68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.
NEW Injection Molded - iMac G3 Inner Bezels
Posted by: maceffects on 2023-11-21 12:04:43
Coming soon (December 1st) a replacement inner bezel for the iMac G3. Even when you find new old stock units they crumble to dust. The Kickstarter goal will be for only half of the tooling costs. This is a must have for any slot load iMac G3 owner! Pricing will be $95-$149 (depending on quantity). Click to be notified by email when it goes live!!

These will not have the same fire retardants that cause them to brittle. It will also be offered in a clear color!

Kickstarter Link
Posted by: LaPorta on 2023-11-21 12:06:59
NO WAY. Mine aren’t broken, but I’ll buy them just in general futureproofing principle.

To be clear, these do NOT replace the original tray-loading versions, yes?
Posted by: LaPorta on 2023-11-21 19:11:24
Now...if we could only do this for the 1400 covers...
Posted by: stepleton on 2023-11-21 19:28:33
Or PowerMac 6100/Centrisquadra 610 cases too! 😀
Posted by: greystash on 2023-11-21 20:31:04
Fantastic thank you @maceffects!!
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-11-21 21:02:11
NO WAY. I might actually recap my blueberry SL unit now if I don't have to worry about the bezel cracking. This is great!!!
Posted by: maceffects on 2023-11-22 16:16:12
Yes, these will come in original light gray and a clear option, of course.

I did make 6100 feet for what it’s worth. If this is successful, other Macs may be considered. The 500 series are too far gone to work given the cost of massive tooling. But PowerBooks, LC pizza box, Color Classic, are all on the table.
Posted by: maceffects on 2023-11-22 16:16:56
Oh and no, these won’t be for the earlier tray loading models.
Posted by: LaPorta on 2023-11-22 17:15:12
Yes, these will come in original light gray and a clear option, of course.

I did make 6100 feet for what it’s worth. If this is successful, other Macs may be considered. The 500 series are too far gone to work given the cost of massive tooling. But PowerBooks, LC pizza box, Color Classic, are all on the table.
I could see the LC 520 being near impossible to recreate due to complexity. Too far gone though?
Posted by: maceffects on 2023-11-22 18:09:22
I could see the LC 520 being near impossible to recreate due to complexity. Too far gone though?
Given the massive cost and so few remaining theres just no way. It would be like a $65k goal and the chances are near zero.
Posted by: Iesca on 2023-11-22 18:28:05
Wow, good luck! I have three DV SEs that could use them...
Posted by: LaPorta on 2023-11-22 18:35:47
Given the massive cost and so few remaining theres just no way. It would be like a $65k goal and the chances are near zero.
That is insane. I have an absolutely perfect 520 that is not brittle, and you live two hors away.....oh way, maybe someday in the distant future 😛
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-11-22 18:42:26
I blame the 20 years of people ripping apart perfectly good LC 575s in order to make Mystic mods.-
Posted by: maceffects on 2023-11-22 18:51:18
I blame the 20 years of people ripping apart perfectly good LC 575s in order to make Mystic mods.-
That was a major factor for sure. But it makes the Color Classic a viable option to make a case for but mainly for aesthetics. The mold is smaller and cheaper and way more demand. Sadly those aren’t nearly as brittle so it won’t be to helpful.

Doing the iMac G3 bezel now keeps these machines going for many years 🙂
Posted by: LaPorta on 2023-11-22 18:54:29
That was a major factor for sure. But it makes the Color Classic a viable option to make a case for but mainly for aesthetics. The mold is smaller and cheaper and way more demand. Sadly those aren’t nearly as brittle so it won’t be to helpful.

Doing the iMac G3 bezel now keeps these machines going for many years 🙂
...and it's incredibly appreciated. My DV SE is dear to me as the first machine I really purchased mostly myself. Need to keep her going!
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-11-22 19:09:55
Doing the iMac G3 bezel now keeps these machines going for many years 🙂
Indeed. I've been putting off recapping the analog board on my near mint boxed blueberry slot load just because I'm worried about breaking that darn bezel...
Posted by: Daniël on 2023-11-23 01:02:05
Oh, very cool! I had always hoped someone would be able to reproduce those, be it injection molding or high-end 3D printing (which is still not quite there AFAIK, so injection molding's still the way to go for this kind of thing). I'd definitely be interested in several, I'll check it out next month, and certainly will put some money on the side for it 🙂
Posted by: Daniël on 2023-11-23 04:00:04
Oh, forgot to ask, will this include the screw cap pieces that clip above the top screws of this bezel piece? Those too crumble into nothing, and leave the screws rather conspicuously visible. Those are simple enough pieces to 3D print, but getting the color and surface finish correct would be more difficult.
Posted by: maceffects on 2023-11-23 07:00:34
Oh, forgot to ask, will this include the screw cap pieces that clip above the top screws of this bezel piece? Those too crumble into nothing, and leave the screws rather conspicuously visible. Those are simple enough pieces to 3D print, but getting the color and surface finish correct would be more difficult.
Those will be a stretch goal of only $2500 more than the primary goal. If met all bezels will include them.
Posted by: greystash on 2023-12-26 02:10:02
We're currently 33% funded, let's go iMac owners!
1 >