Maclock to Mac Plus Conversion kits

[Sideburn]

Hey'all

I posted on 68KMla about offering some kits to any DIYers that might want to build their own Mini Mac Plus using my customized hardware and software.

video if you haven't seen what I am talking about:

if you might be interested just let me know r leave a post here or on the main thread here:

Maclock to Mac Plus Conversion kits

Hi all, Is there any interest in conversion kits for those Maclock's? I have spend a lot of time on mine and now that I have the 3d printed mounting hardware, a custom designed PCB and a completely modified disk image for the Pi, it wouldn't take much to put some kits together for anyone else...

68kmla.org

Thanks!

-Tavis

 

[ArjenCNX]

That is really cool man!

I have had this idea for a computer for kids, totally offline, using the SW we have for education for OS7+ it would have to be low cost, but that seems achievable nowerdays. your project is a step in that direction, and i think its really nicely done! Kudos!

 

[ScutBoy]

Please put me down as interested in a kit!

Steve

 

[Sideburn]

Ok when my boards get here I’ll put one together for you.

 

[Sideburn]

That is really cool man!

I have had this idea for a computer for kids, totally offline, using the SW we have for education for OS7+ it would have to be low cost, but that seems achievable nowerdays. your project is a step in that direction, and i think its really nicely done! Kudos!

Yes you could do that with a lower cost pi. Make a 3d printed enclosure. Use a larger less expensive lcd panel. Most of the higher cost here with mine is the $35 pi and the $50 lcd screen. And then the nicer injected molded case is a gutted $30 Maclock.

 

[JDW]

Holy cow! That's a fantastic reproduction.

You know, I just took delivery this week of my own Maclock from Aliexpress. I spent the last few weeks trying to find a vendor who still included the original Apple logo sticker sheet because most have stopped including it. Finally found a vendor!. I came across it by reading through all the reviews/comments. There were two recent comments on the seller's page from people saying it still included the sheet, and so I made my purchase from that seller. Sure enough, I received the current sheet (non-authentic logos which no purist would want) AND the original sticker sheet with the true Apple logos that everybody wants, regardless of legality. Authenticity matters.

I watched the detailed BUILD video by @This Does Not Compute below, so I would be interested in knowing your detailed BUILD steps too, @Sideburn :

And for anyone who may have missed it, the Maclock is the most authentic looking vintage Mac case out there, but it's not 100% perfect. I had been thinking the top vents were molded into the case like the lower side vents, but the top vents are in fact stickers. Not a huge deal, but just wanted to mention that so buyers won't be surprised or disappointed, But other than that, the detail on the plastic case really is insanely great.

 

[Sideburn]

Holy cow! That's a fantastic reproduction.

You know, I just took delivery this week of my own Maclock from Aliexpress. I spent the last few weeks trying to find a vendor who still included the original Apple logo sticker sheet because most have stopped including it. Finally found a vendor!. I came across it by reading through all the reviews/comments. There were two recent comments on the seller's page from people saying it still included the sheet, and so I made my purchase from that seller. Sure enough, I received the current sheet (non-authentic logos which no purist would want) AND the original sticker sheet with the true Apple logos that everybody wants, regardless of legality. Authenticity matters.

I watched the detailed BUILD video by @This Does Not Compute below, so I would be interested in knowing your detailed BUILD steps too, @Sideburn :

And for anyone who may have missed it, the Maclock is the most authentic looking vintage Mac case out there, but it's not 100% perfect. I had been thinking the top vents were molded into the case like the lower side vents, but the top vents are in fact stickers. Not a huge deal, but just wanted to mention that so buyers won't be surprised or disappointed, But other than that, the detail on the plastic case really is insanely great.

Thanks yes I ran into he same issue with the labels and ended up making my own set. I also made some reproduction floppy disks that I print in high res and they are almost the same quality.

Some of the Maclocks are even worse and have their branding stamped on the front of the case but where the apple logo is. Got to watch out for that.
I can send you a set of stickers. I also have them up on eBay.

I spent weeks off and on on my version. there's a ton of mods to the pi Linux system to get it all working. services, python scripts, etc. And then my own board that has c code flashed onto the ATTiny. the pi talks to my board through GPIO and my board talks to the pi and also pulls a pin low on the Bluetooth audio board to mute it at the right times.

The key difference between the main build of mine and Colins are that I don't cut or mod the case itself, My mounting bracket for the LCD drops right in and screws on leaving the LCD offset to the right. I then scale and position the screen in software. Mine also does not use the existing Bezel glass like he does to clip the corners. I am scaling miniVmac in software and recompiling it to display at the proper size to fit nicely.

