I've had this idea for a while now, but finally had the motivation to work on it over the past week or so. I've seen people who make these framed teardown display pieces out of tech (vintage consoles, phones, tablets, etc.) and I thought it would be fun to make my own with a calculator.

The most time consuming step of this was making a backdrop for the frame. In the pictures I've seen of similar projects, the backdrop usually contains some notes about the hardware, a logo, or other stuff like that. I went pretty minimalist (partly because I don't have the capability to design something very detailed that looks nice), but I'm pretty happy with what I came up with (click images for higher resolution):


I used inkscape to design a vector image that could be scaled to the right dimensions, and the final thing was 13x13 inches.

With the backdrop done, I moved on to disassembling the calculator. This was very straightforward and the most difficult part was removing the screen, which is attached by some annoyingly sticky adhesive.


With all the parts separated and ready to go, all I needed to do attach them to the backdrop:


I don't know tons about making physical stuff (writing software is much less financially burdensome if you make mistakes), but I was recommended to use B6000 glue to attach everything together. So far it seems to be holding up very well!

And finally here's a picture of the finished result:

Heck yeah, this is cool! Any chance you can share your vector image or inkscape file? I've got a TI-84 Plus with a torn ribbon cable I'd like to do this to.

Upon suggestion from Merthsoft, I've uploaded it to the archives under the category "Text/Reference Files > Calculator Schematic Hardware and Plans". You can download it here: http://ceme.tech/DL2560

That's very cool, i thought it was going to be a smashed calculator inside epoxy resin or something like that but this is cool too

Nice work, TIny_Hacker! I've always pondered the best way to display my calculators, including assuming that at some point in my life I'm going to have a display case with at least an example of each calculator model in my collection. But I've never considered calculator wall art: this is a beautiful way to do it.

What type of paper did you use and where did you get it printed? It's a bit big for a standard printer.

I got mine printed at a local place near me. The paper I used was 80# cover stock, since I wanted it to be on the sturdier side. I also glued the print onto the cardboard backing which came with my frame, which helped make it a bit sturdier as well. Depending on the options that your printing place gives you, you might need to print it in slightly bigger dimensions and then trim it down to 13x13.

This looks really cool. Maybe I'll have to have one of my calculators take on for the team so I can recreate this:)

WOAHHH that is actually cool! i could do that too with my broken TI-84 Plus that randomly broke ever since i updated it to 2.55 MP. theres probably no hope for that calc ._.