KNS-04: Cube

[Kumo]

I know, i know... So looooong since my last modding project. But i'm back with a real project. I've just started it, but as you can see, it's taking shape. It is a PC for downloading and other auxiliary tasks, as others projects of mine that you might have seen, but more sophisticated, not in components (nothing very special), but in design.

The Cube
I found this lighted CD storage in a shop. And spent some days thinking about it. And after return to the shop with a measuring tape, i had to buy it. The design is cool and i've wanted, since my last projects, to build a red computer (Primary) because my other mods are mainly dark colored.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_1med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_2med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_3med.jpg

By the moment, i'm not going to use the lights board that you can see in the pic below, but i want to light the case with red lights to get an effect close to the original lightning (first pics). The board looks very simple and upgradable, so perhaps i will use it in another porject. Below that, you have a comparison between the original board, and the Epia board, for this machine.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_4med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_5med.jpg

The Mod
The firs step is to make some room for the components. So, after removing the original board, i cut the bottom of the inside cube. That way i can operate parts easily and venting all casse with a single big fan at the front/top.
Cutting the inside cube isn't easy. You don't have many space to maneuver with the (fake)Dremel and the low visibility inside. So, after cutting, i had to retouch and file edges, a lot. Anyway, without the bottom side, the duty is easier.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_6med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_7med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_8med.jpg

Now, you can figure how it will looks at the end and the visibility of the components (althougt front/top mesh and fan will cover them a lot). Some red lights are required (in the To-Do list) ;)
To reach that last photo with the cube's inside view showing the board, you need to make the base, before. The base is made of plexy also, but factory black and silver painted (i have to fix that). At the final stages of the project it will need more work, but by the moment, only the basis is needed: Holes for motherboard screws and a big one for wires.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_9med.jpg

The board is not centered on the base, i left more room in one side to put controls (buttons and others) and let the PCI slot be still functional.

The first auxiliary work i've done is to make/adapt a fan speed regulator, for the main fan (120mm) placed in the cube's hole.
It is a cool mini-project by itself, to test my (a bit rusted) skills with the soldering iron.
The origins are in a cannibalised 3 channel AKASA fan control. By one side, for this mod i only need one regulator. On the other side, the needed parts were there and i didn't have to buy anything.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_10med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_11med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_12med.jpg

Basically, all the job is: 1) Desoldering the part from the original board. 2)Estudying how the circuit is routed. 3) Attacht them back in the most compact and nice way that you can achieve. 4) Put an extra wire for the RMPs meter. 5) Your personal touches... Heatshrink, painted edges... All you want.
It's a small job to make a full guide so, if more info needed, just ask me :)

And that's all, by the moment. Althoug this is not a very long and complicated project, it will take me some time, because i need to get some componets and over all, some time to get a quality finish. I hope you understand it. As soon as i'll have more pics of the following steps, i'll publish new posts.

[SXRguyinMA]

this thing looks like its going to turn out neat :up:

[The boy 4rm oz]

That cube looks awesome, nice find. A fantastic start. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[aintnothang]

cool.

[SXRguyinMA]

stupid spammers

[progbuddy]

stupid spammers

Seriously...

Anyways, this mod looks like it's headed in a good direction. Good luck to ya. ^^

[FuzzyPlushroom]

This is gonna be a neat little mod, I think. Looking forward to seeing how you pull off the lighting! +sub

[Kumo]

Thank you, guys. I'm cooking the next post.

By the moment, the most difficult part is to find a suitable PSU. Perhaps the best option will be a kit with a Pico-psu or such as. I could draw power for lighting from USB port, imo. Mmmm... Well, let me a while with the gimp to resize pics.

[Kumo]

Slow, but go on.

