Project Pi ZX 3.14 Part #4 - The Build

Welcome to the NEW ZX 3.14

You don't need me to explain the name do you...?

So I'm back again with Project Pi #4 and I have finalized the name ZX 3.14 (Pi...right) Phew!

If you haven't seen my previous posts here are the links to get you up to speed...where have you been...sigh lol!

Project PI #1 Introduction.

Project PI #2 Choosing the case.

Project PI #3 Introducing the new Spectrum.

My last post showed you all the bits ready to go into the Spectrum case but weren't fitted yet. So I will now go through with you how Ive managed to fit everything into this case and I must admit when I had everything in front of me I started to have some doubts whether I could get everything to fit...eeep!
So lets get started.......

Click after the jump for my full post

Finishing up the keyboard.
Well the Bluetooth keyboard is fixed into place as the lid; but of course the underside has to allow enough room when closed for everything else. Infact it just needs to close as it would as a Spectrum.

I realized that it would be best to set the 2.8" screen at the back on the left at an angle so it can be viewed easily with the keyboard off.

Ive had a few comments from some of you (Thank you I love your input too) wondering why I'm putting the screen inside the case; well the first thing is its different, I wanted everything to be a contained unit. Secondly its not been done...I hope. 

I will still be attaching HDMI, but its nice to have the options, making it portable. So the idea is to have the screen sitting at a viewable angle so its still comfortable to use within the case without having to keep taking it in and out.

Ive blurred the edges of this image as its now all fitted in and I don't want to give it ll away yet lol!

 But because of this idea I hit my first problem in that it would not leave enough room for the keyboard above it to close.

 It was just millimeters but they counted...so....drastic action would be needed...calling in my other half...Dremel man; time to cut the outer corner and remove the battery cover, (for insulation it will be taped.)

Yay now it fits without touching the screen.

 Easy custom, added a raspberry Pi sticker over the windows key; quite ironic lol!

There are not many actual Raspberry Pi diagrams out there so here you go there is now. Because I wanted the Pi to be in the center with ancillaries either side it dictated where the connectors were going to be positioned.

3D render of the Raspberry Pi 2 Plan with wiring.

It wasn't until I produced my 3D render of ZX+Pi that I realized I would have to be careful where everything would fit or I would run out of space. It helped my understanding that try as I might if the screen was going to be built in, it would be better placed at the back and there was no way I could get the HDMI cable to wiggle its way over the pi under the screen and exit out the back like I had originally planned, so a new idea was formed with a 90 deg HDMI connector, if even such a thing existed.

It was also thanks to my render that it came to me if a power pack was going to join the party I would have a problem inserting/removing the bootup card from the Pi, a hole would have to be cut underneath the power pack.

After hunting around my graveyard of gadgets I came across an old hand control from my Nintendo that was gathering dust, so in I went and after some minor surgery came out with a amplifier and two speakers.

Getting the amplifier in place my fixit bonding putty came to the rescue once again.

Then it was finally onto fitting the Pi an exciting but also nervous moment; four 3mm holes and some tiny bolts/spacers/nuts later and the Pi had a home he could be proud of.

With the Pi fitted I could see exactly where the breakout board would go, this was dictated to by the length of the ribbon cable, again 4 bolts etc and it wasn't moving. Plus my nails make THE best spanner.

 It was also secured using the original pezo electric speaker hole in the case with a washer; saving another Dremel hole.

My plan is that like a PC I would keep the main operating system, separate from a storage medium, the best choice for that would be a small USB thumb-drive, 

I had nothing that was small enough in my USB drive collection so I ordered a 16GB Sandisk Mini drive at the bottom of the picture, you can see the size comparison and I wouldn't be needing the cover cap, so yup its tiny.

16GB Sandisk mini drive and a USB 2.0 female-to-micro USB female adapter.

I chose a 16GB Sandisk that was USB 2 and USB 3 compatible for easy transfer between zx+pi and my PC, that was the easy part but trying to find a compact micro female to female usb adapter was another thing, don't they know people haven't got the room in there project cases.

"SHE CANA TAKE ANY MORE CAP'N"

As with any good storyline I want to leave you on the edge of your seat.

#5 coming soon re; finding and installing power-pack, wiring breakout board and more.

