Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on October 02, 2013, 12:51:52 AM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on October 02, 2013, 12:51:52 AM
Hello NeXT Community: Integrating an Ultimate NeXT Cube setup Turbo Cube with 3 Dimension boards and 4 flat panels 9gb drive internal CD rom custom monitor cables and I'll see if it'll run Daydream.
It has taken about 40 hours to get the case to this point polishing the Magnesium! We had done this about 10 years ago and what happens over time is the case tarnishes so we are finally getting to the point of removing the tarnish starting to look good. For NeXT purests we completely restore Cubes to factory fresh by stripping thme to metal and restoring them to glory using NeXT's original paint formula as well!
I'll post more photos as I make progress!
Polished Case:
Repainted:
It has taken about 40 hours to get the case to this point polishing the Magnesium! We had done this about 10 years ago and what happens over time is the case tarnishes so we are finally getting to the point of removing the tarnish starting to look good. For NeXT purests we completely restore Cubes to factory fresh by stripping thme to metal and restoring them to glory using NeXT's original paint formula as well!
I'll post more photos as I make progress!
Polished Case:
Repainted:
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: barcher174 on October 02, 2013, 09:02:44 PM
Post by: barcher174 on October 02, 2013, 09:02:44 PM
That looks really cool. How much do you charge to have a cube repainted?
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on October 03, 2013, 01:38:44 AM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on October 03, 2013, 01:38:44 AM
Hello Brian: $160 to repaint and shipping . Best regards Rob Blessin
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: oneNeXT on October 06, 2013, 11:19:30 AM
Post by: oneNeXT on October 06, 2013, 11:19:30 AM
Including Europe ?
Can you also repair broken Cube ?
Can you also repair broken Cube ?
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on October 10, 2013, 04:01:52 AM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on October 10, 2013, 04:01:52 AM
Quote from: "oneNeXT"Including Europe ?
Can you also repair broken Cube ?
Yes we work with customers in Europe all the time.
When you say broken cube , what are the symptoms?
Best regards Rob Blessin
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: oneNeXT on November 01, 2013, 04:21:58 PM
Post by: oneNeXT on November 01, 2013, 04:21:58 PM
At the back of the case, the top left corner is splitten.
Welding it may be enough, but I'm not sure.
Photo may be also more explicit...
Welding it may be enough, but I'm not sure.
Photo may be also more explicit...
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: cubist on November 02, 2013, 12:21:04 AM
Post by: cubist on November 02, 2013, 12:21:04 AM
Quote from: "oneNeXT"At the back of the case, the top left corner is splitten.
Welding it may be enough, but I'm not sure.
Photo may be also more explicit...
Photo will certainly be interesting. Given Magnesium's tendency to ignite, welding it will be a challenge. You will have to find a welder with aerospace and TIG experience. I would love to watch that, to be honest...
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 02, 2013, 03:44:43 AM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 02, 2013, 03:44:43 AM
Quote from: "cubist"Quote from: "oneNeXT"At the back of the case, the top left corner is splitten.
Welding it may be enough, but I'm not sure.
Photo may be also more explicit...
Photo will certainly be interesting. Given Magnesium's tendency to ignite, welding it will be a challenge. You will have to find a welder with aerospace and TIG experience. I would love to watch that, to be honest...
I'm wondering if JB weld would work as a patch also strip, primer , sand and paint , it would be labor intensive
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: oneNeXT on November 16, 2013, 04:02:02 PM
Post by: oneNeXT on November 16, 2013, 04:02:02 PM
Here is how it liooks like:
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 17, 2013, 02:22:20 AM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 17, 2013, 02:22:20 AM
Hello : Wow it was crunched ! The cube case splits into 3 parts what you may be able to do is find the back piece , I had a guy awhile back the was going to send me some cube case parts that he tried to do a mod on and then gave up and stored them in a barn . I spoke with him a month ago and he said he was going to send them , they all looked really modified so if they eventually come in I'll take a look as they may not work for a nice pristine restoration but they would atleast give you a complete cube case. I offered him $200 for the case and parts of another cube case so if you had say $50 and shipping for a third of a useable case that may be the way to go.
