Original Kenbak-1 case - talked to the manufacturer

Chris Davis

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Aug 14, 2019, 11:56:24 AM8/14/19

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A few people have expressed interest in a full-sized replica (a la Grant Stockly's Kenbak-1 Series 2). I figured I'd contact Bud Industries, the original manufacturer of the "Grand Prix" enclosure. I chatted with a nice woman who had been working there since 1985 and remembered that case, but it had been retired in the early 80s (they no longer had the equipment needed to make the extruded aluminium brackets for the side.) She was kind enough to share the original engineering drawings and specifications of the case so I could have them reproduced.

I told her about the Kenbak-1, its importance in computer history, and its current value. She had no clue, but was very happy I shared that info with her. It made me wonder how many other people/companies were involved in paradigm shifting products and technologies but had no clue they played a part.

Tom Lake

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Aug 14, 2019, 11:58:44 AM8/14/19

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If you're planning on selling a full-size repro, put me down for one!

Tom L

John Kennedy

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Aug 14, 2019, 1:36:19 PM8/14/19

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Maybe one that's the same height and length, but a fraction of the depth? I mean, this is a big case! :-)

Or are you thinking making one with the same chips as the original, rather than the Arduino PIC?

Frank Prindle

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Aug 14, 2019, 1:53:05 PM8/14/19

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Chris Davis

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Aug 14, 2019, 2:24:04 PM8/14/19

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If I were to do it, I'd just make a larger version of the PC board with mechanical keyboard keys, so it could be half the depth.

Randy E (OoMOR)

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Aug 14, 2019, 2:48:41 PM8/14/19

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I suppose I could duct tape two of them together back-to-back.

Randy

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 11:24:04 AM UTC-7, Chris Davis wrote:

John Kennedy

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Aug 14, 2019, 2:50:42 PM8/14/19

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It was just a thought. If the idea is to make it authentic as possible, it might be a mistake to resize it at all, or else what's the point?

Charley Jones

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Aug 14, 2019, 3:17:43 PM8/14/19

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I'd also second for a full size replica. Don't care about the internals, like LEDS vs bulbs, but would love too have the same feel.

Sent from my iPhone Xs!

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Tom Lake

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Aug 14, 2019, 10:56:34 PM8/14/19

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Ditto here! I'd prefer a replica that had all the same dimensions as the original but would settle for one that wasn't quite so deep if necessary.

Tom L

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 3:17:43 PM UTC-4, Charley Jones wrote:

I'd also second for a full size replica. Don't care about the internals, like LEDS vs bulbs, but would love too have the same feel.

Sent from my iPhone Xs!

On Aug 14, 2019, at 11:50 AM, John Kennedy <johntk...@gmail.com> wrote:

It was just a thought. If the idea is to make it authentic as possible, it might be a mistake to resize it at all, or else what's the point?

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 8:56:24 AM UTC-7, Chris Davis wrote:
A few people have expressed interest in a full-sized replica (a la Grant Stockly's Kenbak-1 Series 2). I figured I'd contact Bud Industries, the original manufacturer of the "Grand Prix" enclosure. I chatted with a nice woman who had been working there since 1985 and remembered that case, but it had been retired in the early 80s (they no longer had the equipment needed to make the extruded aluminium brackets for the side.) She was kind enough to share the original engineering drawings and specifications of the case so I could have them reproduced.

I told her about the Kenbak-1, its importance in computer history, and its current value. She had no clue, but was very happy I shared that info with her. It made me wonder how many other people/companies were involved in paradigm shifting products and technologies but had no clue they played a part.

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Ardunaut

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Aug 18, 2019, 12:31:05 AM8/18/19

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If the original depth is not going to be used, I suggest using half the depth so that we can put it against a mirror on a shelf and have the real feeling.

William Steele

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Aug 24, 2019, 3:42:35 PM8/24/19

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I'd love to have a full size case!!! (I made my own attempt at one a while back... but it's not perfect.) As for the Aluminum Extrusions, I 3D printed mine.

Here is a video of the one I made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOlOPpfgmPE

Bill

Tom Lake

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Oct 2, 2019, 3:03:00 AM10/2/19

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Any further development of this idea happening?

Tom L

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 11:56:24 AM UTC-4, Chris Davis wrote:

Chris Davis

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Oct 8, 2019, 2:26:00 PM10/8/19

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No, nothing yet.

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