[Scratch Build] 80/20 T Slot Aluminum & Acrylic Dual Chamber Build

Lazerwerx · Mar 8, 2015

Hey everyone! I am not sure how I missed not knowing about T Slot, but I am excited to create some builds using it and acrylic. I have multiple designs in mind for each size of build (ATX, MATX, ITX) and will be building a case for each one. Considering I will be spending a bit of cash building each case I really don't have the money to add in any elaborate water cooling parts. Maybe just one loop for the cpu at the most, but I want the build to be really clean.

For this build I will be using my current components:

CPU: 4790K
Mobo: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK S
Ram: Corsair Vengeance 1600 16gb
PSU: Thermaltake 1,000W
GPU's: EVGA GTX 760's X 2

Any of these might be upgraded as the build goes on...

I used to build acrylic cases using an acrylic frame, like Danger Den style. Now that I have found T Slot in sizes of 20mm, 25mm, and 1" (25.4mm) and found how versatile and easy it is to use, I got excited again!

About the design:

Currently all the designs are dual chamber and the one I am starting to build today is for the ATX mobo. I wanted the design to not have any fans be mounted to any exterior panel and the fans to be attached to an interior panel. This way they can be swapped out to use different fan sizes (going from 120mm to 140mm) without having to create a whole new exterior piece of the case.

Since I will be using 25mm T Slot I can mount the exterior panels on the outside and mount fan panels on the inside, while creating a gap of 25mm between panels, the fans can mount on either side of the fan panel.

I'll let the Sketchup pics do the talking: Case size 466mm Tall x 355mm Wide x 516mm Deep

1st frame

3 frames for the case

Adding on bottom panel using 3mm black and 3mm frosted, adding on HD Cage using 6mm frosted.

Adding on SSD mount and single 5.25 mount

Adding on rear and front fan panels using 3mm acrylic. Once the fans are attached they are strong as a rock. I have mounted thick radiators with push/pull to these as well and had no strength issues.

Bottom fan panel added. Each fan panel inside the mobo chamber can be swapped out with a panel to hold 140mm fans.

Looking down from the top you can see the fans are mounted on the opposite sides of the panel.

Motherboard divider added

Back panel added (dual layer of matte black and frosted 3mm). The I/O will be made up of a combination of 3mm and 6mm acrylic to make it 12mm thick. I'm hoping the center piece will glow!

Front panel added

Looking down you can see the 25mm gap nicely fits the 25mm fan. Complete separation from mounting it to the front case panel.

Top panel added

Side windows added. I cut a gap on each widow towards the upper center for the ability to have a handle to pick up the case. It's just large enough to fit your fingers and you grasp the aluminum frame for strength.

Other colors:

140mm Fan Panels in case:

I still have a ways to go on creating all the screw holes to mount each panel and there are various ways to mount the T Slot together besides using the "L" shaped brackets. The case and design can be made using wood, metal, acrylic, pretty much anything and the T Slot is easy to configure where to drill holes......at 25mm square just make sure you're 12.5mm dead center!

I am looking forward to this build with much anticipation. Perhaps I could go all out and really get some creative water cooling done, but the wife would kill me!!!

Plus, I have other designs to build

Mini ITX Version: Micro is in the works

korruptedkaos · Mar 8, 2015

im subbing!

Lazerwerx · Mar 10, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by korruptedkaos

im subbing!

I knew you would be stopping by! Happy to have you! How's the acrylic work going for you? Having fun with the laser?....it's nice to have one on hand isn't it?

My wife want's me to make this a Seattle Seahawks themed case. I just might go that route using the blue, fluorescent green, some gray and white.

korruptedkaos · Mar 10, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazerwerx

I knew you would be stopping by! Happy to have you! How's the acrylic work going for you? Having fun with the laser?....it's nice to have one on hand isn't it?

My wife want's me to make this a Seattle Seahawks themed case. I just might go that route using the blue, fluorescent green, some gray and white.

hehe, am i that predictable

im good & yes its always nice to have any machinery that makes life easier. wish i had more hehe.

ill be stopping by regularly anyway... as long as you dont mind

Lazerwerx · Mar 11, 2015

Not a problem....I'm following your build as well. Very innovative!

Lazerwerx · Mar 23, 2015

Small Update:

Going to take a turn here and work on one of the smaller cases for this build log (ITX Version), then onto the ATX size. I ordered some 305mm length pieces (12 total) for the case and some different end fasteners so everything is hidden. I didn't like having to design around the "L" brackets.