I'm wondering if that piece is repairable does it extend into the middle section , it would no doubt take a skilled metal blacksmith to patch it together.
I have a few friends that might have some ideas he is a Ferrier = horseshoer and makes custom shoes for show horses and racehorses and a girlfriend that does Jewelry making Kim was my secretary for a few years works with precious metals and loves NeXT's , she also worked at point 5 windows here in town where they do custom highend copper frame windows , the main concern is it catching fire and finding the right formlua to make it work and hold the weld. Another thought would be an autobody shop.
Anyone on the forum have an ideas?
Best regards Rob Blessin
I'm wondering if that piece is repairable does it extend into the middle section , it would no doubt take a skilled metal blacksmith to patch it together.
I have a few friends that might have some ideas he is a Ferrier = horseshoer and makes custom shoes for show horses and racehorses and a girlfriend that does Jewelry making Kim was my secretary for a few years works with precious metals and loves NeXT's , she also worked at point 5 windows here in town where they do custom highend copper frame windows , the main concern is it catching fire and finding the right formlua to make it work and hold the weld. Another thought would be an autobody shop.
Anyone on the forum have an ideas?
Best regards Rob Blessin
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: pentium on November 17, 2013, 02:34:42 AM
Post by: pentium on November 17, 2013, 02:34:42 AM
JB Weld and careful sanding to smooth the edges? :P
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 17, 2013, 03:28:25 AM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 17, 2013, 03:28:25 AM
Quote from: "pentium"JB Weld and careful sanding to smooth the edges? :PI thought the same thing , http://www.jbweld.com/products/surface-applications/metal/ , it should work.
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: gtnicol on November 17, 2013, 08:24:02 PM
Post by: gtnicol on November 17, 2013, 08:24:02 PM
I probably have a spare case if you need one.
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 18, 2013, 07:31:48 PM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 18, 2013, 07:31:48 PM
Quote from: "Rob Blessin Black Hole"As fate would have it , I just had this little Turbo cube dimension come in and UPS had beat the heck out of the box, with lots of broken bits including at least one capacitor and one logo detached ,Quote from: "pentium"JB Weld and careful sanding to smooth the edges? :PI thought the same thing , http://www.jbweld.com/products/surface-applications/metal/ , it should work.
a shattered cd carrier and her foot literally broken inward.
I set her down on the work bench and she wobbled and makes a cry when you move her actually brought a tear to my eye damn.
I opened her up and fortunately it did not impact the motherboard or dimension , I'm going to move them to another case for a quick test boot and then send the boards in for fresh caps.
The gentleman I bought everything from ment well and took care of the equipment but in haste to send I would have gladly paid for packing materials as peanuts and bubblewrap
or atleast news paper crunched up go along way in protecting and are a must when shipping electronic especially plastic equipment .
Shanon Edwards from Deep Space had sent me an FAQ , how to pack and clean hardware long ago
I'll see if I can locate that and post here as I think it will help give some pointers.
Basically you have to pack things to pass the Samsonite test as though the equipment were going to be handled by 800 pound gorillas
during transport even my local driver Steve, who always takes care of the equipment deliveries
said this one doesn't sound good. Tipping your regular drivers at least $20 at Christmas/ holidays I've found goes along way!
So know it seems I have a candidate to try JB weld when we triage, repair and paint this little cube case and endeavor to make her good as new
I'll let you know how this process works and provide photos of our efforts.
:cry:
Best regards Rob Blessin[/img]
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: gtnicol on November 18, 2013, 07:47:59 PM
Post by: gtnicol on November 18, 2013, 07:47:59 PM
I wouldn't use JB weld... I bet if you took it to a welder, they could TIG weld it up fine.
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 18, 2013, 08:11:02 PM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on November 18, 2013, 08:11:02 PM
Quote from: "gtnicol"I wouldn't use JB weld... I bet if you took it to a welder, they could TIG weld it up fine.Good idea! I think I'll take it over to some local guys http://www.weldandfab.com/ Best Regards Rob Blessin
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: cubist on November 19, 2013, 01:28:08 AM
Post by: cubist on November 19, 2013, 01:28:08 AM
Quote from: "Rob Blessin Black Hole"
Good idea! I think I'll take it over to some local guys http://www.weldandfab.com/ Best Regards Rob Blessin
Watched a few youtube videos this weekend. Another repair field that might be able to handle this would be wheel rebuilders. They do weld magnesium and have the material experience to possibly deal with this.
