DIY Buchla 200e Cabinet Rip-Off

macumbista · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

Anyone with the CAD files want to post them? The original poster seems to be MIA....

macumbista · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

In case anyone else was looking for a free CAD program, I just checked out http://sketchup.google.com/ and it seems pretty easy to work with, and imports DXF and other CAD files.

v-un-v · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:

I owe you guys an explanation as I've been away from the forum for a while (7 months! Shocked

).

I'll have another look at the CAD drawings soon- and the final product will be in PDF format, as well as STL files (so no expensive CAD packages to shell out for). But it will take a while.

Okay?

Tom

Spir4L · Joined: Feb 22, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: ITaly

Hi! Very Good Job... I'm interested in trying to make a case similar to yours to start my first eurorack modular synth! (So I think I'll use the A-100 diy kit)

Is the pdf file ready?
Can I have the cad files?

Thank's to all you =)

v-un-v · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:14 am Post subject:

I won't be posting CAD files, only 2D files in PDF format. Smile

ericcoleridge · Joined: Jan 16, 2007 Posts: 889 Location: NYC

v-un-v · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:42 am Post subject:

Before I do anything, I'm going to have to up the hard drive size in my computer, so I can run XP in bootcamp. My PC's graphics capability simply isn't fast enough to cope with the assembly I made, but my Mac is (spin on that unkle k! Wink

).

I will be going for the euro/frac design, but I will try and modify it to 7" for you eric- because I said I would. Very Happy

When you say 4 unit modules, do you mean 4U high (7") or 4 panels wide?

Tom

seraph · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:54 am Post subject:

macumbista · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:50 am Post subject:

A little poke for this thread... my fake Buchla is coming along nicely. Panels are 4U high. Boats are steel, 433x178x60mm. Side panels were sketched out in Inkscape (free+open source alternative to Adobe Illustrator), a 2D program as there was no need to calculate depth. At this size, I could print each panel exactly on an A4!

Tip: a 45 degree angle for the side panels isn't quite enough to keep the thing from teetering on the edge of slamming shut, so I will be shaving a few degrees off them. When I get around to updating the Inkscape file, I can post either a PDF or an SVG file (which would be editable) of the project. As well as better pics.

To do:

1) Sharpen angle on wooden panels by a few degrees
2) New "kickstands" in the back to accommodate new angle
3) Purchase/mount power supply
4) Drill holes for + mount power bus boards
5) Drill + mount for XLR gooseneck lamp on top
6) Rivet boats (now only bolted)
7) Stain+finish wood
Cool

Paint steel with black "hammerschlag" finish

Wish me luck!
D.

IMG_0875.JPG

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Fake Buchla 200e cabinet, 75% complete

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macumbista · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:43 am Post subject:

Second tip: if you want to leave your cables plugged in when you close the case, make sure you leave enough space at the point where the upper or lower boats swing over the edges of the middle boat. Looking at photos online, the real 200e doesn't look like you could leave the cables plugged when it closes. Can anybody confirm or deny that?

D.

TekniK · Joined: Aug 10, 2008 Posts: 1059

ericcoleridge · Joined: Jan 16, 2007 Posts: 889 Location: NYC

This is really great; what are planning to put in the boats?

cbm · Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 381 Location: San Francisco

You do have to unpatch the 200e to fold it up. Given that bananas can stack arbitrarily high, I'm not sure that a folding case could be designed that would allow for closing, while patched, on a banana system.

macumbista · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:04 pm Post subject:

macumbista · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:50 am Post subject:

OK, I shaved a bit off the angle of the side pieces, but I'm still not happy. Initially I figured it would be ~45 degrees, but then the top boat still stands pretty much straight up, when it should lean back.

I guess any owners of a real 200e probably won't be reading this thread, but if they are, could you please measure the angle of the top and bottom boats respective to the middle one? This part is driving me crazy!

You can see in the pics that it stands very straight up. That has a couple drawbacks:

--the legs in the back have to be longer
--the middle boat isn't entirely stable. By pushing on it's lower edge it tilts...although I did finally see the flanges for the locking bolts on those little metal tabs at the rear of the middle boat: http://www.synthi.se/bcab/b4.jpg.

The wood I used it a bit thin for that, I had hoped proper balance would do the trick Wink

Actually considering a rubber foot in the back to keep it from tilting when open...

Hmmmmmm........

D.

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Buchla 200e clone case rear view

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Buchla 200e clone case closed view

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cbm · Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 381 Location: San Francisco

I don't have any easy way to measure the angle. Would an end-on picture help you?

macumbista · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

Hi Chris,

sure, if it's directly end-on then I could work it out. Thanks!

D.

...wondering why a real Buchla owner would be checking up on people trying to fake it... Wink

ericcoleridge · Joined: Jan 16, 2007 Posts: 889 Location: NYC

Not sure if you're trying to make this exactly like your model, but are your boats the same depth as Buchla? Can that also have some effect on angle, weight and balance? I've read that the middle boat on these cabinets is deeper than the top and bottom to accommodate the PS.

macumbista · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:18 am Post subject:

cbm · Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 381 Location: San Francisco

cbm · Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 381 Location: San Francisco

ericcoleridge · Joined: Jan 16, 2007 Posts: 889 Location: NYC

macumbista · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject:

macumbista · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

And my other question is...with all those cables, and the fact that you have to unplug them before closing the case, what do you do when you have to pack it up for a gig?

cbm · Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 381 Location: San Francisco