Wooden Media Center

[jdbnsn]

This is actually my first computer mod, I started this months ago before I had even heard of modding. I wanted a Media center computer to sit in my entertainment center that kind of fits in with stereo equipment. Unfortunately, I didn't start taking pics until halfway done, so bear with me. All I can really do at this point is show you what is done a describe it.
I took a very old computer (like a pentium 1 or something) and gutted it, leaving only the metal frame.

I then used some scrap red oak plywood to cover the sides and I was lucky enough to have a scrap solid oak plank for the front. These were sanded, screwed to the frame and painted.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/1.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/2.jpg

I removed the CD rack and turned it sideways, then re-riveted it to the frame.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/3.jpg

This is the under-side which is still footless, but I made a bevelled edge.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/4.jpg


I had to cut some metal away for the power supply to fit.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/5.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/6.jpg

Also had to cut the back panel off to orient the motherboard to fit, not much left of the original frame...

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/7.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/8.jpg

[jdbnsn]

That's it for now, I'll try to get some more pics this weekend to show you more of what is going on here. Hope you like it!
Jon

[dgrmkrp]

Looks good :) I really wanted to make one of these as it seemed easy :) I know it's not, cause i ended up with doing nothing :( So i turned to other things metal :) Just don't forget about cooling :)

[public_eyesore]

looking nice hope it turns out how you want it.

[DaveW]

VERY nice. Reminds my of my Dad's old soundsystem, in the swinging days before plastic was cheap. Heh, my dad's not that old, he'd kill me if he saw that. Nice effects.

I don't know if the vintage soundsystem look is what you were going for, but if it is, i'd get some old parts from ebay or something, to make it look just right. I really think you could be onto something here.

-Dave

[jdbnsn]

Thank you! I think working with wood and metal are easier than working with acrylics and styrene plastics and such, my hat's off to all you pro's that can do it. What I'm doing is pretty much the same thing we did in shop class in the old days. You are right about cooling too, this thing will be a sweat box, I intend to mount some larger fans in the lid which is still pending design. And about the vintage thing, I was kind of shooting for a mix of modern (which isn't apparent this early in the photos), and old McIntosh Amp look, we'll see if it works.
Jon

[DaveW]

It being a modern computer, you're going to have to try and find some sort of middle-point. I just think you've managed to get that look bang-on. Keep up the good work, i want to see how this turns out.

-Dave

[jdbnsn]

You know what I would love to do? If I could get an old blown reciever from McInTosh or something that had those great big analog meters on the front and somehow use them to display system properties like temp and such. I know it's possible because I have seen people do similar, but a little out of my scope for now I believe.

[jdbnsn]

Well, I've had a chance to do some more work on the box. I cut and filed on the last scrap of stainless steel that I have paying around to make the rear panel.




http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0374.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0375.jpg

Then drilled some holes and tapped them. Next I needed to figure out where to cut the hole for the PCI cards and the I/O ports. This actually turned out to be harder than I thought because there were three levels to consider, the motherboard's distance from the floor of the box (which I had to adjust with a lift-plate), the distance of the I/O ports to the panel, and the distance of the PCI cards to what would later house the rack-mounting whatchamacallit from the old chassis. Finally lined it up and made the cut, worked out fine but I have some gaps to fill in later.

[jdbnsn]

Here is my stage for the motherboard:


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0380.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0381.jpg



fine tuning the rear panel:


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0425.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0424.jpg


Holes are cut:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0427.jpg



Whatchamacallit:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0379.jpg


Riveted this to the frame:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0428.jpg


before:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0430.jpg


after:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0432.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0433.jpg

[jdbnsn]

I'm messing around with ideas on how to mount the hard drives to the box, this is the first rather ugly, unrefined attempt at a system. I doubt this will be the one that I use, but it is a start.

I used some aluminum strips that came with my computer desk (they are for spacing rails in the drawer to use for hanging files and folders) that I don't use. Bent, cut, drilled, and tapped them, result? Modern art! (hhhhmmmm....)


I love playing with fire...these snapped when I tried to bend them cold.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0437.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0439.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0443.jpg


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0444.jpg

[jdbnsn]

I need to build a lid for this thing too, I have some ideas but to get started, I have made a frame to fit on the top ridge. I will build another layer whichs fits in the frame that I can cover with fabric and mount some fans on next time.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0435.jpg

The front of the box was originally going to have some kind of instrument panel, this is it so far. I cut this a long time ago and sanded it like crazy trying unsuccessfully to get that brushed steel appearance. In the original picture that was in my mind, I wanted to mount some dials on the front, probably fan control and a great big volume dial like the old recievers. But I also wanted to build a sliding steel door to cover the optical drive and card reader. Now that I have an idea of how I can make the door work, I realize that I can't do that and have the dials because they will be in the way of each other. Oh, well. I have'nt made up my mind 100% on how this will look.

