New Atari Mega style case for STF / STFM / STE and Falcon, Maybe

[10p6]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I made a post.

Here is a 3D model render of a new project I am working on. It is a Mega style case for the Atari STF, STFM, STE and Falcon. It is a simple top half case replacement, and also gives a separate Mega style keyboard with no hacking or soldiering at all. On the STF, STFM and STE it would allow more room for expansion, and also give 2 x 3.5 bays, and 1 x 5.25 12.7mm slim bay for CD /DVD Rom. On the Falcon it would allow much more room for the CT60's and other expansions. The project is being tested on my Falcon, and should work with the other systems mentioned, but I do not have those bottom cases and keyboards to test. Donations welcome

Thoughts?

** UPDATE - I have included photos of the 3D print of the case. I only did a couple of screw-ups, the biggest ones putting all the support legs at the back in backwards (I know I should have taken that nap). Note that this is a huge 3D print, and it has some separation lines, but overall. Well what are your thoughts? ***

Falcon Front.jpg

Falcon Side.jpg

Falcon Side 2.jpg

Falcon Diagnal.jpg

Falcon Back.jpg

[junosix]

Very nice, really in-keeping with the ST look

[10p6]

Thanks, thats the idea.

[Reylan]

Very interesting, I would love to have one as I struggle with the falcon, the power supply for the Pico psu and the netusbee on my desktop. It could be an all in one case. Juste as the mega.
Great work !

[10p6]

Thanks Raylan, keep your fingers crossed. My idea is to have a PSU where the floppy drive normally is. That way it keeps everything nicely separated and neat.

[mrbombermillzy]

Well its a thumbs up from me. I would love to put a F030 in that. Its based on a similar design to the DDD case, but better layout IMO.

If you need an extenal Mega ST keyboard case for measurements or whatever, I MAY be able to help. PM me.

[Reylan]

Don't go overkill on the features. Everyone here as his own build. One psu could whereas the other could be much different.

[10p6]

Well its a thumbs up from me. I would love to put a F030 in that. Its based on a similar design to the DDD case, but better layout IMO.

If you need an external Mega ST keyboard case for measurements or whatever, I MAY be able to help. PM me.

Thank you.. DDD case? The steal Desk topper case or other?

It is ST and STE keyboards and cases I am looking for this to test. I need a US or UK keyboard for my Mega STE though depending on what you are asking for it.

The photo is my current prototype for the the case.

[10p6]

Don't go overkill on the features. Everyone here as his own build. One psu could whereas the other could be much different.

The idea is to have it as the simplest replacement possible. The PSU relocate (I would not do that, someone else can) would be just an option for CT60 users who still want an internal PSU.

[joska]

Very interesting! How are you going to manufacture it? Printing? Molding? Milling?

Edit: I see that the keyboard prototype is printed.

The project is being tested on my Falcon, and should work with the other systems mentioned, but I do not have those bottom cases and keyboards to test.

The keyboards are the same. The top case is almost the same, the pillars are not in the same location as in the STE/STFM case.

[10p6]

Very interesting! How are you going to manufacture it? Printing? Molding? Milling?

Edit: I see that the keyboard prototype is printed.

The project is being tested on my Falcon, and should work with the other systems mentioned, but I do not have those bottom cases and keyboards to test.

The keyboards are the same. The top case is almost the same, the pillars are not in the same location as in the STE/STFM case.

Thanks for the info. I was hoping the pillars were in the same place, but it is not that difficult to adopt. It would be nice to be injection molded, but unless a whole lot of people wanted one it would be very expensive to do. In a worse case (no pun intended) scenario, I will release the STL file for people to 3D print or have printed.

[stormy]

I would recommend putting in place something that can give you the funds to complete the project, like pre orders or those 'back me' websites. Reason being that in the last few years on this forum there have been about two different, also very impressive case projects that unfortunately just didn't go anywhere I really love your idea and definitely would like one for my Falcon!

[joska]

I was hoping the pillars were in the same place

They are My memory failed me, I checked my spare Falcon top case against an STFM top case just now and they are identical except for the shape of the floppy cutout. Pillars are the same.

[10p6]

I was hoping the pillars were in the same place

They are My memory failed me, I checked my spare Falcon top case against an STFM top case just now and they are identical except for the shape of the floppy cutout. Pillars are the same.

Awesome. I do not plan on keeping the floppy drive their, well unless it becomes a side port access for something.

