Cobra-matic : Retro Bakelite Phonograph

The CPU cooler in place after a good lapping. The hardware survived burn in so no hardware RMA's yet. It's alot faster than any computer I have now. Sorry I didn't think to get a screen shot of the test scores.

Don't let anyone tell you that the Thermalright XP90c fits on the Gigabyte 965PDQ6. Adapter plate my hiney. I made it work with standoffs and the temps are fine but I'll lose 1/2" in vertical clearance due to the extra long standoffs if I don't cut a hole in the perforated metal to allow the adapter plate to clear.

A parting shot for an idea I had for cable management but I don't think that I'll have room. I was thinking that it would look cool with led-lit orange plexi behind.

Finally, to automate the lid opening, I've got a linear actuator but know nothing about how best to rig them up. Does anyone have any tips or tutorials on using them? What angle should I place it at? Should I balance the lid with a gas shock? The lid is about 3 or 4 lbs.

Thanks for looking. I'll be out of pocket for the next few weeks due to work but next up, actuator fun. :) Hasta luego...

Apologies for the lack of update on Cobra-matic and Retromod. I've been in lurk mode on the forums as the new job has been kicking my butt. Enough excuses though, I've been modding for a couple hours here and there so that I've got some progress to at least bring this worklog into this year.

One of the first hurdles was the location of the DVD drive. I wanted it to be upfront like a record player, kinda like this:

The DVD is a slimline drive mounted on a piece of copper with an art nouveau design acid etched into the surface. The bezel is from an old mantle clock and covers the cd while spinning. Since the DVD has a locking hub, it'll work with a cutout in the top.

I'll try to grab a video of it spinning with the LEDs lit up next weekend.

My brother had that same mobo. His water cooling system uses the same adapter. We couldn't get it to fit, so we just unscrewed the backside heatsink/heatspreader thing. Worked perfectly. Mod looks great. Love the idea. Keep it up.

Thanks Karbon!:)

Borrowing an idea from Retromod, here's the HD suspension system. It's suspended to eliminate vibrations. Suspension system add to the HD heat so I'm interested in seeing how it fares.

Sketchup

Actual (brass channel and springs sourced from the local hardware store)

The fan grills are supposed to be back from the laser cutter today or tomorrow. Can't wait to see how they turned out.

The grill will replace the mesh in the front

with something like this (it'll be either copper or brass plated) for better airflow from the Antec bigboy.

Experimenting with a firgelli L12 actuator to lift the lid but looks like it doesn't have enough power. Anyone have any experience with linear actuators?

i like this:D cant wait to see how this will turn out! very god idea:)

+rep

DVD Test - Spin up, Spin Down, and LEDs on

Thanks for the comments and Rep, pOPe!

Got the fan grills today. Wow, do they look good. :banana::banana::banana:

Need to add Vintage Manufacturing to the Laser Cutting supplier list. They got the files on Saturday and they mailed on Monday.

Behold the laser cutting goodness:

Polished a little and in the bezel:

The grill is laser cut from 0.0625 (1/16") carbon steel.

I got 3 grills as I want to try copper plating and painting to see which I like better. Just got back from the platers. They won't be able to give me a quote until next week. It'll be about twice what I expected but not enough that I'd try doing myself. Need to check a couple of other places to see if its going to be cheaper.

Went to get my camera and spotted this little guy hanging out on some quartz crystals in the living room. He's about the size of a quarter. Here lizard, lizard...

Next up: EL & LED Lighting and how not to mod a power supply :rolleyes:

you said actuator?
what a coincidence, i am a mechanical engineering student.
okay... so it doesn't have enough power to lift the lid by itself try to help it out with something or get another for the other side.

is it a three or five wire one?

the three has no limit switches and will grind itself apart if it hits the end
five has switches, but you still need to stop it.

you can control it with your io port fairly easily, or you could make it a completely separate system.

but please when you ask a general question you get a general answer

Thanks Maz, any help that you can provide is appreciated. Understood on the general nature of the question. So specifics, it's a firgelli L12 miniature linear actuator.

L12 Specifications
Gearing Option 298
Peak Power Point 67 N @ 2 mm/s
Peak Efficiency Point 30 N @ 3 mm/s
Max Speed (no load) 4 mm/s
Backdrive Force 230 N
Stroke Option 100 mm

It comes with a 3 wire interface (it has both the hobby servo interface and industrial control interface). Beyond being underpowered, I believe this is part of the problem "If the load exceeds the backdrive force, the actuator will backdrive."

It's being controlled through the servo interface using a phidgets USB servo control. Because the actuator is 12v dc and the phidget is 5v dc, I've connected them using a servo y-cable.

Offsetting it with a gas spring or counter weight lift maybe possible but space is tight in the case. I also have a Hitec HS-815BB Sail Winch Servo which can deliver 275 oz/in of torque.

It's too many years since ME101 so any suggestions that you can make would be appreciated. It would be a tremendous help if you can point me to a website or software that can help me with the calculations on how far I'm out with either of these drivers.

I'll grab some pictures of the mounting point and dimensions to highlight the space problems.

Given the problem with the adapter plate on the motherboard.

I added a quarter inch acrylic spacer with standoffs to raise the motherboard:

With 8 leds:

Inspired by the Decobox mod and a desire to try out El Wire:

The El Wire is run inside of polyethylene tubing for a more muted effect. Helpful El Wire soldering tutorial.

Once in place behind the fan and grill, the El wire will add a soft amber glow to the inside:

Taped in place for now:

My girlfriend pointed out that the copper shelf liner on the back of the fan looks cheesy so I'll etch a replacement at some point.

Fan spinning: