Floor Tom Computer Case?

[kamilux]

Hello all! I am fairly new to this forum, so I would first of all say hi to everyone!

So to get to the bottom line. I am working on a project which is out of the ordinary. I've searched far and wide to find a computer case that would replace my ugly, bland and generic looking one. I found the right one for me

Being as that I am a drummer, and I only have two passions (one being a computer geek and the other being a drummer) I realized why not put two and two together to make ...four? All jokes aside, I figured out that making a computer case built out of a floor tom drum would be the perfect idea!

So, I have the floor tom shell (it measures 15" in diameter, with a depth of 14"). I have all the necessary pieces for it to turn it from just a blue cylinder into an actual drum. With some modifications, of course.

So the way I see it, I will have all the necessary components inside the drum, along with approximately three or four fans to help keep it cool. The only problem I'm faced with, is that I can't seem to figure out how to mount everything inside the drum! I was thinking about using 1/8" steel threaded rods to do the trick, but only to find out that the internet is completely empty when it comes to such measurements. I don't want to buy thicker rods because I would have to use a drill in order to make the motherboard openings bigger -- voiding my warranty.

So I thought "why not come to a site where I can ask all the right people about modding the proper way" and hence I stumbled in here.

I'm absolutely open to any and all ideas! Even feedback on the case idea.

Thanks everyone!

[Fuganater]

If it was me I would use a clear head for the top and use clear acrylic for the bottom of it.

The only problem I see with round mods are how to get things to the I/O panel. In my mind, you would have to drill a 1" or so hole in the side of the drum, take off the head and pass the wires though the hole and connect them to the I/O panel. Then reattach the head.

But that's just my 30 second idea. I'm sure you'll find a better solution.

[slaveofconvention]

Any chance of some pics of what you're working with? I have ZERO doubt the people here will pile in with a stack of solutions once we have a better idea of what there is to start :)

[Drum Thumper]

Welcome to TBCS, my fellow skin basher.

I too had this idea a few years back. My plans called for a Ludwig Vistalite floor tom, but I could not bring myself to butchering a classic.

If you can pull this off, I'll be watching.

[DynamoNED]

Any chance of some pics of what you're working with? I have ZERO doubt the people here will pile in with a stack of solutions once we have a better idea of what there is to start :)

I second what slave said. Pics are a big help when determining solutions.

That said, I'm understanding you to say that your main problem is mounting the motherboard. While I think the steel rod idea would work, I'm not sure it would look real nice when you finished. (I'm assuming that you are trying to mount the motherboard in a typical vertical orientation, like you would in a regular computer case.)

Depending on the look you want, there are a couple of "simple" solutions:

1.) If you have a Dremel-like tool and are not squeamish about cutting up a case, you could cut the motherboard tray out of an old case and mount it within the drum shell. This way, you could use the standard motherboard standoffs and avoid having to invalidate your motherboard's warranty.

2.) If you are a little more adventurous and have worked with acrylic before, I'd recommend making your own motherboard tray from acrylic. This has several advantages, since it allows you to design the tray to fit exactly in the drum shell the way you want. Plus, you can use your motherboard as a template to properly position and drill counter-sunk holes for standard motherboard standoffs. (If done properly with clear plexiglass, you could even make it look like the motherboard is "floating" inside the drum.) There are literally dozens of mods on here that have required custom motherboard trays that are made from acrylic that show the basics.

Those are just my two-bit suggestions off the cuff. Hope they help!

[kamilux]

Hello all! I apologize for the lack of responses and being MIA. I would just like to inform you all, that my case has been COMPLETED! It took almost a month, and lots of help from my father to put in all the components and figure out a way to mount them. It turned out to be easier than I had imagined, but NOTHING that I had imagined in the first place!

As I write this, I am uploading all the pictures of the case onto a Photobucket album and I will post the link as soon as the upload has been finished.

First of all, thank you all for your bits and pieces and your 30 seconds and your two cents! I read them and I appreciate all the feedback and I am actually surprised to see that so many people actually came to this thread and gave a damn! I like that very much!

It turns out that we used an old cheap-metal/steel/aluminum/something computer case, cut it up into the appropriate sizes and shapes, and well the rest was just "go and do it!". The case looks amazing! I used the "breather hole" of the drum to put in the HDD LED (perfect fit), and used the power button to mount to the top of the case, and even made some room for the additional "front usb/headphones" port on the top.

We did have some trouble mounting the DVD-ROM drive at first because since were working with a circular construction, the motherboard/graphics card needed its "breathing room" therefore we had to improvise, but in the end the case came out looking great, as mentioned!

@DrumThumper: I actually used a 1980s Ludwig Vintage Rocker's floor tom! It was a bit pricey, but the best part was that it was used. Its maple (I think), with a darkish blue color around the tom.

@Fuganater: I actually purchased two clear 15" drum heads for the tom. Regular heads you would actually use to play on. And they are working out great!! Of course, with all the cutting into, it would be impossible to play on, but who knows what a future tom/floor tom computer case might look like? ;)

I am actually working on a much smaller rendition of a computer case tom, maybe around 10" - 12", using a pico or mini-itx mother board. And of course, illuminating it from all sides, giving it the full effect of being able to play it while it explodes with light, AND can also be used to record/play music from, etc. But that's all just an idea for now.. I would love to work with a bright red colored tom. Time will tell...

Of course! I would like to say that ANY and ALL feedback is welcomed! If you wish to see more pictures, want some specs or just wanna have more angle-shots, don't hesitate to email me at kamil.umin@gmail.com. I will be more then welcome to send more pictures.

I will post the link to the photobucket as soon as the upload has finished!! :D

EDIT: Here is the link to the photobucket! :) http://s1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/kamilux/

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/kamilux/SDC12557.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/kamilux/SDC12555.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/kamilux/SDC12548.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/kamilux/SDC12547.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/kamilux/SDC12542.jpg

Enough preview pictures? :)

[Fuganater]

I know you put up the link but....


:pics:


Still very nice build.

[kamilux]

I know you put up the link but....


:pics:


Still very nice build.

Working on it!! :banana:

[Fuganater]

Much better :D . What are your temps? IDK what your hardware is but with a, what looks like, a 80mm and a 200 or 140mm fan you might need some more to keep the system cool.

[mDust]

Welcome to TBCS.
That's pretty awesome. Very nice work, especially with the dvd-rom.:up: