An original, bulky TS-1 slate, with its C-cells and outboard TC gen, went under the knife this week and resulted in this handy-dandy doc-style mini-slate, & I'm the envy of all my friends. Just the thing for for those 5D shoots where you're expected to carry the damn thing around. Get a table saw with a metal cutting blade. Wear ear protection.
1. Dissasemble slate, unscrew the sticks, cut the reed switch wires. Take the frontplate and photo scan it on your computer. Trace the rear enclosure around where it meets the faceplate. Saw/file the faceplate down to match the rear enclosure size. On the rear enclosure, mount a surplus handle and momentary push-button wired to display board.
2. Remove TC generator board from its enclosure and install between slate circuit board and back plate. To prevent internal shorts, use a Dremel tool to cut excess lead lengths on circuit boards where the boards sandwich together. Dust away all metal filings. Insulate board surfaces with electrical tape.
3.Size and cut a small opening in backplate for access to TC settings. Power TC board from +5 regulator in slate. Jam in/out jacks mount on side of enclosure, and also secure tc board in place, and also provide DC ground return. Run a wire from TC out to display board TC in.
4. replace C-cell holders with AA holders. Use lithium AA's to handle 400ma current draw from display. Works on bright setting too. (1.4 amps) Draws only 10ma in standby.
5. Print the scan of the faceplate on photo paper and cut-out to align with the faceplate. Add your own graphic touches! Cut/file a piece of clear plexi to cover photo paper and create a surface for dry erase marker. TS-1's screw-spacer assembly scheme holds it all together like a sandwich!
5. size down the C battery box to AA dimensions with the saw. The pics explain how this looks.