DesertPanther wrote on 2024-09-10, 00:24:

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-09, 23:19:

You have to figure that part out on your own. Maybe we can have a WhatsApp chat group, discuss how many people want it. Then figure out the price and see if everyone wants to pay their share and take it from there.

Unsure if people are keen to share their phone numbers via a public forum...

True, so I don't know then.
Best of luck.

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 01:42:

Here are the details from my order from last time: I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one o […]
Show full quote

Here are the details from my order from last time:
I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one on (just because I enjoy doing it).
The price for 5 PCBs and one fully assembled was $847.09 USD by PCBWay.
For the one that I hand assembled, I spent about $150 on components.
Hand assembly took me over 12 hours and I enjoyed every single bit of it (Started early morning and finished the board by 9pm).
Also, keep in mind that they did not have every component such as the double stack PS/2 connector, SATA connector, TOS link connector and one more think that I do not recall and I had to harvest those from some other scraps that I had.
If you wonder why the assembly cost is so high, well there are over 400 components (92 different ones). PCBWay changes you based on the number of components, especially when you have a low quantity. Also, the assembled board took over 4 weeks to be ready, mainly because they were ordering the components from different sources and they had to wait for each of them to arrive.
I hope that helps.

hmm... assembled at PCBWay is way too expensive... maybe I need to figure out how to hand assembly one.... Do you have any PCB for sale?

Bit2024 wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:23:

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 01:42:

Here are the details from my order from last time: I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one o […]
Show full quote

Here are the details from my order from last time:
I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one on (just because I enjoy doing it).
The price for 5 PCBs and one fully assembled was $847.09 USD by PCBWay.
For the one that I hand assembled, I spent about $150 on components.
Hand assembly took me over 12 hours and I enjoyed every single bit of it (Started early morning and finished the board by 9pm).
Also, keep in mind that they did not have every component such as the double stack PS/2 connector, SATA connector, TOS link connector and one more think that I do not recall and I had to harvest those from some other scraps that I had.
If you wonder why the assembly cost is so high, well there are over 400 components (92 different ones). PCBWay changes you based on the number of components, especially when you have a low quantity. Also, the assembled board took over 4 weeks to be ready, mainly because they were ordering the components from different sources and they had to wait for each of them to arrive.
I hope that helps.

hmm... assembled at PCBWay is way too expensive... maybe I need to figure out how to hand assembly one.... Do you have any PCB for sale?

I have two PCBs (they are white with black silk) left on my hand and I do not have any use for them and definitely not planning to assemble anyone again, so I can certainly give you one of them. Are you in the states?

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:44:

Bit2024 wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:23:

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 01:42:

Here are the details from my order from last time: I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one o […]
Show full quote

Here are the details from my order from last time:
I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one on (just because I enjoy doing it).
The price for 5 PCBs and one fully assembled was $847.09 USD by PCBWay.
For the one that I hand assembled, I spent about $150 on components.
Hand assembly took me over 12 hours and I enjoyed every single bit of it (Started early morning and finished the board by 9pm).
Also, keep in mind that they did not have every component such as the double stack PS/2 connector, SATA connector, TOS link connector and one more think that I do not recall and I had to harvest those from some other scraps that I had.
If you wonder why the assembly cost is so high, well there are over 400 components (92 different ones). PCBWay changes you based on the number of components, especially when you have a low quantity. Also, the assembled board took over 4 weeks to be ready, mainly because they were ordering the components from different sources and they had to wait for each of them to arrive.
I hope that helps.

hmm... assembled at PCBWay is way too expensive... maybe I need to figure out how to hand assembly one.... Do you have any PCB for sale?

I have two PCBs (they are white with black silk) left on my hand and I do not have any use for them and definitely not planning to assemble anyone again, so I can certainly give you one of them. Are you in the states?

yes, can you send me a private message? (don't know how to send you a message)

Bit2024 wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:23:

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 01:42:

Here are the details from my order from last time: I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one o […]
Show full quote

Here are the details from my order from last time:
I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one on (just because I enjoy doing it).
The price for 5 PCBs and one fully assembled was $847.09 USD by PCBWay.
For the one that I hand assembled, I spent about $150 on components.
Hand assembly took me over 12 hours and I enjoyed every single bit of it (Started early morning and finished the board by 9pm).
Also, keep in mind that they did not have every component such as the double stack PS/2 connector, SATA connector, TOS link connector and one more think that I do not recall and I had to harvest those from some other scraps that I had.
If you wonder why the assembly cost is so high, well there are over 400 components (92 different ones). PCBWay changes you based on the number of components, especially when you have a low quantity. Also, the assembled board took over 4 weeks to be ready, mainly because they were ordering the components from different sources and they had to wait for each of them to arrive.
I hope that helps.

hmm... assembled at PCBWay is way too expensive... maybe I need to figure out how to hand assembly one.... Do you have any PCB for sale?