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: gtnicol on November 19, 2013, 08:49:17 AM
Post by: gtnicol on November 19, 2013, 08:49:17 AM
Magnesium is a PITA to weld, but any good welder with a TIG should be able to do it in 5 minutes.
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: oneNeXT on December 04, 2013, 04:30:04 PM
Post by: oneNeXT on December 04, 2013, 04:30:04 PM
Does any know if the magnesium used has a specific name or product name that define it ?
Title: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: gtnicol on December 04, 2013, 04:38:45 PM
Post by: gtnicol on December 04, 2013, 04:38:45 PM
I don't know the exact alloy, but it's a magnesium alloy, similar to that used on many motorcycles.
Title: Fimished Turbo Cube with 3 Dimension boards
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on December 21, 2013, 07:42:26 AM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on December 21, 2013, 07:42:26 AM
Here is the Completed project on my bucket list , a Turbo Cube with 3 Dimension Boards , a Capacitor failed on one of the boards but I know it all works! Need to repair however it is very cool ... Polished Magnesium Case and 9Gb Drive , DVD , Floppy 4 flatpanel monitors
Merry Christmas ! Best regards Rob Blessin
Merry Christmas ! Best regards Rob Blessin
Title: Re: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Nitro on February 03, 2024, 03:38:00 PM
Post by: Nitro on February 03, 2024, 03:38:00 PM
Hey Rob, do you still have this cube in your collection? How has the polished surface held up over the years?
Title: Re: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on February 19, 2024, 11:43:15 PM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on February 19, 2024, 11:43:15 PM
Hello Nitro: Yes, I still have it minus the dimension boards . It tarnishes after about 6 month's but can be repolished :)
I'm not sure if near coat would prevent this someone suggested chrome but I don't know if that would look good as the polished magnesium in the true sole of the cube .
I'm tempted to buy an electroplating kit as they have them for $90 with choice of rose gold or gold . Strip down the case to magnesium might look cool in a rose gold patina as I have a couple cases in really rough shape where I would be able to experiment lol mad science.
If turns out good on the polished test panel as Cubes have 3 sections. I have a few with broken corners and bent feet from shipping drop tests and
I might consider polishing my existing case and then dipping it rose gold which may give it a really cool look magnesium front and back panel rose gold would tone it down and not look gawdy for the faceplate and middle ribbed panel and back panel , I have one that was never painted from the factory :) Yet another project. I'll Do a mach up in photoshop :)
I'm not sure if near coat would prevent this someone suggested chrome but I don't know if that would look good as the polished magnesium in the true sole of the cube .
I'm tempted to buy an electroplating kit as they have them for $90 with choice of rose gold or gold . Strip down the case to magnesium might look cool in a rose gold patina as I have a couple cases in really rough shape where I would be able to experiment lol mad science.
If turns out good on the polished test panel as Cubes have 3 sections. I have a few with broken corners and bent feet from shipping drop tests and
I might consider polishing my existing case and then dipping it rose gold which may give it a really cool look magnesium front and back panel rose gold would tone it down and not look gawdy for the faceplate and middle ribbed panel and back panel , I have one that was never painted from the factory :) Yet another project. I'll Do a mach up in photoshop :)
Title: Re: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: user341 on February 21, 2024, 03:15:59 AM
Post by: user341 on February 21, 2024, 03:15:59 AM
You could wrap it with xpel ultimate. It's used to wrap cars. It's airtight and should prevent tarnish but would still show the finish.
Title: Re: NeXT Turbo Cube with 3 Dimensionboards polished Magnesium
Post by: Nitro on April 19, 2024, 11:37:52 AM
Post by: Nitro on April 19, 2024, 11:37:52 AM
You could also hydro dip it in a range of patterns from carbon fiber to psychedelic. Just park a lava lamp next to it and you're good to go. :) Chrome seems like it might be a good alternative to polishing every 6 months, and it's available in gray and black chrome as well as PVD.