Project: Standard Custom Case

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Qtip42

[H]is Modness
Joined
Mar 16, 2000
Messages
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A while back I started building a case for the noobs. To show how anyone can make a basic custom case. Well after getting about 75% complete with the project I thought about it and came to the conclusion that even noobs would have a hard time building this. Not that it's a tough build but it required expensive power tools...not just a dremel. So with that in mind, I figured I'd just start a worklog for the heck of it and at least get some use out of the pics.

I'll post some more pics later tonight and throughout the rest of the week. If you want to watch the modding in progress go to www.modcam.net cam#5

The base
standard1.jpg


The outer walls will connect to these.
standard2.jpg


standard3.jpg


Mounting the motherboard.
standard4.jpg


standard5.jpg


standard6.jpg
 
Preparing for the next level...
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard12.jpg
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard13.jpg

Apparently the mounts for the cdrom were never documented. So lets pretend they just magically appeared as if from nowhere.
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard14.jpg
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard15.jpg
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard16.jpg

Here's a basic screw up. I really didn't know what I wanted to do with this other than to mount the cdrom. The lid of the case will be a 1/2" higher than this so consider this a sub-ceiling.
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard17.jpg
 
This looks good, being a n00bie myself ill keep a eye out for this one. Might snag me some custom case biulding pointers. :cool:
 
Qtip42 said:
Not that it's a tough build but it required expensive power tools...not just a dremel.
Click to expand...

Yea that's what I'm slowly finding out- you can do a lot with a dremel, but to do some of the really involved mods (and to make it look GOOD) you need either a small machine shop or a friend with one :) So far, I ain't got either.... :(
 
Good thread, I will be watching, my next case I hope to make myself
but I have access to a metal shop at my work now so I can use the
fun but expensive toys!

Did you create the right angle pieces yourself
or buy them and just do the cutouts?
 
DVDRW mounted......
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard18.jpg
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard19.jpg

This will bend and hold the hard drives but I actually cut off the part that is jutting out. No need for it, makes things messy. Tried to keep all the internals simple.
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard20.jpg

Let's do something with that rectangle..
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard21.jpg

Valla.....you'll understand the use of the subceiling later.
http://www.computer-choppers.com/projects/standard/standard22.jpg
 
will put this under favorites so i can check up on this. i have access to workshops, so maybe i can finally get down to doing something like this.
 
I don't use a dremel that often. It's 1/8" so far. The back and sides are going to be 1/16" .... and that's a 3dfx Voodoo5 5500. It doesn't work and also isn't any help as a template since it's the old agp spec.

I keep old shit so i can use them as templates when i make cases.
 
Qtip42 said:
I don't use a dremel that often. It's 1/8" so far. The back and sides are going to be 1/16" .... and that's a 3dfx Voodoo5 5500. It doesn't work and also isn't any help as a template since it's the old agp spec.

I keep old shit so i can use them as templates when i make cases.
Click to expand...

well if it doesn't work, then dremel the new 1.5agp slot into the connector.
 
I'm trying to perfect the art of making slots for expansion. No sense in making cases with limited features like others i've done :D
 
Where did you get the 1/8" aluminum panels? Home depot / home improvement type store or a specific metal supply store?
 
CrimsonSky recommended I just cut an entire box for the pci and agp cards in the back instead of what i had before. I also swapped the black acrylic that the screws will go into for a simple aluminum L bracket. Looks a bit cleaner. Not that it matters, all will be painted.

standard32.jpg

standard33.jpg
 
And here I was thinking of how I could make a custom PCI mount. :)

Great looking case.
 
Looks great, simple yet stylish. I like the look of the bare aluminum, so I'm curious, what sort of paint scheme do you have planned?

As usual, nice work. :cool:
 
pci/agp riser is from ebay.

paint scheme = a gray metallic basecoat w/ ___________ pearl added clearcoat........not sure which pearl yet.
 
I'm curious about doing something like this, and have considered it on several occasions, but I couldn't find the materials to build one for less than I could buy a good case for. What did the materials themselves run?
 
aluminum is $2.50 a pound .....or even less sometimes.

This case would be like $30 worth of aluminum ......just takes effort to cut it right.
 
This thing is bad ass looking... great work can not wait to see after done pics :D
 
Qtip42 said:
aluminum is $2.50 a pound .....or even less sometimes.

This case would be like $30 worth of aluminum ......just takes effort to cut it right.
Click to expand...

Hmm...maybe I should look harder for better prices. The places I found sold it by the sheet, and those prices were stupid.
 
Qtip42 said:
aluminum is $2.50 a pound .....or even less sometimes.

This case would be like $30 worth of aluminum ......just takes effort to cut it right.
Click to expand...
I wish I lived where you do, the place local to me charges $20 for a 16x16 (or something like that) sheet.
 
Very sexy so far. I alsways wanted to build my next Home Theater reciever, here's to wishing for my DTS reciever to die so the war department will approve the distribution of budget funds for such a project.
You are planning to paint the aluminum? or go for a brushed look?
What brand is the scroll saw you used for cutting? I have a Dremel scroll saw, most of the others I used that were newer models seemed too flimsy. Even broke the arm off of a Craftsman scroll saw once.
Can't wait to see it finished.
 
Paint will be this dark metallic gray basecoat I bought a while back. Haven't decided what pearl I want to use with the clearcoat yet. The gray is the exact same you see on a bmw z4. I'm using a dremel scroll saw too but my first one died after a month of use. So I bought another and returned the broke one in it :D hehe. This one seems to work fine, yer right the other ones are wayy too flimsy.

Edit: I'm jealous of your success compared to mine in the last year or so :p :D


bonzanego said:
Very sexy so far. I alsways wanted to build my next Home Theater reciever, here's to wishing for my DTS reciever to die so the war department will approve the distribution of budget funds for such a project.
You are planning to paint the aluminum? or go for a brushed look?
What brand is the scroll saw you used for cutting? I have a Dremel scroll saw, most of the others I used that were newer models seemed too flimsy. Even broke the arm off of a Craftsman scroll saw once.
Can't wait to see it finished.
Click to expand...
 
Curious, but why do you have 6 USB connections but no Firewire ones? Just dont' have a need for it?
 
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