Progress

So I got started stuffing the baseboard. got all the surface mount resistors, the diodes, the bridge rectifier, crystals and about 2/3 of the IC sockets done in about a couple of hours. At this rate I should have the baseboard complete in a few days.

At last!

My baseboard parts kit finally showed up today. The postman kindly left it next to the letterbox, which is on a main urban road. Nice work NZ Post.
So I amd starting construction finally on the MB-6582.
Pics and updates to come as it develops/

Yay!

After quite a few attempts I have finally managed to make a working bankstick.
I bought some cheap 256bit EEPROMs from Jaycar so I didnt fry the remaining 8 good 512bit ones I had that I need for my MB_6582.
Also got some IC sockets and built the bankstick on a prototype board. Powered it up, it saw the bankstick and formatted it. Plugged one of the 521k ones in and that formatted fine aswell.
Started playing around with trying to make the control surface but haveing problems with that too. I cant get the rotary encoder to work for the menu encoder, its givin very randonm results, more investigation required.
But in more exciting news, SmashTV has got MB_6582 parts kits for sale on his site. Just ordered up a kit, 2 512bit EEPROMs (for spares) and some 2 pin female pin header connectors. Came to $151.55us including shipping. I chose airmail this time to try and save a bit of money, I hope everythign turns up ok.
Also looked at the parts list for the control surface. I already have nearly everything I need. Just need the buttons really. Once I get a panel and buttons I should have all the parts. I will start on the mainboard as soon as the part kit arrives, but Im expecthing that to be a few weeks, Smash is usually pretty busy.