New Case Sample Ordered

[Chris Davis]

So I have a manufacturer making a single case as a sample, so I can verify everything is correct.  I don't expect any issues so I would assume I can get my first batch of full-size cases by September.  In the meantime I'm going to get boards and components to fit the Altair-Duino in the full size cases.

Here's my question:  This will require a fairly large outlay of cash for the first batch.  Would you guys be interested in pre-ordering and pre-paying for either the empty case (for the Altair 8800c) or a full Altair-Duino kit in the new case?  It wouldn't be a two-year pre-order (like a recent vintage case project) but more like a couple months.

I would wait until the sample case arrives and verify everything is good before I open the site for pre-orders.

[Chris Davis]

BTW, I'm not asking anyone to commit.  I just want to know if this would be an option anyone would consider.

You can still sign up for a notification when they're ready: https://adwaterandstir.com/product/altair-reproduction-case/

[Tom Wilson]

Heck yeah! I’ve been wanting to rebuild my “sleeper” machine for a while, now. 

I’d be interested in a kit in the new case. 

Question: does this mean you’re calling the AD up to 1:1, to fit Mike’s case design? 

Tom Wilson
wils...@gmail.com
+1(619)940-6311 

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[jay....@gmail.com]

Count me interested.

 

From: altair...@googlegroups.com <altair...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Tom Wilson
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 3:36 PM
To: Chris Davis <famousd...@gmail.com>
Cc: Altair-Duino <altair...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: New Case Sample Ordered

 

Heck yeah! I’ve been wanting to rebuild my “sleeper” machine for a while, now. 

 

I’d be interested in a kit in the new case. 

 

Question: does this mean you’re calling the AD up to 1:1, to fit Mike’s case design? 

Tom Wilson
wils...@gmail.com
+1(619)940-6311 

 

On Tue, May 21, 2024 at 1:22 PM Chris Davis <famousd...@gmail.com> wrote:

BTW, I'm not asking anyone to commit.  I just want to know if this would be an option anyone would consider.

You can still sign up for a notification when they're ready: https://adwaterandstir.com/product/altair-reproduction-case/

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 11:33:02 AM UTC-5 Chris Davis wrote:

So I have a manufacturer making a single case as a sample, so I can verify everything is correct.  I don't expect any issues so I would assume I can get my first batch of full-size cases by September.  In the meantime I'm going to get boards and components to fit the Altair-Duino in the full size cases.

 

Here's my question:  This will require a fairly large outlay of cash for the first batch.  Would you guys be interested in pre-ordering and pre-paying for either the empty case (for the Altair 8800c) or a full Altair-Duino kit in the new case?  It wouldn't be a two-year pre-order (like a recent vintage case project) but more like a couple months.

I would wait until the sample case arrives and verify everything is good before I open the site for pre-orders.

 

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[John Galt]

I'm interested. i signed up for the case availability notification.

i have one of the middle of the road versions of the Boards from 2020. 

i could get a complete new setup that also has the I/O Bus and then i can add hardware cards to it and a real disk drive if those come around again.

[Chris Davis]

>>Question: does this mean you’re calling the AD up to 1:1, to fit Mike’s case design? 

Yes.  The Altair-Duino Pro will be replaced by an Altair-Duino in Mike's case.  Because you asked for that like six years ago! :)

The Altair-Duino Experimenter will have a new aluminum frame and a VT100 emulator card, but it will still be the 4/5ths size.  I want there to still be an "affordable" kit version.

[Tom Lake]

I'll preorder. We know the amount of work you've already done and how much will go into this project. We know you'll finish what you start and we won't be left hanging.
Just let us know when we can  pre-order. I can't wait to put the expansion backplane(s) internally. 

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

I hope it's the same size as the Altair Clone/Altair 8800c box ... I want one to build another Altair 8800c computer.  

I'm also thinking that IF all the Altair-Duino Pro kits migrate to the larger format that it will make it more interesting for people to build and use them, and should they decide to migrate over to a real S-100 computer, it would be a much more affordable step already having the cabinet.  

