Internet Machine... Custom Folding and Browsing machine.

[Arcygenical]

Introduction.

Well... I've wanted to make another case from scratch for quite awhile now. I figure it was time to put what I've learnt, through mistakes and successes, to personal use. Actually... No... Scratch that... I got about 15ft of free square aluminum tubing from work. You see, I've been making totally custom cube or rectangle cases for clients for about a year and a half now... But I've never done one for myself. Why? Well, I hate cube cases... Plain and simple.

But, recently, I decided I needed a small, quiet system, that would let me fold during the school-week, and browse the internet when I come home every odd weekend. Coupled with the ~40$ of free tubing, the 2 sheets of scrap plexiglass, and the new tap and die set I bought... Well, I couldn't refuse!

The main purpose of this case is to re-use my C2D E6300 (I'm getting a Q6600 for my main system in the upcoming months) and to have a relatively small footprint. My desk here is kinda small, so that last detail is important.

Due to the small footprint requirement (no larger than 15"x15"x6") and my quest to watercool this little guy... I've got the following design goals in mind:

1. CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP!
2. Silent Everything! Integrated GPU!
3. Black Plexiglass with red and white lighting accents.
4. Stealthed ports... Nothing visible. case must be opened to attach or detach any components. A single bundle of cables exiting the back of the case!
5. Custom motherboard location for maximum compactness...
6. The ability to upgrade to a full ATX board from the mATX board I'm starting with...
7. The ability to cram at least 2TB of disk space in eventually (that's 4 HD's kiddies).
8. Watercooled. Yes, Watercooled! At least the CPU anyways...

Will it be easy? Well... Nope, but I've got my head around a pretty sound plan. This work-log will progress relatively fast for the first few days... The main case construction will be summarized into about 25 pictures (if that), as making an aluminum frame has got to be boring for all of you... But Let's start

First off... The motherboard I'm using to do the mockup. Yes... This board is incredible. It's spent the night in the rain, been held countless times while walking around the house, been covered in sparks, metal filings, alcohol, mineral and cutting oils, and it still boots up like a champ. I bought it for 12$ with the Athlon XP 2000 CPU too.

It's resting atop the motherboard tray that I'm basing the case dimensions around. Oh. There's my passport. Neat Huh.

Up next, the first aluminum square rod... Measuring 15" long by 3/4" thick. It's drilled for 2 holes, and in the process of being tapped by my new 6-32 tap (wee). I don't believe in using a drill press for tapping or dieing metals... I prefer the hand method.

Don't mind the creepy Zebra footstool .

And there's a knock at the door... So I'll continue this update a bit later!

 

[Arcygenical]

First Night Update.

Well... That was an unexpected turn of events... One of my good friends whom I havn't seen in over 7 months decided to drop over. Anyways, I've got a little bit more progress to divulge.

First off, 37.5% of the outer shell done! They're held together with L brackets that fit in those holes I was tapping earlier...

What's up with the yellow bar? That's Zinc Chromate aluminum primer. Sanding off the anodized surface of the aluminum stock, then spraying it wit this chemical allows any paint to bond nicely to it's surface!

Speaking of primers...

My favourite paint company, Motomaster!

Continuing on... More neon yellow zinc chromate...

And the Gray self-etching primer (last 2 cans in my city...) on the elbows.

Next, the colour coat... Phantom Black. Baking in the oven!

Mmmmmmm Thank god for paint ovens! This stuff smells horrible.

Alright, that's it for tonight... Tomorrow I'll be working on the case back-side, bottom and PSU.

 

[oneil]

Lookin good, you werent kidding when you said the primer was neon yellow eh?

 

[tylerdustin2008]

Last time i baked something i painted, the paint started to boil.

 

[Arcygenical]

Last time i baked something i painted, the paint started to boil.

MMMhmm. You have to let it dry to the touch first, then bake it at < 140f for about an hour.

 

[Arcygenical]

Oh, wow.. a *lot* of updates got lost in the server issues...

I'll keep posting when things are resolved, sans words