Project: Art-Punk-Deco All in one.

[madd0ct0r]

Proposal:

All in one PC unit – Art-punk-deco

Specs:
1 LCD screen
1 dual core 3Gig Pentium 4 processor.
Shuttle Mobo (two PCI slots, one with the modem in)
DVD RW drive
40Gig HDD
256 DDR RAM
FDD
56k Modem PCI card
200Watt Shuttle PSU


To be added:
Bells and whistles
Another 256DDR RAM
Some sort of Graphics PCI card
Another HDD (preferably ‘external’ for flexibility)
Replace 200Watt shuttle PSU with standard 300Watt


Criteria:

Function – I mostly use it for web surfing, coding and 3d modelling. The last is the critical one. I’m currently getting glitching and slowdown when working with large rendered models. I’m hoping the extra RAM and/or the Graphics card should help a bit.

Size – the intention is to reduce the footprint on my desk, currently the Shuttle and the screen. I hope to get everything into the space the screen and it’s stand currently take up while still aiming for a lightweight and open appearance.

Noise – design out where possible. There’s normally a fairly high ambient background noise (music, radio, dual carriageway ect.) so silence is not required. Soft felt on the inside of the case and carefully placed fan vents should help minimise noise at minimal cost.

Cooling – Probably active air-cooled. Water-cooling or oil baths do bring geek points with them but also add to the complexity, weight and risk. That said, a passive water pipe loop or two is very tempting.

Theme- Art-punk-deco. Steampunk often means Victorians/Industrial Revolution plus magic. Post Industrialisation Europe descended into factions before WWI. Art-deco was an exuberant reaction to the privatations of the War. I don’t think adding fairies to the mix would change that much.
The Sunburst, Ziggurat, and Angel motifs will probably figure. Art-deco materials range from the wood and brass of steampunk to the forerunners of Machine Age Streamlining; aluminium foil, steel and Bakelite.

Bells and whistles – Apart from trying to improve my PC’s performance slightly, there’s a few second class missions. Size and Noise reduction have already been mentioned.
Plug reduction would be good too. Clearly (fuses permitting) I can splice the 240volt power cord of the screen into the Mains lead of the PSU removing one extraneous plug. If I can provide a small socket to charge my phone off then great (either a 3.5mm jack into the computer with a wire going to the phone or a little enclave with a ‘set down’ charger would do. I haven’t changed my phone for a few years and only then because I’d left it in Singapore.)
This brings me neatly to the idea of peripherals.
Mouse and keyboard obviously would need a face lift. I normally slot the keyboard away when I need the desk but the mouse stays out. A rollerball one would be great but I’ve not yet investigated how to turn an optical mouse into a rollerball. It vill be possible!).
Speakers I’d hope to integrate into the case, possibly on slide outs. This helps keep it compact when not in use and provides more space for air when running. I’ve an idea for how to automate this. Gears may be involved. Plug reduction a bonus.
Headphones, mic and USB sticks would get a facelift treatment too. Calculator too for the overall effect, and the mobile if it’s going to be sitting there to charge.
If I get an external HDD (facelifted of course) I’d aim to have it mounted inside the case but easily accessible. Could I accomplish that with a normal one? They’re much cheaper.
Incorporating a small lamp for the keyboard (either on the keyboard or the base would be cool

BUDGET – big scary capitals for a big scary word. The short answer is none. The long answer is minimal. The tech upgrades are clearly dependant. If I can get away without a new powersupply then I will. If I can get away without either the graphics card or the RAM I will. I don’t ‘need’ the processing upgrade or the extra memory but they’d be extremely useful. Mostly though, I don’t want an anodyne silver box and screen dominating my room.

I’ve plenty of wood for most of the case and intend to experiment with Galvanic etching to produce some nicely ornate meshes for safety (brass) and possible radiators (copper). I’ve the stainless steel printblock section of an old typewriter I’d love to incorporate as a heatsink somewhere. I know It’s a poor material but hey, it’s gorgeous.




Verk.
The initial aim is to fit all within a 180mm by 360mm footprint rising up to 378mm high. This places the centre of the screen at my eye level.