I bought this for the case:

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_13med.jpg

2 120mm fans and a SATA 2,5"/ 250GB Samsung drive. 2 fans because i didn't know which could render better. The red and black one is silent and good looking (i have one on my desktop rig and performs very well) but maybe better for an industrial looking mod. While the dark red (a little pink on the pic) is lighted and blows more CFMs. Anyway, you never have to much fans, not for this case, but for another one :D
I know Epia boards doesn't need too much venting, but I like to use fans, just in case, and is useful to fill the gaps (That's is so big as 120mm, I installed smaller ones in others Epia projects). You know, bigger fans, more CFMs and more silent, usually.

Mesh
Resuming the works, I've done the mesh for the fan in the main hole. Actually, is bigger than the fan (120mm) as it has to cover all the opening (130mm). It's made from a portion of A.C. Ryan mesh that I grabbed from an laptop cooler dock (That's another history). I used pliers and hammer to shape it.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_14med.jpg

That's how it render in the hole. I like the black / red mix and the mesh fits perfectly,

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_15med.jpg

At the end, I chose the dark red fan (dark when lighted). It works OK with the speed control (lights are also dimmed) and blows OK (up to 49.58CFM) noiseless, at any speed (up to 1200RPM). You can see the good effect with mesh and lights. For the test, I've used the bottom of the cube that I cut on my previously post.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_16med.jpg

Supports
I've had 2 ideas about fixing the fan to the case. I show you the first one, but is discarded. I'll use the second (in following posts) but I leave it here just to show you the development. And maybe someone will find it useful

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_17med.jpg

The idea was to fix 4 plexy dices in the corners, but as they was too tall, I thought to lower them, with a better shape (and make them cooler). To get the shape, has to remove a lot of plexy with the (F)dremel.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_18med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_19med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_20med.jpg

The problem is that I cannot achieve, with my current tools, the precise shape i want (although the piece isn't so bad) IMO. In add, my second idea is better. I could put the fan as lower as the edge of the case is, and fill the gap between the inner cube walls and the fan.

On the other side, i almost choose a Pico-PSU as PSU for the mod (with an external AC/DC converter, like in a laptop). And if i can find something in eBay, it will has an optical drive (slim slot-loading, is the target).

[overmark]

Your project looks really good so far, great idea, keep up the good work!

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice fan mounts. I am glad you chose that fan instead of the red and black one.

[Kumo]

Just a quick pic:

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_21med.jpg

Testing parts with a bootable USB with Debian Netisnt.

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

i think i see i blue kingston datatraveler hidin under there.. or do my eyes deceive me?
i had a 2Gb green one.. didnt help with vistas speedbooster... but was a great lil usb stick.. even went thro a wash and continued to work :D
which formfactor is that motherboard?

[nevermind1534]

It would appear to be mini ITX

[Kumo]

i think i see i blue kingston datatraveler hidin under there.. or do my eyes deceive me?
i had a 2Gb green one.. didnt help with vistas speedbooster... but was a great lil usb stick.. even went thro a wash and continued to work :D
which formfactor is that motherboard?

Yep, it's an Epia mini-ITX board (13000SP). And yep again, it's a 512 data traveler, i found in the airport :D
I have a purple 4GB one. And it has survived washing and shell cracking :) Really thoug.

[Kumo]

News!

Today, the Pico-PSU kit has arrived. It's really small and cool. The brick has a cord with an USA type plug, so I have to get a Europe type cord or replace the plug.
http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_22_med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_23_med.jpg

Closer view.
http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_24_med.jpg

Quick test to check if it works OK. It's just what i was expecting, small and almost without wires.

About the fan support. i've been working on the new pieces (second idea, in the last post). It's more complex (more parts) but it will look better once finished.

Cuts. I have to sand and file them to get a perfect fit.
http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_25_med.jpg

Explain. The fan, fitted between the transparent spacers, will be fixed with screws to the bottom plate (Front face in the cube's hole). The red piece, is a frame to close the support and get a better look. I'll also re-do the meshX to fit there.
http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_26_med.jpg

I'll post more pics, when the fan will be on place.

[SXRguyinMA]

I've been thinking about one of those pico PSUs for Rockin Case, I think I saw a 240w version :D

[The boy 4rm oz]

Damn those PICO PSUs are small.

