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Stygian Shane
12-19-2005, 03:50 AM
First thing: Havn't yet decided on a name for this one, so I'll leave the title as is for now.

Alright. Went to a LAN recently, and ran out of hard drive space while leeching. That isn't cool. So I thought to myself; OK, need more hard drives. And Project CF can't accomodate more hard drives. So I'm going to make another case!

This one will be made out of perspex, with polished aluminium chequerplate covering the bottom half of the case, and used inside in a few feature points.

This is an odd shape too; dimensions are: 450*180*300 (L*W*H).

The whole thing will be attached with M4 Stainless Hex head screws, no glueing whatsoever.

The top panel will have "Seagate" and the accompanying logo, laser etched onto it.

So far, I have ordered the perspex at the local supplier, and it is being cut to size and etched. I should be able to get it on Thursday morning, today being Monday.

So: the hardware.
It will be able to hold upwards of 8 hard drives, but I am planning to use 3-4 to start off with. Seagate hard drive units, obviously. The motherboard will be a mATX, with onboard video, sound and network. If need be I will buy a second hand RAID card, but that will be later down the line when I get more hard drives. I'm aiming for around 1.2TB of storage to start off. I'll be using a Shuttle 320W small form factor PSU, with a shroud to hide the cables. Not planning on having any expansion cards at the moment.

2 120mm fans on the front of the case, and possibly 1 on the back to cool it. Handles on top, secured to both the top and bottom panels of perspex. Sides will be 4mm thick perspex, front/back & top/bottom will be 10mm.

I don't like using SketchUp, so no concept pics. You can see it as it goes when I get my stuff and start building.

Updates when I get my perpsex.

b4i7
12-19-2005, 10:19 AM
ive got my own file pc...if you wont mind an athalon..ive got a mobo that has 4 ide channels

its the asus A7V

Stygian Shane
12-19-2005, 03:45 PM
Righto, thanks for that.

I've just decided on a motherboard though..

I'll be using an ASUS P5GL MX, running on the i915 ML chipset. With this, I'll be using a Celeron D 331, and 1GB of Corsair Value Select.

Stygian Shane
12-21-2005, 09:02 AM
Well, I got my perspex today, a day eariler than expected. Apart from a mismeasurement on my part while designing, everything is perfect. (BTW, all I have to do to correct the mistake is cut 20mm off the 2 pieces of 4mm plex. Easy enough.)

Well, I'll get to the pictures.

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/8726/10018961lx.th.jpg (http://img394.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10018961lx.jpg)

First up, the engraving! This looks awesome in person. This piece will be the top of my case, and I'll have a few green leds shining in one end to highlight this feature. (The feature colour of this one will be green, as it seems to 'suit' the case.)

Next are just some shots of the different sized pieces of the case. It's gonna be short, wide, and long. Easy to lug around to LAN's and suchforth. Here are some pics with a HDD unit (3.5") for comparison. The space at the back is perfect for a mATX motherboard.

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/1760/10018981ae.th.jpg (http://img394.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10018981ae.jpg)

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/5550/10018995sl.th.jpg (http://img394.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10018995sl.jpg)

Well that's it for now, I'll be cutting fan holes, HDD securing holes, drilling/tapping anchor points etc etc... I'll post updates as I go. This won't have a permenent optical drive, for those of you who are wondering.

Also, the place that I buy my fans/cathodes at, PC Case Gear, is closed for the Christmas break. Doesn't matter, as I REALLY should be saving money for university ( I have to pay for my accomodation next year, living on campus but should be fun! Nanotechnology woo!).

More updates as I go... Presently I'm cutting down/filing these two panels that were a little large for the others.

crenn
12-21-2005, 09:11 AM
If you are going to go lanning with this then you might look at a DVD drive as most games needs a CD to run....

Xato
12-21-2005, 09:16 AM
I think this comp was intended to be for storage purposes.
And ya, that engrave looks awesome!

