iMac G3 mod

[dwag3]

So I've decided to do the fairly popular iMac G3-LCD-Mac Mini mod, gutting the iMac and lining the Mini up with the optical drive slot on the case, and I've gathered the following components for the project:

• iMac G3 slot-loading, graphite, missing hard drive (doesn't matter since the guts are getting recycled)
• 2007 Mac Mini Core 2 Duo 2.0 ghz
• Dell 1503fp 15" LCD
• Apple Pro Keyboard (Black)
• Apple Mighty Mouse (White with the scroll ball that gets nasty after a few months of use)

My question for those who are more experienced in this area is:
What is the best way to secure the Mac Mini to the iMac case? Epoxy? Screws? I've got a pretty good idea of how I'm going to mount the LCD to the case (which I'll reveal later because I haven't connected all the dots inside my head yet) but I have no idea how to secure the Mini so that I can use the iMac's awesome handle to tote it around without turning the components into applesauce [rimshot].

 

[Goftrey]

It's very dangerous to delve into a CRT monitor, I've heard of a fair few people trying to overclock an eMac and getting electrocuted. Even if everything is powered off and un-plugged. If I were you I wouldn't risk it...

 

[dwag3]

If I were you I wouldn't risk it...

I've got someone with experience in TV and CRT repair around to help me discharge, remove, and recycle the CRT. Not a big deal if you know what you're doing and don't touch the wrong part.

 

[adcx64]

It's very dangerous to delve into a CRT monitor, I've heard of a fair few people trying to overclock an eMac and getting electrocuted. Even if everything is powered off and un-plugged. If I were you I wouldn't risk it...

It is extremely hard to get shocked from a CRT. You have to touch everything in order to get shocked, witch I doubt the OP will do.

 

[416049]

It is extremely hard to get shocked from a CRT. You have to touch everything in order to get shocked, witch I doubt the OP will do.

Exactly especially if he knows somebody who is specialized with these type of repairs:

I've got someone with experience in TV and CRT repair around to help me discharge, remove, and recycle the CRT. Not a big deal if you know what you're doing and don't touch the wrong part.

 

[dwag3]

Thanks guys. So anyway, methods of securing the internal components?

 

[alust2013]

I haven't done the mod myself, but I think you could lay out some small pieces of wood in a frame around the mini on the bottom of the iMac shell and epoxy them in place. That way you can still get the mini out, should you need to repair it.

 

[wrinkster22]

I haven't done the mod myself, but I think you could lay out some small pieces of wood in a frame around the mini on the bottom of the iMac shell and epoxy them in place. That way you can still get the mini out, should you need to repair it.

thats what I would do. That way you could upgrade the internals also.

Good luck OP and keep us posted. One concern is what kind of connecton does the monitor you are useing have?

 

[dwag3]

A wood frame... that is one possibility I had not considered. That way I could remove the mini if need be. The wood could in turn be held in place by thumbscrews or wingnuts or something like that.

thats what I would do. That way you could upgrade the internals also.

Good luck OP and keep us posted. One concern is what kind of connecton does the monitor you are useing have?

Thanks! I plan on posting step-by-step images to my flickr once the project gets going. The monitor is DVI, same as the Mini.

 

[dwag3]

Making progress

The guts of the iMac have been removed. I kept the power socket, headphone board, i/o panel, power button/led assembly, divider panel, hard drive carrier, EMI cage, and the entire case including screws. The teardown was surprisingly easy; it took about two hours.

I also cleaned the keyboard.

Unfortunately with school it's gonna be about two weeks before I can do any more on this project but then I have a whole week to dedicate to it, so look for more updates then.

There are a few more pictures on my flickr.

 

[666sheep]

Your casing is in excellent shape. It's gonna be awesome looking iMac. Keep us posted. Try to get matching keyboard, like below:

 

[zen.state]

Your casing is in excellent shape. It's gonna be awesome looking iMac. Keep us posted. Try to get matching keyboard, like below:

Image

All those later slot load iMac G3's came with the extended KB he shows in the photos. IMO it's one of the best ever.

 

[666sheep]

All those later slot load iMac G3's came with the extended KB he shows in the photos. IMO it's one of the best ever.

Yeah, I know, but I meant color matching This older, short one, has power button which I find very practical (it works in SL too). But to each his own, I think

 

[zen.state]

I fully agree that the power button is very nice to have on the KB.

 

[macintoshbg]

amazing mod dude! I have the post pinned in chrome so i can keep and eye on it , its a really cool mod, looking forward to see the work in progress (and eventually finished, of course )

 

[wrinkster22]

Keep it up! and keep us posted

 

[dwag3]

Thanks guys, I'm really excited about this mod but school's gotta come first so wait just two weeks

Your casing is in excellent shape. It's gonna be awesome looking iMac. Keep us posted. Try to get matching keyboard, like below:

Image

I dislike the lack of volume controls on that keyboard and I learned to type on the Apple Pro keyboard so for me it's the best fit. But I do agree that a better color match would be cool. I despise the puck mouse, though, and I don't know if I'd like the look of the G3 graphite keyboard with the Mighty Mouse.

 

[95yjman]

I'm looking forward to seeing this project progress. I have a parts g3 iMac laying around that would be prefect for this...

 

[TehFalcon]

Going to be awesome! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[molala]

Cool project and I'm looking forward to the outcome!

Btw, will the front speakers on that iMac still be used at all?

 

[dwag3]

Cool project and I'm looking forward to the outcome!

Btw, will the front speakers on that iMac still be used at all?

Yes! The stock connectors will be removed and I will solder the cords onto a cable which I will plug into the mini's audio out jack. I'm putting a switch in the i/o panel on the iMac so I will be able to switch between headphones and speakers. The speaker in the mini won't be used at all.

 

[joepunk]

You put the keyboard in the dishwasher? All I've ever done was pop the keys off and clean by hand slowly. I kind of find it relaxing/therapeutic/whatever you want to call it

 

[dwag3]

You put the keyboard in the dishwasher? All I've ever done was pop the keys off and clean by hand slowly. I kind of find it relaxing/therapeutic/whatever you want to call it

Yeah according to Google it's a quite popular method. You have to leave it to dry for at least a week, and I had 2 weeks where I wouldn't need it. Plastics cycle was used since that sounded least likely to melt anything, no heated dry. I put the key caps in the silverware caddy and twist tied the top shut so I wouldn't lose any, and put that in the top rack too (GE dishwashers are great... You can split up the silverware basket, run the top rack independently, dishes get dry without heated dry because it's blower-assisted and there is an automatic detergent dispenser you only have to fill once a month or so. A light comes on when it runs out)

I didn't wash the metal key retainers for the larger keys like space and return but just wiped them with a paper towel since I read a little grease is necessary on those to keep them functioning properly.

 

[SuperJudge]

You put the keyboard in the dishwasher? All I've ever done was pop the keys off and clean by hand slowly. I kind of find it relaxing/therapeutic/whatever you want to call it

I've put both an IBM Model M and an Apple Extended Keyboard II through the dishwasher to great effect. If you've got a seriously cruddy keyboard, it's worth it.

 

[bmcully1]

i love old imac mods i saw one where this guy took a g3 and turned it into a cat cage