LIBERATE COMPONENTS A project like this is so much more satisfying if
It almost always makes sense to break individual you are able to reuse the existing controls. Under
components from their original housings. Every- the gold-tone radio preset faceplate, we find the
thing just gets so much smaller. original radio tuner preset button assembly, and to
get this switch to work, we need to convert it to a
1 Install the Turntable momentary switch. An iPod’s remote buttons press
Make a cardboard template and use a coping saw and then release. By examining the radio preset
to trim the turntable wood top to fit. assembly, I determined a single spring needed to
be removed to convert the old “press and hold”
2 Install the Tuner buttons to iPod-compatible momentary switches.
The tuner should be handy, so I decided front and
center would be perfect. I removed the wood speaker 9 Connect Wires to AirClick
grill and trimmed the verticals to clear the tuner. The AirClick is the magic bridge to control the iPod.
Then, I added a new horizontal wood crossbar. Inside the AirClick, there are gold circuit board
switch contacts that are triggered by magnetic pads
3 Replace the Speaker Grill on the backs of rubber buttons. Very carefully, drill
The original 12" speaker was long gone, and replace- tiny holes through the circuit board switch contacts
ment multirange 12" speakers are no longer avail- to connect the new wire. Thread the wires for each
able. A $5 Sony bookshelf speaker is sitting on top contact set through the AirClick case holes, as it
of the tuner behind that fabric. will be tidier when we reassemble. For each button
function, solder a black wire to one switch contact,
4 Use the Chassis a red wire to the other.
After removing endless capacitors and tubes, the original chassis is the perfect platform for your new modded machine. All the connecting hardware is there, everything lines up, and it is constructed to last until the next ice age. The Mac mini is held in with hardware store Velcro earthquake straps.
Be sure not to drill through a trace on the backside of the circuit board! Despite being careful, I STILL ruined an AirClick!
5 Liberate the Screen Solder the other end of each red/black wire pair Like the turntable, the LCD panel is considerably to the contacts on the old radio preset switch. It more svelte when you free it from its plastic case. should be a one-to-one relationship when connect-Don’t tell anyone, but to reuse the RF shielding, ing the wires from AirClick to the old switch.
I just smeared some silicone adhesive to secure it.
After soldering the wires to the AirClick board, check each wire pair by touching the stripped wire ends and see if it operates the iPod.
The monitor is screwed right to the turntable lid. To find the correct spacer, measure the depth of the monitor and find something just a shade longer at the hardware store. 11 Connect Griffin Wheel and iPod Dock
To feed through the USB/Fire Wire connectors, the
RETROFIT old knob holes needed to be expanded. Despite the creepy name, the rat-tail file is a fantastic tool to
7 iMac make a round hole oblong. Use the base of the file The original amplifier/tuner chassis is reinstalled by the handle for a big, wide cut. but now with the Mac mini in its place. Those buttons were radio presets, but now they will control the iPod.
Momentary switch: a switch that returns to its normal position when force is removed.
Frequently check the connector in the expanded hole to make sure it does not end up bigger than necessary. And when you are done, touch up the new oblong hole with wood stain on a Q-Tip.
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