Work quotes
Just a reminder that I cannot accept work orders or give quotes. I get around 20 emails a day asking for quotations, and as much as I’d like to accept even one of them I cannot. Please understand it’s not possible.
commission work
Keeping Busy Sept/Oct Last Jobs
I was very pleased this month that I got time in between packing up our house to finish the last few jobs I has in. Again I’m very sorry, but no more work will be accepted. So what did I manage to get done? Lets take a look.
Firstly we have a very nice Sega Saturn with a full list of mods. Its got a Region Free Bios, FRAM save memory, Phantom chip, Switchless 50/60hz selector and a PICO 12v PSU. All worked out very well, but I had to adjust the CD-Rom pickup laser to read CDR’s more reliably.
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Next I had a large package with two PC Engine GT’s and two Game Boy Lights to recap. The GT’s had display and sound issued which is common when the caps start to fail. All working well now. Game Boy’s were fine and just recapped to prevent problems later.
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Then another PSIO to install. Love the stickers on this console. Its well loved and should be even better now with a PSIO.
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Finally I had a SSD3 sent over for the RGB and Stereo bypass mods installing. Gives a very sharp picture now and look great on the HD monitor too.
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So that it for now. Time to pack up my tools and get moving. I’m planning on building a whole new workshop at my new house so its gong to be a long time before I can take on more work. Dont worry 8bitplus will be back and I’m sure I’ll be sharing my workshop progress later.
Neil.
Sega Neptune mod
Almost finished working through the last jobs I need to get finished when time allows. One of which was to build a Sega Neptune console for a customer.
If you haven’t of a Neptune, its a name given to the combination of a Mega Drive 2 and 32X in the same case. This was a fun build and although not as technically difficult as some jobs, just very time consuming.
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Basically the consoles are stripped to their boards. The Mega Drive cartridge socket is removed and the 32X is hard wired in place. The video mixing cables are also wired in along with power from the Mega Drive power socket.
Outwardly it looks like a stock (if slightly heavy) Mega Drive 2. I was even able to keep the cartridge dust flaps working with some modification and trimming. The whole unit only needs one power cable too. I did recommend to the owner to get a new regulated power adapter, and not to rely on the original Sega adapter as this mod will draw more power now.
Rare PC Engine LT repaired
I’m still slowly making progress in finishing the last few jobs here. This one was very interesting. A PC Engine LT that would not power up. The power supply was tested and working correctly by the owner, and the LED on the front would light up indicating there was power getting in to the console, but no picture on the screen or sound. Also nothing when plugged into a TV via the Interface unit IFU.
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Just like the PCE DUO and GT, the LT’s are prone to capacitor leakage and damage.
(more…)
Moving – Decision Time – Status
(Update 26/02/20)
Well the move went ahead. The new house needs a HUGE amount of work. I’m currently living in a construction site. The first week we had no heating or hot water. As quotes are coming in for the work we cannot do ourselves Its becoming clear that I will not be able to afford a new workshop. Therefor its very likely that I’ll not be able to accept work again in the next year (2021) or perhaps ever. I cannot do my console work on the kitchen table for example, or take up any space in the house with children around. A workshop was my only answer.
Most of my collection will have to be sold off too I expect, but I’m dealing with that when I have too.
(Update 08/01/20)
Finally progress from the solicitors and estate agents. Looks like things are progressing and the move can happen after all. Its caused stress over Christmas not knowing what was happening on top of everything else.
So this will mean I wont be unpacking my tools for work this month, and will almost certainly mean no work orders this year at least. Sorry, but until the house is complete I won’t be able to start working on a new work area.
Keeping Busy Jul/Aug
Wow that went by fast! what was it? oh yes, summer.
I’ve been ridiculously busy the last couple of months with work but finally its looking like I’m on top of things now. Here’s a few examples of what I’ve been doing, in no particular order.
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Here we have a nice MK1 Sega Saturn in for a new Pico PSU, FRAM mod, switchless 50/60hz selector, Phantom modchip and region free bios. Very nice machine.
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This PCE Duo was needing a full recap and audio system fixing. I also did a RGB mod. Working perfectly now.
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Next was a Panasonic 3DO FZ-1 for a recap and new battery installation.
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Here we have a PAL NES fitted with the marvellous NESRGB mod board by eTim. Great picture, even better than I expected. you can even toggle the colour pallet with a switch for a more vivid image.
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Lastly for now, another PSIO installation.
On top of that I had 3x N64 in for RGB mods, a couple of Amiga 1200 computers for new caps and a couple of Unibios installations.
Inbox empty, for now.
DCHDMI for Dreamcast installed
DCHDMI Just finished off installing a DCHDMI for a customer. It turned out great and gives an excellent image over HDMI.
Click the image or here to see more pics of this upgrade.
DCHDMI can be a tricky install. please get in contact if you want one installing in your Dreamcast.
Philips CDi 450 RGB modded
Looks like I can add the Philips CDi 450 model to my list of consoles that can be RGB modded.
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Results are very good. Click on a picture or here to see the work on this customers console.
Hope you enjoy CDi in RGB George 🙂
Keeping Busy (June)
Its time for my monthly report. What Have I been up to this month….
Well firstly I managed to get time to visit the new Arcade Club in Leeds. If you’ve not heard of Arcade Club, its basically a perfect place to find retro arcade machines, and play as long as you like. All machines are on free play, you just pay to get in! Loads of amazing games from the 80’s, 90’s, through to some modern ones. Well worth checking out.
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Regarding work on customers machines, Its not been a very productive month. I just never seem to have any time available, but a few jobs were complete and sent out.
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This was a full Mega CD recap for a customer. He also asked for a region free bios, new drive opening belt and laser replacement.
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Next we have another PC Engine Duo for a recap and RGB mod. All looking great now.
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And there was also another PSIO switchboard to install. The 3DO USB installation covered below, and Saturn with the full table of mods.
That’s about it for June. Its going the a tight month in July to get any work done with Holidays and weekends away, but I try 🙂
A Sega Saturn with the full mod package
Last week I finished working a beautiful Japanese Sega Saturn for a customer. He wanted the full list of modifications for this stunningly mint condition unit.
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Click the image or Here to see what was done.