Lid frame:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0447.jpg


instrument panel, I made these fasteners out of dowel rods that were lying around so that I could remove it later and not have to drill holes in the front of the plate.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0445.jpg

Thats all for now...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IMG_0446.jpg

[OvRiDe]

Wow.. That thing is HUGE! But its looking really nice.. Great job so far.. looking forward to seeing it completed..

[jdbnsn]

Wow.. That thing is HUGE! But its looking really nice.. Great job so far.. looking forward to seeing it completed..

Thank you, I am anxious to have it finished as well. As for the size, it looks larger than normal in the pics but it's about the same size as my receiver which is what I preferred. Remember that the case is one of those really old hospital computers so it is a small tower. (besides, I hear size does matter!:rolleyes: )

[jdbnsn]

Actually, the more I think of it and look at it, it is kind of tall. Hmmm...I don't know if I could get away with chopping it down any without a major re-engineering. I am planning of inserting an LCD screen (like the 5.25" bay, not video type) on the front somehow and I doubt it fill fit if I shorten it. We'll see what it looks like when I have the top done.

[opengswede]

how is it comming along, my guess is that the weekend it wood work time :)?

Looks good, i might turn to wood for my media comp too, as you said it's easy to work with.

How much did you intend to shorten the box, if you do, cause, to my eyes, you'd fit a 5.25" lcd in there, perhaps above the alu detail?
best
Erik

[jdbnsn]

how is it comming along, my guess is that the weekend it wood work time :)?

Looks good, i might turn to wood for my media comp too, as you said it's easy to work with.

How much did you intend to shorten the box, if you do, cause, to my eyes, you'd fit a 5.25" lcd in there, perhaps above the alu detail?
best
Erik


Thanks, I need to measure and see if there is room to shorten and still fit the screen in, but chances are the size will stay the same. I think cutting it down would cause too much damage and with the screen in place it should deter from the oversized look. Right now it looks too big because it has a huge bare forehead. Yeah, wood is nice to work with if you're like me and have to change things mid-construction, if I were to do this again, I don't think I'd even use the computer frame.

[tybrenis]

Looks awesome! For a first time mod, it's going great. I assume you have previous wood working experience?

[jdbnsn]

Thanks! I have a question for the collective wisdom of TBCS, anyone have an opinion on this?
I want to install a 5.25" bay sized VL System Media Blast VFD screen on the front of this box above the instrument panel. I will need to chisel out the bay of course, but I am struggling with where to situate it. Do you think it should be centered, off to one side, or re-thought alltogether? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks.

[opengswede]

personally, I'd put it towards one side, probably the opposite where the dvd drive will be. It would balance the design and get a diagonal line running across the front, which is a way to make the whole thing nice to look at, makes the eyes move from one side to the other, taking in the whole front and not just one side of it. This is of course if the dvd will be noticable (even the slightest line).

if the dvd is invisible, or if you put the lcd on the same side, you might get the effect of the whole box tuppoling (sp???) over.
Putting it in the middle will require the dvd to be in the middle, or invisible, otherwise the center line will be out of sync, ie look odd or improvised.

But that is just my thoughts.
-.erik

[DaveW]

You know, you could put a record player on top of that...build it in, maybe use the Record player's power supply to power some of your front panel features...have a toggle switch on the front that you can use to switch the audio output between the two...

Heh, i know, i'm getting carried away, but admit it would be cool if you pulled it off...

Oh, and how's it going? Did you get any of that neon cable and perspex or anything? I was thinking that there's also the perspex that luminates at the egdes. I would find you a link but someone wants to use the computer. (Girlfriend)


-Dave

[jdbnsn]

Thanks for the ideas, and Dave, not bad. I had never thought of that and it would be cool, but for one thing, I don't have any records, and two, the top is going to be my main point of exhaust. Good thoughts though. Yes, I just picked up some plexi from another member this morning and found some of that illuminated chord that you suggested online. Busy studying for finals now, but soon I can put in some more time. Can't wait!

[jdbnsn]

I have some small updates, did some re-thinking and tried some new techniques.

