"Making" a cheap case for my ACA500+ (without accelerator card):
Introduction:
There are a couple of cases for ACA500 cards that has been for sale:
Ugly, not cheap, plastic, semi-transparent (price ~25 euros + shipping)
http://amigastore.eu/en/231-catcase-for-aca-500.html
Expensive, nice acrylic transparent case (price ~40 euros + shipping)
https://www.amiga-shop.net/Amiga-Hardware/Amiga-Cases/Plexiglas-case-for-ACA500::653.html?language=en
Both are out of stock so you can't get them even if you are willing to spend that much money .
Finding an alternative:
I
decided to browse through the web for cheap acrylic cases, many lab-
and model-shops have acrylic boxes that could probably be modded
for this purpose but their prices and postage fees are too expensive
(to Europe) so I started to look at aliexpress.com instead.
I found this acrylic box that matched ACA500 measures:
TFT Digital Oscilloscope Acrylic Case DIY Kit SMD Soldered ~5 euros + 2,9 euros postage.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1PCS-NEW-DSO138-2-4-TFT-Digital-Oscilloscope-Acrylic-Case-DIY-Kit-SMD-Soldered/32786280554.html
After 2-3 week they arrive (I ordered two cases).
Bulding the case:
The package.
After peeling off protection paper from the parts, I setup the case using four included pieces.
Top, bottom, one short side one long side.
Here is the case on top of the card, some cutting is needed.
Back longside cut
Bottom markings for Aca500 feet
After
failing to mark them correctly I had to drill some double holes to
match the feet, not very beautiful but now it fits (with correct
measuring your can drill one clean nice 6mm hole).
So
I put everything together with just two screws (included) on left side
and and notice I can't put the card in the expansions slot of my
Amiga because the top plate edge is too close to the Amiga.
So I draw a nice line to cut.
But saw to fast, and this is the result, oh well I have another package if I want to make a better version.
Screw that, it's nice enough and provides protection. Total price about 6,5 euros (if I split postage between the two cases)
Lots of parts left over from the package, maybe I find some use for these aswell....