I have several 'Clamshell' G3 iBooks, some of which have the apple logo missing from the top casing. And believe me, finding a replacement is a little like looking for a spare unicorn horn.
Sometimes it's the leaf missing, or the apple, or both.
The following show a few of my clamshells with and without the logo, confirming how this simple embellishment transforms the overall look, and arguably increases it's value - well it would for me anyhow, given the choice of 2 fully serviceable iBooks one with and one without the logo, I would certainly pay a small premium for one displaying the logo.
KeyLime with missing logo - looking somewhat scruffy, with leaf poorly hand painted too. This is the very rare 466MHz model.
Another complete with logo. Completely ready for action. This is the 366MHz model.
Ditto for the indigo clamshell.
I've often wondered what it would take to home produce a reasonable-looking logo suitable for implanting into the clamshell lid.
In an arts and craft store I found a product called Fimo Soft made by Staedtler. It's a modeling clay which after forming is cured by baking in a domestic oven.
I'm no arts/craft modeling person, but I did give it a try. My first attempt was a disaster. The material was formed ok by pushing into the empty Apple logo socket on the clamshell lid, but became deformed on removal. I then found that by first placing a piece of thin baking film in the empty socket first, then pressing in the modelling clay, it could be easily removed by lifting out the thin film liner. The underside was a smooth, perfectly contoured Apple logo, which was at least a starter. But the top side wasn't smooth, certainly not suitable for exterior display. That initial attempt was a few months ago and due to time restraints (half a dozen collectable Macs and IBM Thinkpads in the wings awaiting re-assembly) I have progressed no further with 'crafting'.
My thoughts were that after baking 2 identical pieces then reworked by halving their thicknesses, then bonding together with superglue would make a suitable replacement with smooth contours on both faces - for the clamshell lid.
I also see there is a liquid form of Fimo, although a liquid resin for casting the logo may be an even more suitable solution. As I say, not being an 'arty' individual my knowledge on fabricating suitable items is extremely limited.
The other possibility is 3D printing. As I noted elsewhere on this forum there are some interesting YT videos showing Apple logos being produced. Anybody reading this care to try their hand and report back?.....
Ideally for someone who has mastered a 3D printer, this could open up the possibility of manufacturing other extremely difficult-to-find parts such as the clamshell optical-drive cover, handles etc.
Hopefully this may stimulate someone else to try any of the above methods. I reckon they could generate a little extra income. I'd certainly purchase half a dozen, or more if the price was correct.
Sometimes it's the leaf missing, or the apple, or both.
The following show a few of my clamshells with and without the logo, confirming how this simple embellishment transforms the overall look, and arguably increases it's value - well it would for me anyhow, given the choice of 2 fully serviceable iBooks one with and one without the logo, I would certainly pay a small premium for one displaying the logo.
KeyLime with missing logo - looking somewhat scruffy, with leaf poorly hand painted too. This is the very rare 466MHz model.
Another complete with logo. Completely ready for action. This is the 366MHz model.
Ditto for the indigo clamshell.
I've often wondered what it would take to home produce a reasonable-looking logo suitable for implanting into the clamshell lid.
In an arts and craft store I found a product called Fimo Soft made by Staedtler. It's a modeling clay which after forming is cured by baking in a domestic oven.
I'm no arts/craft modeling person, but I did give it a try. My first attempt was a disaster. The material was formed ok by pushing into the empty Apple logo socket on the clamshell lid, but became deformed on removal. I then found that by first placing a piece of thin baking film in the empty socket first, then pressing in the modelling clay, it could be easily removed by lifting out the thin film liner. The underside was a smooth, perfectly contoured Apple logo, which was at least a starter. But the top side wasn't smooth, certainly not suitable for exterior display. That initial attempt was a few months ago and due to time restraints (half a dozen collectable Macs and IBM Thinkpads in the wings awaiting re-assembly) I have progressed no further with 'crafting'.
My thoughts were that after baking 2 identical pieces then reworked by halving their thicknesses, then bonding together with superglue would make a suitable replacement with smooth contours on both faces - for the clamshell lid.
I also see there is a liquid form of Fimo, although a liquid resin for casting the logo may be an even more suitable solution. As I say, not being an 'arty' individual my knowledge on fabricating suitable items is extremely limited.
The other possibility is 3D printing. As I noted elsewhere on this forum there are some interesting YT videos showing Apple logos being produced. Anybody reading this care to try their hand and report back?.....
Ideally for someone who has mastered a 3D printer, this could open up the possibility of manufacturing other extremely difficult-to-find parts such as the clamshell optical-drive cover, handles etc.
Hopefully this may stimulate someone else to try any of the above methods. I reckon they could generate a little extra income. I'd certainly purchase half a dozen, or more if the price was correct.
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