Stygian Shane
12-21-2005, 09:32 AM
I think this comp was intended to be for storage purposes.


Hehe Xato, got it in one.

Xato
12-21-2005, 09:37 AM
^_^

Rankenphile
12-21-2005, 12:27 PM
Lol, just an idea... I was thinking how cool it would be to build a file server array in a file cabinet. The title for this made me think of it.

I mean, technically, it IS for file storage, right?

Malatory
12-21-2005, 02:24 PM
wow found someone that is looking to get more storage space than me ...

I currently have over 1.5B of storage (over 8 machines)

Xato
12-21-2005, 06:55 PM
Lol, i know people who have 3TB in a single comp. Crazy crazy people.

crenn
12-21-2005, 10:50 PM
Here is the amount of HDD space (including PVRs) in my house:
1x 300GB
1x 200GB
2x 160Gb
1x 120GB
3x 80GB
3x 60GB
4x 40GB
6x 20GB
1x 5GB

Toal Space over several computers, PVRs and MP3 players: 1.485 TB (appox)

Myrdhyn
12-22-2005, 11:57 AM
:( and I thought I was doing good with my 0.5 TB

public_eyesore
12-22-2005, 05:15 PM
Lol, i know people who have 3TB in a single comp. Crazy crazy people.

i dont understand why...

Xato
12-23-2005, 12:07 AM
These people pretty much have anything you'd ever want, its a good resource to know them =P

crenn
12-23-2005, 01:38 AM
Are those HDDs actually filled? And btw, I have a $7k computer desing which has about 2.52TB in it, but 2 of those drives are 74GB raptors......

@Myrdhyn
Remember, this is for all the HDDs in my house, I only own about 240GB of HDD space......

Myrdhyn
12-23-2005, 10:59 AM
:P i own the .5tb across my gaming rig and fileshare server....if i tossed in the g/f computer and my linux box that i haven't setup it would be around .6 tb i think

crenn
12-23-2005, 11:19 AM
I only own 1 computer.......

adreamtraveler
12-23-2005, 08:14 PM
i dont understand why...

i have just over 1TB for my computers, but i need more...i am storing and transferring hundreds of GB's of *.TGA sequences every week for the VFX work i do and am having to backup lots of them to DVD's cause i don't have the storage space :p each TGA is about 1MB and there are 24 (Film) or 30 (Video) of them per second of footage. if you are working with Cineon Film scans, the files can be up to 30MB per frame, so if you have a 5 min. cineon clip you would be working with over 200GBs worth of plates. so it can all add up very quickly. :p

Stygian Shane
12-29-2005, 10:35 AM
Well; I went out tonight to cut/drill some perspex. All was going well. I was about to try and see how a 5mm hole, would support the head of the M4 screw that I'm using. I tested it in a scrap piece of 10mm thick perspex. Bad idea.

The piece caught on the end of the drill, and it started spinning. Due to this being one of the cutout fanholes, It had an entry cut from the scrollsaw, which made a nice sharp point.

It bit me.

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/1985/10019158lw.th.jpg (http://img376.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019158lw.jpg)

That's a gash about 1 inch long, right down my WASD finger. Not cool.

So, I went back out, determined to hold the bloody thing properly this time. I tried again, and failed. This time it got my thumb.

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/3498/10019176cb.th.jpg (http://img376.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019176cb.jpg)

Ouch!

And the bastard that got me. A bit blurred, but you can probably make out the sharp bit? On the bottom right of the circle.

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/4959/10019187tk.th.jpg (http://img376.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019187tk.jpg)

Anyway, here are the screws that I will be using. M4 stainless steel hex heads. These things look awesome.

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/2193/10019192zw.th.jpg (http://img376.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019192zw.jpg)

Well, because of my 'injury' (but more because I'm pissed off at myself for letting it happen...) I'm finished for the night, and CBF taking more piccies of what I've done. I'll make an attempt to do it tomorrow.


