Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Been following this thread.I dont have a N900, but I do support this kind of community ideas. If you include a donation button, I will surely give some. And who knows, maybe the N9 could get the same treatment? :)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I was thinking about drFrost's 2.5mm charger solution that charges the battery directly, so no need for micro-soldering, just two loose contacts to connect to dual battery mod.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Might I suggest rather than an acid dip, actually anodizing the aluminum? This would give it a very tough finish that would really add to the look (and prevent oxidation to boot). As a nice side-effect, you can provide a range of colors (based on what your local anodizer shop can do).
Gloss black would be nice, but so would an intense, brilliant blue. :D

As to the texturing, I'm guessing that by sanding, you're going for the "brushed aluminum" or "spun aluminum) texture. Another possibility for a nice grippy texture is a quick hit with a course sandblaster.

Also, for something like this that it sounds like you're going to be milling very thin (to keep it light), I'd suggest using "aircraft" aluminum - 7075-T6. IIRC, it's roughly double the tensile-strength of "marine" aluminum (6063-T6).

I miss working in a machine-shop... it's been over 2 decades. :(

I, too, am very interested in your homebuilt mill. :) I hope you took lots of pictures and video of the build process!

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I too would be very interested in 3 standard size covers.
Like to see some ideas on how they will look first.

Case for a Pi sounds good too, when I get my hands on one!

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

for the 4 "micro-legs", would it be possible to use rubber that would be glued in 4 "holes" or something?
the current plastic (back) cover is not too scratchy on other surfaces, but an aluminium one could benefit from four rubber legs giving it more grip on slippery surfaces...

(pity Estel still has me on ignore :rolleyes:
also odd that he should not like UK_Bill; after all, they both are hardware guys :D)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Hm, I see. Generally, it's very specific feature, only needed for few people, but on the other hand, modder in me understand You very well... Probably, it's going to end up being offered as custom option. It's much less hassle to find place for such port in design, which I cannot say about full-size USB port ;) Of course it adds some work and additional part etc, but not too much - I think that additional 5$ for this special feature is ok, if - during tests - I"ll confirm that there is actually enough place for another hole and construction is still solid :)

Here another thing comes to my mind - people interested in "flat", i.e. single battery version - You all realize that there is no place for tripod mounting point, so only improved kickstand and camera lens cover can get up into flat design?

Thanks a lot for You very constructive advices! Will surely keep them in mind. As for acid dip vs anodizing, yea, I though about that. + for acid dip is that I can do it it home, no matter how it sounds ;) for anodizing, I would need to use anodizer shop as You suggested, which would, probably increase price tag (most of them require to pay quite a high price for anodizing small things, at least where I live :/ ). I'll check possibilities after milling first prototype, and report back. BTW, IIRC, acid dip also gives it protective cover - of course, much less resistant than anodizer, but still much better than plastic thing we have already, or bare aluminum ;)

/Estel

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

It's like the n900 is going to be reborn again after Nokia ditched us it gets new software from cssu and gets external treatment now wow long live the Nokia n900 so proud I own one.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Considering the depth due to the camera lens and the fact that the rear camera is seldom used when charging, what about using this recess to "fit in" 4 contacts - one on each side of the cube ?

It should be more resistant that the little 2.5mm barrel connector and ease the constuction of cradles or other charging options that could use that to firmly hold the n900 in place.

The 4 contacts could also be used in 2 different configuration : either for charging (2 contacts) or for USB (all + ground)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Crazy, but interesting idea. I'll think about that (read: Will check how much possible is to design it for CNC hassle-free). Don't get high hopes though, as putting any custom, isolated contacts/paths in already conductive (aluminum) cover isn't going to be hassle-free, probably. It's much easier to put pre-sold, standard 2.5 plug, than design&make contact boundled inside "camera hole" (if we're talking about the same thing - hole, that sits in 2-battery variant of backcover, due to camera being deeper than cover surface).

Still, I'll check possibilities.

/Estel

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Since we are talking about big cover with space for two batteries I assume that all buyers will get their hands dirty with soldering iron to create dual battery so soldering 2 more cables would be trivial. Thus I don't think it's so specific a feature.

Sorry for pushing it shamelessly (I do know how it is to try to make something and have everybody pushing his idea of awesomeness) but seeing that usb failure is the No1 cause of death and warranties finish by the day now, I think it's a must to try to keep the remaining N900's alive and kicking.

Edit: even simpler would be to just create a placeholder in the inside for a 2.5mm jack from e.g. the N8 (specific part, easy to find and with known size) and create a small internal recess where the hole should be so that dremelling the hole will be easy.