New kit arrived

[Richard Cini]

All –

 

                I’m new to this group but some may recognize my name from other computing lists. I ordered and just received one of the PiDP-10 kits (#568) and I’m very impressed with the construction of the enclosure and parts and how it was bundled. Well done! Can’t wait to begin building it.

 

One quick question. Since everything is non-metal, has anyone weighted it down in any way, or are rubber/silicone feet enough? I was toying with adding lead weights to the inside of the bottom of the case like one would do with model trains, but I don’t know yet if there’s enough clearance for my idea to work.

 

Thanks again for a great project!

 

Rich

 

--

Rich Cini

http://cini.classiccmp.org

https://github.com/RichCini

 

 

[Andy]

Hey Rich- other people are better to ask, but mine keeps the weight quite nicely with nothing special done to the machine.. although I do have some velcro round the back to let it hold onto things (in case it should fall.)

cheers!  Andy

[R Clark]

Mine sits just fine as designed on the shelf.   With all the switches weighing it down rubber feet aren't really necessary.  That said, rubber feet wouldn't hurt anything I imagine either.  Just build it ... then see what you think :) .

[Ethan Dicks]

On Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM Richard Cini <rich...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I’m new to this group but some may recognize my name from other computing lists.

Welcome to the party, Rich!

> Can’t wait to begin building it.

Do yourself a favor and definitely test all the LEDs and signal diodes
first. There should be spares, but I did have one open signal diode
and one dead LED, IIRC. I also had one LED with air bubbles in the
epoxy package. Never seen that before.

> One quick question. Since everything is non-metal, has anyone weighted it down in any way, or are rubber/silicone feet enough?

I agree with other posters here. It doesn't seem to be too
light-weight as is. Squishy feet should be enough.

Cheers,

-ethan

[Richard Cini]

Thanks Ethan!

I did test all of the LEDs (all good) but not the diodes. Will do that, but I’d assume that a bad one would show up in the switch test, right?

Rich

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[sunnyboy010101]

I tested all my LEDs and diodes. I had one bad LED - on inspection it had a crack completely through the lens part. Never seen that before either. 

[DR]

I tested all mine, too. Not just a sampling.

Chances are all are good, but I did find, as  you did, a non-functioning
one, plus three LEDs which were of a vastly different color to my eye,
and easy enough to set those aside with the spares which were included
being put to good  use.


Testing for a faulty component after installed is so much tougher than
taking a few moments while listening to music or just enjoying the
building experience to make sure you are starting with a known quantity.

[DR]

Probably the switch test would reveal problems (or the overall testing
would) but I absolutely HATE removing soldered in components.  Very bad
expeience and often leaves the board looking a bit ugly.

[Richard Cini]

Agreed. I have a Hakko desoldering gun which is a life saver for that. I bought it two years ago for my S100 stuff and it’s been a life saver. 

Rich

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[Charley Jones]

I haven’t felt the need to weight it down.  Stays upright well enough. 

Sent from my iPhone 15pm!

Charley Jones, PMP

On Apr 11, 2025, at 10:40 AM, Richard Cini <rich...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Tim Radde]

I too tested all my LEDs.  Did not find any bad ones.  Mine sits on a shelf at a slight angle so I can more easily see the bliny lights.  Seems to weigh enough to stay put.

[Ethan Dicks]

On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM Richard Cini <rich...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I did test all of the LEDs (all good) but not the diodes. Will do that, but I’d assume that a bad one would show up in the switch test, right?

Hi, Rich,

It would show up on a switch test but IME it was easier to test first
than remove/replace once assembled.

-ethan

[Richard Cini]

All good here. Finished assembling it and it passes all tests and controlling it from the Pi works. I need to fiddle around with VNC,  and then put it on my shelf for display. I also have an 8-port USB to serial adapter that might be good for real terminal access. 

The only thing I can’t get working is the USB-C jack and key switch. I bought a 65w adapter on Amazon but i get 0v on each of the 5 jacks I bought. So I wonder if the adapter needs USB “negotiation” to work. It works if plugged directly into to the Pi though. 

Great project and it looks great!

Rich

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[R Clark]

Awesome!  Glad all went well.