Project: Beast III

[Oscarine]

I know you've been focusing on 2.5, but any updates on 3?

 

[MeHoo]

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/stevennoland/filtermesh001.jpg

What are the specs on this material? I was lookin to build some structural cages out of perforated sheet but have no idea how thick/thin the material can be in order to be bent but stay rigid. Any help from a machinist as talented as you is appreciated.

 

[silent-circuit]

Dude, you've got some serious skills, and no denying this. Going to read back through this when I have more time. Awesome from what I've seen. Very impressive, and very inspiring.

 

[Nick_Leo]

K i just spend for ever reading this and no end!?!?!

Where the updates.

 

[OofC_S7v7N]

PLEASE JUST FINISH THIS BEAST i PROMISE YOU WE WILL LOVE IT NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE DETAILS

 

[LittleMe]

LOL I second that.

 

[haadij404]

lol I bet by the time he finishes this project all the hardware will be outdated.

 

[HAF72]

lol I bet by the time he finishes this project all the hardware will be outdated.

qft even if it gets outdated.. it will still look very awesome

 

[PCduster]

That is an AWESOME toolbox you have there. I hope, that one day, my toolbox will have that kind of level of scrap in it. Never did think that the words "scrap" and "titanium" would be used in the same sentence..


AMAZING work, please keep it up.

/subscribed
/amazed
/inspired

Some things change, some things stay the same.

I made the above post in 2006, and since then I have become a tool and die machinist apprentice. I have been in the business for about a year so far. I have to say, the understanding of what is involved in most of what you have done definitively changes my perspective on your project. I remember the first time I saw this thread, and how I felt. It was pretty damned cool, and it got the creative juices flowing. I just didn't fully understand how to pull it off. Now things are a little different. I can tell the types of tools and machinery you are using and actually noticed a few things that I definitely wouldn't have noticed before. Regardless, your work is phenomenal and continues to amaze.

Thanks for, as I said in my earlier post, inspiring. It is things like this that get me through the day when I am doing the more mundane parts of my job.

 

[jmroberts70]

If this project doesn't make Rig-of-the-Month on MaximumPC when it's done, I'm canceling my subscription!!

 

[crazyfinx]

wow man great job on everything, keep us updated

 

[Stevennoland]

Some things change, some things stay the same.

I made the above post in 2006, and since then I have become a tool and die machinist apprentice. I have been in the business for about a year so far. I have to say, the understanding of what is involved in most of what you have done definitively changes my perspective on your project. I remember the first time I saw this thread, and how I felt. It was pretty damned cool, and it got the creative juices flowing. I just didn't fully understand how to pull it off. Now things are a little different. I can tell the types of tools and machinery you are using and actually noticed a few things that I definitely wouldn't have noticed before. Regardless, your work is phenomenal and continues to amaze.

Thanks for, as I said in my earlier post, inspiring. It is things like this that get me through the day when I am doing the more mundane parts of my job.

Congrats! This trade can be a cruel mistress, and it can be very rewarding. Thanks for the nice words.

 

[mit78]

great job,where is the final rig,i am werry curios.

 

[raymondes]

After traversing through thirty pages of this thread i have come to a few realizations.

First and foremost.... You are amazing at manipulating metal and acrylic. I would call you a master fabricator. Your parts and work looks amazing and it could almost be considered an art form. Everything looks immaculate.

But in my personal opinion this project is very unnecessary and over the top. Dont get me wrong it looks awesome, but it seems like your trying to pack too much into such a small package. Its shaping up to be an extremely heavy aluminum space heater that runs an operating system. I do not mean to degrade your work in any way shape or form, but in my personal opinion it is just too much.

Good luck and continue the awesome work.

 

[Langer]

As an amateur machinist, the thought of dreaming about trying to fabricate these parts on a strong-arm mill is mind blowing! As a credit to your skills I was under the impression that the parts were all CNC cut until I picked up my jaw and started reading the words.

You sir have skills that have clearly been hardened by years of experience.

Bravo my friend and well done!!!



- has the project been abandoned, or just slow-going (which I can understand)?

