Thread
Laser-Cut Enclosure for Floppy Emu
After a lot of false starts, I finally came up with a decent case for Floppy Emu, using laser-cut acrylic instead of 3D printing. With the Apple Garamond font, and the familiar happy mac logo, I think it looks pretty good!
Build details are on my blog at http://www.bigmessowires.com/2014/10/16/designing-a-laser-cut-enclosure/
Build details are on my blog at http://www.bigmessowires.com/2014/10/16/designing-a-laser-cut-enclosure/
Up for sale: Mac 8600/200 with a G3/450 processor card.
896MB FPM Ram
2 hard drives (9 GB 10K RPM, 18 GB)
4MB internal VRam, IX3D video card (So you can run two monitors)
10/100 ethernet card
Floppy, CD, and Zip 100 drives all work.
Keyboard (M2980) and mouse included
Case is in good shape; just a couple of scuffs on the sides, no yellowing that I see, no dings in the metal.
$50 plus shipping
896MB FPM Ram
2 hard drives (9 GB 10K RPM, 18 GB)
4MB internal VRam, IX3D video card (So you can run two monitors)
10/100 ethernet card
Floppy, CD, and Zip 100 drives all work.
Keyboard (M2980) and mouse included
Case is in good shape; just a couple of scuffs on the sides, no yellowing that I see, no dings in the metal.
$50 plus shipping
I'm looking into getting a bunch of these made, either in clear like this photo, or iPhone-style solid black. Clear is kind of cool, but the etching on a clear case can be difficult to see, and the final result with its exposed internals looks more like a science fair project than a professional product. What do you think - any strong color preferences?
Looks professional as hell to me.I meant silver card cage.
I think a graphic of an external FDD would look much more appropriate than Susan Kare's happy face, but that's just me. It would also get the point across more succinctly, avoiding any possible repercussions copyright wise.
To this sign and graphic design guy, subtle graphics are definitely a plus. Clear plex will show wear and tear a lot less prominently than black plex would. I'm still diggin the edge lit graphics notion.
Got HiRes pics showing the button details?
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I think a graphic of an external FDD would look much more appropriate than Susan Kare's happy face, but that's just me. It would also get the point across more succinctly, avoiding any possible repercussions copyright wise.
To this sign and graphic design guy, subtle graphics are definitely a plus. Clear plex will show wear and tear a lot less prominently than black plex would. I'm still diggin the edge lit graphics notion.
Got HiRes pics showing the button details?
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ex-Sign Painter's (old school, pre-Gerber guy) input:
Since it's clear plex, there are myriad opportunities for personal expression available for the case as is.
You can back paint it in any color imaginable on any side you choose and leave other sides or masked areas on any given side clear. The clear plexi gives you a clear finish that's scratch resistant and a deep color, clear-coat look. The only trickery involved would be masking the finger joints.
Use spray paint and you can do blends, speckling, etc. or using a brush granite: wood grain treatments.
Masking a digiflage pattern in pristine '435, platinum and yellowed versions of both would have it match any 68k Mac case in any condition.
A narrow, six-color racing stripe terminating in a familiar right side profile comes to mind. ;D
p.s. a near-match-miss in color ALWAYS looks really wrong, go for complimentary or accent colors, take that advice to heart from this ex-Kitchen-Bath Designer, if you choose.
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Since it's clear plex, there are myriad opportunities for personal expression available for the case as is.
You can back paint it in any color imaginable on any side you choose and leave other sides or masked areas on any given side clear. The clear plexi gives you a clear finish that's scratch resistant and a deep color, clear-coat look. The only trickery involved would be masking the finger joints.
Use spray paint and you can do blends, speckling, etc. or using a brush granite: wood grain treatments.
Masking a digiflage pattern in pristine '435, platinum and yellowed versions of both would have it match any 68k Mac case in any condition.
A narrow, six-color racing stripe terminating in a familiar right side profile comes to mind. ;D
p.s. a near-match-miss in color ALWAYS looks really wrong, go for complimentary or accent colors, take that advice to heart from this ex-Kitchen-Bath Designer, if you choose.
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You're going to have to paint your own for Pantone 453. 
The acrylic comes in about a dozen different colors, the closest match is "ivory". But even if the color match were perfect, it still wouldn't match the Mac very well, since it's smooth acrylic and the Mac is textured ABS (I think). Acrylic has a shiny appearance that's different from ABS.
I think I'll get a couple made in black acrylic as well as wood, just for fun. But "clear" will probably be the default color going forward, since most people seem to prefer it, and it's also cheaper and simpler. Any other color would still require me to cut a clear sheet too, just for the light pipes.
I'm wishing I had a laser cutter down in the basement now. The 1-week delay every time I submit a new order for cutting is getting old.
The acrylic comes in about a dozen different colors, the closest match is "ivory". But even if the color match were perfect, it still wouldn't match the Mac very well, since it's smooth acrylic and the Mac is textured ABS (I think). Acrylic has a shiny appearance that's different from ABS. I think I'll get a couple made in black acrylic as well as wood, just for fun. But "clear" will probably be the default color going forward, since most people seem to prefer it, and it's also cheaper and simpler. Any other color would still require me to cut a clear sheet too, just for the light pipes.
I'm wishing I had a laser cutter down in the basement now. The 1-week delay every time I submit a new order for cutting is getting old.
I like this idea.How about leaving it clear and engrave logo? Fill in the groove with colored paint? Like these:
mac_picasso_logo.gif
I've got some Floppy Emu enclosures available now at http://www.bigmessowires.com/macintosh-floppy-emu/ . I ended up going with both clear acrylic and brown hardboard. No classic rainbow paint job, but you could try adding that yourself if you're artistic.
For Christmas I'm hoping Santa brings a home laser cutter!
For Christmas I'm hoping Santa brings a home laser cutter!
I bet those aint cheap.....I've got some Floppy Emu enclosures available now at http://www.bigmessowires.com/macintosh-floppy-emu/ . I ended up going with both clear acrylic and brown hardboard. No classic rainbow paint job, but you could try adding that yourself if you're artistic.
For Christmas I'm hoping Santa brings a home laser cutter!
Maybe if you did your own CO2 laser head with a CNC machine. using the focus lens as your Z axis.
Yeah, I don't think Santa will be granting my laser cutter wish. They seem to run several thousand dollars at least, and are big and bulky and a hassle to maintain. It sure would be fun though...
The Printrbot I got last year is $349, and looks like a bargain compared to laser-anything!
They seem to run several thousand dollars at least, and are big and bulky and a hassle to maintain. It sure would be fun though...The Printrbot I got last year is $349, and looks like a bargain compared to laser-anything!