Bugbyte's 2001 New Beetle -Mac Mini Install - Page 9

Bugbyte · 02-26-2006, 09:34 PM

I use a Rotozip saw to cut the plexi. You don't need a Rotozip, though. A Dremel with a Rotozip bit in it (sometimes called a spiral cutting bit) will do.

To cut the cupholder, it just happened that a 2" hole saw worked. I used a drill press to do it. It got tricky at the end, the saw wanted to grab the piece and I had to wait a couple of times to let it cool down. Then, some sandpaper.

CArringt · 03-30-2006, 11:43 PM

First off,

Thanks for your wonderful worklog.

i've been trying to make a dock and have reached a problem. i used a drimill to cut the holes and vent but when i went to cut the piece from the sheet of plexy, using a jigsaw , the heat from the saw would melt the piece back together as i was cutting. i finally got the right side to seperate by pressing down on the piece while sawing, causeing a serperation but as you can see that didn't work to well.

Any suggestions?

Also, what are the outer dimminsions that you used, meaing from edge to edge on each piece?

Bugbyte · 03-31-2006, 01:08 AM

To cut the basic pieces I used either a radial arm saw or a bandsaw. The radial arm saw cuts super straight with no melting.

If you don't have access to either of those tools, a jig saw will work. However, it would be best if you had an adjustable speed jig saw. I set mine to the lowest speed and use a fairly coarse blade. It takes some time to make the cut but you'll know if you are going at the right speed when you aren't getting any melting.

For the outer dimensions, I measured the width of the Mini and added 1/2" for the two 1/4" plexi pieces. I cut it just a bit wider than that (maybe 1/8" or a little more). Before gluing anything, I embedded all of the connectors in the back wall of the dock. I put the back plastic sheet over the Mini, plugged all of the connectors THROUGH the plastic and into the Mini so I was absolutely certain they would be in the right places. Then I used epoxy to glue the cables in place.

After that, I covered the Mini in plastic wrap and, with the back of the dock still in place, glued the side pieces in place, clamped tightly against the sides of the Mini. I later sanded everything flush.

BTW, I also included a piece across the top and bottom of the Mini and sanded them at a shallow angle so when it goes into the dock, it is guided precisely into place. It's worked so far.

thecolor · 03-31-2006, 09:46 AM

still very impressive. Bug, have you done this in any other material (just to see how it works/what it looks like?

Bugbyte · 03-31-2006, 11:37 PM

No. It works fine with plexiglass. No need to redo it, although I guess it would work fine using ABS or fiberglass sheet. I don't see why wood couldn't work, either.

I wouldn't do it in metal, because it's a more difficult build. If you had access to a CNC flowjet, an 1/8" aluminum would be excellent. Otherwise, I wouldn't try to cut it by hand.

Maybe a set of 3d plans and a build from e-machine shop or a stereo lithography output would work but it would be expensive.

For me, the bulk of the work wasn't the dock. I mean, that took some time, but it was pretty straightforward. The time and effort was in the hacking and integrating the dock into the ductwork and dash itself.

tjsharktank · 08-07-2006, 06:55 AM

I love your install. It looks really clean. I especially love the plexy. Thanks for posting all the pics too, it really helps people like me

toberdorf · 10-09-2006, 08:10 PM

I'm very impressed with your install. It looks awesome. I'm curious about your GPS endevours though. I want to install a mac mini in my car (02 WRX) - but GPS is the primary reason for the carputer - so it needs to work well. I had an idea - now that mac's run Windows:

Set up the mini so it boots Windows first. My only concern with doing this would be a slower time till the system was up and running - and that 3-5 seconds when waking up the mini is too good to lose. Has anyone tried to use the macmini with Windows? How long does it take to wake up from sleep mode? Also, would it then work with PC based front ends and "better" GPS software?

Sorry if these questions aren't entirely relevant to your thread. Just figured this would be a good place to get the ball rolling.