I am using two sheets of thin plywood to elevate the motherboard to the right height matching the rear panel. I decided to chop up the base board to make valleys for wire hiding. I can run the main harness through here and the power to some components which will be located on the other side.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/grooves.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/grooves2.jpg

To make the wiring harness reach, I had to extend each wire by 6", tedious to say the least.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/wiringmedusa.jpg

I built an I/O plate to fill in the spaces in the rear panel out of some plexiglass. I was about to smooth it out, and realized that I really like the rough, translucent look even better. So many of the plexi peices in the project will remain rough, not out of laziness, I just think it looks cool.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IOshield.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/IOcloseup.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/rearplate.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/rearplate2.jpg

[jdbnsn]

Next, I needed to come up with a better way to mount the hard drive. I guess I am not going to get away with building the whole thing out of scraps and discards, so I bought a peice of angle aluminum from the hardware store and made a frame. After seeing Tribaloverkill's work polishing metals, I have been intrigued by the idea. I have always known about it but never tried it and it likely would have never occured to me, so I have to credit him with the polish. If you have never tried this, you have to! It works incredibly well and is quite easy to do, but there as always is a learning curve. I used a bench grinder and buffing wheel, bought a stick of "high gloss" polishing goop. I learned that 1) always hold on to that small piece of metal for dear life, it takes very little for the rag-wheel to get old of it and quickly increase the amount of excitement in your life, and 2), buffing brings out a beautiful shine but does not smooth out minor scratches and dents (I have no idea why I though it would), so you need to file it and smooth out any imperfections that you can, and sand, then buff. 3) your freshly buffed metal shows any smudges or fingerprints very clearly, so I guess you nee to clear coat it afterwards (I'm not sure if this is what you are supposed to do, I just found that I couldn't keep it clean when it was done)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/harddriveframe1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/harddriveframe2.jpg

I should have shown you what these braces looked like before buffering, they were scraps of stainless steel that has been sitting around on the floor for years, ugly!

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/harddriveframe3.jpg

I also sanded the front of the box to remove the paint and cut a hole for the LCD panel, but forgot to shoot pics of this. Until next time, see ya!

[tybrenis]

Very nice work! How did you glue to plexi? Did you use weld-on or did you bend it? Also, what did you use to cut out the I/O ports, just out of curiousity?

I have been following this log forever, it's awesome to have a good update!

[jdbnsn]

Thanks alot Tybrenis, I appreciate that you are checking it out and I should have more updates before long. It's kind of getting to that "almost done" phase where things start happening faster. For the plexi (which you supplied by the way...thanks!) I used some standard epoxy for plastics and some small gripper clamps, and I cut the I/O ports out the old fashioned way using a coping saw.

[public_eyesore]

looking very sharp, keep it up.

[jdbnsn]

looking very sharp, keep it up.


Thank you!

[Rankenphile]

Nice work on the plex mobo panel! Very cool. It's still a little rough aorund the inside edges, there is stull loose shavings, so you may want to clean it up a tad before you put the motherboard itself in. THe shavings can come loose and make a mess. The rough, sanded look on it does look very good, though, you did a great job on the whole thing.

Looking forward to seeing what you do next!

Oh, a set of latex gloves will keep the polished aluminum clean after you've shined it.

[jdbnsn]

Thank you! I actually did clean up any loose shavings by scratching the edges with a razor and it cleared it right up, I just didn't show that in the photos. Thanks for the tip! I'll get some gloves. Do you know if it should be clear coated?

[tybrenis]

Thanks alot Tybrenis, I appreciate that you are checking it out and I should have more updates before long. It's kind of getting to that "almost done" phase where things start happening faster. For the plexi (which you supplied by the way...thanks!) I used some standard epoxy for plastics and some small gripper clamps, and I cut the I/O ports out the old fashioned way using a coping saw.

Wow, turned out quite well, I have never had much luck with standard plastic epoxy, I always solvent glue. Always happy to help a modder out! Looks great.

And yes, Latex gloves are your friends. I always use them when working with plexi and any other polished or clear material.

[jdbnsn]

Well, I have had some time to get back to work. Problem now is motivation. I remember thinking during the last couple of weeks how much I wanted to get back to the shop once finals were over and here I am, sitting, staring out the window with a blank sort of frontal lobatomy look on my face.

I have been trying to decide what to do in terms of coloring or the face and lid. I think I may go with painting the trim black, and staining the face amd ribs of the lid deep dark. It's starting to take shape though...

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures001.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures002.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures003.jpg

[jdbnsn]

I know the lid is a bit confusing to look at, but when it's done it will make more sense. I also built a mount for a cd drive which will rest inside of the box, this too will make more sense later.

