Here is the rest of the log that shows some of the steps involved in making one of these from any material...wood, thin acrylic...whatever you like.
I used the one panel I cut drilled and sanded by hand as a template to route another set from 1/4" for the next station. I'll use these pieces of 1/4" to make more parts from wood or whatever.
This isn't the half of it...the tablesaw, bandsaw, spindle sande and benchsander and drill press all look about the same...
Here I have cut an opening in the front panel to accept the PA160 in a friction fit. I used the radiator from my decommissioned Exterior Cooler.
The rad can go either way tubes in or tubes out. The station layout allows for clearance. Air of the rad will cool the motherboard.
It's a press fit...this radiator is not going to fall out...but it can be pressed out if required.
Notice the acrylic rod.
Pull the tray back and it is released.
There is room to reach down to the lower compartment to fish a cable or undo the hard drive caddy.
Push the tray forward into the station and the rod traps it.
I'll drill and tap the acrylic for thumbscrews to completely secure the tray.
The little blocks beef up the area where the thumbscrew go.
Using my DA750 I layed out for the 140mm fan hole in the PSU tray. I used a holesaw.
Thumbscrews and a piece of angle will secure the optical drive
That's where the optical drive resides. There is a space beside for a FDD. I did not nother with a bracket for the FDD as they are so cheap and light I use a piece of foam tape on mine...but there is room for a bracket.
With the protective paper still on it is easy to viualize what this would look like made from wood or fiberboard.
From the back it is clear where the PSU will niche. A lexan plate will secure the PSU in the conventional manner and that will be secured by thumbscrews.
These structural members all get lightening holes that are routed and sanded smooth. It reduced the weight of the station by about a third.
As the paper starts to come off it becomes much more interesting to look at.
And there it is.
I could fabricate a simple acrylic shroud for a 140mm fan or even the uber power 170mm fan lol... As I mentioned this rad/front panel ar
optional and I have one ready to go that is a blank.
The fan under the mobo tray is for the HDD Caddy. The PSU niches in beside it. There is a spot in front of the HDD caddy to accomodate a pump.
I really like that shot. Just imagine that lit up...
This shows the lightening holes in the tray support.
Everything has been taken apart and put together repeatedly. Almost any of the panels could be replaced with thinner material.
All those routed edges would glow if a light source were present.
Even the ege around the PA 160 will glow if lit...
This shot shows how the thubscrews hold the Optical in place
With a shroud and Silenx 120 x 38.
Shroud is secured with a thumbscrew.
I do not have a large PSU to insert..but I'll dig something up
Mobo tray is secure with thumbscrews. You could tip the rig complete upside down to work on it if you like.
Just a detail of the construction. This station is super duty.
I have some power and reset switches (Black Delrin Bulgin...expensive) and plenty of LEDs...but that's like pissing in the wind...as it just adds more and more to the price tag....
I considered polishing the edges and decided again it was just going to push the price way beyond what most people would tolerate...
I'm tempted to transfer my E3110 off the other techstation...but I want to keep this pristine...so right after this shoot I wrapped it in plastic and set it aside.
Contact me by PM if you want me to make one or if you want this one.
Thanks Guys
