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.
Clear acrylic SE/30 frame
Posted by: nickpunt on 2020-05-21 19:14:04
The current steel frame of the SE/30 has a few jobs:

  • Hold the logic board in place above the bottom of the chassis
  • Provide mounting points for the analog board and front case
  • Support a hard drive and a floppy drive
  • Support any PDS cards from moving around
  • Hold the expansion backplate 
  • Provide general structural integrity



Now that we've got clear SE/30 cases courtesy of @maceffects, this thing gets in the way of seeing parts of the inside, especially the logic board. My thought is: wouldn't it'd be great if the frame were a clear acrylic instead?

ec0659d9e64bc6c4283ff330ebfac14d_original.jpg

I think we could relax some of the constraints. Few people are running original hard drives anymore, PDS card support isn't super necessary, and structural integrity isn't quite as important for a hobbyist showpiece vs a mass market machine. I imagine the design could be simplified quite a bit, and with laser cutting perhaps a kit could be made. 

Starting this thread to see if there's any interest and if someone with relevant skills is looking for a project to take on. Seems like a neat thing to add.
1