Incase you missed the first 3 posts you can catch up below

Project PI #1 Introduction.

Project PI #2 Choosing the case.

Project PI #3 Introducing the new ZX 3.14.

 Project PI #4 The Build

Project PI #5 Finished Build

Project PI #3 - Introducing the NEW PI Spectrum ZX 3.14

Introducing the Spectrum ZX 3.14 (ZX+Pi)

This is how Clive Sinclair should have designed the ZX Spectrum of the future.

After a bit of grovelling and offering to do some more cooking my other half agreed to let me use one of his spare ZX Spectrums.

I wanted to use a keyboard but have no way of using the original Spectrum keys so I was going to have to go for something a bit drastic and remove these original keys and replace it with another keyboard preferable Bluetooth.

The main thing was to be able to find a keyboard that will be small enough to fit inside this Spectrum Case with enough room left over to squeeze in the Raspberry PI etc.

So after some Googling and reviewing I discovered the perfect size Bluetooth keyboard + mouse that would replace the old Spectrum's keys. So knowing this was going to take some brutality with a Dremel I did some more groveling... as my other half is a whizz with this and I know he would do a fab job on removing the keyboard as its solid plastic and could easily crack with the wrong pressure etc; and then Ive not only ruined my plans but a 31 year old case...eeep.

Keys removed from the case leaving the key framework underneath.

With a bit of fun along the way.

This took alot of time and careful etching and Dremeling to grind out this solid plastic keyboard. My other half made such a neat job, don't you think...thank you huny XxX.

Just look at how gorgeous the new Bluetooth keyboard fits into the newly ground out space; its as though it came out the factory like this.

This is how the ZX Spectrum should have looked...Im just in awe at how beautiful it looks.

Underneath its attached by Fixit bonding putty and the "original" keyboard clips.

  A black blutak-esk type putty that gives you approx 15mins to play and get it into place before it sets rock hard; perfect to secure the keyboard inside the case.

 While doing the case I made a Raspberry order or mini PI haul,

From left to right;

Raspberry PI GPIO Breakout board with paddle terminals.

2 x tank tracks and wheels+motors (future project).

Adafruit 2.8" LCD screen.

 5 x Micro switches.

Micro USB.

 Note; About the new Adafruit touch screen above as much as it was the perfect size; it needed to sit on top of the PI not enough space for inside this case inclusive of keyboard. So I have returned this one in replacement for a nice and easy USB Touchscreen (seen below on the latest image - The DFRobot touch display screen on order). This new version came out the week I bought this mini haul, it seems so much more polished and looks so much nicer...sorry Adafruit.

Included into the haul was an extra pressie from my other half.

Build a weevil and learn to solder.

He thought Id love this fun little kit to get me started as Ive never soldered before; so rather I kill off a weevil than my new PI...eeep!

Looking forward to putting this together...Ill add a video of how I do later on...I'm sure that will be exciting lol!

So where am I so far...well take a look at the image above...the bottom section of the case sits underneath the keyboard and as you can see everything squeezes in nicely.

The DFRobot touch display screen may fit where you see the white square in the image above; Im waiting for this to arrive and cant wait to see it, it has a great design and look to it.

Next to the screen will be the Raspberry PI attached by the Raspberry PI GPIO Breakout board with paddle terminals...note we chose this rainbow colour as it corresponds to the Spectrum rainbow logo...just a little thing but it blends Raspberry and Spectrum together a bit more don't you think.

I am now on the lookout for a rechargeable power-pack that puts out 5v/2A and will fit, I have my eye set on one that will possibly be able to charge and power at the same time like a UPS. (Uninterruptible Power Supply).

So what do you think of the new invented Spectrum ZX so far the new keyboard gives a sexier edge to the original. But still keeping the gorgeous vintage Speccy feel to it.

No ZX Spectrum's were harmed in the making of the new ZX 3.14  ..okay maybe the keys, but they are looking for new homes...so if you need any spare keys for your ZX Spectrum contact me!
p.s All the G's are gone ;-)

Project PI #1 Introduction.

Project PI #2 Choosing the case.

Project PI #3 Introducing the new ZX 3.14.

 Project PI #4 The Build

Project PI #5 Finished Build

 New PI Project idea coming soon...something fun....teaser.