EDIT: And I apologize for the photos being like that... don't know what went wrong there (regarding the posting of the images onto the page...) Un;ess you would prefer them like that?

EDIT2: Fixed.

sega01
01-01-2006, 08:20 PM
bah
i only have 221 gigs of storage... counting my server, desktop, wretched windows desktop, laptop, ipod and usb key.

Stygian Shane
01-04-2006, 12:10 AM
Ah well, finally an update. WoW has kinda been stealing my time. I drilled and tapped the holes, in the sides that I could, of the top piece, to attach the sides to for a test. Apart from accidently stripping one hole, and 2 about 1mm off, it came out fine. I'll enlarge the untapped holes on the side panels of those 2, and fill in the stripped hole with Araldite to try again.

Anyhoo, here are the pictures.

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8534/10019209pc.th.jpg (http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019209pc.jpg)

NB: The front hasn't been attached yet, just testing.

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/7811/10019219fw.th.jpg (http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019219fw.jpg)

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/1214/10019223kq.th.jpg (http://img450.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019223kq.jpg)

And just for size comparison. This thing is gonna be small.

This thing already weighs a ton, I hate to see what it's gonna be like when the hard drives are in.... Some beefy hannd;es and supporting rods will suffice. As I said, they will be anchored to both the bottom and top of the case, both being made out of 10mm perpsex. Washers will be used too for support.

I'm yet to buy the chequerplate. Soon.

EDIT: Fixed up picture hotlinks.

Stygian Shane
01-23-2006, 09:21 AM
An update that wasn't put into this worklog previously:

Got the piece of plex that I ****ed up, replaced, and holes drilled into the ends of the top and bottom pieces, seeing as I didn't have the equipment to do it myself.

Messed up a measurement that was given to the plex supplier, and as a reslult 1 hole was drilled in the wrong spot before they rang me. This would normally be fine, but it theres about a 1mm gap between holes. This means I can't tap it properly the way it was :(

Ended up using a syringe for refilling inkjet printers, to pill it with perspex glue. So far, a few bubbles have developed in it, which isn't good, but providing it goes hard, I can safely tap the correct hole.

Apart from that, havn't made much more progress... Drilled and tapped the holes in the top piece, for attaching the sides to; havn't done it to the bottom piece yet. A few of the holes lost their threads when I tapped them as I went 1/2 twist too far, but it holds the screw in place and there's more than enough support for the sides, from the other screws.

I'll probably post pics up of it when it actually LOOKS as if works been done on it. I'm also at the moment preparing an old POS case to be modded for a friend of the family. New front bezel, coupl'a windows, fairly standard stuff.

Stygian Shane
01-23-2006, 09:40 AM
Alright; an update!

I got the chequerplate, and cut it down to size.Hacksaw did the trick, and a fine file to neaten up the edges and remove nasty burrings.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/2563/10019484zv.th.jpg (http://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019484zv.jpg)

I then drilled it out with a 5mm drill bit and counter sunk it with a 6mm one. Some of the holes were right in the middle of a diamond, and so the highs had to be cut down. A 6mm drill did this perfectly so that the screw oculd sit flat. I then drilled 3mm holes along the sides (plex) at the same positions of the bottom holes, but 140mm higher, and tapped it to M4, the screw thickness I will use throughout the whole case.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/676/10019499kq.th.jpg (http://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019499kq.jpg)

Note the overhangs on the above photo - this is what they're for. Snug.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/3485/10019501ve.th.jpg (http://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019501ve.jpg)

The chequerplate sections for the front will be the same. This will however have only a 3mm overhang each side, to line up with the side sections and avoid having a step effect on the edges.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/1426/10019513fj.th.jpg (http://img58.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019513fj.jpg)

If you noticed a rough section on the top right section of the top panel, this is where I had an 'overflow' from filling the hole on my first attempt. This is perspex glue, which will eventually be sanded off using 1200 grit sandpaper, and then polished up using brasso etc.

