Project: Hard Drive PC

[TheGreatSatan]

While waiting for parts to arrive and new ideas to sprout up on my CLOWNED project, I've started another. I'm building a custom case made of Hard Drives. All of the HD's are DEAD. Many are 2GB and below, 1 is the 120GB HD I had in Air Force One that died. My teachers were happy to unload the mounting piles of dead HD's they had and I was happy to take 'em. To start, see the 2 boxes worth of dead HD's I've gotten.

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5293/hdbox19vi.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2788/hdbox26mw.jpg

I'm taking off all of the covers on these drives to expose the platters. Some of the screws didn't want to come out so I used my dremel to cut a slit into it making each one removable with a flat head.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9749/flatjead17be.jpg

Here's some samples of the covers off.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8987/sample11ge.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8365/sample28px.jpg

First I laid them all next to eachother to align the holes already on the bottom.

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8408/hdsidepanel0gr.jpg

I'm creating my own brackets to join all of the drives together. This piece used to be the vent of an old PSU. As of now, there will be six HD's for each panel platters facing out with plexi covering them.

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/3430/bracket15iu.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/482/bracket25ga.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8300/bracket33fd.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7043/bracket48sz.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6283/bracket56pz.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/3122/bracket69ad.jpg

Then I used some mesh to join them all together.

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6986/mesh19oa.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2108/mesh22iv.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5688/mesh37is.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2551/mesh44ja.jpg

Lastly I screwed on the first sheet of plexi. I'll need to buy more for the rest of the case.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5899/hdglass17rn.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/281/hdglass26xg.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/647/hdglass33nm.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/969/hdglass42ql.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I fixed the HD's

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/8586/repositioned1nh.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I finished the second side.

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/1443/2ndside5ti.jpg

And I have two done.

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/5238/bothsides6wn.jpg

Next I have to make them connect somehow....maybe with mesh. Then I'll mount at least two drives to the top.

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm just trying to get an idea of what the case may look with the top on. Nothing has been connected just yet. With the top drives sitting on the ends of the side drives I'll lose at least an inch, so I'll have to connect them at a lower point.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6176/maylook17jp.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/1758/maylook20vg.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3048/maylook34vp.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2214/maylook40rw.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

Still looking into that...

I decided to use mesh to connct the sides to the top. This is not final. I may change it.

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/1782/meshtop16fm.jpg

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/971/meshtop29zg.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2792/meshtop35kk.jpg

And it's all connected. The top glass looks blurry because I haven't removed the protective film yet.

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/7803/meshtop49pc.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3144/meshtop52zd.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/1632/meshtop66nj.jpg

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/7557/meshtop77cx.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I have this tiny micro ATX I may use to wrap the HD's around. That way I'll have support and already made I/O ports.

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/9558/mini13il.jpg

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/2702/mini26af.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3351/mini39db.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I laid the drives on top of the case to get an idea of the width required. As you can see the drives aren't as long as the case is wide. If I do go with the case for mounting the drives, then what sould be in this gap? Should I maybe paint it Silver or chrome to match?

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/817/drivestop10go.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I repositioned the HD's on top so that they are side-by-side just as Boddaker @ Gruntville thought of. Luckily I still had one drive left for the top. Now there are 4 on top instead of the previous 3; In total there are 16 drives on the case, thus far.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2163/topfix15ve.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1457/topfix25yv.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9656/topfix38gv.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3420/topfix49ao.jpg

I set one of the sides next to the case so you can see how it'll look when complete.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/4348/topfix56qt.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9410/topfix67gv.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I maked off the sides so I could make some cuts. The screws will go from the inside throght the mesh and then into to the mounting holes on the drives. This way they'll be securely attached to the sides.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3619/lines12dp.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9244/lines23sx.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9550/lines34vf.jpg

After I attached the sides I set up the top to connect those drives too.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/261/topbolts13lx.jpg

Then I screwed on the nuts and cut off the excess.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9562/topbolts26cc.jpg

The top and sides are attached. :D

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1788/sidedone11ya.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6905/sidedone22un.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

Now to plan the front. I'm using 2 drives side-by-side at the bottom. I will also be disguising the power button.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4818/frontpanel1cf.jpg

I was worried because I had run out of useable dead drives, when I found an old box!

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8167/newdrive13gx.jpg

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/6811/newdrive27sj.jpg

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/7015/newdrive39pg.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

Now this Worklog is FEATURED!

I put the Hd's on the front too.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9238/fronthds13gk.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6492/fronthds26ng.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I've STARTED painting the case. First I took it apart.

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/3738/takeapart16tg.jpg

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/9462/takeapart20ym.jpg

Then I applied primer.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8158/paint49fq.jpg

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/6664/paint54tk.jpg

And I STARTED on the chrome coats. I'll do at least 3 coats (sanding inbetween) over the next couple days.

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/4096/paint19iq.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9999/paint65nv.jpg

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/5926/paint77oa.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

That clock is sweeeet!

I dropped the motherboard in.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2199/addmobo16jq.jpg

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/3239/addmobo23fq.jpg

While painting I accidently painted the crap Video card I originally had for this system. :( It was only 64MB, but good enough for this project.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/2558/ooops6cf.jpg

I added the square bars to the top to fill in the gaps.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/374/bars13wc.jpg

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/7753/bars21hn.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I decided to try to scratch off the paint on the gold leads and try it in my test system.

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5312/scratch19ke.jpg

At least the part you normally see isn't painted.

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/79/scratch28uc.jpg
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/4032/scratch38sa.jpg

It works!

http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/6241/scratch40pq.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

Go figure the heatsink I decided to go with was too tall and wouldn't allow the motherboard tray to slide back on.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5682/bigsink3xp.jpg

In trying to remove the sink and put on a low profile one, I SCREWED UP BAD!! Any heatsinks with a 4-corner bracket?

