Disk drive conversion question

[JohnBuell]

I know there have been aftermarket conversion kits for 3 1/2" drives for use with the 8-bits for quite a long time. In theory, you can replace or add an off the shelf 3.5" drive to certain units, like the XF551 and have a 3.5 or dual 3.5/5.25 drive setup. But what I'm wondering is has anyone taken drives like the old ST external drives and converted those for use with an 8bit? Is this remotely possible?

[charliecron]

Well they are standard PC drives I think. You could use a standard Atari ST floppy drive on an Atari PC-1 anyway..

 

So I would think if you were willing to come up with a cable you could use an Atari ST floppy drive with an ATR-8000.

[Fox-1 / mnx]

Well they are standard PC drives I think.

 

Yes they are.

 

I have an XF551 with a 3,5" 720KB drive, ripped from an Atari STF and another XF551 with an aftermarket 5,25" 720KB drive intended for ST usage.

[Rybags]

In theory the drive mechanism could probably be swapped into the XF551.

 

The entire drive itself - no, the ST has all the drive controller stuff inside the computer, the work that the CPU and controller would normally do can't be done by the 8-bit computer.

 

ST drive by external interface? I don't know, don't have one.