Taking into account only the physical components (conservatively assuming the Motherboard 40mm thick), ignoring wires, cooling equipment and the actual case itself, the shuttle as it stands has 43% of it’s internal volume filled.
The proposed model has 39.5%, so the primary check works.
Of course, I need to fit them in still, and wood is a lot bulkier then aluminium.
The DVD drive is giving me problems as it’s 180mm long before rear connections. I’ve opened it up and don’t think it can be shortened easily. Can you mount ordinary DVD drives vertically? Clearly the tray would need some modification…

Phew. And if you read that lot I thank you.

[tk421storm]

Exciting! I'm building a similar mod right now! I can't wait to see how this turns out.

[dak1b]

sounds goood!

[tk421storm]

The wait on update is maddening! I really want to see where this one is going.

Here's some food for thought:
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v294/ooompaloompa123/Melbourne/Suburban/clifthill1-mac.jpg
http://www.therealgalveston.com/Pics-Architecture/Art-Deco8.jpg
http://blogs.gamefilia.com/files/imce/u492554/bioshock_city_rapture.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/1681807440_ba8d6a559f.jpg
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/969390/2/istockphoto_969390_art_deco_hood_ornament.jpg

I'm an especially big fan of the bullet-train, super-speed motif that was so prevalent in art deco designs. There really was a unique optimism in their view of the future - now that the war's over, surely humanity will create a more perfect world. It's still an attractive idea to this day.

[nevermind1534]

Two art deco buildings that I know of off hand are the fisher building and the guardian building.

[madd0ct0r]

As a civil engineer I have no objection to this thread becoming an Art Deco building homage.
Honestly, you haven't seen my ideas file (or the 60 odd photos I took in Napier).

Been having trouble uploading pics recently so had to smuggle these up at work.


These are the dimensions I'm working with:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3348115987_c58d119652_o.jpg

The red box is the circuit board and PS for the LCD screen. Even combined they're smaller then that, but it's hard to take your screen apart when using it and I'm impatient.

It's hard to see but it all seems to fit (with extra HDD)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3348948184_d479fa1cba_o.jpg

PSU will have to go in the base.
Can anyone suggest wether I'll need a bigger one (hur hur hur)?

On a more difficult note, can you bend heatpipes?
I suspect not, though if they're solid it should be fine.
Either that or cut the heatsink down and place the fans beyond it.
The aim is to get it a bit thinner in crossection, though it already seems to fit in my inital 'box'

Will have to play around a bit more. sorry.

[tk421storm]

I'm excited - I'm not sure what you're gonna do and that just makes it more exciting. :)

[DonT-FeaR]

/\ yeah lol looks pretty cool

[madd0ct0r]

teasers:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3350697097_e6f463bea4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3351519978_e38c849fb6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3350697037_d98e76e4f0_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3350696973_effcf7b221_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3350696935_e02eaa3ed0_o.jpg


two existing art deco pcs - part of of one guy's work, he's done about a dozen of them. Mine will not look like either.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3350696861_a81bb80d7a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/3350696817_0ac0755bca_o.jpg

[tk421storm]

Gorgeous!

[Luke122]

Yeah, his work is really nice, but he's got a bit of a reputation around here.

[madd0ct0r]

itches to ask more...

[Mach]

Where did you find that second lamp? Must...need...want...

Edit: Sorry for the triple post, not sure what happened and yes, I really want the lamp :)

Got it - German jugendstil table lamp, Peter Behrens (school of) c.1905
http://www.andrewwhitehead.com/741/art_024.html
I'm guessing 5K$-ish?

So that this isn't a complete threadjack. Have you seen these?

http://artdonovan.vox.com/
http://www.frankbuchwald.de/engl_v/serie_e.html

[nevermind1534]

Where did you find that lamp in the second pic? Must...need...want...

Triple post?

[OvRiDe]

I am thinking that Mach REALLY wants that second lamp!! :D

[Collinstheclown]

On a more difficult note, can you bend heatpipes?

You can, but you have to be very careful. Check this site out:
http://www.silentmods.com/section2/item229/

They have ways to obtain heatsinks, bending them, all sorts of stuff.




-CollinstheClown

[TheGreatSatan]

Yeah, his work is really nice, but he's got a bit of a reputation around here.


That would be Jeffrey Stephenson, aka - SlipperySkip

[DonT-FeaR]

mach wants it!!!!

[madd0ct0r]

As do we all...

Thanks for the links Mach, the first one was new to me and most intriguing...