How much does it cost?

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:53:

Bit2024 wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:23:

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 01:42:

Here are the details from my order from last time: I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one o […]
Show full quote

Here are the details from my order from last time:
I ordered 5 PCBs, one was fully assembled and I hand soldered the other one on (just because I enjoy doing it).
The price for 5 PCBs and one fully assembled was $847.09 USD by PCBWay.
For the one that I hand assembled, I spent about $150 on components.
Hand assembly took me over 12 hours and I enjoyed every single bit of it (Started early morning and finished the board by 9pm).
Also, keep in mind that they did not have every component such as the double stack PS/2 connector, SATA connector, TOS link connector and one more think that I do not recall and I had to harvest those from some other scraps that I had.
If you wonder why the assembly cost is so high, well there are over 400 components (92 different ones). PCBWay changes you based on the number of components, especially when you have a low quantity. Also, the assembled board took over 4 weeks to be ready, mainly because they were ordering the components from different sources and they had to wait for each of them to arrive.
I hope that helps.

hmm... assembled at PCBWay is way too expensive... maybe I need to figure out how to hand assembly one.... Do you have any PCB for sale?

How much does it cost?

I do not need your money. I will send it to you free only if you promise that you are going to assemble it and not just collected it or resell it. Let me locate the two boards tomorrow first then I will figure out to get to the post office. I already DMed you two. As I said, if you commit to have the PCB, you better build it and not take it from someone else that might really make use of it.

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 03:12:

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:53:

Bit2024 wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:23:

hmm... assembled at PCBWay is way too expensive... maybe I need to figure out how to hand assembly one.... Do you have any PCB for sale?

How much does it cost?

I do not need your money. I will send it to you free only if you promise that you are going to assemble it and not just collected it or resell it.

Hi, you replied to another message/user.

Send me a private message if possible to arrange the shipment. I will pay for the shipping costs of course.

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 03:12:

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:53:

Bit2024 wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:23:

hmm... assembled at PCBWay is way too expensive... maybe I need to figure out how to hand assembly one.... Do you have any PCB for sale?

How much does it cost?

I do not need your money. I will send it to you free only if you promise that you are going to assemble it and not just collected it or resell it. Let me locate the two boards tomorrow first then I will figure out to get to the post office. I already DMed you two. As I said, if you commit to have the PCB, you better build it and not take it from someone else that might really make use of it.

I can't reply to your DM, unfortunately.
It seems that new accounts can't send DMs until we reach a certain quota of forum posts/replies...

I just went through the quote that PCBway sent you and I am astonished at the price. Sure... it is a day and a half of work, but aren't they located in China or am I mistaken?

btw, Ahmad, I saw you referring to ebay.ca in on your comments. Are you in the GTA by any chance? 😀

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-09-10, 12:38:

I can't reply to your DM, unfortunately. It seems that new accounts can't send DMs until we reach a certain quota of forum post […]
Show full quote

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 03:12:

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-09-10, 02:53:

How much does it cost?

I do not need your money. I will send it to you free only if you promise that you are going to assemble it and not just collected it or resell it. Let me locate the two boards tomorrow first then I will figure out to get to the post office. I already DMed you two. As I said, if you commit to have the PCB, you better build it and not take it from someone else that might really make use of it.

I can't reply to your DM, unfortunately.
It seems that new accounts can't send DMs until we reach a certain quota of forum posts/replies...

I just went through the quote that PCBway sent you and I am astonished at the price. Sure... it is a day and a half of work, but aren't they located in China or am I mistaken?

btw, Ahmad, I saw you referring to ebay.ca in on your comments. Are you in the GTA by any chance? 😀

I used to live in Canada, thats why my ebay is .ca
Trust me, the components assembly is such a fun, especially when you know the outcome is awesome and you will look at it later and say, you built it from scratch, all the way from parts.

