Structure Reinforcement

[Zephik]

Lets say you have a "friend" and that "friend" is building a case completely from scratch. K? Now lets say your "friend" is an idiot and forgot about structure reinforcement. What would you suggest using to create a sort of makeshift frame to give the case more structure and durability?

I thought I saw something awhile back with a guy who created a frame using these easy connect type bars. Can't remember where I saw that or where to look to get those kind of things though. Any idea's?

Budget is around $25USD. But I suppose I... um... I mean "he" can splurge a little more. Maybe up to around $40USD.

lol thanks guys. I don't need a response _right_ away, but as soon as possible would be nice. ^_^

[jdbnsn]

Can your "friend" take some pictures for us to work with? Also, Franklin used an easy connect system for the framework on his Evolutionary Mod.

[Zephik]

Thats exactly what I was thinking about. Does anyone know what those are called or where to get them or something similar here in the US?

Pff, and ruin the surprise? I think not. :)

[jdbnsn]

Here's some...

http://www.brunnerent.com/Tools/Portfolio/frontend/itemlist.asp?type=2&size=0&lngDisplay=2&strMetaTag

here's more, in the UK though....

http://www.rosshandling.co.uk/tube.asp

[Zephik]

Thanks! Thats a huge help if not the solution to my problem. I'll have to search around to see if I can find anything cheaper. But if not, that will do just fine. :)

[Omega]

80/20 is what we use in the Robotics world.

Oh, and triangles.

[Eclecticos]

What do you mean by "Structure Reinforcement" is it flimsy or something?

[Zephik]

Well, if I were to put together a bunch of materials without building around a frame, it wouldn't be a pretty sight at the end of the day. Thats all I needed to do, is find out how and build a frame to build around. Its kind of like... if I were to build a cardboard box pc, it would need a frame on the inside for support. Or like with buildings, they just don't only use concrete, they use steel beams and other stuff to make it more rigid and solid.

I actually thought of something that will work better than those easy assemble extrusion tubes for this project. You'll have to wait to see what I mean though. ^_^

But these are what I'm going to use instead. Square Extruded Acrylic Bars (http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=150&). Maybe not as strong as aluminum, but much cheaper and the way I plan to implement them, easier to work with. At least I hope. I'm getting the 1/2" x 6' ones. Which is under half the price if not more of the aluminum ones. I might get the 1" ones in case the 1/2" ones aren't sturdy enough. What do you guys think?

[DaveW]

Tell your friend he's an idiot. :p

Those bars look fine, acrylic should be plenty strong.

-Dave

[Zephik]

Tell your friend he's an idiot. :p

Those bars look fine, acrylic should be plenty strong.

-Dave

He told me to tell you that at least he doesn't watch midget/donkey pr0n. ;)

[Bucko]

He told me to tell you that at least he doesn't watch midget/donkey pr0n. ;)


He doesn't watch it, he uses it...:bunny:

[DaveW]

Aye. It stops my desk wobbling. ;) Thanks Snowfire!

-Dave

[Zephik]

Okay, a quick redesign and I think I got it. Tell me what you guys think.

http://www.mediafire.com/?3bulicwn9ty

You'll need Sketchup to view it btw. But everyone should have that program so I don't think that will be a problem. The URL above is a direct download link to the file.

I made sure that the model is all exact measurements, so what you see is what it is. Also, everything you see is acrylic. The square bars (http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=150&) are solid 1/2" acrylic bars and the front and back pieces are AC Ryan 3mm Acrylipanel in clear gray (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=314&products_id=2869).

This is the only sneak preview you guys get. ;)

[Eclecticos]

How about doing a Print Screen, I don't have sketchup.

[Zephik]

Heres a slightly updated Sketchup. I decided that I wanted a more "flush" looking cd drive. Looking pretty cool I think!

http://www.mediafire.com/?6tlczl0z2un

Um... You don't have sketchup? DEAR GOD MAN! Whats wrong with you? lol jk :D

Maybe someone will be nice today and do a couple screen prints, I changed my Photobucket password and I can't remember what the new one is. Do a password recovery? ha, well funny story. I did but I've had this account since the dawn of time. ...I wonder what my old email password is? lol

If no one does, I'll create another account with my updated email address later today. Right now I'm getting ready to go clean up my old pad and put down some fresh paint. I guess you could see it as "house modding" lol

[Eclecticos]

Wouldn't run the setup program on vista. . I dunno why?

All you gotta do is hit the print screen button and paste into paint.

Use www.Imageshack.us

[Zephik]

Here ya go. btw, I put extra bars in the middle so the PS and the CD drive could sort of "rest" on it. I'm not exactly sure yet how I'm gonna secure the cd drive into place, maybe just with some velcro lol. my original design was based off of my frame from my old dell, but that got busted and bent up when it fell off my stand so I'm gonna do it from scratch this time around.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1869/structurereinforcementbn2.png