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7805/broken8al.jpg

Then to make things even worse the exterior cover with all the drives attached wouldn't slide back on. The bolts holding on the drives make the guide rails miss the track.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6461/maybe5qc.jpg

Sooooo....I'm gonna keep the outer shell and fab the rest.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5918/steel12yq.jpg

I made some measurements.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9223/steel29al.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7415/steel38db.jpg

Then I did some cutting.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/127/steel40bj.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8127/steel52qx.jpg

And slid on the new bottom.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4489/steel60yr.jpg

I then attached the drives for the bottom.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8863/newface12lr.jpg

And cut some more square rods for the bezel framing.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1635/newface21oz.jpg

I know this looks pretty ghetto, but I decided to keep the motherboard tray. I will make it look better.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7321/ghetto9oy.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I got some plexi cut at Lowe's. I'll peel away the stickers soon.

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/2315/lexan16un.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5944/lexan26bi.jpg

I'm gonna use some angled aluminum around the edges. I hope that it keeps the entire thing from falling apart.

http://img281.imageshack.us/img281/3438/lexan36el.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I put the front bars on...

http://img422.imageshack.us/img422/6575/frontbar1cw.jpg

...but something has me concerned. Some of the platters sit higher than the others on the top. They even rise above the bars that are supposed to even out the top. With the higher platters, the top is not flat. What to do?

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/8963/talltop7ck.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I bought an 8 foot piece of 90 degree steel.

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/7683/8foot7yo.jpg

And a 3 foot piece of square bar for the bottom of the case.

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/2006/squarebar2jd.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2770/hdfeet6dp.jpg

I cut holes in the angle bars and joined them together.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/7201/align11hi.jpg

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/5033/align23gv.jpg

Here's what it will look like with glass secured in there.

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/1844/align32bi.jpg

So, I started making the frames for the sides. When the sealant dries, I'll just slap them on to the side and drill them down.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/700/windowframe15mn.jpg
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/9941/windowframe26oo.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

The adhesive dried. But I still need another 13 inch piece for the top.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3205/windowframe36cc.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I framed in the sides and added a square bar to the bottom to help keep the sheet metal attached.

http://img335.imageshack.us/img335/7857/frame19pl.jpg
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/6376/bottom12jx.jpg
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/6375/bottom24dm.jpg
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/2470/frame26mm.jpg
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/8538/frame33ez.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/5517/frame44ei.jpg
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/7796/frame60lz.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/9545/frame55xv.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/9418/frame79gn.jpg

Next I have to work on the top.

[TheGreatSatan]

I decided for the top that I would drill the handle screws inbetween the top HD's through the top of the case. Then I would feed the screws from the inside underneath the drives past the plexi to the handles.. With some wide washers it should be real secure to lift the case by the handle. I have some handles, but I don't know if they'll look good with this mod. Recommendations?

[TheGreatSatan]

I finally got my heatsink in and it holds just fine. As soon as I get the case completed I'll get the motherboard tray mounted.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6386/newsink12jr.jpg

http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/5161/newsink21ia.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

Since the top of the platters rise above the bars, I got more.

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/5158/newtop10ah.jpg

I then copied the location of the screws that are on top. . .

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/772/newtop27hk.jpg

An then drilled them out so the bars on top lie flat.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3613/newtop35mz.jpg
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8656/newtop46ce.jpg

Before I use JB Weld and screws to hold them down, I draw lines down the sides. This is where I will cut to slide the top glass in.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6985/newtop56cg.jpg
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9569/newtop62sa.jpg

And, go figure, I got stabbed with my own drill.

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/6538/ouch0sh.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I got the glass on top, but I'm still not done.

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/5070/topbars12fn.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4647/topbars21yk.jpg

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1743/topbars33ih.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I finished framing up the top, sides, and front (for the most part)

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/296/framed17vu.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7359/framed20om.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9251/framed38xr.jpg
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7092/framed40dk.jpg
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4323/framed51as.jpg

Then I cut the frame of the original case to have the PSU and CD drive mountings.

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5672/cage13ko.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4513/cage21mv.jpg

Obviously, I'll have to add the PSU before screwing it in.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8417/cage34nc.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2996/cage46fn.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I got it all put together, but there's a problem. The case is fine, but the mobo is dead, I think. I tried replacing the SDRAM, clearing the CMOS, but still nothing. I can always try replacing the battery, but I don't think it's worth it. I set out to build a case made of HD's and I have. I'll still take another whack at it, maybe swapping out the board with my Mini ITX (That does work). For now I have to get more done on my UPS.

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5654/deadhdpckp5.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I put the Mini ITX in since I know that it does work.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8663/mini1pc1.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8908/mini2fo3.jpg

Tell me which fan placement you prefer #1

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/7714/fanconcept1pf3.jpg
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/2525/fanconcept2mk4.jpg

Or #2

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/6286/fanconcept3mx8.jpg
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4307/fanconcept4qb5.jpg

Here's some peeking through the mesh

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/3007/meshed1ml0.jpg
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/8643/meshed2dg4.jpg

And the CD drive works!
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/8891/eject1bg1.jpg
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9058/eject2dv5.jpg
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/978/eject3nr0.jpg
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/2717/eject4vq0.jpg

[TheGreatSatan]

I added a pice of aluminum around the CD drive

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9789/cover1ql4.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7112/cover2js2.jpg

Ooops! I just have to push that in.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2529/cover3jw8.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1995/cover4ly1.jpg
http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/6913/cover5tw5.jpg
http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/1895/cover6nf0.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2878/cover7nm3.jpg

Oh, and it weighs 31lbs!


Link To Original Thread (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2817)