ZX80 Case dimensions.

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
Spinnetti
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:29 pm

ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by Spinnetti »

Hi Team,

So, I have most of the Sinclair computers, but not a ZX80. Given the prices, its not likely I will ever get one either. With that in mind, I want to make a replica. I ordered up some keyboards, and my buddy Don will likely whip up some pi emulators for us. I found what looks like a nice case to 3d print and it kinda looks the part, but its more like an artist rendition of the real thing, not a replica of the real thing. Comparing the printed case with photos of the real thing, its chock full of errors and isn't built to any sort of standard dimensions. As an engineer, I can do a lot better and will design from scratch and put it out there for others once I'm done. Anyway, what I need are:

1. Was the Zx80 designed in Inches or metric? From that alone I can fix up a lot of the design.
2. Are there any accurate case measurements anywhere? If you have one, could you tell me as accurately as possible the maximum width, length and height from bottom to the top of the bottom half? (and anything else you'd be willing to measure) I can probably derive most of the rest just from that.
3. I don't have any photos of the bare inside of the bottom half of the case - does anybody have a pic or dimensions of the major cutout for the board?

Thanks!

Here's my current one that's modded off thingiverse, but too many errors for me.
Attachments
case.jpg
Zeddy: ZX80, ZX81/ZXpand, TS1000/ZXpand, TS1500/Zxpand+
Speccy: 48k, +, +2, +3, TS2068, "Bare Metal" Pi, Next KS2, IF1/Microdrives/Vdrive/Light Gun/VGA-Joy
QL: Minerva/QL-VGA/Custom PSU
C5: 24v, LiFE battery, Disc brakes
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1024MAK
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Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by 1024MAK »

Spinnetti wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 5:25 pm 1. Was the Zx80 designed in Inches or metric? From that alone I can fix up a lot of the design.
Si units (as in Sinclair increments) :P
Spinnetti wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 5:25 pm 2. Are there any accurate case measurements anywhere? If you have one, could you tell me as accurately as possible the maximum width, length and height from bottom to the top of the bottom half? (and anything else you'd be willing to measure) I can probably derive most of the rest just from that.
Probably, but I don’t know where.
However here are some measurements (all in mm)
Case (base)
Width 174
Length (maximum between front and back) 218
Length (minimum between front and back, edge connector section) 205

Case (top)
Width 175
Length (maximum between front and back) 149
Length (minimum between front and back) 142

PCB
Width 155.5
Length 204
Spinnetti wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 5:25 pm 3. I don't have any photos of the bare inside of the bottom half of the case - does anybody have a pic or dimensions of the major cutout for the board?
Photos coming up…

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

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1024MAK
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Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by 1024MAK »

Keep in mind this one has had a hard life. Plus the previous owner tinkered with it. One of the non-standard extra switches selected between the original ZX80 ROM and the ZX81 ROM. I’ve no idea what the other switch was for, as nothing was wired to it when I got my hands on it.

So please fill in the broken bits, drilled bits etc. with your imagination… :P

ZX80 case pictures:
09492760-7AE3-47A3-BA26-BC7E89CB4161.jpeg
642E51F8-DE5B-46B9-8605-5B24D4B7FEDE.jpeg
336AEDC8-653F-4F51-856E-F04FB851C83C.jpeg
Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Spinnetti
Posts: 253
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:29 pm

Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by Spinnetti »

Thanks a bunch, that helps!

Thanks!
Zeddy: ZX80, ZX81/ZXpand, TS1000/ZXpand, TS1500/Zxpand+
Speccy: 48k, +, +2, +3, TS2068, "Bare Metal" Pi, Next KS2, IF1/Microdrives/Vdrive/Light Gun/VGA-Joy
QL: Minerva/QL-VGA/Custom PSU
C5: 24v, LiFE battery, Disc brakes
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1024MAK
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Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by 1024MAK »

Heights:

Front of bottom section: about 6
Rear of bottom section: 11

Top, flat section: 10.5
Top, raised section: 25

Any more?

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
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Spinnetti
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Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by Spinnetti »

Thanks Mark - if you are feeling generous, the width and length of the slots on the bottom of the case, and the position of the 3 indents where the board is attached - I can infer then, but actual measurements from some edge would be great!
Zeddy: ZX80, ZX81/ZXpand, TS1000/ZXpand, TS1500/Zxpand+
Speccy: 48k, +, +2, +3, TS2068, "Bare Metal" Pi, Next KS2, IF1/Microdrives/Vdrive/Light Gun/VGA-Joy
QL: Minerva/QL-VGA/Custom PSU
C5: 24v, LiFE battery, Disc brakes
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1024MAK
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Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by 1024MAK »

Mounting hole centres, all measured from the left hand outer edge of the case:
The two left hand ones: 55
The right hand one:145

From the front edge to the hole centres: 113, 172, 175

Note that there is a slight variation, as I’ve measured the holes. But the holes are not in the centre of the raised section.

The keyboard supports (I presume this is what you mean by slots), all measured at the top of the raised section inside the case. As the sides are slopped, the dimensions on the underside are different.
The long one running left to right, 20 from left hand outer edge of the case.
Length 133
21 mm from right hand outer edge of the case.
From front of case to the raised edge towards the rear of the case: 75

The length of the five shorter ones (including the width of the long one): 51
Distance between the left hand outer edge of the case and the left hand edge of the nearest one: 33
Distance between them 21 to 22 approximately (top edge to top edge across the ‘valley’.

The width of them: 4.5mm approximately

On the underside: width is about 8, but the rounded edges mean getting an accurate measurement is tricky.

Raised sections for the PCB mountings, diameter (again difficult to get right due to the curved edges), about 15

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Spinnetti
Posts: 253
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:29 pm

Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by Spinnetti »

Perfect, thanks... combined with the photos and lots of experience at this sort of thing I should be able to do it, thanks!
Zeddy: ZX80, ZX81/ZXpand, TS1000/ZXpand, TS1500/Zxpand+
Speccy: 48k, +, +2, +3, TS2068, "Bare Metal" Pi, Next KS2, IF1/Microdrives/Vdrive/Light Gun/VGA-Joy
QL: Minerva/QL-VGA/Custom PSU
C5: 24v, LiFE battery, Disc brakes
Spinnetti
Posts: 253
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:29 pm

Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by Spinnetti »

Here's what its looking like currently. Keyboard from Munich Germany - impressive work with real key switches which is much better than the original.
ZX80.jpg
Zeddy: ZX80, ZX81/ZXpand, TS1000/ZXpand, TS1500/Zxpand+
Speccy: 48k, +, +2, +3, TS2068, "Bare Metal" Pi, Next KS2, IF1/Microdrives/Vdrive/Light Gun/VGA-Joy
QL: Minerva/QL-VGA/Custom PSU
C5: 24v, LiFE battery, Disc brakes
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5101
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: ZX80 Case dimensions.

Post by 1024MAK »

Looking good 8-)

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
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