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Apple 1 Byte Shop Case & Datanetics Replica

colerise

Member
Joined
May 27, 2023
Messages
21
Location
Asheville, NC
Just finished a labor of love - 4 months of woodwork, soldering, and testing to get a hyperaccurate Byte Shop case, Datanetics keyboard, and Sanyo monitor.

Highly recommend the process for anyone interested in the Apple 1!

A few replication tips:
- Found accurate Byte Shop case measurements on the Science Museum of London’s website. I’d be happy to share the Fusion360 file for those interested.
- I used Sapele wood, which has a similar color and grain of the original and extraordinarily expensive Koa, with a Tung Oil finish.
- Bending the 1/4” Sapele ply for the keyboard face required a dado blade to make a wider-than-you’d-think kerf to get a nice round bend without it cracking. Incredibly, the original cases bent with the grain, which is why some have cracks today. A little hot steam goes a long way, and tons of wood glue to support the bend after it’s dry.
- The keyboard PCB is Mike Willegal’s amazing work. Highly recommend Corey Cohen’s updated build guide.
- The keyboard encoder is the incredible brainchild of Joe from Joe’s Computer Museum. Thanks Joe for the help in getting it going!
- The grey key caps were sourced from a period accurate Datanetics keyboard used at Bell Labs.
- Found a broken Sanyo on ebay and had to recap it, repaint the front bezel, and remake the aluminum label panel. I have extra panels for sale on eBay if anyone needs one.
- Highly recommend P-Lab’s wifi board. I was able to get ChatGPT running through a simple telnet service, which continues to be a trip. You’ll need Claudio’s riser board to fit the case.
- When in doubt, Uncle Bernie’s reliability mods are key! They’ve saved the day multiple times.

- Cole Rise

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Great job on the build and dedication.

You are right, the UB reliability mods are nice, my Apple-1 replica has worked since first power-up with them. I also love the P-LAB cards :)
 
That looks fantastic, hope you consider doing a Kickstarter project.
 
Nice work !!! I did a little wood work myself, when I built to large 6' wide NES controllers. I would love to see all of the vintage computer that you have. Just call me a vintage computer nut !!!

Jeff Nay
 
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