[10p6]

I would recommend putting in place something that can give you the funds to complete the project, like pre orders or those 'back me' websites. Reason being that in the last few years on this forum there have been about two different, also very impressive case projects that unfortunately just didn't go anywhere I really love your idea and definitely would like one for my Falcon!

Thanks for the input. We shall see where this takes us. Originally I had a totally different case design for the Falcon, but that would have cost a fortune to tool up as it had numerous more parts. This design opens it up to significantly more users with the ST / STE range.

[mlynn1974]

Very interesting. I really like the look of the original MegaST case.

With an STFM\STE motherboard what kind of cable would go from the motherboard to the external keyboard?
Would you include blanking covers for the spare FDD and CD drive port?

I personally would like a case with a space for one short button ST drive in the front.
An indentation to put the ST badge on the front would be nice.

[viking272]

Sounds great, I would be interested in one for my Falcon030/CT60.
How does the keyboard attach to the main unit?

[10p6]

Very interesting. I really like the look of the original MegaST case.

With an STFM\STE motherboard what kind of cable would go from the motherboard to the external keyboard?
Would you include blanking covers for the spare FDD and CD drive port?

I personally would like a case with a space for one short button ST drive in the front.
An indentation to put the ST badge on the front would be nice.

Thank you. The ST /STE / Falcon use a 7 pin cable, the Mega / MSTE and TT use a 6 pin RJ12 cable and drop the HDD light and have that on the case. So I would probably go with the RJ12 at each end to keep compatibility with those other keyboards. For those who like hacking, I may double up with a USB C option to carry the Joystick wires back to the main unit like Atari did with the original ST (No Floppy.) As for covers, I am not sure how they would be done, but ones online can be had, or 3D printed. The case has a Mega STE size badge indentation at the moment on the case, and Falcon / ST size one on the keyboard.

[10p6]

Sounds great, I would be interested in one for my Falcon030/CT60.
How does the keyboard attach to the main unit?

I would use an RJ12 to RJ12 like on the Mega / MSTE and TT for compatibility. It can also be done with no soldiering at all.

[joska]

I would use an RJ12 to RJ12 like on the Mega / MSTE and TT for compatibility. It can also be done with no soldiering at all.

If you do that you would have to add a reset circuit on the keyboard end. Without this the keyboard processor will not start. I made an external keyboard from an STE keyboard once and added the reset circuit from the Mega ST keyboard schematics.

[saulot]

10p6: I think that space for cd rom in f030 is redundant, I would rather see an external cf/sd slot (so there would be internal hdd and additional mounted on cf for data exchange with pc). I also don't like the sign, case would be better without it. Additionally please take into consideration place for SuperVidel output (2xdvi or dvi plus hdmi) and rj45 - I see one rj45, but front is rather bad place for connector like this. I also think that external keyboard case is redundant too, main box would be sufficient.

[10p6]

I would use an RJ12 to RJ12 like on the Mega / MSTE and TT for compatibility. It can also be done with no soldiering at all.

If you do that you would have to add a reset circuit on the keyboard end. Without this the keyboard processor will not start. I made an external keyboard from an STE keyboard once and added the reset circuit from the Mega ST keyboard schematics.

That is good to know. I know the Mega / MSTE and TT use Ground, Ground, +5V, +5V, TX and RX for the 6 lines. What would be easier, having a reset circuit, or putting a switch on the cable so one of the ground lines could be changed for the reset line? or if not switched, what would happen if that reset line was accidentally grounded?

[vido]

This looks just great!
This would bring my CT60 Falcon back to life

[10p6]

This looks just great!
This would bring my CT60 Falcon back to life

Thank you. Keep your fingers crossed

[10p6]

10p6: I think that space for cd rom in f030 is redundant, I would rather see an external cf/sd slot (so there would be internal hdd and additional mounted on cf for data exchange with pc). I also don't like the sign, case would be better without it. Additionally please take into consideration place for SuperVidel output (2xdvi or dvi plus hdmi) and rj45 - I see one rj45, but front is rather bad place for connector like this. I also think that external keyboard case is redundant too, main box would be sufficient.

Hi. The CD is one of those things that some do and don't want. The space could be adapted to other things, like slim floppy drive, CF or input ports on the front maybe. Sign, the Atari one or the badge on the left hand side? The RJ 45 was on the first full design, on this it would probably be on the right side. As for Super Videl I have no idea of the clearance or size that uses on the inside of the case (Can you tell me how high to the top it stands off the Falcon motherboard?) Keyboard case? This is designed to be a two piece system, or am I misunderstanding you?