Basing the, um, base in the stlye of the art deco ato clock and leads me to this:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3362575447_a3057be213.jpg

but then where go the speakers?

A satisfactory solution this is not:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3362575487_00f9650d54.jpg


I may mount them on the top, set back a little to allow the DVD tray to pop up. Since that'll screw the vents up I'll have to mount the motherboard sideways, making the case unneccesarily blocky.
time to dissasemble the speakers, see how small i can get them to go.


sorry about all this, but i'd prefer to get the actual build right first time

[DonT-FeaR]

nah its cool i like the design process

[Mach]

Checkout Slipperyskip's latest, project Ingraham. He took inspiration for hiding the fan blowhole from an old radio's louvres. A possible way to hide the speakers and retain the deco look?

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=158662

[madd0ct0r]

ooh that's pretty.
Louvres slanted back with felt on inside strip to lower sound relfection are planned for the vents, I think I've found a work around with the speakers. It involves cheating and modding the desk to fit the computer.

[tk421storm]

Love the use of the brass strips in the wood to give it stripes. I think I just added a few months on my build....

[DonT-FeaR]

lol
looks like you did :)

[madd0ct0r]

ok. went out yesterday and bought a 15" LCD dell screen to act as the secondary screen.

rage. it's now disasembled (so non returnable). and the wires are aligned differantly, meaning I have to mount the controlling circuits (and hence possible the steel frame) to the back of the LCD, adding much unwanted weight and thickness.
grrr.

[DonT-FeaR]

woops! oh welll make it work! good luck

[tk421storm]

That's rough dude, but I'm confident you'll make it work :)

[madd0ct0r]

it's in a wooden fram as we speak. more work first, then pics.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I like where this is going, I'll be watching.

[madd0ct0r]

a first for this worklog - pics.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3388837875_2394b1992d.jpg
Secondary screen sans case

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3389649512_827ac342a3.jpg
Secondary screen within frame. Some work to do yet. Note the celluose based shock abosrb in the corner?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3389649330_a498929de9.jpg
Donated mouse from Kem (thank you dear). I wonder what that big red ball is for?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3388838027_3a5761d14a.jpg
My computer desk and entire workspace. Built out of an old wardrobe to fit. The keyboard has a storage slot just under the monitor shelf. Note how the monitor shelf is the same height as the shuttle + stand. Semi-intentional it helps it blend in neatly. The final thing this photo shows is that flat surfaces within armsreach of me tend to accumulate stuff. Vent design has to take this into account.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3388837615_7e5973e4b9.jpg
Note the presence of passive cooling vents.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3389648646_2a218e2b9d.jpg
Printer scanner combo - hopefully will get the treatment too once pc done

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3389648466_c6fddf5dab.jpg
Mouse with large brass scroll wheel setting - stupidly fiddly.

coherant I am not, at work I am.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice monitor box.

[madd0ct0r]

I seek this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3406004397_3578dfe18c.jpg


A small wood collection - need to get on with mod to reclaim kitchen
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3406814684_1893417405.jpg


Crucial bought RAM. from 256 to 1gig + 256. lovely feeling.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/3406005015_ba94829143.jpg

Donor for most of the wood so far - one ex snooker table.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3406005175_ce042d3ac8.jpg

Corners made nice.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/3406815604_c36227a225.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3406814826_6b8924f84f.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3406814550_dc08cbb047.jpg
This was done to stiffen the frame. All the blocks were connected with single screws, allowing them to pivot to a nice tight fit without cracking the screen. Once fitted though, that flexibility becomes a liability so these fixed corners are added.

Structually complete now. Tarting up will wait until a later stage in the build.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3406005719_06f866c756.jpg

Spring loaded back. Since nice vents would add extra depth to the frame, I've gone with this option. When the screen is swung against the main one (in the closed position, the clipboard come in behind it shutting the back. To prevent it from overheating when i open the screens out but forget to open the back (and I will) it's spring loaded to pop open an inch or two for cooling.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3406815406_bcd4b342a4.jpg

----------------------------------------------


The former design - now too boxy and bulky.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3406815654_7653685d6f.jpg

New proposed design: Closed and open respectivly.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3406815446_c4af62cfa7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3406815912_f4d68e25c7_o.jpg


Basically, the clipboard (not pictured) will swing out to the left, then the secondry screen to the right. The main screen will then slide down and out 100mm, freeing up a an air tunnel inside. The speakers may be hidden behind the screen in the closed postition.
The DVD tray will come out vertically downwards.
I was going to mount the screen in it's steel frame to add enough wieght to balance the secondry one, may not be able to now.
Building elegant sides will be difficult.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Your putty work on that corner is very neat, the whole thing is looking amazing.