Bugbyte · 10-10-2006, 07:59 AM

Check in the Mac car forum. You can run Windows on the Mini. You can run Windows front ends on the Mini. You can run a product called Parallels that allows you to run Windows AND OSX at the same time and switch between them. This preserves that quick wake up time.

toberdorf · 10-10-2006, 02:00 PM

awesome, thanks so much. I'll keep you posted as to how my system pans out. Still trying to spec it out and see just how much $$ I'm gonna have to lay down. Thanks again.

rembo666 · 02-08-2007, 01:47 AM

Your post gave me an idea and I did some research:

Mac Mini is the BEST Price vs. Performance compact platform you can get (try pricing a core 2 duo Mini-ITX system). It has almost all the bells and whistles one would ever need for a little more than half the price of a custom system.

My point is, ditch the OS X. Get WinXP with a proper frontend and you'll be in business.

P.S. This is IMHO, not a flame. Love your work.

Bugbyte · 02-10-2007, 10:02 AM

Not taken as a flame. I think you're right. An Intel Mini with Windows on it makes an ideal box.

If you run your system using a front end 99% of the time, it frankly doesn't matter if it is Windows or OSX.

I prefer OSX because it seems to work better for me than XP. Others disagree. Having a Mini gives you the option to use both operating systems and that really is pretty cool.

MattNelson07 · 02-16-2007, 04:20 PM

I was wondering if you have tried any of the Front ends, like AMP. I did see earlier that you were going to build your own front end. Did you ever get around to that?

I am a Mac user and would not like to go back to a Windows system. Plus, the idea of not being able to use my iTunes music sounds horrible. I'm about to start building my own carputer and would like to stick with a Mac Mini, especially since it will be a usable computer outside of its usage in the car.

And by the way, the setup looks amazing. Terrific job.

Bugbyte · 02-17-2007, 09:10 AM

I did build a functional front end using Applescript. However, Applescript did not scale into a full fledged application in a way that made it very usable. AMP was launched after I had a working version of my front end and quickly became very popular for Mac users, so I have used it.

However, I'm very interested in using GPS on the Mac and with AMP, you cannot simultaneously run the front end and use GPS at the same time because AMP will cover up the GPS applications.

So for now, I generally run iTunes in a minized window and the Google Earth GPS app underneath it. I have a Griffin Powermate and use that to adjust volume and change songs.

I thought that by now I'd have taught myself Coccoa and programmed my own front end but I'm in a new house and doing lots of remodeling for the forseeable future. Just haven't had time to take care of much of anything in the car.

As for choosing the Mini for in car use -go right ahead, it's an excellent choice. Make sure you get the Intel Mini and you can run Mac stuff or Windows stuff. Best of both worlds.

MobiTekLink · 02-18-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bugbyte

If you run your system using a front end 99% of the time, it frankly doesn't matter if it is Windows or OSX.

100% on the $$
I've had a windows box running for almost 2 years and have come to use the OS less and less as time goes on. Now that I'm thinking of upgrading Im probably gonna load XP w/ bootcamp and go! The mini is truly the best value and small size that you're gonna get.
Once you find a cool frontend you're never gonna use the OS, although OS X does load faster than XP (I run 2 imacs at my job and have tested them) the lack of an outstanding GPS program has turned me off OSX for the time. I dont wanna deal w/ Parallel because Im driving, and nor should anyone unless you dont need GPS (where OSX is superior)
If you need to play your .mp4 files there are numerous programs out there that can help you with that, including http://www.thequiltcupboard.net/mobi...t/download.htm
Check that out and that awesome frontend.

gunsandrosses · 05-13-2007, 04:47 PM

BugByte,
Have you had any problems or concerns with the mac mini moving while driving. From your design, it looks like the mini just fits snug between the two side walls and has nothing keeping it from bouncing up. I'm just concerned about having an unmounted computer without shock absorbers. Thanks.
-Ross