- do you have any renders/sketches of the final plan? my only negative comment is that I can't picture the finished product... in fact I found myself scratching my head at where all these beautiful parts will live in the finished product.

Again, well done and goodluck on completing the project.

 

[Markistehnamezor]

Amazing work after a 2 hour jaw dropping read. You do services for people?

 

[crazjayz]

I feel like Pavlov's dog after reading through this from page 1. Post something... ANYTHING.... please

 

[dC0m]

Freaking Sexy. Good work, lovin the blingin detail.

 

[elijah86]

I just read through your log and I must say, you sir are insane.

 

[Stevennoland]

Hello avid builders and users, I'm back for more punishment.

It's hard to believe three years have elapsed.

Sorry about the long wait, but I took time off to build BEAST 2.5 (project log is here in the worklogs, please feel free to search for it).

I then built BEAST 2.7 (using her right now, no worklog), and dismanteled BEAST 2.5 (If your interested in any of the parts, feel free to make an offer)

Not much has changed. I still machine and game.

I got the itch to continue BEAST III, so.........

On with the update.

I really wanted to finish the filters for the intake on the bottom of the case.

Here is one of the four screens that will make up the two large filters

A .325" frame was removed to help fit the screen into the rails. I will post some pics of the fixture I made to do this. The .300" frame is about .030" deep (the filter screen itself is about .062")

Here is one of four notches I machined for the elbows to help secure all this together

Here are the rails. The hole on the side is for the filter rail extension (to be seen later). The other is for a 4-40 screw to secure the rail to the elbow (also to be seen later)

Inside

This is the 4-40 screw. I wanted them flush or better

Here is the filter mesh sandwich. (mesh not cut to size yet)

Here I positioned the rail to show you where the filter rail extension will attach through the rail and into the elbow

Parts slid into place to give you an idea

If you read the section on the making of the filter screen rails, it might help to paint a better picture.

Thats all I have done now. I plan on more updates so you know what.......

Stay tuned.

 

[Technoob]

hurrah more case porn. I love this thread

 

[PC Junky]

Thank You! for not letting this thread die.

I enjoy watching your work, looking forward to the next updates.

 

[formula409]

Your work is awesome....I hope you will see this project through.....its crazy!

 

[Wahoomcdaniel]

Nice work and pics to illustrate your handiwork.
Sorry you had to stain the filter cover with your blood - or is that sweat & tears?

 

[shadowlord]

i'm glad to see you working on beast 3 again.
it's an awesome project so far, keep it up mate.

 

[erkzh]

my god.. i didnt think that you could so thoroughly qualify the name of "Beast"

 

[digital_exhaust]

Glad your back at it.

So, was there a worklog for 2.7? Or pics? Or anything?

Again, nice to see you working on this case again.... truly one of the most impressive worklogs I've seen here, keep it up!!

 

[Concentric]

Awesome, can't wait for more!

 

[jmroberts70]

Ahhhhh! I'm so glad you back!!

 

[brasherman]

YEAH! Welcome back to BEAST III for more mod pron! I love your mod.

 

[just a noob]

wow, this is amazing, just read all 32 pages, i just can't believe you did all that on a manual mill/lathe, that's just amazing, you don't seem to be afraid of mixing metals either

 

[Tex0]

I have been following this worklog for the better part of the last 2 years without ever having posted a comment. I hope you get some extra inspiration to continue your beautiful work, knowing it was this project that has encouraged me to both sign up to [H]ard and start my own case modding odyssey

 

[Stevennoland]

Your work is awesome....I hope you will see this project through.....its crazy!

Thanks! Yea, this project has spiraled out of control. I can see the finished product in my head. Bringing it to reality is the tough part.

 

[Stevennoland]

Nice work and pics to illustrate your handiwork.
Sorry you had to stain the filter cover with your blood - or is that sweat & tears?

Blood and sweat. No tears. There's no crying in modding!! LOL

 

[Stevennoland]

Glad your back at it.

So, was there a worklog for 2.7? Or pics? Or anything?

Again, nice to see you working on this case again.... truly one of the most impressive worklogs I've seen here, keep it up!!

