Topic: Zoom F3 -- hacking to make it smaller

[SMsound]

I have seen various posts here showing some hints about how people have chopped into the Zoom F3 to halve the weight and make it smaller by removing the bars and part of the external metal shell.

Does anyone have pics of this process? Has anyone made a replacement plastic faceplate to go around the screen?

I am thinking about taking my F3 to the machine shop to hack it, but I don't want to go in blind and reinvent the wheel here.

[Chanher]

https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=198715.msg2395440#msg2395440

If you scroll backwards from the post that I linked, then you can see the numerous posts that eman made as he disassembled his F3. Thank you eman for not only risking your recorder but documenting the process.

I link that specific post though because I also want to try to make an F3 smaller, and if you look at those pics, especially the 3rd, I believe we MIGHT have a method of dremeling/sawing off the legs WITHOUT taking apart the F3. The 3rd pic demonstrates a possible cutting point that I'm hoping will allow the legs to "slide" off. If I'm looking at it correctly, you might have to make the cut in a different place to allow the legs to slide downward.

I'm kicking myself for not picking up a super cheap used F3 in my local market from yet another video guy who tried it and apparently didn't like it (I don't think he knew how to run it).

[SMsound]

if you look at those pics, especially the 3rd, I believe we MIGHT have a method of dremeling/sawing off the legs WITHOUT taking apart the F3. The 3rd pic demonstrates a possible cutting point that I'm hoping will allow the legs to "slide" off.

Hmm... an endmill in a milling machine would do that cut to 0.003" with no problems... Honestly a hacksaw could do it too, though the results will be uglier.

[Chanher]

I'm going to try a dremel and just go really slow and careful.

[ol' dirty taper]

I'm going to try a dremel and just go really slow and careful.

How'd it go?

I saw a post in a FB group where someone just snipped the legs off.

[SMsound]

I saw a post in a FB group where someone just snipped the legs off.

^^ Do you have a link? I'd like to see as many pics as possible of disassembly before I start my own hack...

[Chanher]

I'm going to try a dremel and just go really slow and careful.

How'd it go?

Unfortunately I’m not ready yet, but I’ll be sure to document my progress. Look forward to seeing other people’s results.