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FinalGROM case


COREi64

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I've had many people asking me to design a case for the FinalGROM board. Finally got around to working on this project.

 

Here are some photos of the prototype I've been using the past while. It's been functioning very well for me.

 

As with all my designs, brass heatsets are embedded into the case allowing easy opening and closing of the case countless times.

 

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As with many "homebuilt" boards, assembly standards don't exist, and for the most part, that makes it a little challenging to construct a case that works for everyone. Therefore, some decisions were made in the design. The case was originally designed around a FinalGROM board with a pair of surface mounted 6x6x(4.3 to 5) pushbuttons, 5mm LED and surface mounted SDcard reader. For this style of board, the case however has been designed to have room inside for those FinalGROM's using the "LC Technology" SDcard daughter board in leu of the solder on type of SD socket. The header pins on the top of the SDcard daughter board (lid side) may need to be trimmed a tiny bid but the case does close with that daughterboard in place. Small sidecutters can easily trim those down if need be.

 

The lid utilizes captive pins that lead down to the 6x6x4.3 to 6x6x5 pushbuttons. Anyone with taller switches would need to trim them down or simply replace them with the shorter style.

 

I've never been a fan of the label on the end of the cartridge, so I've instead inset some space on the top of the case for a label. Haven't come up with a label design however (graphic design isn't my strong suit). The area for the label is 58mm x 12mm, for anyone interested in coming up with a design that would fit in the case. Placing the label where I did makes it ascetically easier to view than on the end. IMHO a much better place for it. I have a guy that's going to be doing all of my vinyl label printing for me, so eventually I'll be including a label with this cartridge (future plan anyway).

 

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Keep in mind this is the prototype. I have made one small adjustment to the design. Once I get to printing it out, I'll post a photo of the final cartridge.

 

Thomas

COREi64

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Hi.

 

Thanks for the nice comments. Always appreciate hearing what people think. The colors you're seeing in the photos are silver on the top, and black bottom. Think it looks sharp in the original style machine (hence the color choice).

 

Getting there, but not quite. The version of the case you're seeing in the photos, I've been using on my machine for about a month. There's a finish aspect of the case that I'm not pleased with, and have been doing some minor revisions (mostly internal) so that it's perfect.

 

I have (what I hope is) the final version on the printer right now. The top will be done in an hour, the bottom a couple hours after that. It'll be done this evening if all goes well. Then I'll test it, make sure it's A-ok and ready for sale. I'll put them up for sale after that.

 

It shouldn't be TOO much longer. Been obsessing over this case for some time now, making sure it's just right.

 

Will post more photos when I have something.

 

Thomas

 

Ready for orders?

Thanks,

d.

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Yes, wouldn't that be great, to print the top in metal. Granted printers like that do actually exist, but they're not in my future! ;-)

 

Ok, the cartridge is done to my satisfaction.

 

These first two photos show the original prototype (on the left) versus the finished cartridge shell on the right. As you can see, I lengthened the cartridge slightly to accommodate one more screw. The prototype case (the shorter one) worked fine, however, there was a slight separation between the lid and base at the front of the cartridge (about a fifth of a mm). I didn't like the look of that, so I installed an additional heatset and screw. That really tightened it all up.

 

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And here are some photos of the finished product.

 

post-45854-0-52076900-1542306252.jpgpost-45854-0-47969800-1542306260.jpg

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I also took a couple photos of the case showcasing some different button color options.

 

post-45854-0-77127900-1542306328.jpgpost-45854-0-65740400-1542306333.jpg

 

Of course any color is available for any of the four pieces that make up this case (lid, base, button1 and button2).

 

For those interested, here's the link to my shop for this cartridge : https://corei64.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=198

 

As always, comments are appreciated.

 

Thomas

COREi64

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Yes, absolutely... and not only will they be included, but you get to choose the color for each of the two buttons.

 

The buttons are actually 3D printed pins. They have captive locations within the lid (prevents them from moving anywhere but up and down), and when assembled with the board inside, sit on top of the pushbuttons soldered onto your board. Pressing these button (pins), press down on the actual switches on your board.

 

Thomas

 

I will want one. I assume it will have the push buttons as well?

Beery

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Hey, now a comment like that I'll certainly take... thanks! ;-)

 

For those ordering, I just wanted to make it clear that the photos shown are the "Silver" filament for the lid, and "Black" for the bottom.

 

If you want yours to look like the photos, then those are the color choices you'd need to make.

 

Thomas

COREi64

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If anyone reading this is planning on picking one up from arcadeshopper, and would like a certain button color combination, now is the time to ask for that color to be included in the shipment (before I ship to him).

 

So far I have black, red and white buttons printed for his order.

 

Thomas

 

Ok I am bringing in 5 cases to the store will have them in a week or two icon_smile.gif they will be black/silver as pictured with button choices and allen wrench tools

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