[tk421storm]

Definitely great use of that putty.

[DonT-FeaR]

wow .. i saw the first putty pic and was like oh... noob... then saw the second and was like!!! oh my god... legend... lol gw

[madd0ct0r]

it's milliput, a two part expoxy. Safe, non toxic (though far from tasty), good to 130 deg C, drillable, tappable, sandable and can be thinned with water.

Did I mention it's cheap? If Kem wasn't around then I'd marry the stuff.

I ended up using it to hold the brass tips to the old monitor buttons too.

[DonT-FeaR]

lol.. yeah we have stuff like that... its called kneed it....


good work once again mate

[h3moglobe0]

Hamburgers! It's neato!
I just hope you won't use those art-deco colours :/. Those, ehh, fugly ones! (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40065000/jpg/_40065684_radio_203.jpg)
Is it makin' sick only me?

[madd0ct0r]

Not a fan of pastels i take it?

the graphics card and new PSU are sitting at my feet. I am, once again, at work

[h3moglobe0]

Pastels? Yes. Not those art-deco pastels which are a bit different I think.

[madd0ct0r]

GPU plugged in and windows crashes. bugger.
time to learn what bios does i think...

Still using the 200watt PSU, but it's getting a mite hot. Will switch it out when I disassemble Fritz Lang for moving into the new case.
You know, the one I haven't built yet.

[h3moglobe0]

*Cough* Uhmm, Have you consider visiting this site?
http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power
Especialy take a look at Capacitor Aging. Bios won't give you much unless you want to "trim" this CPU.

I have almost similar piece of junk right now. Truly sayin just throw in 1 gig waffle in there. I think you can get some of those at almost same price as 256, ofcourse if you still find those second ones.

[madd0ct0r]

Thanks, hadn't noticed that capacitor ageing on previious visits.

with some extremely conservative factors for aging, I'll need 235Watts
Just as well I bought that cheap 300W PSU eh?

Am about to email shuttle - can't seperate the AGP and onboard graphics through bios.


EDIT / UPDATE.
Shuttle got back to me, they think it's a driver problem, suggest unistall driver in safe mode or reinstall windows.
Catch is, as of tonight the pc has stopped recognising the dvd drive.
The agp card also worked, briefly. Once in fact, and for no apparent reason. Even more bizarrely, screen came up as minimum resolution. Change it back up and click, black screen once more.
I've wasted so much time on this so far. it's just meant to be a spot of light carpentry for a weeks entertainment.


EDIT/ Update
Windows fully reinstalled, AGP card working, DVD drive working just need to work out the multiple monitor feature now.


Hmmm, it appears i'll need an S video to VGA or DVI converter. whoops.


EDIT /update.

new layout, tighter, simpler (so no mucking about with levers I'm afraid)

Base cut (10mm to short)
Lesson learnt - dimensions in sketchup are very accurate, but only if linked to the correct point.

Sides, partially cut.
Lessons learnt. If using a number with a 6 in it, don't try working with an upside tape measure.

No pics (or anything to show) yet so no new post

[madd0ct0r]

OK.

I may have missed the 'not boxy' part of the inital proposal.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3482360529_c90faaed60.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3482358957_8b3f8749f8.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3482357257_cd8b5176e7.jpg

The box is composed of two loops of tongue and groove 20mm thick. This means rather then take a side panel off, my entire computer will split in half.
The little blocks are semi-permenant to line it up for the milliput corners.

The corners weren't in the plan initally, but worked well last time and allow a theme to be carried.
The box will be trimmed once I've fitted and mounted all within, and I'm fairly sure 20mm will be sufficient to carry the couple of kilos of the second monitor.
I've also bought some brass. Bourdeaux etch here I come!


EDIT: oh and when your 9v drill feels too slow?
Tape a 24V powerpack to it!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3482358099_07895d1190.jpg

[DonT-FeaR]

LOL at your drill mod..
nicely done tho :)


whole case splits in half... havent heard of that one before... gunna be interesting

[The boy 4rm oz]

Like the drill mod but surely it can't be good for the motor.

