Fenix MS1.1 ***PC Desk Scratch Build*** by Marco

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Joined
15 Mar 2013
Posts
37
Location
Thamesmead
Hi Guys.

For many years I have been fascinated by the many builds and mods that I saw in magazines and different websites and about an year ago I decided that I would give it a go.

Two of the builds that really amazed and inspired me were done by two of the great masters of modding:

The Next Level by Pascal de Greef
L3p D3sk by Peter Brands

As you can imagine I can only but aspire to doing something as great but I will definitely give it my best within the little available time that I have. The frame and body of the case will be made of aluminium and acrylic and the desk top will be made of oak, glass and aluminium. The hardware will probably be what I currently have but I will adventure into water cooling, something I have never done until now but am looking forward to trying.

Hope you guys enjoy the build and keep coming back to check on updates.

Cheers everyone :D:D
 
Update 1 - The aluminium frame

I have never been one for planning and prefer to improvise as I go along. However, this time there was a little bit of planning involved. I actually bothered to download sketchup and learn the basics so that I could do this!!! :D:D:D

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And it all starts with the very first cut...

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Followed by a few more, the tube is 25mm square aluminium. Can also see the connectors that I will be using to link the tubes.

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Exciting moments when it started taking a bit of shape.

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So much that I could not avoid placing the motherboard tray on it. Just wanted to get an idea of what it would look like. :)

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Right guys, that's it for today, hope you like the first few pictures and excuse the quality. I will be using my Iphone during the construction phase.
 
Update 2

And the frame is almost finished...

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Now it is. That was quick, lol. It's so big that I even decided to reduce the dimensions slightly, just slightly though!

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Another picture of the motherboard tray in place, really liked this at the time, there will be some changes in the future though...

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Two Lian Li HDD cages for the hard drives and SDD's. Got very big plans for those. Stay tuned, lol :D

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The whole thing from a different angle. And look, it's me!!! :D

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Sneaky preview of some of what's to come...

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That's it for now, will try to give you a daily little update till I catch up with the current stage of the build. Hope you're enjoying it. ;)
 
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really nice, doubly impressive for being done with the kinds of saw you can get at B&Q, just goes to show you dont need insane room sized tools to do great mods :D
 
Looks great. Love these desk builds. Up there on my list of things to do one day :p subbed!

Hope you get around to do it one day. ;)

really nice, doubly impressive for being done with the kinds of saw you can get at B&Q, just goes to show you dont need insane room sized tools to do great mods :D

Of course not Melvis, I would even say that it's a lot more rewarding this way.

Extremely cool, subscribed.

Thanks mate
 
Update 3

Right, it's time to take it outside for the next stage of the build. Got a huge aluminium sheet, a jigsaw, measuring tape, hammer, riveter, drill, etc and a helper for the day. ;)

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And that's the very first cut with the jigsaw...

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Time to cut the middle bit...

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Done...

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About to start riveting...

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Then, suddenly, my brother appears. Great, could deal with some help!!! Thanks bro!!! By the way, he's the one on the left. :)

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And the riveting starts!

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And now, with the right side up!!!

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Enjoy!! More tomorrow, hopefully :D
 
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Update 4 - Fan supports

Hi Guys!! Time for another update, this time I'll be working on the support for the lateral fans and will be showing you one of the chosen fans for the build.

Xigmatek XLF-F1453 LED Fan - Really lovely glow to them, I will be using them as air exhaust/intake fans.

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Right, time to grab a bit of aluminium and start working:

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And now, on to the cutting!!!

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Followed by a lot of filing and sanding...

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Looks reasonable... I think! :)

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Time to get a second one done... and done!!! Wish it was that quick in real life! :p

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Applying the frame around them to fix to the frame...

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Ready to go...

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And the first one is done... also, internal pic with the fans working. Me likes!!!

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Riveting the other one...

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Lights on!!!

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Lights off!!!

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Hope you like it,! More updates very soon. :D
 
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