U1541 DIY Case

Recently, I got the amazing U1541 cartridge from Gideon. Unfortunately, the cartridge comes without a case and the standard module cases for a C64 cartridge do no fit. Without a case the setup is quite unstable so I decided to create an own one…

At reichelt.de I found a quite suitable case model named SD 10 GR for the price of about 1 EUR. It does not fit exactly, but at least the width of the cartridge matches and the lower half already holds the PCB nicely. First I cut of the right part of the case to make it shorter and so the height of the cartridge matches. Now with a lot of filing/rasping a created holes for the buttons and the connectors. Voila the lower part already matched.

The upper of the case is too tall to fit in the expansion port of the C64. So I first cut off 8 mm around the cap. Again filing/rasping added the holes for the connector and the LEDs.

Finally, I added 6mm distance pads inside the lower case half to move the PCB to the right level and closed the case. Now I still need to keep the case closed… Currently some tape does the trick. Maybe later on I glue the thing together 😉

Here is a gallery of my U1541 Case:

5 thoughts on “U1541 DIY Case

  1. Pingback: Lallafa’s Blog » Finished my DIY 1541U Cartridge Case

  2. wow! this is fantastic! i also have a 1541 ultimate but rarely use it because i am worried that it may get damaged. i don’t suppose you made another one of these or have a spare case? i’m trying to navigate the supplier’s site but can’t really understand all of it. greets!

  3. I am currently trying to fit my 1541U (batch 1)into one of these cases. The width of the case is too narrow for the board… this has meant a lot of dremelling and a lot of dust. This is not an easy job. I have had to grind quite a bit from the sides in order for the board to fit.

    Where did you get the distance pads? Does the case hold the board securely when you pull it from the C64 expansion port?

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