I love polishing metal now, thanks Tribal!
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures004.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures005.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures006.jpg

Also cut a lip on the HD mount to allow for cables to not look so crowded.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures010.jpg

I am working on how to mount the instrument panel to the front, so I made a spacer out of scrap plexi and messing around with how this will work.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures007.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures008.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/pictures009.jpg

[tybrenis]

Looks great, I'm looking forward to see how this ends up.

[jdbnsn]

Ok, well apparently final exams also causes insomnia, it's 2:30am and I am on shift at the hospital at 5am, no point in trying to sleep so I may as well work.
Since I had first thought of this design, I wanted a sliding door on the front panel, just now getting around to testing some things. These are some shots of a rough working idea of how it will work.

Here is a small scrap built guard rail:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/guardrail.jpg

the inside:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/door1.jpg

and slow-mo moving door, sort of....
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/door2.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/door3.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/door4.jpg

[jdbnsn]

I was thinking of how best to clean up the front panel, last time I used an orbital sander followed by heavy grit sandpaper with a sanding block using one way strokes in an attempt to replicate that brushed steel look. It worked ok, but not great and as you can see, it still scuffed up kindof easliy (note that it has been just sitting around and face down in the shop). But when I redo it, I may try a belt sander (didn't have a belt last time), or maybe a sandblaster which we have laying around (if it still works). But then I need to decide on color, I could use some advice here, these are the options:
1) paint the face of the box black, leave the panel brushed steel
2) sand and woodstain the face of the box, while the sides and part of the lid will remain black, and keep the panel brushed steel
3) just like #2 except paint the panel black like the sides and lid

Any help here would be appreciated, I don't think alot of people check this worklog so if you happen upon this please drop an opinion so I can get some ideas. I suck at color schemes. Thanks everyone! (And Tybrenis, yes, that is still the plexi you sent me, that stuff is coming in so handy, thanks again and you rock!!!)

[DaveW]

Wow! Looks like it's coming along great! You have some skills with woodworking, all i'm good for is making wood split. I only have to look at a log and BAM, firewood.

-Dave

[jdbnsn]

Here are some random updates. I've been sitting around the shop doing very little, sometimes I'll pick something up and work on it, and other times I just sit and watch the History Channel.

Well the top is shaping up, I got some primer and a coat of paint on the trim. This will sit on top of the box and serve as a platform for the "ribs" portion to rest in. It will also have a trim of plexi glass cut to the same shape resting underneath it, separating it from the edges of the box and when the blue cathodes are lit up it will look like a blue stripe across the front.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/primedtrim.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/paintedtrim.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/stainedribs.jpg

I also needed a very short scsi cable to connect the DVD drive to the motherboard, and the connections are right next to each other so a long cord will just get in the way. To get around this, I cut a longer cable and pressed in the clip with a piece of blue shrouding on the cable. Looks ok to me.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/scsicable.jpg

[jdbnsn]

I just realized that it probably looks like my paint is doing some major orange peel, but actually it's textured paint (Hammered Metal) so it's supposed to look like that.

[tybrenis]

Looks awesome! (I would go with option #1 btw, you might want to re-work the brushed steel look though, you can actually get brushed steel vinyl, I have some laying here. If you want, maybe I could send you some, lol)

Good to know that the plexi is coming in handy for you, it feels great to know that I've helped along a great work log like this.

[jdbnsn]

Thanks Tybrenis! Brushed steel vinyl you say? I would like to see this stuff, maybe we can work something out again. I have decided to give the 2nd option a try and if it doesn't look right I will go with #1. I think #2 could look real cool if it works just right, if not, #1 will be the way to go. I haven't decided how I am going to work out that steel, maybe the vinyl is the way to go...

[jdbnsn]

Well, here I am again, sitting in the shop for the last night before I have to head home and get back to classes. I decided to slap everything together and take a gander at how the over progress is coming, I think it's coming along pretty good. It would have never looked this nice if I hadn't found the modding community, I would have cut corners and left things sloppy (I know me) but after seeing the work being done and being inspired beyond belief I had to get more involved in the project and I am very glad I did. This place is a great group to learn from! Thanks TBCS members! Ok, here are some shots:

without the panel:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/mockup3.jpg

with the panel propped up by a piece of scrap wood:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/mockup2.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/mockup1.jpg

a half polished rear end:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/e0b02b32.jpg

Here are the guts, looking much better than before. I ran the ATX wiring underneath the motherboard plate (remember those grooves?). There is still one hurdle to jump on the interior, but we'll get to that another day.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/mockup4.jpg

Ooooh that's pretty, love that color of stain. This will be tested out on the face of the box as things are finished up.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/mockup6.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/wooden%20mc/mockup7.jpg

[jsb666]

Looking good keep up the work :)

[jdbnsn]

Thanks, but I am now facing a fact that I have been in denial about for some time, but that front panel SUCKS!!! I can't seem to think of anything that would redeem it, I may just chuck it all together. However, I do have a few more ideas that could turn out much better.

