Project: Duct

[nil8]

This mod is going to be a slow process because of expense.
I have had this case in use for almost 6 years and it needs to be fixed up before I use it as a fileserver.
This was my first attempt at modding and it worked well enough for what I needed it for at the time. Bad paint jobs, horrible cutting, all the normal noob things.

I don't want to be overly ambitious, but I'm wanting to try my hand at some cpu ducting because the airflow from the large front intake goes straight back onto the cards and not much else.

I have 2 of these fans, both are used in computer mods.
The 2 5 1/2" fans came from a 1990's piece of telco equipment that was junked.

Onto the pictures.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2764/restore17io.th.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/my.php?image=restore17io.jpg)
Sideview of the case. 2 and a half foot full tower.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3756/restore23tj.th.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/my.php?image=restore23tj.jpg)
The bottom of the front bezel & the 5 1/2" intake fan.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5310/restore39jq.th.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=restore39jq.jpg)
The intake fan from the inside.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1589/restore43fs.th.jpg (http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?image=restore43fs.jpg)
The fan removed from the case

http://img309.imageshack.us/img309/5269/restore58bh.th.jpg (http://img309.imageshack.us/my.php?image=restore58bh.jpg)
The hole cut. It was done with tinsnips and a hacksaw blade.

[GT40_GearHead]

now that ma' man is not right, you dont want that kinda' fan in youre case, its gonna take of
back on topic
i know thoes fans lots of cfm lots and lots, go for it

[nil8]

Within a month or so I'm planning on getting a tool to measure cfm.

The sad part is that's not the biggest fan I have. My biggest fan came out of an old server rack. It's 10" and pushes more air than a box fan.

[DaveW]

Ouch, man...that hole...it's going to be hidden from view, right? Cos it's rough-no offense meant!

What are you going to use for the ducting?

-Dave

[nil8]

No offense taken. It was my first blowhole. Yea, the hole will be covered.
I've actually dremeled it down and cleaned it up a lot. I need to take some pictures once I have it where I want it.

As for the ducting, I'm not sure. I need to do more research into how flexible ducts are made.

I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to streamline the fan into the front bezel.

[qoou]

maybe some bondo?

[nil8]

I've considered bondo, but I want to be able to remove the intake for the occasional cleaning. The fan builds up some concentrated gunk on it after 2 years or so of straight running.

I'm thinking maybe some acrylic bends might do the trick better. I haven't put much thought into it as of yet. Right now I'm focused on the duct work.

Also, that hole has been cleaned up. I still need to find time to get out to the shop and get back to work. That hole is about a month younger than the case once I got it.

[nil8]

It's been a while and I haven't been doing much in my shop with computers. Been busy with other tasks. Still, I got the picture of that cleaned up blowhole.

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7623/duct015ir3.th.jpg (http://img364.imageshack.us/my.php?image=duct015ir3.jpg)

I think I'm going to end up using some non-insulated dryer ducting for the intake and break it off into automotive flexible hvac ducting.

I'll get around to it and some pictures later. Life is kinda crazy right now.

[Maz]

RW Systems (http://www.rwsystems.co.uk/13.php) has some hose that is perfect for your design. pretty much every home improvement store that has a duct aisle will have flexible ducting. if not, google flexible ducting. you will get all sorts of different flexible hoses and the like.