I also ordered the acrylic for this build from Harbor Sales The colors I chose were a matte black, frost and clear. I think I have enough to build several cases. The Mini ITX case design is done and I am itching to build it, unfortunately I don't have the components to put in it

I could pull my secondary build apart and use them, but still would need to upgrade the GPU. Most likely I will give the Mini ITX case away once it's complete!

Here are some pics of the extrusion. Since going to the new fastener I needed to tap the ends of the extrusion using an M6 tap. There will also need to be a hole drilled 12.5mm in the center on the adjoining piece to have access to tighten the screw.

Final Pics from Sketchup:

Lazerwerx · Apr 13, 2015

Update time!

I spent about 10 hours yesterday tapping the ends of the extrusion with M6 thread, drilling a 5mm access hole, and cutting almost all the pieces for the case. My hands are sore!!!! 24 holes to tap!!!! and pushing out all of those hexes did my fingers in!!! Also, all the ugly screws you see in the build are temporary. I just needed to put together everything to ensure it all fits and works.

Still undecided on what's going into the case aside from a 4790k and two 240mm rads.

I'll let the pic's do the talking on how the case is progressing:

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 007_zpsn4yfm6qj.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 009_zps0n4wyhdz.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 013_zpsfugctklg.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 015_zpsaxcoxchv.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 017_zpsb1hikbyr.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 022_zpsg4tjm5vk.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 029_zpsuzsqdw7u.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 031_zpspvmuroqb.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 033_zpsgckg6nvc.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 035_zpsmtrfkmni.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 036_zpste40aixw.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 044_zpszxyuqljj.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 045_zpsrp706qtv.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 047_zpsxeiy8kix.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 051_zpsc2jxeyd8.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 052_zpsummlfya6.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 055_zpsfmhplqni.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 056_zpsrovk5tsk.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 061_zpszbglgate.jpg.html

http://s954.photobucket.com/user/La...om/user/Lazerwerx/media/2015 Case/4-12-15 Build Update 062_zpsp3nfmji3.jpg.html

That's all for now....off to cutting a bit more and buying some screws!!! Thank you for looking.

dirty elf · Apr 13, 2015

looking good, 80/20 is great modular stuff

Lazerwerx · Apr 16, 2015

Yes it is and fun to work with!

I ordered the correct screws for the case all black oxide, some flat top and some button top. The flat tops are really huge (12mm wide heads) so I may just go with button top and paint them. Hopefully the screws arrive tomorrow so I can get the finishing touches on the case, peel the paper off and get started on the build!

My thoughts on what is going into the build!

What I have thought of so far:
•All hand made to length sleeved cables in silver and uv orange for the psu. PSU, thinking EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2
•GPU (not sure which gpu, but it will be EVGA brand, 970 or 980) 980 would be great but the wife would most likely put the hurt on me for spending that much!
•Hard line tubing in uv orange for the cpu and gpu. This will be my 1st go at Hard Lining!
•GPU Waterblock, still unsure until I have a card in hand and it will have a custom acrylic matching back plate, any suggestions on the block? I would like to place some orange L.E.D.'s in it as well.
•Two 240mm Rads either mounted on the front of the case or both in the mobo chamber (might paint them UV Orange)
•Frozen Q CPU Block in frosted and uv orange with a small "E" on the center piece http://www.frozenqshop.com/cold-fusion-waterblock-intel-amd-copper-base/
•Frozen Q LF Reaction 160mm Cylinder Reservoir in Silver and Orange http://www.frozenqshop.com/lf-reaction-160mm-cylinder-reservoir/
•Fittings (still looking) any suggestions on brand or color?
•Mobo, ITX (EVGA Stinger) Not sure which one yet
•13 total 120mm fans, no LED, but Orange UV (if I can find some with PWM)
•Pump, need help selecting this from you guy's as there are so many and I need a small strong one, any suggestions?
•Two 2tb HD's in Raid 1 for storage HGST Brand
•Two SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB 3-D Vertical in Raid 0 with custom acrylic covers to match
•Memory, orange color, not sure which ones yet

taowulf · Apr 16, 2015

Moar Seahawks colors, plz.

Looks real good, can't wait to see this one finished.

Lazerwerx · Apr 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by taowulf

Moar Seahawks colors, plz.

Looks real good, can't wait to see this one finished.

That ones coming. I got some nice plans for that one, but a full size case. Go Hawks!

[Scratch Build] 80/20 T Slot Aluminum & Acrylic Dual Chamber Build

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