Anyway, that's my update for the moment. I'm slowly but sureley getting through this, although I hope to have it done before the 17th of Feburary, which is the starting date of my university course.

Marcthelegend
01-23-2006, 10:11 AM
hey Stygian Shane, it looks like it cut down to the vein on your thumb, is that true coz if it did, YOUCH!!!!!

public_eyesore
01-23-2006, 03:49 PM
looking nice

Stygian Shane
01-24-2006, 10:19 AM
Well; I tapped the holes on one side of the bottom, to peoprly secure a side onto, and it came out well. So I decided to finsh one of the side panels and be done with that one, ie put it away untilt the rest is done. I just wanted to see what it'd look like.

I'm pleased with the result.

I started sanding the back of one of the chequerplate pieces (the side that would be against the plex) and I never figured it would come out with a brushed look. It did in one spot, so I continued. It took a considerable bit more effort to do the whole thing than I thought it would.

Anyway, on with it. I polished the edges of the aforementioned side panel (I need to do a better job; it still has gouges in it, albeit small ones, from the cutter where it got cut to size. I also polished the alu using metal polish. Silvo, to be specific.

Here goes.

The panel on it's own:

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/1777/10019549ew.th.jpg (http://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019549ew.jpg)

And screwed on, not proplerly though, to the rest.

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/2567/10019558si.th.jpg (http://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019558si.jpg)

The black line is a mark on the top where I drilled out the holes. (from the Seagate panel)

I'll get around to doing some more sooner or later.

Stygian Shane
02-02-2006, 12:13 AM
I've now close to finished the front panel; just a little bit more polishing to finish it, plus the holes on the alu need to be countersunk a little more. Plus I need some shorter screws, as is, they won't all fit. Missing one fan grill too; the one pictures is off my CF case, but I didn't want to take the front one off as the fans quite difficult to get in without dismantling half the case.

Anyway, the picture. 2 sides down, 2 left and then I work on the inside!

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3456/10019564zx.th.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019564zx.jpg)

b4i7
02-03-2006, 12:35 PM
lookin great man...

Stygian Shane
03-13-2006, 11:00 AM
Well I'm having a bastard of a time working on this while I'm at uni, mainly because it's a good part of 150km away from me, and my arms aren't quite that long.

BUT: My money jar for the hardware to go in it, (a 4.5L bottle of Jimmy), is slowly filling up and I reckon I've got about $600-$700 in there now. Coupled with the fact I'm now earning about $150 a week after ALL expenses, the money will be coming in quite quickly.

I'll probably try and finish this through the easter break, and if not then, the semester break. I need to buy a new tap though :( because I've just stripped about 3 holes trying to use it. Not good, but that's fine.

Now I REALLY need to start a report on the Synchrotron. 1500 words, and it's due in in about 12 hours. Now being about 2:00am. ****.

DaveW
03-19-2006, 09:06 PM
It's amazing how some people will take photos when they hurt themselves, instead of looking for, say, something to stem the bleeding. It's like a mark of honor or something :D

Case is looking good buddy!

-Dave

Stygian Shane
03-19-2006, 10:31 PM
Left a couple of nice little scars too ;)

XcOM
03-20-2006, 07:10 PM
wow found someone that is looking to get more storage space than me ...

I currently have over 1.5B of storage (over 8 machines)

Me personally, i have 1.8TB, include my dad,,,,
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Ready for this@@@@@:::::::£$£$£$%$

9.7TB:eek:

wingman358
03-20-2006, 07:55 PM
That case looks friggin' SWEET!

xmastree
03-21-2006, 06:17 AM
It's amazing how some people will take photos when they hurt themselves, Erm, yes. Isn't it.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/chrispollard/thumb.jpg

Although I did get something done about this one before picturing it...

