Is there a source for empty TI shells?

[cbmeeks]

I hate sacrificing a legacy TI cartridge. I just bought TWO copies of a "boring" educational game. For one, I'm going to sacrifice the shell for my new FG99. The other will go into my collection untouched.

 

What would be nice is to find some empty, newly produced cartridge shells for this sort of thing. Not to mention a way to build my own carts from the software I write.

 

And before people start with the 3D printing....sorry....I'm just not a fan. 3D printing is amazing and has its place in the world, I just don't like it for things like cartridge shells, etc.

 

I've recently been tinkering with the idea of doing my own injection molding. Might be fun to take a cart and make a silicon mold from it.

 

But, obviously, if this has already been done, I'd rather buy some blanks.

 

So, anyone know of a source for empty carts?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[+save2600]

 

 

 

[+Gemintronic]

It looks like there have been attempts to make a 3D print.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/216844-3d-printed-objectscases-carts-for-the-ti/

 

Once I get my new 3D printer I think I'll see if the last .stl file posted actually works.

[cbmeeks]

 

 

3B2CA284-ED82-4B68-A109-3585D6F2A220.jpeg C991AC25-283E-4EBB-8D67-BDF5E3481CE3.jpeg

 

 

 

So...are these blank cases or something? I think I'm missing something here.

 

 

 

It looks like there have been attempts to make a 3D print.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/216844-3d-printed-objectscases-carts-for-the-ti/

 

Once I get my new 3D printer I think I'll see if the last .stl file posted actually works.

 

 

Well, I didn't really want 3D printed. I've never seen anything that was 3D printed that didn't look and feel 3D printed. Like I said, 3D printing is a wonderful thing but it's not for me when it comes to cartridge shells.

[+save2600]

 

So...are these blank cases or something? I think I'm missing something here.

 

 

Nah, just an inside joke. Game is a waste of space in many of our opinions is all. May as well use 'em as empty cartridge shells!

 

...and totally agree about 3D printing. Has its place for sure; preferably out of sight and out of touch. Hope the technology or process improves as time goes on. Can do without the funky patterned texture if I'm being honest.

[+Gemintronic]

 

 

So...are these blank cases or something? I think I'm missing something here.

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I didn't really want 3D printed. I've never seen anything that was 3D printed that didn't look and feel 3D printed. Like I said, 3D printing is a wonderful thing but it's not for me when it comes to cartridge shells.

 

Ah, sorry about that. Didn't read well enough. You might have to explore silicone molds.

https://www.wired.com/2012/12/diy-mold-making/

[cbmeeks]

 

Nah, just an inside joke. Game is a waste of space in many of our opinions is all. May as well use 'em as empty cartridge shells!

 

 

 

 

Danggit. I wished you hadn't told me that. Now I have to buy that game. I have sort of a weird addiction to collecting things that are crap. LMAO. Which explains why I have many of the games AVGN reviews.

[ti99iuc]

a my friend gave me some trials done with silicon molds but is not so easy to have a really working good final case for cartridges... it's an hard work.

anyway the final result was good and quality better of the 3D printed ones that i do not like too.

 

i also know that Ksarul is working on a solution with the original TI molds that he has.

[Opry99er]

Zero Zap..... The cartridge is more valuable once you remove the board and the label, then disinfect with peroxide and isopropyl alcohol.

 

It also helps to have a shaman smudge the cartridge shell with sage and sweetgrass once the offending components are removed and discarded.

[cbmeeks]

i also know that Ksarul is working on a solution with the original TI molds that he has.

 

Oh? Tell me more! So he owns the original molds? Is he making a batch of shells?

 

 

 

 

Zero Zap..... The cartridge is more valuable once you remove the board and the label, then disinfect with peroxide and isopropyl alcohol.

 

It also helps to have a shaman smudge the cartridge shell with sage and sweetgrass once the offending components are removed and discarded.

 

Oh come on! It can't be that bad. LOL You're only making me want to play it more now.

 

I just looked on eBay and they are actually quite pricey for a TI game.

[Omega-TI]

If any TI'ers here have or get a 3D printer, they should check out the first heading/category << IN THIS LINK >>.

There a already few TI related projects in the public domain. Who knows, YOU might even be able to add to the selection.

 

 

[Opry99er]

I might have a spare copy lying around... I used to use them to level out table legs.

 

I once had 3 of them in my bathroom as a replacement for the Demolition Man seashells.

[+save2600]

 

Oh come on! It can't be that bad. LOL You're only making me want to play it more now.

 

 

Thing is, you don't actually play Zero Zap - it plays you!

 

Seriously, the only interactivity you have with the game is launching the "ball" arrow and watch it do its thing. As much fun as watching paint dry! At least when painting, you need to employ some skill and finesse. Zero Zap gives no such pleasure or gratification. About the only thing they got right, was the zero in the title 'Zero Zap'. Zero Fun is more like it.

 

[+arcadeshopper]

I hate sacrificing a legacy TI cartridge. I just bought TWO copies of a "boring" educational game. For one, I'm going to sacrifice the shell for my new FG99. The other will go into my collection untouched.

 

What would be nice is to find some empty, newly produced cartridge shells for this sort of thing. Not to mention a way to build my own carts from the software I write.

 

And before people start with the 3D printing....sorry....I'm just not a fan. 3D printing is amazing and has its place in the world, I just don't like it for things like cartridge shells, etc.

 

I've recently been tinkering with the idea of doing my own injection molding. Might be fun to take a cart and make a silicon mold from it.

 

But, obviously, if this has already been done, I'd rather buy some blanks.

 

So, anyone know of a source for empty carts?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

I have empty shells.. $3ea

[+OLD CS1]

 

 

3B2CA284-ED82-4B68-A109-3585D6F2A220.jpeg C991AC25-283E-4EBB-8D67-BDF5E3481CE3.jpeg

 

 

You dirty...

[cbmeeks]

 

I have empty shells.. $3ea

 

 

Ah cool! I'm planning on ordering a TIPI or a NanoPEB from you sometime soon. When I do, I'll get some shells in there too.

 

Thanks!

[+arcadeshopper]

 

 

Ah cool! I'm planning on ordering a TIPI or a NanoPEB from you sometime soon. When I do, I'll get some shells in there too.

 

Thanks!

 

I have both in stock right now..

[cbmeeks]

 

I have both in stock right now..

 

 

I still haven't told the wife about my recent FG99 purchase. Or the TI-99/4A assembly language book. Or the two TI carts. Or the 25.175 MHz crystal oscillators (for a VGA/FPGA project). So I'm probably already in hot water with my purchases.

 

But it will be soon. Just need to decide which I want more.

[Opry99er]

Greg is to Zero Zap cartridges what Atilla the Hun was to the Balkans...

 

The empty shells you get from Arcadeshopper have the blood of Roman bishops on them.

 

Do you think it a coincidence that one of Attila's greatest conquests was the sacking of Arcadiopolis?

[+arcadeshopper]

Early reading fun not zero zap

 

 

 

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[+Ksarul]

My molds are also silicone molds--not suitable for injection molding. I make a case or two once in a while, but it is truly a matter of having the necessary time and the right degree of finesse when mixing the plastic and pressurizing the cavity with the molds in it.