Mac Mini Cube http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html Having happily found that my new Airport Extreme had the same footprint as the Mac Mini and its accessory HDD case, I naturally wanted to enclose it in an old Macintosh Cube acrylic shell I happened to have lying around... Click the “Start Slideshow” above for the best views. A sad stack of electronics http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#0 000706f7-35de-4714-b358-8c5e589e355b http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4086.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4086.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">A sad stack of electronics</p></div></div> One lonely cube enclosure http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#1 003c40fe-4ed4-4846-b08a-2be54c643b10 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4087.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4087.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">One lonely cube enclosure</p></div></div> The cube is measured and marked for access. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#2 016f3fdb-88e1-4440-96f4-4fc6c1ce79d4 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4088.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4088.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1">The cube is measured and marked for access.</p></div></div> Pilot and test holes showed that the acrylic would melt and crack if poorly handled. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#3 366c810f-cece-4218-b32f-980e789b68c1 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4090.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4090.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Pilot and test holes showed that the acrylic would melt and crack if poorly handled.</p></div></div> Testing proved that the best method was a slow saber saw. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#4 a8a93a8d-cb03-4ee6-8d01-72f05c2b825c http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4094.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4094.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Testing proved that the best method was a slow saber saw.</p></div></div> When I say slow, I mean really slow. I cut about one quarter inch at a time, with a real slow blade speed. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#5 bd94a2f6-1687-4387-9eae-b75b9f350515 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4095.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4095.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1">When I say slow, I mean really slow. I cut about one quarter inch at a time, with a real slow blade speed.</p></div></div> This took about two hours. If I cut too fast, the acrylic melted. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#6 73787b1c-1de3-4831-8ef7-ea3b04e917d2 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4096.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4096.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">This took about two hours. If I cut too fast, the acrylic melted.</p></div></div> About 4 hours later. As the blade got hot, I’d walk away for a bit to let it cool. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#7 1c79608b-74a8-46e9-ab31-6f0fc86d88f4 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4097.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4097.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">About 4 hours later. As the blade got hot, I&#x2019;d walk away for a bit to let it cool.</p></div></div> Almost home. Oh, yeah, two days later. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#8 192fe7da-b259-4a17-b199-7d240247f28b http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4098.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4098.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1">Almost home. Oh, yeah, two days later.</p></div></div> Cut, but not yet cleaned. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#9 e9aef5a6-5446-44b7-9a86-68110beeab26 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4099.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4099.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Cut, but not yet cleaned.</p></div></div> I cut a plastic bathroom towel rod to use as a support. It just wedged in. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#10 dffec86c-fe58-49c0-a275-8d0028a4f1af http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4116.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4116.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">I cut a plastic bathroom towel rod to use as a support. It just wedged in.</p></div></div> Plastic towel supports in place. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#11 4fd91755-6f9d-4eb1-b2f8-120c82f08406 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4118.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4118.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1">Plastic towel supports in place.</p></div></div> There, all nice and happy! http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#12 5b51eae5-c17c-43fc-96de-9c14426c84c6 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4119.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4119.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">There, all nice and happy!</p></div></div> WIreless keyboard. I have an external Lightscribe DVD burner that I use, since I didn’t cut a CD access slot. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#13 64e7165e-89a4-460e-bac6-aa3de6bcab0d http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4121.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4121.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">WIreless keyboard. I have an external Lightscribe DVD burner that I use, since I didn&#x2019;t cut a CD access slot.</p></div></div> View of the messy side. http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#14 1fec1c6b-40c3-46c4-b948-b1c8c9d3efca http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4122.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4122.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1">View of the messy side.</p></div></div> Of course, if you don’t like the other keyboard... http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#15 6d31103c-7f75-4450-a336-bd5ccaaaa0ab http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4123.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4123.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Of course, if you don&#x2019;t like the other keyboard...</p></div></div> And since the case is transparent, we can also do this... http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project.html#16 93341644-3a86-4ad3-887c-ba62a3602e07 http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4133.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/richwillis/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube/Rich_Willis_Mac_Mini_Cube_Project_files/Media/DSCN4133.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">And since the case is transparent, we can also do this...</p></div></div>