[madd0ct0r]

can't use it as a scredriver anymore, put it that way.

I've still got the motor for the 24v drill, I'm partly tempted to stick a fanblade on it.

undervolt it of course.

honest.

[madd0ct0r]

Sorry about the delay, I purchased an external hardrive in a fit of paranoia, so had to re do the layout to fit it in.

The orgional question still stands though.
All the windows in the box were cut for these layout photo's the box is currently solid. I will be making holes as and where they're required.

ok:

Partial view:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3496827700_1141e8514d.jpg

Direct front view:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3496009513_d8cff967ed.jpg
The external HDD will be located in front of the MOBO.
There will then be an LCD monitor in front of that.
I figured I'd be able to get away with that as the hottest part of the MOBO is already sending all it's heat down the shuttle heatpipes.

left hand side view, showing where the PSU would be blowing out into the case. The grey box at the top is the DVD drive vertically mounted.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3496825750_e834f016ba.jpg

Right hand side view; showing location of intakes/ out vents, for the PSU and the Shuttle pipe cooler.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3496009715_5ce514e4d5.jpg


Top down view, showing the DVD drive and space between the MOBO and the external HDD (not pictured elsewhere)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3496009243_5a8a43567d.jpg




PS. who says Coke isn't good for you? I've several nice reclaimed pieces of brass soaking in it as we speak.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Layout looks good, nice work.

[DonT-FeaR]

/\ agreed

[madd0ct0r]

Teeny weeny little update with no pics.

I'll buy a graphics card tomorrow.
Skecthup and plans are backed up onto a USB stick so can read them on any computer (because this one will be in pieces).

Metal bracket for main LCD monitor is installed (screwed in). Actual electronic parts aint yet. The bracket will provide shear support against the moment induced by the second monitior.



First of all, much sanding of corners and wood.


Finally - what sort of finish would you lot reccomend?

I was tempted to go with plain wood, but as Kem pointed out "It's not pretty and it won't survive the damp in your room next year."

The milliput corners will stain.
Stain the whole lot and wax?
Spray paint white and turn it into a Ipod Spoof?

[The boy 4rm oz]

Because you have used a lot of putty to build up the corners I would say paint. i have done staining on putty before and yeah putty does draw in some colour but its lack of grain just looks out of place and crappy, paint is the way to go.

[DonT-FeaR]

/\ yeah i agree paint looks alot better on putty than stain

[madd0ct0r]

hmmm. Stained wood panels with putty painted black?


Another teeny weeny update.

All majors parts are now owned. 300Watt Power supply works, as does the new (big) graphics card.
Still need to get a DVI cable (or converter) but you ain't intrested in my shopping list.


Finally, will have to work out a power supply for the speakers.
the orgional transformer plug was lost a few years ago.

[madd0ct0r]

Tonight George, I'm going to talk about cabbage.

I love it, I really do. Cheap, long lasting, high in iron and vitamins, truly a wondrous vegetable.

Slice it in a stirfry, steam it with prawns, roast it stuffed with duck, fry in butter or grate with lemon juice and salt - it's all good.

That last recipe is actually meant for red cabbage, which, naturally enough, is purple:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3576851840_c70dbf6ea5.jpg

Add a drop of lemon juice and you get pink:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3576852616_d037e419fc.jpg

Add a spot of bicarbonate of soda and you get aquamarine:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3576853286_d111971d58.jpg
(The white lump is toothpaste, it's only weakly alkali, the bicarb works better)

Swirl it about, and becuase there was more bicarb then lemon juice, then entire thing went purplish aqua marine.
Kinda sea greeny blue really.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3576854388_dc30024902.jpg



So what colour should I stain the wood? :twisted:

[madd0ct0r]

These are how the fan ducts proablay won't look like, but why not a bumper crop of pics?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3576827034_29df8836aa.jpg

Dark wood is the PC box, light wood is an elm frame.
The left hand side was the intention. Thinking about the sawcuts though made me realise the right hand side would be the result.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3576022617_3b2164907a.jpg
Setting the slats directly into the PC box, then brassing framing over the top.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3576023087_13dec4d89d.jpg
Setting the slats directly into the PC box then chiseling out a recess to drop the elm frame ontop.




As I said, I've come across a few new issues with the layout so quite possibly none of these ideas will make it through.

The question of cabbages still stands.

[DonT-FeaR]

that fan grills look really good.. great work

[The boy 4rm oz]

I love red cabbage, my Grandma makes it cos she is Polish, she puts just the tiniest amount of apple in their too and it tastes awesome.

I am going to have to say the last colour works best I think.

Those fan grills looks great, nice design.

[madd0ct0r]

ok.

a bit o work.

First - a benchhook.
This should have been the very very first thing i made. Gawd life has suddenly become easier.

Likewise, I'm starting to understand SlipperySkip's love affair with clamps.

anyhow:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3613561022_e16c9ec652.jpg


Fan holes are cut:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3612742933_076a041c5b.jpg

FIRST ISSUE:
The white areas will still have to come out - they're where things like plugs, USB connections ect line up.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3612743207_c290a1793f.jpg

The strip of wood between the left hand white part and the fan hole is a) thin, b) crossgrain and c)got lots of sawcuts in to hold the slats.
It ain't going to survive the white area being cut out but I need it to hold the slats in position.


So, lay a stronger (ie, not cross grained) frame over the top, and glue/pin it to that. Although the frame will look decorative, it'll actually carry the forces and hold that chunk in position.

this is just a mock up, the slats will be straighter:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3612743065_f56703c5fc.jpg




SECOND ISSUE:
I need air intakes on the opposite side.
Do I repeat this exercise in the intrest of symetry, or do I go for an alterntive which won't weaken the box side so much?
will post alternitive designs as I come up with them.


EDIT: Symmetry won - Both sides now have identical holes and frames cut.

[DonT-FeaR]

looks good man..

like the intakes.

[madd0ct0r]

The real layout. spot the bit.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3651182393_351095a52a.jpg
onflict
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3651978794_8d2a9dd8d9.jpg

To help solve the first wiring conflict:
out goes the kettle plug. in goes the hard wired version.

out came the fan. realised i'd reversed both the wires and the fan. the fan went back in.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3651977314_d41c619200_b.jpg

[madd0ct0r]

Any one out there who can identify this?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3662346870_be42e081b7.jpg

I know it's failry old - at least 1986 if not earlier. three layers of label.

the top one is possibly homemade and just indecipherable numbers.
second one describes it as a "Sensitact relay"
Full scale deflection 66 uA
moving coil resistance 1100 ohms
max contact power handling at 10V (ac or cd) max 30 mW

Orgional label is in french!
A relais magnetoelectrique
8 pins -
2-7 are circuit de commande
1- contact mobile
4- contact mini
5- contact maxi

there is another photo of the little dial on the top but i'm having trouble uploading it. there are no units on the dial.





in other news:
HDD and FD enclosure:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3661546965_c1fbf773bf.jpg
oh yeah, smooth.
The FD is only held in with a single pin, acting as a pivot to allow it to swing out. It didn't seem worth cutting another slot in the outsdie of the case for, but the swing allows me to use it wothout having to take it out of the back half of the case.

Conflict number two. While building it i'd the bright idea of adding the fan to blow air up into the RAM. With the fans addition, it no longer fits under the RAM slots, meaning I can't change the ram easily later.
Fan is going to be moved and the enclosure rebuilt.



CD Bracket: again, smooth.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3661546475_c44c684864.jpg

Since this photo, i've removed the top branch as pointless, and the fan has been screwed into the bracket between the two remaining branches.
This holds the fan neatly in the air intake hole.

[madd0ct0r]

Getting there. Back half is 90% done structually.

Just working on front half now.

loads of pics and T-mobile has thrown a sulk. will post them all later once I've work broadband back.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Coming together very well, really cool mod.