[Kumo]

Short update...

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_27med.jpg

I've got the case's feet. They are 4 Shuttle's case feet, made of alu and with the rubber tip.
Maybe I'll have to paint them black, but I'll see it further.

[SXRguyinMA]

more progress! this things going to look nice

[Kumo]

Previously on This Mod...

I had some problems with the fan fixing, but the are solved now. In add, i found the perfect feet for the mod. So, it's time for new pics.

I've finished the front plate, where fan and mesh will be fixed. This is the second I've done, since the first plate didn't satisfied me. By now, only rest to find a bunch of nice black screws to put there.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_28med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_29med.jpg

Need that screws... Meanwhile, let's back to the base, already done. And it doesn't need more work.

The original base plate + circuit board were thicker. So, to get a perfect fitting and a better quality finish, i did a second layer plate. The second layer, made of black plexy as the front plate, was made and almost finished separately, then i glued it to the fist layer, to finish both at the same time (Filing and sanding, holes for venting and fixing...).

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_30med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_31med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_32med.jpg

To fix the PSU plug, I did a bracket. With a hairdryer, I bend a piece of plexy and then glued it to the base. That gives me enough room to pass and plug, the PSU brick cord under the case.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_33med.jpg

Next step, feet and wallmount... yes, wallmount :D
I've already show you the feet. They are from Shuttle and are sweet. They are fit in a more or less tight holes, in a sort of self-tapping action. A little amount of teflon tape, makes them fit better.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_34med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_35med.jpg
You can see the embedded heads of the motherboard allen screws.
The wallmount (I hope it will be enough strong!) is made with a plexy dice (with several holes) so you can use (if you really want to hang the case on the wall) screws or wires. The dice is double fixed to the base with glue and a screw. In the last pic, you can see the idea, more or less.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_36med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_37med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_38med.jpg

Mobo on place. I've sleeved the PSU wire and fixed it to the bracket.

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_39med.jpg

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_40med.jpg


In the to-do list, still left some important jobs: HDD caddy. Control panel. Wiring and USB devices.... Step by step...

[The boy 4rm oz]

I really do like those feet, they are very different.

[DonT-FeaR]

oh nice wire management !!!! that will be reallly neat

[p0Pe]

this thing is gonna rock:D
+rep:)

[Kumo]

Thank you guys! Comments (positive or negative, of course) are appreciated.

i hope to post another update by the end of this week.

Greets

[pcclan]

nice computer hope you get it done soon

[chaksq]

That is cool, looking forward to the finished system. Kinda got a artistic look to it. The Pico PSU is perfect for that, might use one in my Mac Classic project.

[Kumo]

Hell, it's must have been like 100 years... Anyway, I never forget a project.

I managed to convert this:

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_41med.jpg

On this:

http://knsweb.net/wordpress/images/modding/kns-04/kns-04_42med.jpg

It solves my problem with HDDs since that blank PCI card it's a 2x 2.5"HDD PCI tray now. I liked it so much, that I planning using another one in other project.

I promise to upload a "in action" shot very soon.

[The boy 4rm oz]

WOW, what a thread revival mate :D. Nice to see you back with us. The HDD mount looks great.

[blueonblack]

Woo hoo! This just proves that some of the thread corpses we see around here are really just in stasis.

Welcome back!

[Trace]

Looks good, and like everyone above, welcome back!

[Kumo]

Thanks all.

I'm becoming an expert on stasis threads... :rolleyes:

BTW, the computer has been working flawless in my desk all the time, I only need to finish the case.

[artoodeeto]

oooh...this is gonna be cool! where did you get the blank PCI card? I have an SSD hard drive and that'd be a great way to mount it, but I can't find anyone who sells those. I could probably make one though....great idea! can't wait to see the pics of it in place.

[Kumo]

I got it from a dead server :whistler:

It must be really old stuff. Mmm.. Maybe you could make one with a 1,5mm plasticard sheet or better with a layer of that sheets for solder stuff in homemade projects ("breadboard", is it the name??).