Stygian Shane
03-21-2006, 09:35 AM
Wow... thanks for sharing that... ;)

g0t m0dz
03-21-2006, 10:15 AM
Erm, yes. Isn't it.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/chrispollard/thumb.jpg

Although I did get something done about this one before picturing it...

:eek: WTF did you do to it

xmastree
03-21-2006, 11:52 AM
:eek: WTF did you do to it
I was cutting something with a Stanley knife.
http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/8b/cd/Stanley_Utility_Knife_Shop_Tools-resized200.jpg
Stupidly, I was cutting towards the hand I was using to hold it. Too much pressure, the part suddenly gave way, and Bang! The knife went into my thumb. Hard.
It went 1/3 of the way through, I reckon the bone stopped it going further.
I immediately wrapped it in something and asked my wife to take me to the hospital. I knew it would need stitches.

It was two years ago and I still have the scar. Always will, I guess. Anyway, Chicks dig scars, right? 8)

Enough of this though, I don't want to hi-jack this thread, which is about a cool disk case.

:redface:

onelegout
03-21-2006, 12:58 PM
Haha awesome. I have SO many cuts on my left knuckles from stanley knives and x-acto blades from stenciling. :D

This case looks AWESOME! keep it up! :)

Brunhold
03-29-2006, 05:00 AM
Ah, a casemod finger! Have you sewed this yourself? Where are the inlying LEDs? ;)

Stygian Shane
05-07-2006, 04:44 AM
Ugh, so long since an update...

Anyways, no photos again. BUT last bit of work I did on it, I finished cutting out the aluminium all around, so that's all finished now. I just have to buy some correct length screws, finish the HDD racks and then make the PSU shroud, and it's pretty much done.

INerTIal over at the Overclockers Australia forums decided to do a Sketchup model for me, as I can't use the program properly. I don't like it anyways.

Heres the picture. Not as shiny as real life, but a good indication. I'm quite probably going to put another 120mm fan into the side panel over the GFX slot.

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/8855/case7qw.jpg

So HUGE kudos to INerTIal.

Hopefully I'll get a little bit of work on it this saturday; but the digicam's outta commission... so I'll get photos in a month or so.

antheh
05-07-2006, 08:56 AM
Sounds pretty good mate, can't wait to see the end result. I am interested in doing something similar now but wont be for a while. :lol:

And you think that injury was bad, I once drilled throught my finger. :|

notochord
05-07-2006, 10:25 AM
Erm, yes. Isn't it.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f341/chrispollard/thumb.jpg

Although I did get something done about this one before picturing it...

Xmastree i know how that feels. in my tech class at school they got this new automatic embroidery machine that tought kids how to design stuff on the computer then make it. ya so i was stringing the needle which requires u putting ur finger kinda near under the neadle to hold the string. well so anyway i lets just say i didnt push the right button to string the machine. the needle went straight into my index finger through the nail and out through the other end... i pulled my finger away while the needle was in my finger and the needle got stuck in my finger and i had to get surgery and i ended up with some nasty stiches like that. lol i guess it was funny but it hurt like a bitch



Stygian shane i love that checkered metal it looks sweet.
and are u going to make the top fan blow out and the bottom fan blow in??

Nagoshi
05-07-2006, 10:26 AM
Youd better use at least one DVD drive in your comp dude.. it could really be useful if you dont wanna play with all your case to install Windows..

Another idea that I would presonally like to do, is to use a program like Alcohol 120%, or Daemon Tools, and tock all your game CDs on your hard drives (thinking of the way you are going to use storage in here, Im sure you could store all your game CDs on one drive), this way if you link your storage computer with your gaming computer, and use Daemon/Alcohol to load logically all your CDs on your storage PC, you would be able to use them on your gaming PC by sharing your disks between those 2 computers...

Its hard to explain, but personally I could manage to do this easily... altho I dont know if your files will be shared with only your computer, or with all the network..

Nice case design tho, good luck!