Thanks! No worklog for Beast 2.7 . I did take some pics. I'll post them with the next update.

 

[Stevennoland]

I have been following this worklog for the better part of the last 2 years without ever having posted a comment. I hope you get some extra inspiration to continue your beautiful work, knowing it was this project that has encouraged me to both sign up to [H]ard and start my own case modding odyssey

Gee, I'm honored. Thanks!

 

[Stevennoland]

Thanks to all of you for the kudos. It’s you that keep me going.

On with the update.

I finished the elbows that hold the filters together. I started with a 5/16” thick piece of 6061-T6. I squared her up to 1” by 3”

I then added the 4-40 tapped hole

And roughed the fillet for the ‘L’ (you’ll see)

Reapeated for both ends (two elbows for each block)

Then I cut out the portion of the ‘L’ that would be sandwiched between the screens

Both ends

Both sides

I didn’t take time to take pics of all the steps, so I’m improvising with paint. I then cut a groove on one side of the ‘L’ (shown in red)

And then finished the inside of the ‘L’

The end result (still with paint)

I then cut the ‘L’ off with the band saw

Nice edge

I also drilled the hole for the 4-40 screw to hold the filter rail on

I milled the cut edge to size and added the other hole for the 4-40 thread and tapped both

The lot (I needed eight, a drill broke off in one. Good thing I planned to screw up)

This is the 30 pores per inch foam I’ll be using (cut to size)

Two filters, two pieces of foam

I then cut notches for the elbows

Here is quick rundown on the assembly. First, the bottom screen

Then the mesh

The elbows

The top screen

Joined

Here is the side hole where the filter rail extensions will attach

Here is the filter rail extension (pics of their making are earlier in the thread)

4-40 counter sinks for the 4-40 screws for attachment

This is where they go together

Joined

Both ends

Both filters

Here are the plexi pieces that make up part of the bottom scheme (also in a previous post) There will be pockets milled for the filters to rest in

Filters shown in place

Here are some shots of the fixture I made to machine the screens. The base with tapped and locating holes

Here is the clamp used to hold them in place (made from a piece of scrap)

Here you can see the path of the end mill cut

And the path for the notches

I used the existing holes in the perforated screen to help line them up (roughly 3/16” diameter)

I then used a gage pin (.185”-.186”) to align one side

And then another for the other side

Then the clamp

I used four 8-32 screws to hold the clamp down

Close up

I stacked all four screens to machine them square, and then machined the frame relief and notches one at a time.

That’s all for now.

 

[Farva]

I'm glad to see you are back at this project. I've said it before and I'll say it again, your fabrication work is amazing!

 

[Stevennoland]

I almost forgot. Here are the only pictures of BEAST 2.75 . This is the computer I am currently using. As I stated before, BEAST 2.5 is no more. In fact, my Sister is currently using the EVGA 680i mobo.

Case

I added some handles (makes carrying much easier)

Video card

CPU

HDD

Memory

MOBO

MOBO backside copper plates

Accessories

OS and PSU (the PSU was just an extra I had laying around. I would have used my PCP&C 1000watt but it was still housed in the case of BEAST 2.5)

Here are a couple shots of the system completed. Mind you, I made no real attempt at wire management.

Here is a shot of my most recent builds. From Left to right: BEAST I, BEAST II, BEAST 2.5 (now defunct), My Wifes (mine really), and BEAST 2.75

I’m working on a replacement for BEAST 2.75 . I already have the i7 920 CPU, just waiting on the mobo and mem. I also have another Rocketfish case for that build in which I will use my PCP&C 1000watt PSU. I had to modify the PSU port so my 120mm fan mod would work. Pics to follow when mobo and mem arrive. I’m thinking of getting some 1600 mhz DDR3 and the ASUS Rampage II. I’d love to get an Intel SSD (the 80gb MLC version), but the price is too steep even for me. Yea, I know, I’m spoiled.
Stay tuned!

 

[jmroberts70]

Great new pics!! Thanks so much for showing us all your progress. BTW, have you ever posted pics of your shop (where the magic happens)?