gameDESC

[Air Cooling Fan]

Hi, please take a look at my first real modding project. Don't be too ruthless, i'm no craftsman, and I'm learning as I go.

I've built PCs before, and dappled with positioning a few cathode lights, and a little spray paint. This is my first project of any scale though.

My idea is to do away with a computer case, and built the components straight onto/into the desk.

I can see from the 'deskpooter' thread that I'm not the first with this idea. I swear as a gent that I didnt rip this idea off though. Besides I think it's clear that my project is significantly different.

I should have started a thread on this sooner as I've made substantial progress from the beginning that was a flat pack computer desk from argos. The gameDESC as you see it now is perhaps 30 - 40% complete

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/PCbuilding002.jpg

all the components are now connected, so it works, but many have yet to be placed in their permenant homes. Lots of cables to tidy too. The mobo is screwed directly to a wood shelf in the desk, which is then titled at an angle for display. I've made a door for the front with UV plastic window, and installed a bank of fans, the aim being eventually to provide excellent back to front airflow.

More photos and details to follow.

[Air Cooling Fan]

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/PCbuilding006.jpg

with the door open, cables largely under control, apart from several (fans, power, front panel) that will eventually be routed up and away, into a control panel on top of the desk.

I also have a fan sat on top of the graphics cards. This will eventually be fitted... somewhere

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/PCbuilding008.jpg

The PSU with UV fan mod, and modular cables. Sat on top of some shelf brackets.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/PCbuilding007.jpg

HDD caddy from an old mini ATX case by Tiny. Drilled the rivets out to remove it from the case, painted chrome, and screwed into the wood.

I did the same trick for the optical drive caddy, though dont have a photo of that yet.

The next job is to cut some more wood panels for the front, fill in the gaps, and flush everything together.


EDIT : JUST REALISED, PERHAPS THIS SHOULD BE IN 'WORKS IN PROGRESS' IF SO< PLEASE MOVE. thanks

[Air Cooling Fan]

Adding a steering wheel. I will eventually house everything in, and fix a seat, so that it's more like an arcade cab. Using it to play outrun new (2006 c2c) and old (MAME)

I removed the suckers from the logitech wheel and bolted it on securely. The wooden shelf for the wheel is mounted on two shelf brackets spray painted chrome, also added extra panel conectors to keep it rigid. Hold together more firmly than it looks.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/PCbuilding010.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/PCbuilding009.jpg


Also, a pic of the optical drive caddy, with fan controllers.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/PCbuilding012.jpg

[Bucko]

This is quite cool.
I'm getting a large drafting desk for free next weekend and it will become my new computer desk.

I'm planning on modding my wheel and pedal set to be a more of a permanent fixture.

Have a +rep for your effort and because I have a soft spot for PCs built into things that weren't originally computers.

[Air Cooling Fan]

Thanks, it's a bit rough right now, but I'm working on it, and hope it'll look neat in the end.

[Air Cooling Fan]

Next installment. Been working on a few small improvements.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/Picture001.jpg

The front of the desk is looking much better. I've started cutting small portions of wood to flush together the door, cooling fans, and eventually, the optical drive caddy too. I've also modded the cable of an old xbox crystal conroller to connect it to USB. Thanks to those who've already done this, made it really easy for me.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/Picture002.jpg

My dirty, messy unprofessional work area, where all the cutting, drilling of wood and plastic has been done. Please make a special note of my 9.99 jigsaw, with one speed setting (stupidly fast) that scares the hell out of me.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/Picture008.jpg

I've also mounted speakers on the 'driving' side of the desk, for stereo sound on either side. This was a mod of sorts as the speakers are a desktop set, and had to be cut up and holes drilled in the back to make them mountable.

I've also sat the monitor on a turntable, so that it rotates to face either position.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/Picture004.jpg

[xRyokenx]

Looks cool dude. I'm trying to think of a way to have something that becomes entirely self contained with a spot for the monitor and all the accessories and unfolds into a desk, but isn't hard to move. I'd like to do this for traveling and for LAN parties and such things like that.

[Air Cooling Fan]

Maybe look in camping stores? might find somekind of folding picnic table, the mechansism might be of use at least. Telescopic table legs maybe?

Or of course you could fab the whole thing yourself. If you have the skills, tools, and time (I have none of them)

[xRyokenx]

I have the tools, and can work on the skills and just do it in the spare time I waste anyway... I just need a caddy-ish thing. I'm betting it won't be too hard for me to come up with something, hell, I build with LEGOs and sit there for hours building one thing as it comes to me, lol... but I'll try drawing this. Wood seems to be what we have tons of (my dad cut down a few trees, cut them into boards, and has them drying atm), so I'll use that. But yeah, back to your project, I'll post my ideas in another thread later on after I've worked on them some.

/OT&Thread-jack

[Air Cooling Fan]

Well, one thing I need some ideas for, is as follows.

This picture shows the top of the desk. I'm going to drill through the desktop, and pass wires through, for the shown switches and fan controller. The switches will operate power, reset, perhaps fans on/off, hopefully lighting. etc.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/AirCoolingFan/Picture007.jpg

The question is, what to fit the switches into?

I was thinking of a box at first, nothing special. Maybe some nice housing for cables using steel bathroom shower hose. Maybe some other feature. But basically something fairly plain with some nice push and toggle switches.

Then I had a brainwave though. I noticed my old Atari VCS / 2600 had several switches, some on/off switchable, some momentary, just what I need. Maybe I could use this shell and have a retro atari as a feature sat on top of the desk, with the switches controlling the PC?

http://www.vidgame.net/ATARI/Atari/2600/atari_2600_six.jpg

Just one idea. I'd appreciate any you have.

[xRyokenx]

You could put it flat in the desk, like tilt it back 90 degrees and mount it on the tabletop part of the desk, unless that's in the way... or you could even put it at an angle with a small bump on the desk... just some ideas.