Proper Atari ST gray and 3D printing

[troed]

"Hey Troed. You know that Mega ST of yours with Alan H's MonSTer? Without external switches for TOSSEL and FLASHSW you're not really making much use of its flash rom functionality"

"Oh, and don't cut any holes in the original casing. But make it look nice."

DSC_0143_small.JPG

DSC_0144_small.JPG

DSC_0145_small.JPG

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3d_model.png

Lessons learned:

FS 36307 does seem to be a perfect match for original Atari ST gray (I picked up this knowledge from a thread at Atari Age and hunted down a source for the color locally). However, most cases are quite yellowed - so compare with the tiny non-yellowed patch of the original part, or the top housing which is almost not yellowed at all. Also, I should probably invest in an airbrush to get an even paint layer.

Oh, and yes, a 3D printer does make it possible to keep the original housings intact in some cases

[mpattonm]

To my knowledge, these are matching color codes for ST line: 260/520ST is RAL 7044, anything higher is RAL 7038. I am not familiar with FS color coding system, but RAL should be recognised worldwide.
As regards to yellowing, why do not you give your ST nice slow peroxide bath? Just dip it fully in 15-20% liquid peroxide for one or two weeks, your plastics will be unrecognisable from new. Unlike different retrobright recepies, I suggest NOT to use any kind of UV light or even expose the bath to direct sunlight. UV light generally accelerates the whitening process, but if you go this direction you could realize in the end that surfaces under direct UV light were overbleached while rest might still be yellow. In any case you do not need it afterall. Indirect daylight is sufficient and safe.
Two more very important recommendations: Use just pure technical grade peroxide, do NOT mix it with anything else. And before you start with peroxide, thoroughly CLEAN and DEGREASE all the plastic. I am lazy person so I simply throw that plastic to dish wash mashine first (low temperature cycle), that is unless wife is watching, but then I at least properly brush it with Fairy anyway. If possible last cleaning round is alcohol one.

[troed]

RAL 7038 seems to be FS 36440
FS 36307 would then be RAL 7030

(according to http://www.brunelhobbies.com.au/lifecolor/comptable.pdf )

Regarding peroxide baths it's my understanding that the effect is only temporary.

[mpattonm]

Well you decide. The floppy drive is taken out from 1040STF, the chassis is from 520ST. They are both in pretty original condition, well preserved.
http://www.imagehosting.cz/?v=wp20170223.jpg
http://www.imagehosting.cz/?v=wp2017fmf.jpg
http://www.imagehosting.cz/?v=wp2017uiu.jpg

[joska]

Nice

I found another solution to the "don't want to modify the case"-problem. I'm snooping on keyboard traffic using a microcontroller, so I can switch TOS with the keyboard.

[crashman]

Hi Troed,

could you share the 3D file?

Thanks.

[troed]

Hi Troed,

could you share the 3D file?

Thanks.

https://troed.ddns.net/f/7608d54a17/

I print on an Ultimaker 2, front face down, with supports. The holes are made to spec for these slide switches:

https://www.elfa.se/en/slide-switch-on- ... simi=88.37

/Troed

[crashman]

Thanks!

[troed]

Thanks!

Actually I just assumed the .STL was enough - let me know if you want another format more suitable for your own editing I CAD in Autodesk Fusion 360.

/Troed

[tzok]

I have painted ST case with RAL 7044 and it is far to bright. I think RAL 7032 is a better match.
Colors worth checking are (from lightest to darkest):
7044, 7032, 7038, 7030

***

Now I tried 7030 (as it was mentioned in a few threads), an it is way too dark (yet it looks nice).

[tzok]

Update:
7044 - way too light
7038 - slightly too light
7030 - slightly too dark

There is nothing in-between 7038 and 7030 in the RAL palette

[RealLarry]

I have a PLA 7042 and am happy with it, using it for my 8-bit and 16-bit babys. But I think that none of my machines is showing it's original RAL70xx to compare with.

[theimann]

I'm cautiously optimistic that I found just the right color.

I've ordered the RAL7083 and it is indeed too bright.
I had a hunch that the Atari plastic has a green component and ordered a "Moss Grey" here:
https://www.3dprima.com/filaments/a-24194

You can see a quick&dirty comparison photo here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f57RRcjF7EYB5U7a9

I'll post an update with pictures once I did some actual prints. I'm excited

[theimann]

Here are some early results. I'd say the color matches very well with my cases which all have slightly different tones.
Sorry for the lame model, I'll post better pictures tomorrow when I have a real print.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zh2xbRDXBtid5y3a6

[theimann]

I should add that these are STE / Falcon cases. STF/M probably has a slightly different tone, but I'd say this is well within the general ST color margin.

[theimann]

Oh, and I actually bought the filament here where it's much cheaper:

https://www.druckerzubehoer.de/shop/pro ... /lng/de_DE

[troed]

Thanks! Found it from a Swedish company in 2.85mm diameter here: https://www.3dprima.com/filaments/prima ... y/a-24201/

edit: oh, that was your original site. Well, good for Swedes with them being local then I could actually pick it up from their warehouse.

/Troed

[troed]

My Falcon is pretty close to its original color I think. Will do a comparison with the Mega STE as well, think that one is even closer.

73C301D0-97BD-4982-8CC4-3CF4A8001300.jpeg

/Troed

[Atari74user]

Indeed, I tested all of the said RAL colours on my STFM last year, none match, testified by a colour match specialist who also confirmed there is no RAL match. Therefore I went for a bespoke colour match for my STFM.

[troed]

Well. It is close - but there definitely is a green tinge absent in the original Atari color.

(This STE is slightly slightly yellowed)

grey_vs_grey.JPG

/Troed

[troed]

3D Prima does state that their filaments are based on the RAL color scheme, which I take to mean that their naming is the RAL naming (instead of using the number scheme).

RAL Moss Gray would then be 7003. They also have Light Gray which is 7035. I might pick that up as well just to compare.

https://www.e-paint.co.uk/Colour_alternatives.asp

/Troed

[sunaiac]

I think I'm gonna do my destroyed falcon case a make over.

I'm aiming for sparrow color theme (dark case, dark keyboard, yellow and orange key text)

Anyone knows the RAL value for the darker grey ?