both directions at once, as close to the direction of movement as possible. A spudger or putty knife can only apply pressure in one direction, unless you twist it - which is how gouges and chips taken out of the plastic happen.

The tool you have here, bengi3:



... is called a "spring clamp". I presume Techworks called it a retractor because that is what it is being used for when installing their kit - to "retract" the rear of the case.

They are widely available and cheap, and come in many sizes. This store has them up to four inches (or 12"??), and IMHO the wider the better for Mac cracking. Obviously, one removes the rubber protectors from the tips, and some advise flattening the tips in a vise as well.

This thread may also be of interest:

Suggestions for opening a compact sans Mac Cracker?

 

[Mk.558]

Usually if it has been opened before, then the old method of using inertia to eject the chassis from the back case over something like a bed works well. If it has been opened often, then there is usually no significant resistance to simply pulling the rear case off.

My preliminary search also turned up nothing, but I think veterans here and elsewhere know what they look like. The idea of using a putty knife may be scoffed at, but I can remember that tool being advised back then as a ... poor man's substitute. I'm not sure you'd want "pry" it open, as you would want to run it along the seams to try to break the bonds. Naturally, it helps if the screws are out first...

If someone is concerned about the difficulty of opening the case due to age or other factors and the attack of the tool upon the plastic, then electrical tape or masking tape can be applied along the edges. Skill, not brute force, is the preferred technique.

Alternatively, we should heed the advisory on the back panel: "To prevent electrical shock, do not remove cover. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel." I'm struggling on the concept of "qualified service personnel", I think we can self-certify ourselves (late April Fools certification test anyone?).

 

[BGoins12]

The only compact Macs I've ever had trouble with was the Classic and Classic II. The SE and SE/30 always opened up with no effort.

 

[bengi3]

Hey bengi3, I enjoyed your write up on the accelerator. Well done.
One thing: Allen and Torx are two quite different shapes of heads and drivers - it may be best to remove the reference to Allen to save confusion.]

thnks for the suggestions/corrections! As soon as I have time I will fix the text,

Ben