A-Pet Amiga/PC case

[mjnurney]

Hello all, it's been a while :-)

I'm not sure where this thread should be placed so please move it if is in the wrong place.

I would like to announce a project that I'm working on, it's called the A-Pet and it's a Commodore Pet 4032 Esq type case that can house the Amiga 500 or a I PC motherboard.

This is an idea that I've wanted to develop for many years but I've finally started working on the project.

So what is it?

It will be a monitor (14 inch 4:3 lcd) that is fitted to a metal case that will hinge - like the original pet. The Amiga 500 keyboard can be used with a keyboard template or a USB PC keyboard.

at the moment I'm working on 2 motherboard options but more will follow later.

Amiga A500 with or without PiStorm or Vampire.
PC motherboard with onboard graphics.

The monitor that I've sourced is a 14 inch 1024x768 4:3 screen with multi-input options. The PC keyboard is a flat bottom mechanical keyboard that is USB.

The first prototype case should be built in the next month or so. NO doubt I have missed or miss measured something so that will lead to some tweaks being needed.

To keep the dimensions to a PET type size means that some things have had to be cut from the original concept at the moment. For example, the Amiga 500 keyboard is longer than the original pet case by 20mm or so. this means that the A-Pet is slightly wider than a Commodore model. The height has been tweaked to allow an LCD monitor to be house in the head too.

The units will be powder coated in appliance white but other colours are possible if people are interested.

I will probably offer these pre-assembled but without motherboards fitted.

Stay tuned.

Options later will be a 17inch screen (4:3)
Amiga 1200 back plate
C64 back plate (a la Educator64)
Mister back plate

future maybes
A2000/A4000 support - Zorro backplate
full ATX pc spec with PCI backplate

[mjnurney]

Steel ordered for the first 2 prototype builds.

I’m looking forward to this coming next week, so that I can get on and fold it.

Mike

[tygre]

Hi mjnurney!

Very cool, keep us posted

Cheers!

[arymanx]

Hi,
Not interested personally to have it, but admire your project. Do I understand correctly: you ordered laser cutting and you are going to fold it yourself? Do you have hand "operated folding machine" or what technique you will use to fold it?
Do you have estimated cost of one bare unit?
Kind regards,
Szymon.

[mjnurney]

Hi

I have a folding machine at work and all the equipment needed to create this. As for cost, I could guess but I won’t until I assemble the first unit.

Things will need moving, adding or adjusting I have no doubt.

For example it currently has no floppy drive slot- because I couldn’t decide where it should go.. also as it’s to house a pc motherboard and others too - a floppy isn’t needed but when I build the first one I’ll look at cable routing and what is nice to the eye.

I expect I will fit a floppy port on the front lip - where the CBM PET label to of been if it was a commodore project. Probably on the right.

Cost?

Ball park (but wrong) Amiga version just over £300 / pc version £340 maybe.(wild guess)

I’m guessing here and no it’s not cheap.

I will have the steel next week but I’m very busy at work so this will have to wait a couple of weeks or so. Although I’m excited to get on with it.

[mjnurney]

Laser cut sheet arrived this morning.

Exciting

[indigolemon]

Anything with lasers is exciting, but this is extra exciting

[mjnurney]

first folding was done today on the 1st mock-up.

accuracy isn't a thing at the moment with this folding machine but it will allow me to check hole centers and dimensions.

VIDEO here


[ Show youtube player ]

[seb132]

Cool projet. Looking forward to seeing how it develops.

[mjnurney]

The next stage.

The base is folded and the body is now folded and welded.
I have had some issues with inaccuracies in the folding but as this is a first build I’m ok with that, besides I did it myself.

So now I can test fit an Amiga keyboard and add a motherboard - but only roughly as I don’t have standoffs to support it yet.

I can fit the rear panel and possibly power up the 500.

I’ll try to do all this if I get time this weekend.

Thanks for all your kind words.

Mike.

[Magic]

Wow this is an ambitious project! Clearly you are very good at your job and I think it's great that the skill set that you have mastered at work crosses over to your personal interests. Win win!

I'll be watching patiently. Do you have any other projects on line somewhere?

[mjnurney]

thank you very much

That's the problem i have too many projects on the go.... world domination is one of them but thats on hold for a bit

[sean_sk]

Originally Posted by mjnurney

world domination is one of them but thats on hold for a bit

If you need a hand with this, please let me know.

[mjnurney]

[ Show youtube player ]

this weekends update

[Evillord68]

Good work.

[CaptainPlanet]

Interesting project. I assume you will be putting the power-supply inside the case, considering you have all that space?

[A500]

Nice idea, especially with the hinges so you can open the hood without hassle. Looking forward to see this progess Also,

Originally Posted by CaptainPlanet

Interesting project. I assume you will be putting the power-supply inside the case, considering you have all that space?

+1 for this if possible!

[mjnurney]

Hi all,

Yes the PSU is built in to the monitor housing, the idea was to keep the lower case as empty as possible for future development like big box Amiga or whatever.

So the question I have is.

Where to fit the floppy drive? I think in the bezel but one or two drives?

[mjnurney]

Quick fold of the monitor and psu housing.

If I get time I will finish it tomorrow.

[mjnurney]

More work today.

Amiga 500 booting in the case and the monitor is held in by masking tape - as is the keyboard. I have to make the brackets and fitting of them.

It’s a fitting exercise and things are looking good.

Still lots to do.

Thanks
Mike