Ramsey77

Hello OCN natives and welcome to my first "from scratch" build.

I have recently edited this first page to make it easier to see the updated pictures and progress I have made so far. (thanks to Raffy's avatar, and Acoma Andy's gracious post for the pic I modded for my logo)
The first stage of planning was done one night at work on some grid paper, and each square represents 1 square inch. The outside dimension of the case will be 24X24X12. Sorry if the blueprints don't make any sense to you, they make perfect sense to me. I can't do much as far as 3d rendering goes so this was my only option to get ideas out. Take a look, leave a comment, and thanks for watching......Here we go:

Blueprints: Planning Stage and Materials List

















UPDATE LINKS:

#1: Getting Shop Ready

#2: Parts Are Here

#3: Machining Part 1

#4: Machining Part 2 and Initial Assembly

#5: First Mock Up (missing pieces)

#6: Front Panel Metal

#7: Second Mock Up (all pieces)

#8: My First Shot at Rouging

#9: Machining Part 3

#10: Mounting Optical Drive

#11: HDD Mounting Idea #1

#12: SOLD!!

#13: Back From Powder Coating

#14: Rebuilt

__________________

Ramsey77

(For Final Pics)

__________________

Warfarin88

This looks interesting, Ramsey.

You said you ordered the aluminum, but I noticed a "1/8" maybe?" in your sketches.

I will tell you that 1/8 inch thick aluminum is not sheet. That's plate. I've got a 12X24 inch lot of it here, and I can barely flex it while holding the short ends of it and using my knee as a fulcrum at the apex. Heavy duty stuff, and maybe heavier than your mind's eye is envisioning. It's certainly overkill for anything in a computer case, particularly for a panel, and especially for a panel that's well braced (as yours appears to be).

For what its worth, I've found 1/16th to be a nice all around thickness for aluminum sheet in these sorts of projects. That's 1.6 mm, and still quite respectably sturdy.

Then again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a little deliberate and calculated overkill.

Ramsey77

It's deliberate overkill man. That is the only piece of plate in the whole build. The only reason I went so thick (and i did it intentionally) was so that when I attach it to the frame of the case, I don't want to see any flexing around the bolt holes. You know when the light hits it just right and you can see distortion from the torque of the fastener? I don't want that. Plus this plate will be the first thing people will look at so it has to be candy. My intentions will become more evident as this log progresses.

Edit: also, it's either .100" stuff or 1/8th. The only stuff I can get locally, and I'm not spending what McMaster Carr wants for 1/16th. Although, I will have to bite the bullet for the side panel, as I NEED 1/16th.

__________________

CattleRustler

__________________

[Current Project] PolymorphiX v2 (alu & steel alu hybrids)
[Pending finish] Butcher's Hook (Slipknot tribute bench in steel)
[mod2hardware] All Modding Projects by CattleRustler
[mod2software] WorklogCreator 1.0.1.7 visually build postable worklogs, quickly & easily with drag and drop

Warfarin88

Groovy.

Carry on!

Ramsey77

Can you see the benefits of this stuff? This is the frame. I should be able to park a car on it when I'm done. Can your case survive a fall from a 2 story window? The hole in the center is sized to be tapped to 1/4 x 20 already.....bonus!

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________

Warfarin88

Oh cool. Let me guess, the inside dimension of the slots is just right to accept your plexi?

TikiMan098

organization to rival even the best 3D drafting can muster, haha! Puts my planning to shame: I'm building a new case from scratch and I draft it while I lay in bed falling asleep, then order parts in the mornings. Ive already ordered everything but I dont think ive written any of it down,

why do you need it so huge? just curious... you could put a small child in a 24x24x12 box

Ramsey77

If my line runs well at work, I have time on my hands. This is 12 hours worth of drawing/erasing/drawing/erasing....you get the idea.

Check this aquarium base out. It will give you somewhat of an idea of what it will look like when done.

....and yes, the track width for the stuff I am using is .255"

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________