Westell Enclosure -> ATX case

L

LesterOfPuppets

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
143
Since I finally went to A64 and PCIe, I had a perfectly good mobo and video card sitting around doing nothing. I did, however need a case. I'd been thinking of making this Westell HLXR mounting into a case for some time. Side windows are ho-hum by now, how about a clear front door?

The case has approx. 2028 cu. inches of room, compared to the 2246 of one of my fullsize ATX cases and 1468 of one of my mATX cases. I don't care much for cases with doors on them, but since this door is clear, that might make up for the inconvenience. Should be a fun project also.

This will be a slow, occasional weekend project.

Hmmmm, ATX case, this was pretty close, just need to cut three holes, one for the 120mm intake fan, one for the PSU and one for the pci slots and i/o panel. The 120mm intake fan will go right next to that harddrive. I doubt I'll be lucky enough to have the fan screw holes line up as nice as the HDD holes did.

I began thinking I'd use it in its intended orientation.

332468580_25a1965bed.jpg
 
Trying out two Optical drives for easy vertical and horizontal use. PSU won't be jammed right in there like that; there will be about 1/2" clearance between drives and PSU. Hopefully everthing will stay cool enough that way.

Gonna use an mATX PCI and I/O plate, since I had it handy. Should be fine for me, all I need is a vid card and maybe a sound card if I decide to get fancy.

I was hoping for room to fit two harddrives on the left side, but I'd have to rack 'em to do so. The fan on the left side will eventually be a 120mm if he keeps drinking his milk.

Now, where to put handy usb/audio jacks?



 
I cut out the holes for the i/o and pci slots and a hole for the PSU and got her fired up! I recently ordered some 12cm fans and will have one or two installed on the left wall, depending on needs. I may eventually cut a hole for free airflow for the fan, as it will already have a filter on it.






To do list:

1. get a 12 cm fan. the 80mm is temporarily zip-tied on there.
2. find a home for and install power switch and audio/usb plugs in front
3. fabricate carrying handle on top.
4. fabricate handle on the back to facilitate sliding out mobo tray.
5. acquire a full ATX pci slot area, and cut a bigger hole for it and the I/O panel.
6. put some rubber feet on.
 
Made the pics smaller. I'm not sure what's messed up about the first pic. Seems to work fine for me in FF, Opera and Konqueror.
 
Marking out the hole for I/O and PCI...Bic pens work great for marking brushed aluminum.



That and the PSU cutout went well. I keep debating about whether to refinish the outside of the case. It was apparently used as a backdrop for some spraypainting, so I could try to strip it down to beige (I'm guessing the beige is powdercoated) or bust out the angle grinder and make it bare aluminum, with a scallop-type design.



I got a pair of 12cm fans w/ filters in the mail, and for power switch, tried taking apart a PS1 controler to use for power button, but didn't like it. Got one from Radio Shack. Considering its location (it's going to go just above the Optical Drive on the mobo tray), I need to fashion a surround for it so that I don't lean something against it an inadvertantly power down.

Here's a pic of the left side interior of the case. Gonna slide the HDD down a bit to make room for the 12cm fan. Halfway considering a slot-load optical drive mounted above the fan.


 
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