pverrando Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Nice job. I recommend tape around the plexiglas edges to prevent water from getting behind it and seeping into the paper if the slate gets wet. Even Scotch Magic Tape will help avoid the problem. I learned this when I started making custom printed slate faces for a TS-1 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 .....but you lost the most important aspect of any slate....an audible sync mark! Will you make a tone beeper etc for your push button trigger? phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 I see '23' missing, used for most projects these days. Denecke can update most TC generators for 1/2 hour labor, I believe. Comes with a new sticker! But a very cool mod. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollandaudio Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Excellent Mod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Well done Pete! I see a summer project coming my way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Note: Regular Plexiglass will be etched by some dry erase markers, so Lexan (or other polycarbonate) should be used. I think I have a drawer full of them left over from the "Slate Saver" days, already cut and drilled for the TS-1, complete with longer mounting screws and rubber bumpers. Contact me personally if interested. Glen Trew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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