modelrail.otenko Trains, computers, vintage, retro, model railways… the lot…

Sharp X68000 CZ-612D Monitor Replacement Control Cover

Is it called a flap? A cover? A panel? I saw this X68000PRO unit in Japan on a trip in ... 2023? I found it on the shelf at Super Potato in Den Den Town Osaka with stickers all over it saying it was "for decorational purposes only" and that it "didn't work".

It's not visible above, is it? Sure, I forgot to take a photo of "before I purchased", as I managed to get it carted to Australia for a nominal fee, after being warned that it would really only sit on a shelf and do nothing. Since then I'd managed to get an external HDD going and other software, but I still really need to sit down and re-do all that, blogging at the same time since none of it was easy!

Anyway, the whole point of this post is that, as above, you can see the controls on the monitor. You're not meant to be able to, since there should be a fold-down cover.

This has perished, as many of them do, and I've been on the hunt for two years for a replacement. With nothing turning up in searches, I decided to try and TinkerCad it myself.

Look at that horrible mess? Fortunately, after you group it all, this comes out...

Ok, not bad. You'll note that nothing on the model should be a flat surface. This would've been so much easier if it was a 1084 Commodore monitor flap. Instead, Sharp, in their infinite wisdom (and beautiful design asthetics), decided that the entire bezel should be on a slight curve. Even the base should be curved... and I didn't do that. My CR6-SE printer isn't up to the challenge.

After around 15 attempts/adjustments/refinements/re-measurements/re-adjustments... I managed to produce this...

And you know what?

It's not 100%, but it works!

Here's the 3d model files if you want to print this yourself. I can also print one for you (even in beige!) if you need it. Looking at the list of x68000 monitors, it seems like this'll fit most of them?