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Machining a TI-89 Out of Aluminum

Posted by timothy on from the fully-weaponized dept.

TangoMargarine writes "Sometimes, expensive calculators hit the floor. It's happened to almost anyone with a graphing calculator from TI or HP. Sadly, they don't always bounce. After this happened to [Howard C.], an Industrial Engineering student from U. of Iowa, he decided to spend $50 on milling his own replacement case out of aluminum rather than trashing the device over a broken battery compartment."

8 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. Terminator by Xugumad · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone else disappointed this wasn't an obscure Terminator model?

    1. Re:Terminator by PotatoFiend · · Score: 3, Funny

      Uh, like the original? :D

      --
      "Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as the abuses of power." -- James Madison
  2. Re:ok but by Devout_IPUite · · Score: 2, Funny

    3. Stop dropping your calculator? I have never damaged a calculator by dropping it.

  3. He is no Jedi by Tumbleweed · · Score: 3, Funny

    No duct tape fix, not an industrial engineering student worthy of respect. He could make a fine machinist, though. He should go with his true talent.

  4. Re:Why not... by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 5, Funny

    If he were to glue the battery cover on, how's he going to change the batteries?

    He can throw on a black turtleneck, cop an attitude, and pretend it's an iPod.

    Extra bonus points for throwing it away and buying a new one when the batteries wear out.

  5. Now he's in trouble by Len · · Score: 2, Funny

    TI's lawyers will be after him for DMCA violation because he's bypassed their physical copyright protection mechanism.

  6. Wait this guy broke a TI 89 -Titanium-... by SlashDread · · Score: 3, Funny

    and replaced it with Aluminium? Isnt that a step back? Whats next? Casted iron?

  7. Re:ok but by ross.w · · Score: 2, Funny

    Didn't you mean

    1. Engineers HP Calculators use serious?

    --
    If my call is important, why am I talking to a recording?