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Macintosh Plus Custom Casing?

Posted by: Anonymous on 2024-09-10 04:33:26

Heyo,
A while ago I had this grand idea to send my Plus out to Cali to have it fixed, long story short it came back with a cracked and mangled outer case. No I have just the guys sitting on a table.

So, instead of buying a replacement case, would there be some possibility of making a new, custom one from scratch? I’m asking this with no experience of Autocad or any sort of experience with abs plastic, but where should I start? I’m sorta willing to learn some things. Maybe this could be a project I can outsource to a third party?

Posted by: falen5 on 2024-09-10 06:55:35

Make a case from scratch ??

it would look god awful

if you gonna make one then why use plastic , especially abs - use wood

the molds used for molding these cases cost tens/ hundreds of thousands to make , for a reason

no matter what you do , the effort required and the result you get would not be worth it - buy a replacement

Posted by: Anonymous on 2024-09-10 07:53:03

I figured. Thanks for the response!

Posted by: falen5 on 2024-09-10 18:54:40

you could also take the requirement , create your own answer , and come up with a unique mac.............it could be loved ........ who knows...........

dont block the creation - if you want to create , then let nobody tell you otherwise

design and build a flat pack Mac in plywood , with original CRT , paint it , and see

it would get allot of attention

Posted by: falen5 on 2024-09-10 19:02:45

its a good idea

a flat pack 68K mac with original CRT .........

original mouse and keyboard

height is the goal

Posted by: epooch on 2024-09-16 10:48:55

If you have the budget, some minor modifications to the port area and you should be set:

MacEffects Clear Case for Macintosh SE & SE/30

Here it is, the first production transparent front and rear for the Macintosh SE and SE/30. Peer inside at the Mac's marvelous engineering. Whether on display or in use, make a bold statement! Color cases are all sold out.

maceffects.com

Otherwise, MDF, some screws and staples, primer, textured spray coating and final coat of paint should get you a decent looking case.
I used google sketchup to design a custom apple II case and it worked pretty well. once you get the basic dimensions there will be a lot of trial and error with the wood anyway.

Here is what I made in sketchup:

Posted by: wottle on 2024-09-16 11:10:58

If you have the budget, some minor modifications to the port area and you should be set:

MacEffects Clear Case for Macintosh SE & SE/30

Here it is, the first production transparent front and rear for the Macintosh SE and SE/30. Peer inside at the Mac's marvelous engineering. Whether on display or in use, make a bold statement! Color cases are all sold out.

maceffects.com

Otherwise, MDF, some screws and staples, primer, textured spray coating and final coat of paint should get you a decent looking case.
I used google sketchup to design a custom apple II case and it worked pretty well. once you get the basic dimensions there will be a lot of trial and error with the wood anyway.

Here is what I made in sketchup:

Any pictures of the finished product? I love this idea!

Posted by: epooch on 2024-09-17 09:10:35

Any pictures of the finished product? I love this idea!

Still working on it. 😭

Posted by: olePigeon on 2024-09-17 09:43:27

@Anonymous Short answer is that it's very expensive to do short-run injection molded cases (thousands and thousands of dollars for the mold + refining.) If you're willing to spend a minimum of a few hundred dollars + more for various finishing options, and then more for shipping, you could have a new case 3D printed.