Introducing the 2024 Reproduction CMD HD-4000

[COREi64]

Thought I'd start a thread here to show off and discuss the reproduction of the CMD HD drive.

First I'll share a bit of history on this. Was saving this information for the video I'll be producing as soon as I have some spare time... but this particular PCB isn't actually my creation. It came to me as an anonymous donation. The PCBs and GALs were their labor of love that they did as a challenge for themselves. They reached out to me wanting me to run with this in a legitimate fashion. So that's what I'm doing. I've already licensed all of Mark's IP that resides on the drive. Reproductions will be legal, and Mark will get his cut from every sale (as it should be).

The CMD HD was to be the next project after the FD-Series. This contribution cut down my development time by a tremendous amount allowing me to show this hot on the heels of the FD drive. So, if you're reading this... thanks for the contribution to my CMD recreation project.

I started by recreating the production files so I could run the boards (main board and display board). The functional result is what you see here. As with the FD-Series drive cases, I had originally planned on two designs. The one you see above (the 3D printable case), and an all metal case (just like the original).

I've completed the 3D printable design now. It's actually been done for a couple weeks now, but I've been continually tweaking and improving it. There are always little things that bother me at the end of a case design. Usually trivial things. But for the CMD recreations, I don't want to leave anything on the table. When I look at it, I don't want to see any flaws. So I've spent a lot more time on it. I really dig the results now.

So it's off to production at PCBWay as I pen this background piece. I polled people on my Commodore Enhancements FB group, as well as on X and Lemon64. The consensus was that people like the black case. So, I'm running a black resin case and black PCBs for the "almost" production run.

I've reworked the display board a bit, made some small subtle changes, so will be running that as well.

I've tested everything save for the external SCSI port. I need to buy myself a SCSI Zip100 drive. BTW, if anyone has one they would be interested in selling me so I could test that functionality, please let me know.

So what's next?

Well, I'm thinking I want to also run a crystal clear transparent resin case (like I ran for the FD-Series drive and the 1581 LED edition). Think it'd be fun to have an all transparent HD.

Also looking at doing a minor change to the labelling of the drive. I want to change the face to say HD-4000 instead of HD-200, and the rear label I want a black version instead of the factory white-ish label. So, I'm looking at having that done soon.

Beyond this, I will be getting after designing the metal case. Then patiently wait for everything to arrive.

You might be wondering about availability and pricing. The drive will be made available for sale once I get through all the remaining work. I haven't worked out a price yet. There's a lot that goes into this, and it takes quite a while to build, so contrary to what the vocal minority have been yammering, it will be more than $100 I would expect it probably will land somewhere around the cost of my FD-4000 drive when all is said and done. Can't see it being more...

So, I think I'll end it here. As I progress through the next stages, I'll post here. Any comments are always appreciated. I really do enjoy reading them.

Till next time.

COREi64

[DavidZinAZ]

This looks so awesome!! As far as colors and materials. Will this have the metal option like the floppy series? Also if we do the metal bit would we be able to chose our colors? The black does look ok but I have wanted a CMD HD for so long it would suffice but I would really love a metal case in the original white!!

Thanks for all your hard work,
David Z in AZ

[COREi64]

Glad you like it.

Yes, I will be providing a reproduction metal case through PCBWay shared projects, so you'd be able to get the metal case that way. When ordering the case, you'll be able to choose whatever color you'd like, including white.

I will also be carrying labels compatible with the original "style/color", that being the black front label and the white rear label. So you will be able to make a look-alike reproduction if that's what you want to see on your desk!

I'll be adding a black rear label as an option for those that want the dark style case.

COREi64

[intric8]

Say, can you do me a favor and hand me my jaw down there on the floor?

It's Christmas in July!

[Bulletdust]

I wouldn't mind building one of these, sadly the exchange rate makes things a little unjustifiable outside the USA.

However it does look cool, great to see someone taking up the CMD mantle again.

[robdaemon]

Yes, I will be providing a reproduction metal case through PCBWay shared projects, so you'd be able to get the metal case that way. When ordering the case, you'll be able to choose whatever color you'd like, including white.

My 128D really needs one of these!

[Zippy Zapp]

Holy cow this is awesome. Can't wait to see this in action.

Concerning SCSI drives, I am for sure a fan of spinning disks but these older vintage drives are dropping like flies. I have several in the server category and while they are more reliable, they are also much louder and a bit more to adapt.

An SD solution really is a great alternative. While I have always used SCSI2SD in the past more recently I am a fan of ZuluSCSI and more specifically the ZuluSCSI RP2040. They are fast, have many configuration options including an optional speaker for making sort of drive sounds, and very inexpensive. The homebrew RP2040 is a very reasonably priced unit.

As to external SCSI drives I have a lot of them too. From HDs, SyQuest to Zip drives, CD and DVD too. I can certainly help test these if needed.

This is turning out to be an awesome summer for the C64/128 line!

[A1-X1000]

WoW I still have my CheetahSCSI HD that I used in my Amiga4000 hooked up to my CS-MKIII that was lightning fast and thunder loud. It was backed up years ago and ready to be used in this HD-4000

[COREi64]

So, what are you guys hoping to see from the CMD HD-4000. What I mean by that is, do you want to see fully assembled and tested drives, or is there any interest in just buying a PCB with GALs/ROM package, then you do the rest yourself (ie: buying the parts from a provided BOM, and ordering the case from PCBWay), then putting it together yourself.

Wondering what you're preferred choice would be.

Obviously the build-it-yourself option would be the cheapest and the fully assembled units would be the most costly.

Lemme know what you think. I haven't made any decisions on this so far. But I have been thinking that since all of the CMD gear is through hole, DIY is an option that could be considered.

COREi64

[A1-X1000]

@ COREi64

I much prefer to build it myself but I’m sure there’s a market for fully assembled units too so best bet would be to offer both!