Drawer Case :o

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With exams coming to an end and so much free time in summer :D
I've been thinking of projects to keep me occupied, I liked the look of desk builds but I just don't have the experience :(

I do however have a drawer which doesn't get used, its meant for filing but it's basically empty.
My idea was to convert it into a case with relatively interchangeable parts, i was going to do this by buying a case of similar size to the draw and mounting the skeleton of the case in the drawer.
Idea-1.jpg

made this really quickly on techsoft to give you an idea of what im starting with :)

Ideally if this did go ahead I'd cut an acrylic wondow into the front and mount 2 fans at the front (on the acrylic window if i can but might have to be on the wood :/) and 2 at the back, the back fans will be slightly more trouble some in that they will have to pass through 2 layers of wood. Who knows i might try my first watercooling loop :D
I'l get a full plan drawn up next week-end when the exams have finished.

This should become much clearer once i have done the proper drawings but i hope you get the general jist of it.

Looking for tips,advice and ideas.
Cheers in advance for the help :)
 
Started to make up some plans, struggling to find room for a power supply unless I use a Mini ITX board, bit even then they wont sit side by side. I'd have to put the motherboard towards the front of the drawer and invest in some long cables.
Im trying to think of a way to have the psu sitting on a shelf above to fit in a Matx board but il have to measure that up and see if i can fit a shelf that will hold the weight :p
 
You sir are a genius :D
Still would only fit a Mini Itx in there without making a shelf for the psu but there would be some clearance, then i can just cut a hole in the side for the psu fan :)
Wish id thought of that :p
 
You have 300mm x 400mm sides and bottom. Mount mobo on left side so normal back connections are facing up with CPU near back and bent HSF out back.
 
I was dumb :p
I mixed up my dimensions in my second sketch xD
I'mwas trying to mount the motherboard on the bottom because i want cables coming out of the back and i think it would look great.
However mounting it on the side is a much better idea, I would probably mount it so connections are towards the back instead of up though.
Probably mount the optical drive on the right and cut a hole in the right pannel, Il be using a sheet of acrylic to make a lid for it.
Going shopping now for some materials for making my dad an ipod dock to match his hifi and for a new suit :cool:

Il post up the sketches later.
Cheers doyll for helping me overcome stupidness :p
 
Not stupidness. Just needed to talk it out.
Brainstorming is the way forward.
I often talk ideas out with wife even though she doesn't understand... and often find solutions while she nods her head. ;)
 
If mobo will fit on side do it.. on left side with CPU at bottom I think. Awkward mounting cool but easier access to GPU... or not.. Could use a donor case and have mobo raised 100mm off bottom with PSU, HDD, under it. Lots of ways to do it.
 
I was thinking about buying a motherboard tray and using that, not sure what il use for the hdd and optical drive. There was a cool silverstone thing that was a drive enclosure, optical drive and card reader all in one :)
 
Find a place that has used computers and cases. Look through the cases and find one to use as a donor for your build.... for mobo tray, hdd and rom rack, on/off switches, power light, USB, etc. and buy it cheap.
 
boardlayout.png

layout2.png


Im tempted by the side mount, If i use a Matx board it will support mahoosive graphics cards :p, much more room for drives and potentially a water cooling loop.
Il try and find a way of mounting a mobo tray on the side.
I think making a set of standoffs for the tray to sit on or just screw it straight in.
Il get there eventually :)
On a side note the suit loooks goooood :cool:
 
With the height of the drawer it may be possible to install a removable shelf to split the shelf into two levels, that may free up extra mounting space.

Cool idea OP, looking forward to seeing the results.
 
As mentioned before, a false bottom 100mm up would allow PSU, HDD, etc. (whatever that is) to be mounted under mobo and allow full front to full back airflow.. Remove all surplus metal from behind mobo and put 2x 140mm fans in front so air has nowhere to go but out back. Don't know how often you use optical drive... I almost never use it as USB is easier... even installing software. Still need optical drive, but could even be put in drawer and open draw to use. USBcould be on top of cabinet or top front with long enough leads that drawer could be opened and closed. Same for power button.
 
The that's the inside measurement :)
Il look into a removable shelf but I think side mounting is probably the best option because it will accommodate larger graphics cards :)
Just need to get my hands on some sheet metal or an old case
 
With the height of the drawer it may be possible to install a removable shelf to split the shelf into two levels, that may free up extra mounting space.

Cool idea OP, looking forward to seeing the results.


This is what I'd be looking at also.
why not have the HDD's and the likes in the bottom of the drawer, them a shelf on top with the mobo on it, should be decent for cable management too as ye can make sure most of em are under the shelf :)
 
Very simple to do. Just a "hidden compartment" in bottom of bottom... Lift out one to access the other. Probably wouldn't be able to fit ATX motherboard as only 56mm for output cables.
 
Good news it's 330x430 mm wide inside measurements.
Bad news... My 17 year old sister doesn't know how to use a ruler properly.
I'm trying to think of ways to put in a shelf because I dOnt see it coming apart easily :/
 
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