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ATTENTION CASE MODDERS! SSD mounting template and drilling fixture. What do you guys think!?

7K views 43 replies 15 participants last post by  Jim-CL 
#1 ·
Hello Everyone!

Showing off SSDs can be a really cool custom case mod, not just in a CL case, but any case! Obviously I'm a fan
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While the end result can look really nice, it's not always easy to locate the SSD exactly where you want it. This was the problem I faced when doing Toxic, so I made myself a SSD fixture that could be used over and over again. I made it out of 11 gauge (.123'' or 3.12mm thick) steel and has the same exact OD and hole dimensions as a standard SSD. This way I could place the fixture and get a perfect representation of how it would look, and at the same time I could mark/clamp the location and drill my holes.









So what do you guys think? Would this be an interesting modding accessory for your tool box?
 
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#2 ·
Yes... I'll take a couple... Keep throwing money at my monitor but it ain't taking it...
 
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#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by pathfindercod View Post

Yes... I'll take a couple... Keep throwing money at my monitor but it ain't taking it...
Okay cool, thanks!

This derived from the fixtures we use to drill out the windows. Tomorrow I will show a few more pictures of how exact this thing is. Also
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.... I just thought of one more feature that will make it even better!

Actually, I think I'm going to redo the entire OP... I got too excited
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#4 ·
Cool!
 
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#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by XNine View Post

I'm down. Sign me up!
Haha, you better be!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Krulani View Post

This is awesome, I personally will buy one when the become available. My current case isn't conducive to showing off my SSD, but just being able to drill exact holes would be better than how I currently have mine mounted (double sided tape
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). Mark me down for one.
Great, thanks! The SSDs don't have to be in a window, just mounting them in a unique place can be cool.
 
#9 ·
Oooooh, I like... Any chance at this potentially becoming an orderable item for say, an S8?
 
#11 ·
I like the sound of that...
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by XNine View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteWulfe View Post

Oooooh, I like... Any chance at this potentially becoming an orderable item for say, an S8?
I imagine if we do sell it, it will be a standalone item, so you can use it wherever you want.
IF, I say IF, you do sell it I am seriously interested. This thing is totally titz.
 
#15 ·
Looks great, I'll take 3!

I would also like to have my ssd's mounted on the top/bottom covers. That way I can mount them to either be displayed through the window or covered (if you get my meaning).
Would you consider that too?
 
#17 ·
While I personally see no need of this for me in the foreseeable future, I feel there would be a demand for this item, especially if it was made from hardened steel (or had hardened steel inserts for the holes) so it could be used as a drilling guide without wearing out the holes. One could always buy or borrow a cheap adapter tray to use for a template but a drilling guide would be far more useful and, as far as I know, no one else makes one. Btw, one could use a double sided tape, such as carpet tape, to temporarily secure the guide to a surface that would be awkward to use a clamp on. I would also suggest selling it through various retailers that sell modding supplies in addition to selling it in your own store.
 
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#19 ·
Thanks for the feed back everyone!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DStanding View Post

I think an additional cutout near the cable side might be a good idea, for cables with squeeze releases or 90-degree connectors.
I don't think we will make it so the cables can fit in, but there will be a marker for the power connection/sata on the production version.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SortOfGrim View Post

Looks great, I'll take 3!

I would also like to have my ssd's mounted on the top/bottom covers. That way I can mount them to either be displayed through the window or covered (if you get my meaning).
Would you consider that too?
Sure, that sounds cool, but the fixture can already be used that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

While I personally see no need of this for me in the foreseeable future, I feel there would be a demand for this item, especially if it was made from hardened steel (or had hardened steel inserts for the holes) so it could be used as a drilling guide without wearing out the holes. One could always buy or borrow a cheap adapter tray to use for a template but a drilling guide would be far more useful and, as far as I know, no one else makes one. Btw, one could use a double sided tape, such as carpet tape, to temporarily secure the guide to a surface that would be awkward to use a clamp on. I would also suggest selling it through various retailers that sell modding supplies in addition to selling it in your own store.
Thanks for the feedback. This version I made for myself was just plain old cold rolled steel. We are thinking of making it out of 4130 chromoly and then heat treating it. We also considered using drill bushings, but the holes are so close to the edge, it wouldn't work well. Heat treated 4130 should last a long time. I'm also thinking of using strong magnets to hold the fixture in place. This will NOT work for drilling, but it can be useful for mock-up.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin_CL View Post

Thanks for the feed back everyone!
...Sure, that sounds cool, but the fixture can already be used that way...
Great & cool, 4 more then
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#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin_CL View Post

Thanks for the feed back everyone!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DStanding View Post

I think an additional cutout near the cable side might be a good idea, for cables with squeeze releases or 90-degree connectors.
I don't think we will make it so the cables can fit in, but there will be a marker for the power connection/sata on the production version...
That actually would be a fantastic idea for mockups. One could then use it for making up SATA power cables or, if one is insane enough, even SATA data cables. I used an old 2.5" HDD to make up SATA power cables to avoid damaging a good drive but not everyone has one of those knocking about.
 
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#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

That actually would be a fantastic idea for mockups. One could then use it for making up SATA power cables or, if one is insane enough, even SATA data cables. I used an old 2.5" HDD to make up SATA power cables to avoid damaging a good drive but not everyone has one of those knocking about.
I agree, but that would require machining on a mill which do not have direct access to. It would also add expense to the part, and I'm not sure if most people would need a feature like that. Now that I think about it, it's not thick enough either, it would need to be almost twice as thick. If we switch over to the 4130 we would also go a bit thinner further complicating it. Nice idea, just not sure how practical it is?
 
#24 ·
I did something similar:

 
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#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wihglah View Post

I did something similar:

Looking good!

I made a new one today, this one is a bit more "finished" looking. Also notice the markers for the power and sata connection. Anymore input? I think this is pretty much what it's going to look like when we make our first production run.





 
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