New Lower Cassette Drawers

So I bought my Conion C-100 boombox nearly two years ago. It didn't have the lower cassette drawer. For whatever reason, I figure the best way to get one was to make my own. The 3D printing technology was getting there and the shapes seemed pretty basic but the more I learned about it the more I realized that I needed a drawer to make a drawer since I would need to make precise measurements.

I talked with a few buddies from work about it. One of them was so intrigued by the idea that he was inspired to buy a 3D printer himself. However, the printer he purchased was too small to make an object of this size. So there was no progress to be made yet.

About a month ago, someone was selling a cassette drawer on eBay. They wanted $220. I gave them a fair offer and they accepted. What I received was a rough condition drawer, but it was all there (mostly) and we could start seriously considering making the drawers.

My buddy is a more technically minded person than me and has looked at a way to make some money with his skill and mindset. He really isn't as much a boombox enthusiast as an entrepreneur. After he did the measurements and created the programming, he made a two-piece cassette drawer with his printer. It was beautiful. However, we really needed it to be one piece.

So I invested in a larger 3D printer and we got some grey filament. After all the calibration and troubleshooting and converting the software over to the new machine, he was able to produce a drawer. The picture below is the result. The forward drawer is the original I bought from eBay and the one in the rear (the lighter colored one) is the printed one.

Mind you we are still working out some issues but I just wanted to give all of you an update. We realized the filament was way too light and we purchased a new roll to produce a darker grey. The plastic pin in the rear of the drawer was broken on the one I bought and as it turns out it is pretty flimsy on the new drawer as well. So we're going to have to beef that up before we make these available. I'm sure nobody will be upset if the pin in the rear (which is out of sight) doesn't look original. It should be way better than the original when we're done. We're also working on the faceplate.

The good news is that it runs in and out very smoothly and even with the light color, it looks great under my Conion. When we get done, this will be something you'll want on your box. I can't wait to finish this project up and make these available for you!

Oh, snap! That looks really good. A little bit of fine sanding/polishing is about all it needs. Is there any chance you could add the drawer spring later?

Yeah, we might be able to make the spring.

The springs on these drawers are very similar to the types of Springs they used in car cassette decks in the 80s and 90s on the eject mechanism

That is pretty damned awesome work!

There's always the option if using a vinyl brushed metal applique on the front edge of this drawer it won't have the same thickness but I'll give you almost exact same effect.

WOW, this is HUGE! Fantastic work Harry Stone!

Can you do it with the lower deck door?

The lower cassette door could be done but I'm beginning to think we won't be able to get enough out of them to make it worth the time. As simple as this is, we've put in a lot of time. The lessons learned will pay off if we make other things and will make it easier but still it won't be easy. Like a lot of things, it will be based on market value. I have no idea what I can get for the drawers but I owe it to my buddy to try and get enough to make it worth his time. The more we sell, the cheaper they can be and I have no idea how many we're going to sell.

Right now, I'd be ecstatic if we break even. However, I think we're both committed to producing a great product. I will tell you that the plastic is darker than it looks in the pictures and when it was put in place on my box, it looked really good. A game changer in the appearance even without the metal trim.

I do have a flat metal trim that I had made and it looks really good too. The text is the wrong font but I will get that fixed easy enough. I will tell you that with the drawer closed, you can't tell that it isn't from the factory with the flat metal trim. When it's open, there is very little exposed area and it will still look great. What is exposed would reveal to someone knowledgable about these boomboxes that it is not original. It would look great, be fully functional for holding and storing cassettes too. That's what I can make today. I just need to know if the interest is there or if I should continue to work on folding the metal.

So we are working to make it perfect.

Im not 100% ready to sell these but if you're interested, please shoot me a private message.

So what are you looking to charge on these eventually $50- $75 -100? What do you anticipate the prices to members being?

Wow that's quality work could you zap me up a GF 1000 please

I was looking at $120 each. Right now, I'm trying to guage demand. If I can sell a bunch, them I can get the price down. I would prefer to sell them at a lower price but we've got a lot of time and money tied up in them.

Stuzy said:

Wow that's quality work could you zap me up a GF 1000 please

Click to expand...

I wish it was that easy, lol. This isn't the replicator from Star Trek, ha ha.

Honestly it looks pretty good. At least you are offering something!

I hope most people will think that's fair. I know that isn't cheap but I am hoping the community will think it's worth supporting our efforts. C-100s without the tape drawer can go extinct now.

harry.stone1111 said:

The lower cassette door could be done but I'm beginning to think we won't be able to get enough out of them to make it worth the time. As simple as this is, we've put in a lot of time. The lessons learned will pay off if we make other things and will make it easier but still it won't be easy. Like a lot of things, it will be based on market value. I have no idea what I can get for the drawers but I owe it to my buddy to try and get enough to make it worth his time. The more we sell, the cheaper they can be and I have no idea how many we're going to sell.

Right now, I'd be ecstatic if we break even. However, I think we're both committed to producing a great product. I will tell you that the plastic is darker than it looks in the pictures and when it was put in place on my box, it looked really good. A game changer in the appearance even without the metal trim.

I do have a flat metal trim that I had made and it looks really good too. The text is the wrong font but I will get that fixed easy enough. I will tell you that with the drawer closed, you can't tell that it isn't from the factory with the flat metal trim. When it's open, there is very little exposed area and it will still look great. What is exposed would reveal to someone knowledgable about these boomboxes that it is not original. It would look great, be fully functional for holding and storing cassettes too. That's what I can make today. I just need to know if the interest is there or if I should continue to work on folding the metal.

So we are working to make it perfect.

Click to expand...

Totally understand the time that goes into these. This is always the hardest part of making something for such a low volume. I know the deck door is much more complex than this. I wonder how many people need trays and deck doors. Seems like every time I look someone is posting up a box missing both.

How about the small white push latch part that is part of the lower tray?

Boomboxery member Caution makes the metal trim plate and the decal with the text on it. So that part is covered.

But this piece is simply amazing. Again, top work

I've reached out to Caution and he's been very helpful. Last night my buddy adjusted the software to allow for flat trim. After putting the door in place with a flat piece of trim the other night, it looked really good. The details is too small to notice. We will print a drawer and I will buy the trim and we will post pictures of it on the box and let you all decide.

Folks, we just got done trying out the new filiment and man does it look good! My buddy beefed up the rear pin. It is now made of metal and he will test it tonight on my box. We made it with a flat front face and now I need to get the trim made for it. I will do that tomorrow. We're almost there folks!

Nice

Oh, the drawer had a cosmetic error which is why I'm not showing it. It would be in the reject pile but besides that error it is nearly perfect. If things go well tonight, I should have one to show you tomorrow.

More progress. Did a better print. Tested the drawer and it works fine except the spring on my box is weak. Validated not because of the drawer. The trim font has been corrected a's well as fine tuning the size. Pictures soon.