.

[Christopher Bock]

I'm very interested in a new 8800c compatible case! I'm just began an Altair 8800c project, but my case is going to be plywood until I find something more "official".  

Christopher Bock

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 12:33:02 PM UTC-4 famousd...@gmail.com wrote:

[Chris Davis]

The manufacturer just sent me this photo of the completed sample piece (of course the nameplate will be trimmed).

[John Galt]

do you think you will do another Disk drive kit run to go along with the new case kits?

[Chris Davis]

Well, the acrylic cases for the drive will not match the new Altair clone cases.  The original acrylic drive cases were time consuming and putzy which is why I have not made any more.  I have thought about making an Altair 680 case that could be repurposed for a drive case, but that's probably a year or two in the future.

[Chris Davis]

The construction files for the case are available on the website if you have access to a laser cutter and want to make your own.

[John Galt]

if you do think some time in the future you might make a semi matching disk drive kit then i would just wait for that.

i figure when you have the new kits ready to get that with the backplane and a disk controller and then wait.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

As I want another sheet metal AltairClone/Altair 8800c cabinet for one more metal cabinet build, I've switched to making Oakwood cabinets for the computers and both 8" floppy drives and full-height 5-1/4" floppy drives.  

I've made some of the design files available on my website:  http://www.brainless.org/Altair/Repository.html#section20  I do plan to make more generic files available for the IMSAI mini-Front Panel board.  

These are pre-sanding and staining ... easy to laser cut, engrave and assemble and are very strong using 5mm thick Oak plywood.  

Cabinets are stained using MINWAX "GoldenOak" wood stain ... it looks the best;  

Building an IMSAI mini-Front Panel computer:  

My BBS computer running the 1976 CBBS:  

I've contemplated doing a design for my two Altair-Duino Pro computers ... Acrylic plastic doesn't last forever.  

.

[Chris Davis]

Here are the cut pieces for my sample case, before bending and powder coating.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 11:33:02 AM UTC-5 Chris Davis wrote:

[John Galt]

exciting :-)

[John Kennedy]

That front panel looks epic! 

[Stéphane Pitteloud]

Hi, I'm totally interested, already signed up and happy to prepay it if you go this wa!

[Chris Davis]

I should be able to get the prototype from the shop on Friday or Monday.  They sent this photo.

[brian...@gmail.com]

That's really cool!

[Mike Douglas]

There may be issues fitting in the front dress panel with the inside radius they have on the four corners of the front bezel. It looks like the weld was done on the inside of the corner instead of the outside of the corner. The outside weld is done by removing a small section from the outer edge of the two pieces being welded, then filling that void during the weld process which restores the outside corner (needs a quick grind to reshape, of course). See the front bezel weldment notes in the drawing package.

Mike D

[Chris Davis]

That issue has been addressed after this photo was taken.

[John Galt]

[Mike Douglas]

That’s great - almost there!

[Tim Geuy]

When this goes into production would it be possible to add an option for a case with a blank front panel? While I am collecting the parts needed to build an Altair clone and will need a case for that, I have an older system that really needs a better home that the wooden box it's lived in for the past 40+ years that doesn't support a front panel (Digicomp Pascal 100). For it I just need a power and reset switch on the front.

Tim 

[Chris Davis]

It would not be economically feasible to carry blank panels on the rare occasion someone wants one.  However, there are a multitude of resources online that can custom produce one for you.  frontpanelexpress.com immediately comes to mind.

[Chris Davis]

Here's the new case with a full-size Altair-Duino in it:

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Is the new cabinet going to be exactly the same as Mike's to host an Altair 8800c computer or the new Altair-Duino computer?  

.

[Chris Davis]

Yes.  It is built from Mike's designs.

[John Galt]

what plans do you have adapting the Duino, will there be boards for the I/O bus and extensions out the back for ports? or will all that be up to the builders?

[Chris Davis]

It will be very similar to the Altair-Duino Pro.