Stygian Shane
05-07-2006, 11:49 AM
Youd better use at least one DVD drive in your comp dude.. it could really be useful if you dont wanna play with all your case to install Windows..

Another idea that I would presonally like to do, is to use a program like Alcohol 120%, or Daemon Tools, and tock all your game CDs on your hard drives (thinking of the way you are going to use storage in here, Im sure you could store all your game CDs on one drive), this way if you link your storage computer with your gaming computer, and use Daemon/Alcohol to load logically all your CDs on your storage PC, you would be able to use them on your gaming PC by sharing your disks between those 2 computers...

Its hard to explain, but personally I could manage to do this easily... altho I dont know if your files will be shared with only your computer, or with all the network..

Nice case design tho, good luck!

I'll be using mounted images a lot of the time... BUT... I also have a slot loading DVD drive, that I'll be putting into an external case to match the main PC case. I'll have a big fat single cord running from the back of the PC to the DVD drive; that I can disconnect and connect easily whenever I want. Almost like the way a modular PSU would be.

Notochord: Yep. One will be intake, I'll have a mini duct behind the HDDs, and the other will be exhaust. The HDDs will be sitting in their own little windtunnel :)

Stygian Shane
06-13-2006, 07:34 AM
Well... it's been AGES since an update. Blame university and the consequent binge drinking for that. Tis only a very small update though :( More like a few teaser pics.

I've cut out all the aluminium, and filed most of the edges off. I've also taken all of the protective paper off the perspex, and it makes a BIG difference to the looks of it (obviously :) )

Anyway.. enough rambling. Here they are. Please excuse the flash; I'm using a really crappy digicam atm, taken in my bedroom... I really need to get somewhere set up to take good pics :(

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8987/frontisometric3bn.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frontisometric3bn.jpg)
Front & side

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2083/rearisometric9qx.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rearisometric9qx.jpg)
Back and other side. Here you can see the hole for the power supply; that will be shaped a bit more to suit the PSU when I get it. They're the edges that need to be cleaned up; you can probably see they're not prefectly straight. Nor are the others, but you can actually SEE those ones ;)

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7877/rear4ty.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rear4ty.jpg)
Another one of the back. The flash ruins the photo... but meh.

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/2983/top2cs.th.jpg (http://img50.imageshack.us/my.php?image=top2cs.jpg)
The top, which you've all seen before.

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/4439/cdrom0uu.th.jpg (http://img50.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cdrom0uu.jpg)
And... what I've only started recently. I've got a slot loading DVD drive; which will be housed in perspex and aluminium. I'm going to have a singular cable and endplate (with power and IDE cable) that runs from the DVD box to the main box. The faceplate will make it so that you only need to plug in one thing. Kind of like a docking station. Having never done something like that before, I'll need to put some thought into it.

Well... There they are. I have no idea when I'm going to finish this thing... and I already have aspirations for the next.... It'll most likely be a while; I'm in the process of saving for a motorbike. VTR250, for those riders out there.

Ciao.

Stygian Shane
06-14-2006, 07:10 AM
Another update.

I've finally gotten around to cutting out the hole on the side of the case for a 120mm fan, for exhaust. I've also cleaned up the cavity for the PSU with the router; it wasn't looking too flash.

Here are the pics. It's easy enough to work them out.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1664/measured9tg.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=measured9tg.jpg)

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9612/jigsaw9qo.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jigsaw9qo.jpg)

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/6421/cut3fz.th.jpg (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cut3fz.jpg)

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/3343/sanded3ne.th.jpg (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sanded3ne.jpg)

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/299/fitted4rm.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fitted4rm.jpg)


http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1469/carbon6co.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=carbon6co.jpg)

And this last one may look familiar to some people... if not, it's a roll of carbon fibre fabric that I had left over from my last project; a computer made from carbon fibre. What I plan to do with this over the uni holidays, is put a layer or two on the top of my laptop... Make it look better than the terrible turquoise colour that's on it now. I'll make sure to post a log of that :)

Stygian Shane
09-17-2006, 09:43 AM
Might I be the first to say....