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 20:11:

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-09-10, 12:38:

I can't reply to your DM, unfortunately. It seems that new accounts can't send DMs until we reach a certain quota of forum post […]
Show full quote

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-10, 03:12:

I do not need your money. I will send it to you free only if you promise that you are going to assemble it and not just collected it or resell it. Let me locate the two boards tomorrow first then I will figure out to get to the post office. I already DMed you two. As I said, if you commit to have the PCB, you better build it and not take it from someone else that might really make use of it.

I can't reply to your DM, unfortunately.
It seems that new accounts can't send DMs until we reach a certain quota of forum posts/replies...

I just went through the quote that PCBway sent you and I am astonished at the price. Sure... it is a day and a half of work, but aren't they located in China or am I mistaken?

btw, Ahmad, I saw you referring to ebay.ca in on your comments. Are you in the GTA by any chance? 😀

I used to live in Canada, thats why my ebay is .ca
Trust me, the components assembly is such a fun, especially when you know the outcome is awesome and you will look at it later and say, you built it from scratch, all the way from parts.

I agree with all of this. Hand assembly was so rewarding for me as well. I built 2 of them and it was a great way to learn more about how things work as well as hone fine pitch soldering skills. It's not.a task for everyone but it's by no means un-obtainable and it's infinitely cheaper than paying JLC or PCBway to assemble. just thought I'd chime in 😉

OK! I want to have PCBWay make me just the PCB. I will source all other parts on my own.
I've never used a service like PCBWay. What do I need to provide them for the board to be made?

mcard1973 wrote on 2024-09-12, 17:38:

OK! I want to have PCBWay make me just the PCB. I will source all other parts on my own.
I've never used a service like PCBWay. What do I need to provide them for the board to be made?

its pretty easy you just need the gerber files in a folder together then compressed into a zip file to upload in this case they are in the github repo under kicad/fabrication. just zip the fabrication folder and upload it to PCBway!

Hi there,

Just stumbled upon this project the other week when going through my YouTube list doing breakfast early in the morning. The Mighty Algorithm decided to suggest James Mackenzie's an item 5 days ago. Instantly hooked as I was contemplating building myself a 90's retro machine with new-old-stock parts for a long time, but this is so much cooler. Also love to have an SMD soldering project getting myself through winter nights thus my planets are perfectly aligned. I ordered 5 blue silk shiny ENIG finished PCBs on JLCPCB and I needs to go through the partsbin to see if I have some stuff to spare. Oops, aaand I just realised I forgot to order the OPL3 board as well..

On parts. My goto place for components is usually Mouser. I read that I need to get the Crystal chips from some recommended ebay seller, but do you guys have more cotchas and placed I need to go?

Great project and I hope to contribute in the future,
cheers,
Martijn

smeedy wrote on 2024-09-13, 08:53:

Hi there, […]
Show full quote

Hi there,

Just stumbled upon this project the other week when going through my YouTube list doing breakfast early in the morning. The Mighty Algorithm decided to suggest James Mackenzie's an item 5 days ago. Instantly hooked as I was contemplating building myself a 90's retro machine with new-old-stock parts for a long time, but this is so much cooler. Also love to have an SMD soldering project getting myself through winter nights thus my planets are perfectly aligned. I ordered 5 blue silk shiny ENIG finished PCBs on JLCPCB and I needs to go through the partsbin to see if I have some stuff to spare. Oops, aaand I just realised I forgot to order the OPL3 board as well..

On parts. My goto place for components is usually Mouser. I read that I need to get the Crystal chips from some recommended ebay seller, but do you guys have more cotchas and placed I need to go?

Great project and I hope to contribute in the future,
cheers,
Martijn

If you are up for assembling two boards, I will cover costs for an extra one 😀

smeedy wrote on 2024-09-13, 08:53:

Hi there, […]
Show full quote

Hi there,

Just stumbled upon this project the other week when going through my YouTube list doing breakfast early in the morning. The Mighty Algorithm decided to suggest James Mackenzie's an item 5 days ago. Instantly hooked as I was contemplating building myself a 90's retro machine with new-old-stock parts for a long time, but this is so much cooler. Also love to have an SMD soldering project getting myself through winter nights thus my planets are perfectly aligned. I ordered 5 blue silk shiny ENIG finished PCBs on JLCPCB and I needs to go through the partsbin to see if I have some stuff to spare. Oops, aaand I just realised I forgot to order the OPL3 board as well..

