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Scratch Build – In Progress Project: Tube Radio PC -- 20 October -- Back From The Dead

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by s_q_u_e_e, 17 Jun 2007.

  1. s_q_u_e_e

    s_q_u_e_e What's a Dremel?

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    No progress today, I built a computer for a co-worker =) Probably wont be much tomorrow either, he and his wife are treating me to dinner YAY! Figured I would at least answer some questions though =)

    @Stickeh
    It is just a still shot. A video would be pretty sweet though =)

    @Dacust
    I think the knobs would look more fitting if I painted the case the way it originally was, with the band of lighter wood that separated the top and sides of the case a dark brown, along with the light wood alond the very bottom. Right now, they are the only things in the mod that are that dark so I think it kinda throws it. That and I was imagining knobs that were larger at the base than the rest of the knob. I am going to keep looking for the ones I feel are right, but they are fine for the moment =)

    @the fodder
    Totally awesome that your wife is going to let you mod her comp now, glad I could help =) I was thinking about skinning winamp for it, but I havent even used the program in years =) As for the knobs, I cant use them for anything =( space is so tight in there, the motherboard is pressed right up against the holes. All I had space for was somthing to hold the screws the knobs are attached to. I was REALLY bummed when I figured that out, and there really isnt any way around it =(

    @Cheapskate
    It really wasnt that bad on the plastic keys, sure there was some melting but it went pretty quick. The typewriter keys sucked though, because they got so hot I had to hold them with plyers =) I have no idea where to find the metal rings, I just bought entire sets off of ebay. Do you have any pics of the keys? I am going to have some extra keys, and I wouldnt mind sending you a couple at all =)

    @the fodder again =)
    In that pic I had not re-installed the hard drive yet, it still goes in front of the fan and directs air flow =) There isnt enough room above the dvd drive, but I could probably bold it to the underside of the dvd holder if its current location really bothered me.

    @Evilgreenie
    I found the pics of the radio dials on google, and someone over at [H] suggested the VU meter pic which is actually my fav so far. There are VERY few pictures of old lighted up dials like that out there, so its been a bit of a pain to find one. The LCD is being driven by the motherboards onbard video. It is the Nvidia 6150 chipset which is dual-head capable. I have the computer screeen ports on the I/O panel, and the daughterboard is actually supposed to be in a PCI slot. It just works out better in my case to mount it without the PCI bracket internally.

    @Everyone
    Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions, I really do appreciate them =) its nice to take a couple little breaks here and there, keeps me excited to get to work on it again instead of burning out on all of the stuff that still needs to be done. Until next time =)
     
  2. Morphine-Kitty

    Morphine-Kitty Dead account.

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    That LCD is AMAZING. It doesn't stick out at all, and the backgrounds make it blend in PERFECTLY. Awesome job s_q_u_e_e, I am very impressed.
     
  3. nightmare03

    nightmare03 What's a Dremel?

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    !!!

    Amazing! The lcd looks awesome!
     
  4. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Reaaaally?:eeek:
    That would be awesome! I really don't need a specific key, Just the 2 brass rings. Mine are about 9/16" in diameter.
    [​IMG]
    -Pretty good shape for it's age. -I just noticed someone switched out the old projector-style ribbon reels though.:duh:
    I guess when your done, (and don't decide to make 2 keyboards!) PM me to make shipping arrangements!:D
     
  5. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Oh! I still think the mouse/knob thing should be done. What about using a belt and pulley rig to a more accessible spot?
     
  6. s_q_u_e_e

    s_q_u_e_e What's a Dremel?

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    I think one of my sets of keys exactly matches yours! PM me your address and I will ship them out to you, dont worry about paying or anything it wont cost much to ship 2 keys =) On the pulley thing, the motherboard is pressed up flat against the front face, and blocks 1/2 to 2/3 of the hole, depending on the hole. I was thinking of trying to do that, and I will look at it closer the next time I pull the case open, see exactly what I have to work with.
     
  7. s_q_u_e_e

    s_q_u_e_e What's a Dremel?

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    Time for another update =D Multiple hours of tedious work later, and here it is hehe. I didnt take many pics, there is really not much to see here. I tore apart all of the extra keys, and sanded the backs. Today I drew up all of the new keytops in AutoCAD, printed them to PDF and then walked up to Kinkos. Printed them out, and laminated them for durability. Then, more hours of work cutting them out and re-assembling the 56 keys, and gluing them down.

    Now, for a couple of pics =) The first one is the keyboard before I started this whole process, so I would know where all the key went.

    [​IMG]

    Here is the keyboard as it sits now, probably 70% thru the conversion.

    [​IMG]

    Thats it for now. I am mostly just happy that almost all of the tedious work is finished with =) I hope everyone is having a great weekend!
     
  8. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Ha! The red escape key is a nice touch. "Panic Button!"
     
  9. Morphine-Kitty

    Morphine-Kitty Dead account.

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    Still looking awesome. Keep it up! :clap:
     
  10. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    I'm poking this thread with a stick in hopes of an update.
    poke.
    poke.

    You Ok, dude?

    poke.
     
  11. GrendelPrime

    GrendelPrime What's a Dremel?

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    The suspense is killing me!

    I registered specifically to comment on this mod, it's looking beautiful so far, I'm eagerly awaiting the next update.

    A few ideas; if the dials on the front are of sufficient diameter, a new hole can be added above the original and covered by the flange on the knob, giving you the room you'd need to run a pulley/belt to whatever device you intend to link it to.
    Much as functional vacuum tubes would be sweet, LED-lit facsimiles in cut-down test tubes should do the job, especially if full view is obstructed, behind the louvered grating perhaps?
    I read on the Steampunk Workshop that brass-ringed buttons made a passable substitute for the typewriter keys, I haven't turned up a source on the web as yet, brick-and-mortar may be the best bet.

    Also stumbled across this site when looking for radio dials, I haven't contacted them about prices, but the selection looks pretty awesome.
    I love the look of the Packard Bell 46B and the Motorola, hadn't really thought about how long those brands have been around.
     
  12. jokkos

    jokkos too busy to mod *sigh*

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    I love how the keyboard looks!!! :clap:

    Very nice touch on the escape key, LOL @Cheapskate...panic button, rofl!
     
  13. ComputerKing

    ComputerKing <img src="http://forums.bit-tech.net/images/smilie

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    WOW, unbeivable Keyboard, That is Kickass I love it I wish If I have one :D lol But it will be hard to write on it. Dam :) well done buddy.

    Good luck.
     
  14. Upriverpaddler

    Upriverpaddler What's a Dremel?

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    Subscribed
     
  15. Morphine-Kitty

    Morphine-Kitty Dead account.

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    YOU. MUST. UPDATE. NOW.
     
  16. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Right! I still want to see what you do with the brass pipe-things!

    poke
     
  17. GrendelPrime

    GrendelPrime What's a Dremel?

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    *borrows Cheapskate's stick*

    Poke.

    Hmmm.

    I just know if I say it looks like it's dead, it'll jump up and eat my head or something.
    Happens in the movies all the time.
    Even the good ones.

    I'll just keep waiting and see if it moves.

    Poke.


    Mind if I hold onto the stick?
    It could come in handy for fighting off undead casemods or some such.
     
  18. Teyber

    Teyber ******

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    *Snatches grendelprimes stick*
    poke

    oops! i poked to hard :worried:
     
  19. weasal

    weasal What's a Dremel?

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    i may have passed over it but what are you planning on doing for covering the keyboard?
     
  20. Koolpc

    Koolpc Minimodder

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    Awesome project
     

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