Primered Frame Next to Original
The primered frame is shown next to the original for comparison.
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Painted Frame Next to Original
The frame has been painted with a textured spraypaint that gives it a hammered metal look to match the original.
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Original Cover Next to Replica
The original cover on the left was replicated using standard acrylic. The bending was done by the plastics shop where the acrylic was purchased. A groove was routed into the underside of the top piece for the main body to fit into.
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Covers and Completed Frame
The frame is now complete, with the side panels having been constructed from particle board and sheet metal to create the base, painted with the hammered texture spray paint. Aluminum angle bar was epoxied on to the edge of the side panels, which act as a guide where the side covers rest.
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Assembled Shell
The side covers, base side panels, and front panel backboard with front panel switches and front panel switch escutcheon have been assembled to test the fit of all the pieces.
The wood-grain side panels were constructed with particle board faced with adhesive drawer lining and aluminum strips bent to form around the board.
The switches are from a spare PDP-8e front panel, but the white switches were painted from their original dark orange to match the original PDP-8 color arrangement.
The next step is to build-up the Flip-Chip module mock-ups, fit the front panel artwork, and add in keylocks to the switch escutcheon.
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Flip-Chip Module Mock-up
One of the most time consuming aspects was building something to resemble rows of Flip-Chip modules. The original idea was to take photos of all angles of the Flip-Chip arrays from the original, blow the photo up to proportion, then wrap this photo around a box frame mounted to the side panel. The tinted acrylic of the side cover would then complete the illusion.
A more complex approach was chosen, whereby individual cards were cut from plastic sheets and then assembled together with a moulding that nearly matched the conture of the Flip-Chip pull handle.
The exposed cards on the outside ends were overlayed with color photocopies of actual Flip-Chip modules to effect the appearance of rows of modules.
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Inside View of Flip-Chip Mock-Up
This angle shows that the inside Flip-Chips are really a facade. Smaller pieces were used to conserve material. PVC pipe sections (painted black to mask their appearance) were glued between the cards and the base board for added support.
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Complete Flip-Chip Module Array
The color photocopies of the actual Flip-Chip modules are clipped and pasted to the outside facing cards, creating a very effective appearance of actual Flip-Chip modules.
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Core Memory Driver Boards
The "Core Memory Driver" boards are embellished with red-painted wooden pegs, glued over the color photocopy of the actual boards, to simulate the capactiors on the same and to give them actual depth, which is needed to enhance the realism since the boards are viewed straight on.
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Completed Replica (Uncovered)
The completed replica, with front panel artwork affixed, shown uncovered.
The front panel art was scanned from the original at 600dpi, then printed using a color printer and pasted to foam-core.
Holes were drilled into the switch escutcheon and cabinet locks were affixed to complete the front panel.
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Replica Next to Original
The replica is shown next to the original for comparison. Can you tell which is which? :)
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Angle View: Replica vs. Original
An angle view of the replica next to the original to show the detail of the Flip-Chip module simulation.
(Note: this is a photo from an earlier phase of construction with the front panel switch escutcheon not yet affixed.)
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Completed Replica (Front View)
A front view of the completed replica...
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Completed Replica (Angle View)
...and an angle view.
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