Classic Amiga cases - demand for fresh replacements?

[Mrs Beanbag]

I was looking at some spare A1200 cases on Ebay today and the idea struck me... I've been wanting to take up some kind of Amiga-related hardware project lately, but I don't have much experience with electronics (as much as I'd like to get into that) and so many of these projects seem to drag on forever and never released for sale.  But cases, that shouldn't be so hard.

I wouldn't mind replacing my yellowing A1200 case with a brand new one - maybe even with some modifications.  It would be cool to have a slimline CD drive in place of the floppy drive, for instance.  It could even be made compatible with mini-ITX boards as well.  And of course it could be made in any colour (personally I like white Amigas but I know that's not in fashion at the moment).

So I've been looking at companies that offer injection molding services.  There are places that offer to do very short production runs, although I haven't inquired about the cost yet.

Would anybody else be interested in this kind of thing?  If so what features or cosmetic changes would you like to see?

[runequester]

I guess there might be legal concerns with the branding on the case, but I think there'd be a lot of people who'd love to get a shiny, new, grey case for their 1200 or 500.

[A6000]

The Memotech mtx500 and mtx512 computers had metal cases, it may be cheaper to have a case made of metal than plastic, and it should not yellow with age like the plastic ones did.

[wawrzon]

here is an attempt on something like that.

http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=35607&forum=33&start=200&viewmode=flat&order=0

http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/8.htm

doesnt look much like amiga though, took ages and a lot of funds according to designer to get where it is, and still not ready. an standard atx/itx box with an a3k-4k style front would probably be easier.

[Mrs Beanbag]

Yeah, kind of looks more like an Archimedes.  I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks.  The A1200 is that much different from the A500 but still recognisable on account of the keyboard, and the LEDs.  Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird.  And the drives are on the wrong side.  Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now.

I'm pretty sure plastic should be cheaper than metal, but I'll see if I can get a quote.  Also bear in mind that requirement #1 is that it's a replacement for original A1200/A500 cases (i.e. fits classic Amiga motherboards), not a new case for a standard PC mobo.  Mini ITX/Flex ATX compatibility would be a bonus.

[Florida]

I would buy an Amiga 600 case made of metal withouth hesitation. If there were 3D models available we could all just get or stuff made by local companies.
 
Who has the skill to made a 3D CAD file of Amiga computers?

[freqmax]

To get a good chassi you likely need a high pressure liquid plastic mould something that isn't a home product directly.

To refresh "old" plastic cases have a look at Retr0bright.

[danbeaver]

(It is kind of nice that the Amiga Technologies A4000T case was a standard AT case made by a company (Enlight) still in business.)

[wawrzon]

Yeah, kind of looks more like an Archimedes.  I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks.  The A1200 is that much different from the A500 but still recognisable on account of the keyboard, and the LEDs.  Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird.  And the drives are on the wrong side.  Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now.

+1

[Digiman]

Yeah, kind of looks more like an Archimedes.  I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks.  The A1200 is that much different from the A500 but still recognisable on account of the keyboard, and the LEDs.  Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird.  And the drives are on the wrong side.  Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now.

I'm pretty sure plastic should be cheaper than metal, but I'll see if I can get a quote.  Also bear in mind that requirement #1 is that it's a replacement for original A1200/A500 cases (i.e. fits classic Amiga motherboards), not a new case for a standard PC mobo.  Mini ITX/Flex ATX compatibility would be a bonus.

Bin there done that. The first thing you will need is a CAD document to within 0.1 mm accuracy to supply to a company who does suitable injection moulding or custom plastic work. If you are making cases for X86 motherboards that look like Amiga exactly including keyboard you will also need to contact a manufacturer of bespoke design keyboards too and also redesign the original case to account for PC motherboard block type connector at the back and also work out how to cool a PC motherboard in that case and add some way of securing the keyboard to the underside of the top half of the case (best way is to do it just as the Commodore 128 or the 64C does really).

And then brace yourself for the costs they will quote you.

At this point you will see immediately why Commodore USA made one and only one bespoke computer that looks anything like the original model it was based on.

[Matt_H]

Precision is critically important with this project. 3D printing would be another route, possibly cheaper than the injection molding option.

Things I think would be useful:
-Slot for slimline CD drive on left side of machine (others have carved holes for a drive here, so why not build one in?)
-Slot for CF card above PCMCIA port
-Cutout for USB ports

[som99]

Ive been thinking of this also, I would love an A1200 case, a bit higher for more room, maybe a bit wider on the left side for easier placement of more HDDs, for me it could be wide enough that the PCMCIA card just sticks out as on laptops (the the end of the card) so a bit space to take there.

If making them a bit bigger I would also love a slot for slim CD, space for cooling at expansion slot should also be nice.

[TheDaddy]

here is an attempt on something like that.

http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=35607&forum=33&start=200&viewmode=flat&order=0

http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/8.htm

doesnt look much like amiga though, took ages and a lot of funds according to designer to get where it is, and still not ready. an standard atx/itx box with an a3k-4k style front would probably be easier.

Yeah that is my work. As I said on my webpage and youtube the X500 PLUS isn't really a replacement for the A1200 although it did start as one.

It's a tribute/homage to my first Amiga the A500 Plus and bits of other computers of that era.

It's taken me roughly seven years on and off (saved money and spent it on it) and it accepts:

x86 mini-itx and flex-atx boards (SAM boards for OS4 too)
2-3 SSDs or HDDs
it has an expansion slot for a PCI/PCI Express card (low profile)
Slim DVD-RW slot
3.5" slot

It's very light, aluminium and plastic.

It's slightly shorter and less wide than an A500 and its side view has the same angles of my A500.

I have finally finished a black version with various adjustments based on feedback received by members of amiga.org/amigaworld etc...(LEDs moved to the left, more airvents etc...).

I haven't hacked an A1200 motherboard in it yet but it "should" fit.

Photos of the final black prototype soon.

[TheDaddy]

@Mrs BeanbagYeah

"kind of looks more like an Archimedes."

Possibly but it's a tribute to the machines of that era, as you can read on my page, never said it was a replica.

"I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks."

True if I had designed a replica I would have used the Amiga's keyboard but since it's targeted to generic PCs and NG Amiga boards then it made no sense. It's a generic case with a retro look so it uses a good, generic, standard, chiclet, low profile keyboard.

"And the drives are on the wrong side.  Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now."
"Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird."

It's not weird at all. The x86 motherboards I have tested (with intel i3 cpu) and the SAM boards from ACube sit on the right because you use an ATX power connector, actually a picoPSU which is quite high, also there is (on the x86 mini-itx boards) at least 1 memory slot if not two like on mine, the height of the memory modules has to be cleared. The board on the right also allows to have the DVD-RW (Bluray) drive to be positioned on the left so when you use the mouse (generally with your right hand) it won't be in the way when you open the tray or access the 3.5" media reader. Had the LEDs been on the right they would have fouled the memory modules/PSU too.
The LEDs, on feedback received have been moved to the left now, another whopping £1800 worth of changes and prototyping. Bear in mind that apart from, screws, spacers, switch, rubber feet and keyboard, everything is CUSTOM made, LEDs window included.

I hope it's clear enough.

[TheDaddy]

As freqmax says Retr0bright does an excellent job of cleaning up yellowed Amiga cases.