trackpad plate, the port and flash reader plate, and the ring around the boost gauge) were all made with the same technique of using separate jigs to make a complete, one-piece, acrylic jig that was used to cut the aluminum parts. They were all then hand-sanded, polished, and brushed in the same manner.”
Turner then hand-sanded the inside of the beveled aluminum starting with 80-grit sandpaper and working through 120, 180, 220, 280, 320, 400, 600, and 1000-grit sandpaper to reach a polishable
“THERE’S REALLY NOTHING QUITE LIKE HOPPING IN THE CAR AND PUSHING A BUTTON TO BE GREETED WITH THE SIGNATURE APPLE START- UP SOUND. surface. He used a p”neumatic die grinder with a polishing head and a block of blue jeweler’s rouge to polish the aluminum bevel to a mirror finish.
The touchscreen isn’t the primary method of user interface; in fact, there are three ways the driver or passenger can operate the mini. The first is, of course, the touchscreen, but Turner comments, “The touchscreen doesn’t have the resolution to control the OS, nor should it.” The Griffin PowerMate USB control knob and the Cirque Easy Cat USB Trackpad control most of the functions.
What’s next for Turner? He’s interested in a turn-by-turn GPS and would like to see a Mac-based OBDII interface to show engine speed, timing, and vehicle speed. When that happens, Turner proclaims, “The dream will be complete.”
For more on Turner’s creations, along with extensive details on the Mac mini install, visit: tunertricks.com.
2
MAKE YOUR OWN 4-IN-1 CAR WIRING DIAGNOSTIC TOOL.
BY DAVE MATHEWS
When you’re working on your car’s 12V wiring system, it helps to have a few special tools to get the job done. The Uber Tester is a 4-in-1 gadget that won’t remove door panel clips but does test for most wiring conundrums you might encounter. Plus, with its dual notification (buzzer and light), you’ll be able to use the tool when your stereo is blasting or when you’re contorted under the dash.
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