[Tom Wilson]

Looking at the pictures, I noticed a pin connector on the top right of the rear of the main PCB. If I had to guess, I’d bet that’s the backplane connector.

So if one was to get the extension cable Chris linked to in another post, then one could simply mount the backplane in the case, using appropriate standoffs. 

Personally, I’m already contemplating how to make that work. (Although I can’t do anything in that respect until next year…)

[Chris Davis]

That's not exactly a backplane connector.  It's where the expansion card (which includes the backplane) connects, but it has additional connections.  It's a 36 pin connector.  However you could use that cable I linked to go from one card connector to an external backplane if you want.

[Richard McDonald]

Count me in.  I have registered for a notification when available (although with a different email address).

[Jeff Galinat]

I would be willing to pay money up front to help defer the initial cash outlay. This of course depends on the final cost.  I don’t know if a ballpark figure has been discussed as I am a little late to this thread. 

Thank you for all your efforts!

Best regards 

Jeff Galinat

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 1:22:29 PM UTC-7 Chris Davis wrote:

BTW, I'm not asking anyone to commit.  I just want to know if this would be an option anyone would consider.

You can still sign up for a notification when they're ready: https://adwaterandstir.com/product/altair-reproduction-case/

[Chris Davis]

My goal is to keep it as close to Mike's original price as I can.  I believe his price was $300 for the case and faceplate (plus shipping).  

[Jim Rauser]

Count me in.  I've just spent the last week trying to source board and whatnot to rebuild my first large-ish HW/SW project, from waaaaaaaay back in time (trigger was the availability of a running S100 computer [an Altair 8800] and Steve Ciarcia's article "Sound Off" in the July 1979 issue of Byte Magazine, describing a project to construct a sound card centered around a triphonic General Instruments tone generator chip [the AY-3-8910],  plus a book of sheet music for J.S. Bach's keyboard pieces, in particular the "two-part inventions" and "three-part sinfonias", a dozen or so which I transcriber note for note into assembly constants for a custom piece of sofware to drive them through the board with correct timing.

This group was recommended to me by John T. Kennedy in the S100Computers group.  The story so far: this page -  https://deramp.com/altair_8800c.html says under "Cabinet" that

"As of Spring 2024, Chris Davis has taken over production of the Altair 8800 Clone cabinet. Visit this page fover more information."

i just posted my first thread here, titled "Looking to reach "Chris Davis" for an Altair 8800 clone cabinet ..."

after following the "Visit this page" link and signing up for notification as to when the cases might be ready to order/ship, but I haven't heard anything yet.  If there's a good alternative out there that you know of (and that will work with Tood Goodman's 9-slot backplanes and the front panel board from https://deramp.com/altair_8800c.html) I'd be willing to give it a try, since at this point I think I've sourced/ordered most of the main necessary compoents to build an 8800 clone.  If there's interest I'd be willing to put together a google sheet/PDF of the basic set of large parts, where I'vre found them, and what the costs are.  My memory and a large-ish collection of gmails under my label "Altair" are reaching their limits.

CAVEAT: At this point I've only dipped my toes into the water to find mostly bare boards.  The next step will be to decide on wire-wrap vs. point-to-point soldering (likely the former) and begin chasing down the chips, resistors, capacitors, LEDs and switches needed to pupulate them.

Thanks,

Jim Rauser

[Brian Decker]

Chris I am also happy to prepay for a case+shipping if that helps defray your costs.

[Co de Waal]

Count me in too for a case+shipping!

Op maandag 22 juli 2024 om 03:09:18 UTC+2 schreef blde...@encomlab.com:

[Matthew Wyant]

I would generally be willing to do so; I would, however, want to know an approximate delivery timeframe before I pre-pay; I've been burnt too many times on pre-orders of various types, although the photos of the prototype help quite a bit in defraying those concerns.

[Stéphane Pitteloud]

it would be perfect! totally count me in!

[John Galt]

hopefully this is successful and Chris will go forward with making matching disk drive cases :D

[Tom Lake]

Lookin' good! 

If you decide to make a case for floppies, I hope you make one that can hold two drives!

