Celtic Knot Inspired

[TheMainMan]

I also need to reslove how I am going to create a button for the DVD burner to open. I have made a hole but haven't worked out the details. I also need to work out how to attach the drive door to the panel.

One way to do it would be to use a short piece of wood/dowel in the hole you could glue a washer to the back. Then recess an area into the back of the panel that would allow the washer to sit in flush. As long as you get it lined up you can then just push the end of the wood/dowel to eject. The washer keeps the whole thing from falling out.

Great work, you're setting quite the pace.

[Espie79]

One way to do it would be to use a short piece of wood/dowel in the hole you could glue a washer to the back. Then recess an area into the back of the panel that would allow the washer to sit in flush. As long as you get it lined up you can then just push the end of the wood/dowel to eject. The washer keeps the whole thing from falling out.

Great work, you're setting quite the pace.

Thanks for the suggestion, I was thinking somewthing along those lines but was also thinking of coiling my own spring on the back of the panel wrapped around the dowel so it bounces back a bit.

[xr4man]

i would think the spring already in the button on the dvd burner should take care of that for you.

[Espie79]

Day 5:
I haven't done a lot since last time in terms of the case itself, but I have designed the side panels and top panel using AutoCAD.

The top panel will probably have a cut out for a fan, maybe 120mm diameter.
I have also trued up the front panel as it wasn't square. It's still not quite square but I've done the best I can. I made the mistake of carving the panel before cutting it out which is why it wasn't square - won't do that again.

Here is the case with the front panel fixed to the frame with brass dome head screws.

[Fuganater]

Done by hand??? Holy crap! Very good job.

Are those the final screws your going to use on the front?

[xr4man]

that's awesome work.

[Espie79]

Done by hand??? Holy crap! Very good job.

Are those the final screws your going to use on the front?

Yeah the screws shown are the ones I'm going to use, couldn't find the ones I really like.

[Espie79]

Day 6:
Today I have started on the top panel. I have the panel already cut out and have started the carving. I have also cut out a hole for the 120mm fan that will be fixed below.

[Espie79]

Day 7:
Today I finished carving the top panel and also stained it. I still might need to sand around the fan cutout as it's a bit rough.

Below finished panel

Acrylic paint spread all over the panel roughly

Linseed oil poured and mixed over panel with brush. The oil allows the paint to blend nicely over the surface and also helps to get into small spaces.

After staining the top panel, I noticed that the top and side panel are a significantly different shade. I used the same paint and technique so I think that because the front panel is older, the paint has had longer to penetrate the mdf and make it darker....I hope so anyway.

Below is the case with the front and side panels. I haven't drilled holes for the screws to fix the top panel yet, and I also need to cut the metal from the original case for the fan.

[msmrx57]

Looks good. Nice rich tones.

Are you going to paint the chassis before final assembly?