[xmastree]

Ok, forgive me for not reading through the whole thing...
That little display thing, the edge above that seems uneven. The aluminium sheet, what's that doing there?
The black case looks good, why not have the front panel the same? If you want to hide the DVD, you could mount it further back and have a simple door. Arranged so that it will open easily if nudged from the inside. That way, when the DVD ejects the door will open to allow it.

[tybrenis]

Looking great, but I agree with Xmastree, it would be good to just make a simpler door, perhaps like the one he mentioned. BTW, if you still want some, I found a whole roll of that brushed vinyl (back from my sign makin days). Send me a PM if you'd like.

[RangerDanger]

honestly i would have cut out a piece of wood and stealthed the drive....thats just me, a fan of drive stealthing. I just think seeing ur drive with a wooden front would look pretty sick.

[jdbnsn]

The angle is uneven, but that is because the front panel is just sitting there propped up against the front. I think I'm doing away with the panel altogether for a different design that is still brewing. Actually, I do plan on stealthing the drive with a wood panel, but it will be a while before I get to that point. The sliding door is a must, one way or another it's gonna happen because that has been in the design since I dreamed it up and I can't chuck it, but I can rebuild it so that it looks better. As for the front color, you may be right about the black, but I am a huge fan of richly stained wood. And since this is called The Wooden Media Center, I feel it is worth a try to see it stained first, and if it doesnt look right it's easy enough to sand down and paint. I appreciate all of your input and Ty, I'll let you know about that vinyl, I may not need it after all but thanks for the offer!

[tybrenis]

Yes, I agree that you had might as well stick to the "wooden" media center plan, I'll be here if you want it, but no worries, bro. GGod luck with it all, it's coming along nicely now!

[jdbnsn]

Ok, forgive me for not reading through the whole thing...
That little display thing, the edge above that seems uneven. The aluminium sheet, what's that doing there?
The black case looks good, why not have the front panel the same? If you want to hide the DVD, you could mount it further back and have a simple door. Arranged so that it will open easily if nudged from the inside. That way, when the DVD ejects the door will open to allow it.


Oh I see what you are talking about, the lcd screen looks uneven with the top. I am not sure if that is shadows or not, when I get back I'll have to measure it. Thanks!

[jdbnsn]

It's a shame to get rid of setup that sweet.

Details about the 36" HDTV?
Details on the LCD?


I'll get them to you soon, can't go home quite yet.

[Rankenphile]

Jon,

once you get home, set up a listing with links to your auctions over in the Trading Post.

I'm interested in seeing what you've got... I've had my eye on an HDTV for a bit, but if this is a good deal I may just have to support your cause. ;)

[jdbnsn]

Jon,

once you get home, set up a listing with links to your auctions over in the Trading Post.

I'm interested in seeing what you've got... I've had my eye on an HDTV for a bit, but if this is a good deal I may just have to support your cause. ;)

You got it!

[jdbnsn]

Believe it or not, this project may soon resume.

[Luke122]

Sweet!

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Just read the last five pages and I'm fairly impressed. Looking forward to a continuation of this.

[OvRiDe]

OMG .. you have no idea how long I have been hoping you would say that in this thread!! :D Looking forward!

[jdbnsn]

Well, I need to get some measurements first to find out if the different hardware will fit. If so, then my Dad offered to ship the case to me and I could work on it in short bits here. I'd like to finish it, but I will need to change the design quite a bit.

[Eclecticos]

Ive been here this whole time, and had no idea you had an ongoing project.
Looks professional with the metal instrument panel, and the beveled edge of the wood.
The Plexi I/O Plate, and Hard Drive frames are neat.

Can't wait to see an update! :up:

[DonT-FeaR]

cool look forward to it

[jdbnsn]

Ive been here this whole time, and had no idea you had an ongoing project.
Looks professional with the metal instrument panel, and the beveled edge of the wood.
The Plexi I/O Plate, and Hard Drive frames are neat.

Can't wait to see an update! :up:


Well, I wouldn't go so far as to call it ongoing. Long ago I scrapped it and never intended to return and finish it. As circumstances would have it, I am slapping together a media center PC and I think that case would be a suitable frame. So it's more of a resurrection of a corpse than ongoing. And it's not for sure yet.

[DonT-FeaR]

ok lol im hoping to look forward to it?

[PartyLikeARockstar]

i would like to see this finish. subscribed.