[Tom Lake]

So the AltairDuino we have right now will fit the case with no trimming or kludging? That'd be great!

[John Kennedy]

The original AltairDuino is 2/3 scale - ish. Don’t see how it could fit. 

[John Kennedy]

You wouldn’t get burned from Adwaterandstir. I think everyone on this group would vouch for that. 

[Chris Davis]

Sorry the old Altair-Duino won't fit.  You'll have to buy a whole new one! :) 

[Mark Rosenthal]

Please add my name to the list of those interested in your implementation of the Mike Douglas form factor.

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[Chris Davis]

Mark,

Go to this page and sign up: https://adwaterandstir.com/product/altair-reproduction-case/

That will add your name to the list.

[Tom Lake]

No big deal. I'll just order the whole kit when it's available.  I can't wait! It'll be nice to have the six expansion slots hidden in the box that I currently have on top of my Pro.

[brian...@gmail.com]

Once the case is complete, I assume you will start working on a board that fits? Will it be possible that it will be one that you can order pre-assembled?

Thanks

[Chris Davis]

You can see that right here: https://groups.google.com/g/altair-duino/c/ai95smPhoCg/m/Seu5gJIQAQAJ

Yes, I assume I will have preassembled units available from time to time, like I do now.

[Jim Rauser]

Any updates on when the first run of 8800c cases will come back from the manufacturer and ship to those of us who pre-ordered?  I'm doing my best to be patient but it's getting harder and harder to wait ....

Thanks so much in advance,

Jim Rauser

[Tom Lake]

The website says they'll be ready some time in October.

[Chris Davis]

The manufacturer has been doing a great job keeping me informed.  They send me regular updates on the progress.  Due to the number of cases ordered, it will be some time before they ship the pallets of cases.  We're still looking at Early October.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Are you going with the grey top rather than the off-white top of the original Altair 8800 design?  

I like the grey top, but I think it might be nice to have a choice of color.  

I saw the stack at the VCFMW in one of the YouTube videos ... sad that these guys don't know how to stop at each booth, point the camera at the booth info so people can see the name, contact info in the videos ... even talk a little bit.  

.

[Tom Wilson]

I think you should sell a couple of those gray top ones as "limited special edition" cases. 

[Chris Davis]

I needed the manufacturer to finish a half-dozen case quick for a couple shows.  They did not yet have the powder for the cover, so they just used what they had.

The six cases I have with the gray top will certainly be "limited editions"!

[Thomas Lake]

Do you know the total including the Altair Duino board inside? The $300.00 is just for the case, right?

---

From: altair...@googlegroups.com <altair...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Chris Davis <famousd...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 8:48 AM
To: Altair-Duino <altair...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: New Case Sample Ordered

 

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[Chris Davis]

Yes, the empty case is $310.  I don't have the rest priced out yet.

[Jim Rauser]

I think I should be on the list of pre-orders, and would certainly be willing to take one of the gray ones off your hands to complete the order.  I'm having the most TERRIBLE time tyring to stay patient until the planned shipment in October.

[Tom Wilson]

Join the club. I think those look great. 

[Chris Davis]

Here's a photo the manufacturer sent me of the case with the correct color top.  They're getting closer to the end!

[Mike Douglas]

Looking good! For the side trim extrusion, the “gap” should be at the rear of the cabinet. Towards the front, the trim should  be as close as possible to the front bezel.

Mike

[Chris Davis]

That's not my photo, it's a photo from the manufacturer showing the color of the top.

[Brian Decker]

These look great!

[Thomas Runge]

OMG, this is sooo cool. Tempting...

[Peter Schmidl]

Hello!

Any news when do you plan do ship the cases?

Thank you!

[Chris Davis]

The manufacturer said they should ship them to me in about two weeks.

[John Galt]

any updates?

[Chris Davis]

They are wrapped on a pallet on a loading dock in Illinois waiting for an LTL carrier.  They have not given me a date yet.

[John Galt]

between the cases and the new kits are we looking at a more realistic jan/feb 2025 ship date?

