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Internal chassis replacement for Macintosh Performa 6116CD

Posted by: DannyMac on 2025-02-14 10:20:06

Hello! I've been searching for it, but I'm unable to find anyone who has a replacement Performa 6116CD internal chassis.

Years ago, I purchased the machine from eBay and it came from a seller who packaged it really well, but there's really nothing they could have done for the internal chassis. It's the part that holds the drives, power LED, and speaker. It is extremely brittle, like even more so than Macs typically are nowadays. Kind of reminds me of the brittle iMac CRT plastics that are crumbling. I actually broke it more while disassembling the machine last night by lightly pushing on a part of it that I wasn't even interacting with! I feel like a 3D printable recreation would be great, but I lack a 3D printer (and the skills to create the part, which I wouldn't mind learning). Before I try to reinvent the wheel, does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement? Thanks

Posted by: killvore on 2025-02-22 11:03:24

I've started work on an MVP 3D printable replacement - funnily enough this exact project is what motivated me to finally pick up Blender! Mine is not an exact recreation, but is designed to hold an additional fan in place of the hard drive to improve airflow - but the general shape is the same. It will be a while before it is done, though, so will be watching this thread 😄

The size of this bracket makes it a complex 3D print, since it is larger than what most printers can accomodate. My current design is three separate sections that snap together. Will they actually snap together, though? I will know once I print a test 😆

Posted by: ymk on 2025-02-22 15:45:37

I also use Blender for modeling. It's easy to join parts with a soldering iron, or acetone if it's ABS.

Posted by: DannyMac on 2025-03-23 17:23:34

@killvore That's great! Since my post, I purchased a 3D printer, installed Blender, and went to work! I would love to see your version when it's ready. My replacement is done in 3 sections and I included 3mm screw holes to join them together... it seems to work well! I've included photos. While designing mine, I too had thought about attempting to put in a fan in the HD area, but also make it to where it could accomodate a BlueSCSI... but I'm a bit wore out with this project. I'm happy with where it is for now.

https://imgur.com/a/zup7u35

Here's the STL files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6989132

Posted by: wottle on 2025-03-23 18:47:25

Hello! I've been searching for it, but I'm unable to find anyone who has a replacement Performa 6116CD internal chassis. View attachment 83405
Years ago, I purchased the machine from eBay and it came from a seller who packaged it really well, but there's really nothing they could have done for the internal chassis. It's the part that holds the drives, power LED, and speaker. It is extremely brittle, like even more so than Macs typically are nowadays. Kind of reminds me of the brittle iMac CRT plastics that are crumbling. I actually broke it more while disassembling the machine last night by lightly pushing on a part of it that I wasn't even interacting with! I feel like a 3D printable recreation would be great, but I lack a 3D printer (and the skills to create the part, which I wouldn't mind learning). Before I try to reinvent the wheel, does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement? Thanks

Where are you located? I have a bunch of these from a haul of 15 or so 6100s and 12 or so Quadra 605s that share a lot of innards. Many broke during disassembly, but even missing some of the bottom tabs, they still stay in place.

Posted by: killvore on 2025-03-24 03:46:09

@killvore That's great! Since my post, I purchased a 3D printer, installed Blender, and went to work! I would love to see your version when it's ready. My replacement is done in 3 sections and I included 3mm screw holes to join them together... it seems to work well! I've included photos. While designing mine, I too had thought about attempting to put in a fan in the HD area, but also make it to where it could accomodate a BlueSCSI... but I'm a bit wore out with this project. I'm happy with where it is for now.

https://imgur.com/a/zup7u35

Here's the STL files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6989132

This is absolutely phenomenal work, and puts mine to shame 😄 well done, this is incredible!

Posted by: Snial on 2025-03-24 04:36:06

An external chassis I suppose is much easier: you just get some sheet metal, cut it to the right plan, bend it and then screw it together with suitable standoffs. I guess you could also reduce the total surface area by mounting drives above the logic board and PSU, because the Nubus slots (ie slot) is horizontal. The front, top-half, would need to be open for the drives and the top would need to be separate, but otherwise, surely quite doable?

Or would people just buy an off-the-shelf ATX case and try and fit it?

Posted by: Trash80toHP_Mini on 2025-03-24 07:06:10

Love it, especially the three part modular approach! Opens up some possibilities there.

The HDD module can be customized for my cooling system. Height/thickness can be optimized for stacking blower and a 2.5" HDD on top. Setting the chassis vertically into the case allows for foam weatherstripped interface with chassis bottom. making a smooth square to circular transition in that cubic improves airflow and incorporate air dam closing off the opening at the bottom.

Lower the blower a tad and make provision for the likes of an offset 2.5" to 3.5" HDD conversion shelf above the blower and good to go for BlueSCSI. That slide in carrier setup eats up a lot of cubic that can be put to good use for better airflow.

6100/G3/HPV Turbo Cooler Hack

Been very slowly putting together my maxed out 6100 and this little goodie arrived yesterday: Hole saw mod to plastic chassis required as well as ductwork underneath to funnel entire clipped corner square vent grid into the intake of the blower. May fab it as five sided pyramid with plans...

tinkerdifferent.com