[madd0ct0r]

Bumper update:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3697059923_eb7f9fc508.jpg
Labelling for later use



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3697863984_ce4ab7e343.jpg
Since the USB ports will be hidden by the DVD drive, add one extension.
the other one is, sadly, lost to use now.
There was space in the I/O slot of the modem for it and a 'USB charger' linked to the molex. the hacksaw blade snapped on the stainless plate and I decided it really wasn't worth the effort.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3697864564_ec65bd96fb.jpg
Labelling I/O plate - black spray then dremelling into the aluminium.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3697865456_0cc16a5d22.jpg
Splitting a single mains input wire into three - for the PSU. main monitor and secondary monitor. Each output mains has it's own 20mm fuse holder built in.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3697866004_70af817c40.jpg
Quite a lot of exposed wire in previous photo, so made some fuse covers from ABS plastic (Ie a shampoo bottle). Rectnagle is cut out, clamped around a screwdriver and boiled to make curve, then cold water to set.
Fininished cover in top right hand corner

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3697866554_728f610701.jpg
Wiring with the fuse covers in place. much safer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3697061575_02f012f270.jpg
Turns out household plugs use 1" fuses not 20mm.
Also turns out that maplins does not stock 20mm 13Amp fuses.
Thus, rip out previous work and install universal inline holders. Much much safer now.
Note the different colour wires

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3697872862_0a54c4f249.jpg
Different colour wires = different fuses - the key.




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3697867282_b4917884c6.jpg
Upper spaekers - there will be another pair in the fascia below the screen.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3697869534_52f5bebd91.jpg
Intake for the Graphics card cunningly hidden under the right hand speaker.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3697076907_b22ed96713.jpg
Speakers screwed in nice and tight - looks a bit crap though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3697888326_7a7b81ac3b.jpg
Copper wire wrap.




http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3697871002_a64dca027b.jpg
All parts fitted in the back, wires mostly concealed behind DVD, but as there's no windows it's just to make it easier to work with now.



I decided to sacrifice the externall HDD as I couldn't find an elegant, strong way of building it into a drawer or other quick release. So it'll remain truly external.
This allows me to move the screen back about an inch, letting the secondary monitor be contained in the box too.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3697873502_721714548d.jpg
However, the monitor power lead conflicts with the corner of the PSU (You can just about see it in the background).
This is becuase I mounted the PSU at 90degrees to origionally intended to get a tighter fit against the fan hole and extra internal space for wires.


Looking at this: http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/feature_nvrotate.html it appears I can mount the LCD upsidedown, thus sending the power cable up into the top where there's plenty of space.
If i'd read this before (no loss of speed!) then I probably would have had a very different PC anyway. ho hum.

next update in 2-3 days time

[madd0ct0r]

So - main screen moved back, and fully built in now.

Secondary screen built in.
Case assembled for a test drive - CMOS error = HDD possibly gone (i did drop it); motherboard works; power splitter works (after an inital flash bang, presumably something got spot welded)

BUT - the CD drive dosen't line up with it's slot.
This is becuase

1-I didn't cut the wood boards of the case perfectly square.

2-Milliput expands as it sets - I didn't know this so sometimes only puttied half a joint in multiple layers. each layer pushed it more and more out of true.

3-So introducing a square LCD into the front case and a warped plywood sheet into the back case made the side panels twist out of true by up to 5mm.

4-the CD drive was attached to a side panel, but the slot is cut in the top panel - hence why it no longer lines up.


more verk tonight

[madd0ct0r]

Whoah.

I really did stop updating a while ago.

smoothing out the holes in front panel for 2nd set of speakers
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3787491705_263e7b7cb8.jpg

and that, sadly, is the last photo I have.




The build was finished shortly before I moved house.

The folding nature of the two screens, the kettle plug into the back and two chunky carry handles made moving it fairly easy.

The speakers, while steampunk, sounded horrible. Incredibly tinny.

The screens never worked as intended, Nvidia Graphic drivers playing up. Nvidia was helpful, and sent me a detailed set of instructions for the fix.

Sadly, it died before that.
Current thinking is I either didn't earth the LCD screen properly, or the earth got disconnected during the move. Static build up shorted across the motherboard. I get no beeps when I power it up.

Aesthetically, I ended up with less Art-punk-deco and more shipping crate.
It was in fact known as 'The Crate' amongst my friends.

As for slimline... The dimensions and end effect were basically that of a tower unit with a LCD strapped to the front. Except that would have been more robust, less work and easier to replace parts for.

Starting with a laptop may have given the results I was after.


Fortunately, a kind friend gave me his old tower unit, on the deal I didn't take the cover off.

I've kept that deal. So far.
But it's a big, noisy, grey box.
And I've all these lovely parts to be stripped from the carcass of Fritz Lang...