On parts. My goto place for components is usually Mouser. I read that I need to get the Crystal chips from some recommended ebay seller, but do you guys have more cotchas and placed I need to go?

Great project and I hope to contribute in the future,
cheers,
Martijn

Utsource has a good supply of the crystal chips for a decent price but you can also get them on eBay for not too much more. One thing that screwed me up on my first build was the voltage regulator for the PCIe to PCI bridge chip was sending more voltage that it should because the resistor for it wasn’t soldered completely and it caused the chip to fry. Just something to be aware of as it’s apparently very sensitive to the incorrect voltage being applied.

On the soldering, ordered the stencils as well. I might consider getting a bigger hotplate since I've had it with the T-962 oven (that thing still smells horrible, even after doing a mod years ago). But thanks for the tips and keep them coming. Is there anything non-SMD which might be a bit of a hassle to get your hands on? Like all of the stuff on the backplane? Or the AGP connector and such?

@retrosalvage, I'll keep this in the back of my head. I am planning to do all 5 eventually and I have a couple of friends from the null-modem days also interested. This is my zen-build getting through the dark days before Christmas, I'm not trying to get up & running fast.

cheers

smeedy wrote on 2024-09-13, 13:36:

On the soldering, ordered the stencils as well. I might consider getting a bigger hotplate since I've had it with the T-962 oven (that thing still smells horrible, even after doing a mod years ago). But thanks for the tips and keep them coming. Is there anything non-SMD which might be a bit of a hassle to get your hands on? Like all of the stuff on the backplane? Or the AGP connector and such?

@retrosalvage, I'll keep this in the back of my head. I am planning to do all 5 eventually and I have a couple of friends from the null-modem days also interested. This is my zen-build getting through the dark days before Christmas, I'm not trying to get up & running fast.

cheers

I did the same thing with the stencil on my first one but ended up being easier to do the stuff by hand which is how I did the second one.
The AGP slot and the PS/2 header I got from ebay since they were cheaper and/or more readily available.
For the other headers I would suggest getting them from aliexpress or LCSC since they are very cheap and decent quality but it really depends on where you live as to what works best for you.
The SOM headers I found out are actually 1.27mm pitch 32-pin headers and are actually not too difficult to find for cheap so if you plan on doing these more often it might be a good idea to get a stock of them.

the ESP8266 is also readily available on aliexpress aside from that, I think I got pretty much everything from LCSC or DigiKey.
It was a very fun build so hope you enjoy!

smeedy wrote on 2024-09-13, 13:36:

On the soldering, ordered the stencils as well. I might consider getting a bigger hotplate since I've had it with the T-962 oven (that thing still smells horrible, even after doing a mod years ago). But thanks for the tips and keep them coming. Is there anything non-SMD which might be a bit of a hassle to get your hands on? Like all of the stuff on the backplane? Or the AGP connector and such?

@retrosalvage, I'll keep this in the back of my head. I am planning to do all 5 eventually and I have a couple of friends from the null-modem days also interested. This is my zen-build getting through the dark days before Christmas, I'm not trying to get up & running fast.

cheers

Thank you, no rush or pressure at all, just if you happen to build an extra one👍

snipe3687 wrote on 2024-09-12, 17:44:

mcard1973 wrote on 2024-09-12, 17:38:

OK! I want to have PCBWay make me just the PCB. I will source all other parts on my own.
I've never used a service like PCBWay. What do I need to provide them for the board to be made?

its pretty easy you just need the gerber files in a folder together then compressed into a zip file to upload in this case they are in the github repo under kicad/fabrication. just zip the fabrication folder and upload it to PCBway!

I'm going to see if I can get them to fully assemble one soon maybe - my fine motor skills are terrible as I have a disability so the sort of soldering required here is off the table entirely - I'll attempt to document the process as well.

To be clear - if I just upload the fabrication folder on Github as a zip to PCBWay and select their assembly service, all I'll need extra is the 486 from Vortex and I'll have a functional Llama? (also, is there a way to make an I/O shield?) Thanks