Aside from that the rest is all the hardware mods to get restart, shutdown (and power off through software and mosfet), the simulated disk sounds, bluetooth audio that mutes the notification sounds etc...

 

[JDW]

@Sideburn
I found your EBAY store here:

Items for sale by sideburnstudios | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from sideburnstudios!

www.ebay.com

Just wanted to post the link so everyone has convenient access. Wow. I see you have not only the sticker sheets but a complete build of your Maclock conversion too!

 

[Sideburn]

@Sideburn
I found your EBAY store here:

Items for sale by sideburnstudios | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from sideburnstudios!

www.ebay.com

Just wanted to post the link so everyone has convenient access. Wow. I see you have not only the sticker sheets but a complete build of your Maclock conversion too!

Yes but no takers.. its too expensive.. The problem is my cost is about $170 to $180 and then they take me AT LEAST 3 hours to build one. I dropped the price to $250 but still no interest and at that price it's a bit rough to make it worth it after building, testing, packing, shipping... so I dunno. Thats why am thinking kits might work out better for anyone that wants one.. then i don't have to work for hours on them and buy all the materials..

Thanks for posting my page. I can also send them directly and pay through Venmo or whatever and save some $

 

[JDW]

@Sideburn
I kind of know how you feel. I put together a recent Yahoo auction for my employer in Japan of a complete G4 Cube system with 1.2GHz accelerator installed and tested, along with a clear mouse rebuilt by me (took 6 hours), cleaned keyboard (also took hours because it’s hard to open) with hand washed keys, belt replaced on DVD drive, freshly formatted drive with OS 9.2.2 and Tiger and games, plus an iMic, lots of discs I made specifically for the buyer and the original boxes too. I wrote a super detailed text description in both Japanese and English and put dual language notes on some photos too.

The end result of all my work? Well, there was only one bidder who got it for the base asking price which translates into only about USD $315. A system like that should have sold for $1,000, especially because I owned it and used it at the office since it was purchase new 26 years ago.

I have another G4 Cube and more vintage that will go up on Yahoo auctions soon, but I must admit I am really discouraged. Selling prices like that are not worth my time to do all the hard work I wish sellers would do for me. Seriously. I treated that system as if I were buying it. :-(

Yahoo Auctions Listing:

動作品 良品 Apple Power Mac G4 Cube 1.2GHz (M... - Yahoo!オークション

商品説明(英語版は日本語版に続く)元箱付きのマウス、キーボード、ディスプレイを含む、Power Mac G4 Cube のコンプリートシステムを出品します。Cube 本体には RAM と CPU のアップグレードが施されています。長年使用していた者が最近動作確認済みです。ハードディスクは初

auctions.yahoo.co.jp

MY FaceBook post prior to it ending:

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[JDW]

@Sideburn
Prices be darned. Sales like your fully assembled kit have meaning. It just needs to get in front of more eyes.

Because I recently bought a Pico Mac Nano and Maclock which I had planned to show in a forthcoming video, with your blessing I’d like to mention this thread and your video and your EBAY page too.

More people who know you have that fully assembled tiny Mac for sale will likely generate more interest. Indeed, I myself didn’t know about your incredible work until I read this thread today. Colin did his own build but he’s not selling them.

I think we should each help each other spread the word about insanely great stuff in this hobby, and your stunning build qualifies, especially because some people just don’t want to do hard labor to build a kit themselves.

With that said, if you ever make a detailed instruction manual or video of the complete build, hardware and software, that would help people who want to buy the parts and make it a DIY project.

 

[Sideburn]

I plan on making a build video on my YouTube channel. I’m going to be making a third one and I’ll video the process and go over the details of how it was made initially.

Honestly I’m not even trying to profit off them. The thing is after putting weeks of time into it and designing the circuit board and all the mounting hardware and the software it’s jus a shame to only have it as a one off so I’d like to get them into people’s hands who want one.

but I also don’t want to burn out and so I need some compensation for my time. Expecially when I’m dodging real work that pays while I’m doing them

this is the clsssic issue with all of the stuff I try to sell.

I repair vintage Sony Walkman and Sinclair TVs and they take hours and hours and sell for maybe $300 after I buy them for $150 or so there’s not much left for me to take away.

I’ve also designed an Atari 130xe laptop that got a lot of response and people that want one but materials cost $700+ and they take me 30 hours to build them so even at $2000.00 for one it’s like flipping burgers at McDonald’s money but same story. Put months into designing it and building circuit boards etc so it’s a waste not to make more now.

 

[JDW]

Atari 130xe laptop? Wow. Not an Atari guy at all, but I’d love to see a photo of your handiwork, either here or in our Atari sub-forum.