The Breadbox Triplets

First post here, some might have seen these at other websites.

All three of these are built around old aluminum breadboxes, specifically this model.

They're not much to look at, but they have an interesting curve to the rear that I really liked. I bought my first one for 50 cents at a thrift shop quite a few years back, I was going to use it as is and fit in a full ATX system. It never developed, and ended up sitting on the floor for quite a few years until I got a better idea. The second breadbox I bought last year, and ended up paying $20. I thought that was too much, but recently I've seen these selling for around $60 on ebay. Insane.

Anyway, the first breadbox was cut up to build a custom case for an embedded Core 2 Duo setup which is now my work PC. The main body is obviously from the breadbox, but the backplate is made from the internal shelf, and left over aluminum made up an internal fan bracket.

More pics and specs here. Specs are out of date, currently only has an 80GB drive. Oh, the slot for the DVD was done by hand. Drew a line on with a pencil, drilled a hole on each end, then used a file to go from hole to hole. Surprisingly it only took about a half hour.

The inner shelf from the second breadbox became the main part of this system's case.

Based on another embedded board, I built it just to see how small a PC I could build. I did end up adding HD and power LEDs, power and reset switches, and a couple fans.

More pics and specs here.

The bulk of the last breadbox became the body for this.

That's my current Windows Home Server, based on a mini-ITX board with a Yonah-core Celeron.

I had to buy actual aluminum to make the base and back, but I was able to buy some cheap scrap which worked nicely. More pics and out-of-date specs here.

Oh, and all three systems also use black AC Ryan mesh. I bought one sheet and it's lasted me much longer than I thought it would. I even had enough left to build this.

That's a remote power and reset switch with power LED. The gauge acts as a HD indicator. More on that here.

Dude, that is awesome!!! I love that setup, if I could I'd have you build me one! +rep for sure

That gauge is freaking insanely cool, that is exactly what I wanted to build someday. Would you be willing to post that stuff here too? I know folks would love to see it added. Can you show us how figured out how to connect the gauge?

I just realized that you have lots of pics and worklog info that is not included, why did you leave it out?

I didn't include all the pics because I've got a lousy web server plan right now, trying to keep better control over my usage. Part of it is just an old habit of keeping load times down. Give people a taste, if they want more it's a click away.

The gauge is deceptively easy. Pretty much hooks right to the LED header, only need to throw a diode or resistor on the positive side to keep the needle at zero when idle. Found that out when I built a few hard drive cases and PCs in old fallout meters.

I've done over 10 of the hard drive cases, most going to friends or family as gifts. Thinking I may throw a few eSATA versions together for expansion of the WHS setup.

Welcome to TBCS, and thanks for sharing!

Welcome!

And what an entrance, lovely mods, that 2nd tiny one is awesome!

+rep :)

Fantastic work. +rep

this is beautiful, congrats

Thanks for the kind words and the front page pimpage.

I've been running the Core 2 Duo system as my work PC for around 9 months now, and ~6 months ago the company I work for was bought out. Luckily I get to keep using it until I move to their location in a few months. Not looking forward to that since they use Wyse dumb terminals and I'll have to start wearing a tie.

Once I have it back home I plan to use it for a bedroom HTPC, although I'll probably leave out the TV tuner. More than likely it'll end up being a fancy music player/alarm clock.

R.I.P. for the Merom cube. About three weeks ago I loaned the Merom Cube to a family member and found out yesterday that it's dead. Somehow they managed to fry the $400 embedded motherboard inside. Looks to me like the power supply section on the board got hosed, fans run, CPU and northbrifdge get hot, BUT there's no 12 volt on the power output for the hard drive. So right now it's tore down while I contemplate buying another board. Oh yeah, warranty on the board was up June 12th and it died July 2nd. Great timing.

omg that sucks poor you

:(