Modding

Re: Here's My DIY Case

HOGHAULER — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:41:10 GMT

Thanks aggiedad, I do my best and yes we should finish what we start.

Re: Here's My DIY Case

aggiedad — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:46:39 GMT

nice,more people should finish what they start Good Job

Re: Here's My DIY Case

HOGHAULER — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:09:38 GMT

Thanks but I could have done better if it had not got me so frustrated, The aluminum case is covered with a self sticking wood grain laminate.

Re: Here's My DIY Case

Capt. Insane — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:44:39 GMT

Looks amazing, Hog. Congrats on a job well done!

Is it painted or is the brown some sort of veneer?

Re: Here's My DIY Case

HOGHAULER — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:04:41 GMT

Ok folks HH done figured out that problem and has the DIY case 95% finished and its up and running now with some new photos!

http://s223.photobucket.com/albums/dd82/HOGHAULER/Case/?action=view&current=015e4b74.pbw&t=1246402880

Re: Here's My DIY Case

HOGHAULER — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:05:33 GMT

Well folks here is an update ended up having to cancel the high polish finish due to the 6061 aluminum being of poor quality and the welding pitted, it seems the more I sand and polish the more pitts and defects that can be seen which is a big dissapointment to me. However while on vacation in Florida helping out the brother-inlaw at his cabinet shop he gave me some self adhesive wood grain laminate which looks similar to my latest avatar pic and its working find except on the curves so if I can fix that problem I should have it finished in a couple of weeks. I hope!!

Re: Here's My DIY Case

HOGHAULER — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:58:30 GMT

It will be o'natural with a high polished finish and sealed on the outside still have not decided on the inside was thinking of using a spray rhino liner for protection and to prevent vibration from all those fans or a spray rubber coating, the other choice is just the sanded o'natural or polish it too. CI the cost of renting the Tig welder and buying the rods would far exceed the price of having it done by a shop + I would have to spend a few hours just getting the right settings and the old hand eye cordination back in the groove. Thanks again to all the good folks at eggxpert for their fine opinions of my work and when I get the case completed I will post more PICS!!!

Re: Here's My DIY Case

ch0psh0p — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:20:00 GMT

HOGHAULER:
Thanks CI, just start putting a few $ away and resist the urge to spend it except for on your NAS mod and yes slm's idea is a good one but using a swing arm would work far better than just mounting a Case to the wall. Hey chOpshOp it was built from scratch but the welder did not do a great job, I spent over 10 hours sanding and grinding to get the finished smooth look on it they left about 3/16" bead all the way around the sides and the inside welds still need to be smoothed out some. I would have done the welding myself but did not have the Tig welder or the money to invest in one.

Yikes, sorry to hear that. Well, it looks great now! are you going to paint it, or is it staying o'natural? Equipment is a pain sometimes, and frustrating when it keeps you from doing things you could do... I myself could builf some nice components and panels out of ceramic if I had a studio at my disposal.

Re: Here's My DIY Case

Capt. Insane — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:04:13 GMT

HOGHAULER:
Thanks CI, just start putting a few $ away and resist the urge to spend it except for on your NAS mod and yes slm's idea is a good one but using a swing arm would work far better than just mounting a Case to the wall. Hey chOpshOp it was built from scratch but the welder did not do a great job, I spent over 10 hours sanding and grinding to get the finished smooth look on it they left about 3/16" bead all the way around the sides and the inside welds still need to be smoothed out some. I would have done the welding myself but did not have the Tig welder or the money to invest in one.

Maybe your local Home De(s)pot or sheet metal store rents them?

Right now, my biggest obstacle to trying to save money is that I only get paid once a month...

Re: Here's My DIY Case

HOGHAULER — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:12:31 GMT

Thanks CI, just start putting a few $ away and resist the urge to spend it except for on your NAS mod and yes slm's idea is a good one but using a swing arm would work far better than just mounting a Case to the wall. Hey chOpshOp it was built from scratch but the welder did not do a great job, I spent over 10 hours sanding and grinding to get the finished smooth look on it they left about 3/16" bead all the way around the sides and the inside welds still need to be smoothed out some. I would have done the welding myself but did not have the Tig welder or the money to invest in one.

Re: Here's My DIY Case

ch0psh0p — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:13:07 GMT

Very nice. I really like that you built this from near scratch. Welders did a very good job.

Re: Here's My DIY Case

Capt. Insane — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:21:36 GMT

Nice build, Hog; it's coming along quite nicely. Makes me wish I had money to start the NAS mod I want to make.

As for slm's wall mounted case, I think that's a really cool idea. If a wall can support a 46" plasma TV, it can surely support a computer. You'll have to make the case long enough (or make a long enough mount for it) so that it stretches between two studs. Hog's points are valid about rear connections, but if you mount it so that the side is on the wall, that shouldn't be an issue

Re: Here's My DIY Case

HOGHAULER — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:35:04 GMT

Thanks for the thumbs up all, parts $85, welding $140, extra tools $75, 5 fans & 5 filters $65 and an old case to rob the HDD & ODD mounts $10 =$375 + 60 hours of hard work and design time and I'm not done with the work time just the money is through. Slm that is going to be a tough one there to design unless you just build a wall shelf to set it on like in a corner, the weight versus what side you would fasten to the wall would be a limitting factor in the build, add to that the cooling and rear connections and you will be asking for problems.

Re: Here's My DIY Case

slmclarengt — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:34:25 GMT

After reviewing all of those images, it looks very nice (and even very clean cut!). Very impressive, very impressive indeed. My friend and I are in the designing process of our own DIY case except we have the added task of making it a very sturdy case that is wall-mountable as for some reason we agreed we want it to be virtually see-through (plexiglass probably) with low weight to hang on the wall (large and quiet fans are part of the build; probably a couple).

Very good job though definitely, especially impressive and spacious interior!

Slmclarengt

Re: Here's My DIY Case

aggiedad — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:18:50 GMT

Really look great,looks like you thought of everything cable management, cooling and good looks,now what's the price after full production starts

can't wait to see your build ,good job hog