[Chris Davis]

I will have to prepare and ship all the pre-orders first, so that will take some time.  I don't think it will take two months though.  I guess it's always possible that the pre-orders will drain my inventory of Altair-Duino Pro/Experimenter parts, but I'll do my best to keep up.

[John Galt]

I preordered , I just figured now with Christmas and new years and going on vacation shipping around now would be not great. Plus I don’t want to rush you I want you to feel great about shipping everything out.

[Chris Davis]

A couple pallets showed up today!

[John Galt]

👍

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Nice!  Next thing people need is a way to connect modern ribbon cable DE9 and DB25 connectors to the back panel ... I created a nice neat solution:  http://www.brainless.org/Altair/Repository.html#section22

I'm using Keystone Electronics "Jack Screw HEX 4-40's I got from DigiKey ... first goes through the D-SUB connector and spacer, then another pair in tandem to get comfortably through the panel to bolt the assembly in place.  

The part files to either 3D Print or Laser Cut the little adapter pieces are on the page.  This makes for a nice neat assembly without worrying about scraping the ribbon cables in the original smaller D-Sub holes on the back of the vintage computer cabinets so there is no worry about damage or shorts in the cable.  

     

          

This is my very busy Altair 8800c computer:  

.

[Tom Lake]

I need fillers like in your last picture to mount DE-9 connectors in DB-25 holes.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

All the files for either 3D printing or Laser cutting the parts are posted on my website:  http://www.brainless.org/Altair/Repository.html#section22

There is even a link to the 7232 Jack Nut HEX #4-40 bolts ... or perhaps a smarter version is the "Slotted" bolts ... 

.

[Tom Lake]

This is what I see when I go there (only DB25 is showing on my PC):

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Sorry ... all the scammers and hackers out to do no good have messed up not just the internet, but the whole world.  

I redid the webpage so now you can read the link to copy/paste if your browser is trying to protect you from the criminals ... 

http://www.brainless.org/Altair/Repository.html#section22

.

[Tom Lake]

I still see the same thing when I copy and paste the link.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

You probably need to do a SHIFT and ReLoad in your browser.  Most browsers are lazy and don't reload recent pages unless you force them.  

The page has the links and the text of the links now:  

.

[Tom Lake]

Nope. I tried Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. I get the same thing with all three.

[David]

Thats interesting, it appears just fine on my Windows laptop and iPhone.

Weird.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/altair-duino/e9dac0aa-691c-42a3-bd89-4544977db6fen%40googlegroups.com.

[John Kennedy]

Geographic caching. Or aliens. 

[Matthew Wyant]

> From: Famous Davis LLC

> Subject: Your shipment is on its way!

Can't wait; thanks for the quick turnaround, especially given the holidays.

[Chris Davis]

Walt's site looks messed up for me on both Mac and Windows.  I suspect he's using a non-standard font that not everyone has installed.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

The fonts are default HTML fonts ... nothing fancy.  

I just don't pay extra for "https" ... if people like my site and want to help support it I'm open to PayPal contributions.  IF somebody wants to pay the annual fee for "https" that would be great.  I'm a low-income senior veteran, and where I live the cost of living  the last few years since COVID-19 increases double what my COLA increase has been.  

.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

I forgot to mention, IF your computers are up to date then the site is maybe blocked by your virus protection that isn't quite as smart as it should be.  

I can view my sites with Google Chrome and MS Edge no problem.  

.

[Chris Davis]

Why would you have to pay for https?  Certificates have been available free for the past 10 years.  I have never paid for a security certificate for my site.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

It's not that easy when you don't use popular hosting services like GoDaddy ... 

.

[John Galt]

when the new Arduino kits come out do we need to specify they will be used with the reproduction Case?

or has the entire design changed so that the front panels are the same?

[Chris Davis]

The Pro kit has changed to work with the new case.

[John Galt]

Later it will be possible to order the new pro kit without the case?

[Chris Davis]

Yes, you will be able to order the Pro components separate from the case.  That should be on the website later this week.