Posted By
MMS
on 2023-08-13
04:53:28
 |  Re: Did you know there is a 1551-II in the making?
It is a nice project. Interestingely I read a lot about the 1541s that may failed (and required recalibration) due to the inner heat generated by the internal PSU. The same I've never read about the 1551, just the brittle housing.
So theoretically the 1541/II based design will reduce the risk of long term defects, and it is a great option to reduce the inner heat. (a more standarized external power source could be even better).
Frankly speaking, I prefer the 1571 design over the 1541/II, but usually the smaller is better, and the 1551 was such a beast compared to the little C116 
Looking forward the availability of the new 1551. It would be great to give an extra push to the 1551 accessability. It should have been our normal "de facto" drive, but the price, size and brittle housing made it a real rarity.
The only bad part I see:
nor 1551 (1541) nor the 1541/II has a printable housing on the internet, that could be used eg locally produce your new housing.
I mean right now there is no way to print a new 1551 black housing instead of a broken one (3D print an 1541 housing in black ABS), or print an 1541/II housing for the new drive (in any color). OFF 1581 is ina better chape now, has new PCB, 3D printable housing and becamne compatible with PC floppy drives.
So right now you need to sacrifice an original 1541/II (and repaint it to black, certainly) to make and 1551/II .
(BTW I could find printable new 1541/II front and locking arm)
BTW somewhere I have an empty old yellowed 1541 housing, so if an 1551 owner need a new housing for a broken 1551, just let me know and I will try to find it and send you free (except the postage cost).
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