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Macintosh SE iPod Stereo

last photo ←

Another retro mod from me, there seems to be a theme here.. Anyway, this one I did last summer but never did get the pics out to the internet. What I've done is gutted a broken Macintosh SE, which I thought would make a pretty cool i Pod stereo (and it's got a handle too!). The biggest challenge I faced here was recreating the shape of the old CRT picture tube for a speaker grille. My solution was to make a plaster mold, then fiberglass that mold. Once I had the shaped fiberglass it was just a matter of drilling MANY holes to let the sound through, while trying to keep it strong. I then wrapped the fiberglass in speaker cloth. Next I had to cut out and mount the i Pod dock, and give the case a snazzy two-tone paint job. Hope you enjoy making your own!

19 comments

Jan 13, 2011. 12:00 AM

akoutdoors says:

when i saw the pick on the search of apple stuff, it was like i saw the most overkill dock ive ever seen. as i read the 'ible i found i was right but none the less one of the most innovative uses for what we call, "the big white target at the end of the shooting range*/ great job

Jun 16, 2009. 2:39 PMdaiatlus79 says:

would be cool if you had a dock with video out.. then integrated a tv in there.. then you could dock the iPod on top.. then you could watch vids off the ipod!

Jul 4, 2009. 3:20 PMnadav says:

you could prob. just replace the CRT with a disassembled portable dvd player...

Jul 5, 2009. 11:23 AMdaiatlus79 says:

true, and they do have an A/V input that wont switch over til it detects a signal.. so it could still be used for dvd playback as well. i used an old one i had a few years ago to play my gamecube lol. small screen but worked like a charm. may have to get a bigger screen to fit the Apple II case. they are comparable to 11" screen.

Jul 5, 2009. 12:18 PMnadav says:

yup

Jun 16, 2009. 3:27 PM

jeff-o says:

That would be really cool...

Jun 16, 2009. 8:42 AMalpinedelta (author) says:

Yeah, that peaks my interest. What will you be cramming into yours? I had an idea you could try, a floppy disk remote. Using a slim remote with membrane buttons, you should be able to cram it into a 3 1/2" floppy casing. And be sure to discharge that CRT, that is a world of hurt waiting heh.

Jun 20, 2009. 2:13 AM

gmjhowe says:

Yeah, User NachoMahma, used to work as a technician on these Macs when they were current. So he has been helping me along, I am currently awating a really long t15 torx screwdriver to get into mine. I like the idea of the floppy disk remote. I was thinking of having a media card reader in the slot - I could fit an apple remote into the slot if i so wished, maybe some sort of ejection method? (ps - When replying to a specific comment, be sure to use the reply button in the bottom right hand side of that persons comment.)

Jun 16, 2009. 4:45 AM

gmjhowe says:

You have enough pictures here to actually make this into a full sized Instructable! If you were planning to enter the Art of Sound Contest it would be worth the extra time.

Im currently planning my own Vintage Macintosh 512k Mod, Except I intend to fit alot more into mine. Got any pointers?

Jun 19, 2009. 8:07 PM

ReCreate says:

Here's one 0x00000005

141

Jun 16, 2009. 1:46 PM

canida says:

Second the request for a full Instructable! This is sweet, and would fit right into the Art of Sound contest.

Jun 19, 2009. 11:14 AMdreath77 says:

so its basically a speaker in a tv shell? nice

Jun 19, 2009. 4:11 PMGamernotnerd says:

Macintosh SE, not a TV. Learn to read.

Jun 19, 2009. 7:46 PMdreath77 says:

i can read, but it looks like a tv, cant ruin creativity

Jun 18, 2009. 8:55 AMSowee says:

You should replace the screen with a LCD and use the video out of your ipod.

Jun 17, 2009. 1:28 AMrichms says:

Anyone know of a tv that would drop in where the current tube is?

Jun 17, 2009. 1:26 AMomnibot says:

Nice one! I've had any number of these and the classic and the mac plus and made some into other computers and such. It never gets old, the chassis is just made for it.

Jun 16, 2009. 7:23 PMalpinedelta (author) says:

If it's any consolation, i do have and maintain a mint Macintosh 512. It will never be harmed ;)