Aperture Laboratories: Surplus Auction

[TLHarrell]

I found a rather interesting piece of hardware at a surplus auction. I am in the process of dismantling it in hopes of resurrecting the hardware and determining it's proper use. It's a bit of a jumbled mess, but I'm starting to get somewhere.

http://ubuntuone.com/0zybuuXCl5OAWxr5DA7e4I

This little gem was attached to the top of the case. It cleaned up rather nicely. More to follow soon.

[d_stilgar]

Nice start. I love a little narrative worklog.

[SXRguyinMA]

+ sub :)

[Cale_Hagan]

i'm going to watch this thread.. :D

[TLHarrell]

I'm not sure the equipment I purchased is entirely functional. After some examination, I believe the interior components which were of value were stripped by the government prior to the auction. Still, it looks pretty cool, and I'm sure it will be of some use once I've got it cleaned up and put back together. It looks like it's been through a lot and has stood up to some serious neglect and abuse.

(Yes, this is all paint. Not bare metal.)

This side panel gave me fits trying to pry it loose.
http://ubuntuone.com/2oqRkqeMqcdWilaC3yzc4L

Closeup of the side panel.
http://ubuntuone.com/1QVyfwCn9fySHFIBz8G2eH

More to come as I complete painting on other parts of the case.

[AmEv]

*drool*

So, when'd you become a mod?

[TLHarrell]

This thing has been a beast to disassemble. Wow! They sure don't make government issued equipment like this anymore! Finally got some more progress on getting this fixed up.

Top panel, reassembled. Drive bay covers. LED array.
http://ubuntuone.com/0XyKLFoIseummQWGF3qqTk

Top panel, mesh.
http://ubuntuone.com/6RYNznAGjZfGHPY3C64hLS

Top control panel. Not quite sure what these controls used to be for. Perhaps plugs for some dimensional portal?
http://ubuntuone.com/3x9fKJjIAylo5Sd0VcS4QH

LED array back. I drilled all the holes in acrylic with a laser! Then it was easy to just bend the leads together. This thing is BLINDING!
http://ubuntuone.com/1m7sNMXbmox3duoyGGyPEQ

@ AmEv... I noticed that too. Seems to have showed up last week. With my newfound powers I can drop spammers down a portal over a pit of acid. Makes them squeal for a second or two. And I'm gonna start doing some writing... sometime... it's really on my to do list.

[d_stilgar]

Great work. I'm totally loving it. Can't wait to see more, especially a longer shot of everything, haha.

But seriously, the paint looks great. The weather effect looks so good, like you really just got it beat up from some surplus auction and are now going to have to clean it up and restore it. Great stuff.

[Fuganater]

Awesome paint job so far. I wish I could do that.

[SXRguyinMA]

that is a LOT of LED's for a tiny piece of acrylic!!

[Technochicken]

The top panel looks great! I look forward to seeing the rest of the case.

[TLHarrell]

Got the top panel fully reassembled. I think it looks just like the original. All those LEDs work quite nicely. Bits of this thing are starting to come to life.

Comparison:
Original
http://ubuntuone.com/0SMWmwVlKO1yWYn4VkcG49

My top panel
http://ubuntuone.com/1uUoZUtLKhBk29pL0H9N4k

Works for me. :blivnk:

[TLHarrell]

Finally felt well enough today to get some work done in the shop. Got the laser cutter mirrors realigned, so now I can actually cut MDF without just burning it up. Made some progress on the window side panel.

I bet you have never seen anybody use water textured acrylic for a window... There will be a lit panel inside with one of the observation offices showing on it.

The frames will be painted with my favorite iron/rust paint to match the grilles. Side panel still needs a little sanding to show more wear.

http://ubuntuone.com/72qst3K5Krjk72SMDyv1Ek

[SXRguyinMA]

that's going to look awesome!

[TLHarrell]

Finally got a chance to un-junk the work table, dust this thing off and make a little more progress on it. Side panel almost completed. Needs a bit more sanding and distressing.

http://ubuntuone.com/4E3fclzL2CUO3LYqMVtL49

http://ubuntuone.com/2NSX2gV7HPER3vsT36kLLv

http://ubuntuone.com/4kZvuwPTLM5XtcnSeX4urC

[jdbnsn]

That looks great!!!

[d_stilgar]

Looks great. It's awesome to see some more progress on this as well.

[Fuganater]

Mother Of God.jpg