OMG! Update! (only a small one for the moment, hoping for LARGE ones next week)

I've finally taken some time between full time uni and weekend employment, to do some work. Buying a few components for the system is also motivation :) ).

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7096/1409060005wi8.jpg
Here she is, sitting on my desk. I've got 3 320GB HDD's at the moment, but one is getting RMAd due to it dying.

Anyways. For the update.

Not much has been done on the actual case since the last update - I've fitted all the alu to the plex panels, and I'm waiting for an oppurtunity to get more screws, of which I will need lots. I've scrapped the DVD rom idea - Disc images will be sufficient, and for when I REALLY need an optical drive, I'll either hook one up with side open, or use one that I've got shared across the network.

What the update includes, though, is the beginnings of mounting the motherboard. With Project CF, I had standoffs screwed directly into the panel, and then the motherboard obviously on those standoffs.
The issue was, the expansion cards have a piece of metal, on the securing 'thing', that goes below the base of the MoBo. Because of this, I had to literally cut a section off each card I put in Project CF.

I've decided to change this for this PC.

Observe.

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7003/1709061921im4.jpg

This WAS a strip of 10mm thick plex, 19mm wide. I cleaned it all up with the router in a jig;

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4417/1709061922ag4.jpg
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/732/1709061923nd2.jpg
(I dislike using this tool - so dangerous. I get the thought that the bit, spinning at insane RPM, if even CHIPPED and hit me... would be quite messy)

and this is what it looks like on another angle, with standoff mounted in it.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9545/1709061920ba9.jpg

This will obviously all be polished up and made to look respectable. The flat side of the strip will be secured to the outside panel of the case, using the same M4 screws. Looks better, in any case than brass standoffs, like I did for CF.

On the MoBo:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1719/1709061928sv1.jpg

Tis a nice fit, and I believe it'll eventually match the rest of the case nicely.

Anyways - that's my 3 month update. As I said - ****LOADS more to come in the next couple of weeks.

NB: Excuse the photos at times - they were taken on my phone, as I cbf'd anymore finding the digicam and mucking around with the SD card and all that jazz.

EDIT: About the PSU. The one I had originally found and tailored the hole in the case for, had ceased to be stocked by the ONLY supplier in Aus. Not happy. What I'm now going to do - with the Antec 450W Smartpower there - open it up, isolate each rail, run it into the case on high gauge wires, and then seperate it up into it's component rails. I'll be using plugs and an aluminium plate where the hole is, so it'll still be portable regardless of an external PSU. The new case for the PSU will obviously match the case theme.

Stygian Shane
12-11-2006, 11:16 AM
Hmmmm. May as well resurrect this thread.

Haven't been able to take progress shots as such, as a sibling has taken the digital camera to London with him. **** happens. Instead, I've taken some quick photos on my phone to hopefully get across what it's looking like atm.

Anyhoo; off I go. I'll explain what I've done after each picture.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7545/1212060126je0.jpg

I took the back panel, and for reasons which you see, rerouted it out so that it was wider and the 'step' was only present on the top and bottom. This is done so I can do my stuff with the new PSU that will be external.


http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5157/1212060127qb3.jpg

Then I took some aluminium that I had bought, which was originally a strip 1m long, 3mm thick and 50mm wide. Chopped it into 2 130mm long pieces, and took 10mm off the side so that it was 40mm wide. Used some newly bought stepping drill bits, and drilled some holes. This is quite obviously one of 2 pieces.


http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1992/1212060128fp3.jpg

And in it goes. Fits nicely into the recess, and the small holes in the top and bottom have been drilled and tapped so that the alu can be screwed in and secured.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4979/1212060129pe8.jpg

Into each hole will go one of these little puppies. I bought some with 4 pins, and some with 5, to suit the requirements of each component in the computer. These have terminals on the inside of the case, for which cords will be made up and distibuted around to different parts. I'm in the process of doing this now.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/8630/1212060130bi9.jpg

On the outside, however, the PSU will have lengthened cables which will be terminated with these. These push and screw into the male component, which is the previous picture. (And yes, I have terrible fingers.)


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9495/1212060131hg9.jpg

A suitably dodgy pic of the inside cable assemby for the 12v CPU line.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1344/1212060132gc5.jpg

The general work area. A random pic. This is where all my cabling has been made up - the work on the alu/perspex has been done in my garage, which is a bit more accomodating for power tools.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5926/1212060133rs3.jpg

Couple of made up cables coming from the PSU. Braiding is somewhat cheap but does the trick. These are one of the SATA cable lines and the aforementioned 12v CPU line.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4322/1212060134dw9.jpg

The PSU sitting in it's new base - alu chequerplate :). This was formerly an Antex Truepower 430W.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2901/1212060135hj0.jpg

New perspex face & backplates for the PSU. This is 10mm thick.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9610/1212060136xi6.jpg

And the rest of the PSU casing. This is ACRyan MeshX - good stuff, but quite pricey. M4 SS Hexhead you can see there.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5285/1212060138hm9.jpg

Ah. Here are the 2 alu plugplates with some of the female ones sitting in there.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3825/1212060140ao7.jpg

Hasn't been mounted properly, but this is what the connection between male and femaile plugs will look like at the rear of the case.


http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1414/1212060150iw6.jpg

And this is how the HDD rack will be secured. Easiest way I could fathom doing it, and it still works a treat. The two rack pieces are simply constrained where they sit, by the screws on every side.


That's it for now - I'll be able to finishthis case before long. Just need a couple more plugs, LOTS more wire & heatshrink, and lots more screws.

Adios.

Fear
12-11-2006, 12:11 PM
Wow, this goes back over a year. Keep it up. The inside of you're case looks like you're hired a emo guy to decorate the inside with all the spikey **** poking inside.

jdbnsn
12-11-2006, 03:08 PM
That is looking great! Very clever modular design.

Stygian Shane
12-13-2006, 09:42 AM
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8876/1312062114li3.jpg

Rough recut of the rear alu panel. Used jigsaw, halfmoon and flat files and a Dremel grinding bit to do this. Still need to clean out area on left, and some of the circular sections for the plugs.

GT40_GearHead
12-13-2006, 01:05 PM
woow
that looks great man, what am I talking about..it looks perfect !

do you have any other pics ?

Stygian Shane
12-13-2006, 08:33 PM
...it looks perfect !
do you have any other pics ?

The pictures lie :(

I'm planning on getting myself a nice shiny DSLR camera in the near future, whick will take some awesome shots. At the moment, though, I'm stuck with the phone camera. I'll get some shots of the thing put together, with the next update.

Fear
12-13-2006, 08:55 PM
You have my vote for best phone pictures ever tooken. My **** comes out all blurry and ****.

armadilloben
12-14-2006, 08:21 PM
with everything in my house (my raid 0) dads raid 5 ,3 dvrs mys sister's 80 gigs moms 100gig couple 500 gig externals and all flash/dvd/zip/cd/floppys it 10 tb i rounded so its more like 9.6tb
anyways most ppl will think im nuts or rich but my dad is IT and he runs a networking pc troubleshoooting blah blah blah blah so any drives that are broken we normally rma and alota times it is cheeper for the customers to jus by a new drive so we jus keep em like i have 2 160 gig satas a 250 sata and a 40 ide for my linux box

ChadB
12-19-2006, 04:08 PM
Shane Burns??

Stygian Shane
12-24-2006, 06:04 AM
Shane Burns??

That's me! Who might you be?
Ah! Kirk's bro? Hey :)

simon275
12-24-2006, 07:10 AM
Like your work. Good to see some more Aussie modders.