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

[FenixMS1.1]

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

 

[FenixMS1.1]

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!!!

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

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.

Exciting moments when it started taking a bit of shape.

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.

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.

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Nice another desk build
Keep it up man.

I shall be keeping tabs.

Looking forward to this! Keep up the good work

Cheers guys. Hope you like what's to follow

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Update 2

And the frame is almost finished...

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

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

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

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

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

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.

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Looks great. Love these desk builds. Up there on my list of things to do one day 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

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

Extremely cool, subscribed.

Thanks mate

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Can't wait for this.

Hope you like it

 

[FenixMS1.1]

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.

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

Time to cut the middle bit...

Done...

About to start riveting...

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

And the riveting starts!

And now, with the right side up!!!

Enjoy!! More tomorrow, hopefully

 

[FenixMS1.1]

looking good mate!

Cheers

 

[FenixMS1.1]

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.

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

And now, on to the cutting!!!

Followed by a lot of filing and sanding...

Looks reasonable... I think!

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

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

Ready to go...

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

Riveting the other one...

Lights on!!!

Lights off!!!

Hope you like it,! More updates very soon.

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Lookin awesome dude!

Thanks mate, just the start but will get there.

Wow... this is F* awesome!

lol, thanks mate

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Sub'd... epic photos

Glad you like them, i'm keeping the camera out of the workshop for now, too much dust. Using my Iphone.

looking great so far

Much better to follow... I think!!!

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Update 5 - Motherboard tray back panel and sanding of the case

Started working on the motherboard tray back panel. Grabbed another bit of aluminium, took some measurements, some drawings and it's now time to get cutting!!!

And this is the result after some cutting and filing.

Now, what are those aluminium triangles for???

Sanding the case in preparation for the painting...

Can you see the bit of acrylic?? That's where the motherboard tray will be, it will not seat on the acrylic but there will be an aluminium bit for that effect.

And there you go, that's what the triangular bits were for. Some nice plans for this area...

That's it for today, there will be a couple of nice surprises next time!!!

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Looking good

Thanks mate

Subbed!

Can't wait to see this progress, looks class man!

Cheers

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Update 6 - PSU Cover

Doing the cover for the right hand side PSU, yeah, there will be one on the left as well!!!

Another bit of aluminium... preparing for cutting

Ans that's the result...

Sanded and in place...

Testing with the thumb screws in place. Fits perfectly.

That's it for now, more very soon!!!

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Update 7 - My first sponsors

Hi Guys

It's with great pleasure that I would like to introduce my very first sponsor. Hank from Performance PCs was kind enough to trust my skills and to sponsor some parts for my desk. This guys are the best, if there is anything you cannot find in the UK they will definitely have it, their prices are great and their customer service second to none. They are the best!!!

And, just a couple of days back I have agreed a partial sponsor with Nate from E22. He will be custom making some grills for me, as per everything that Nate makes they are awesome!!! I guess I'll show a little bit very soon...

 

[FenixMS1.1]

That's it for now, more tomorrow...

Hope you like it guys

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Wouldn't you have to pay for the VAT tho if they ship anything here

Yeah, unfortunately that's the case but there are so many cool things in the US that we have no access to in the UK that it's worth paying for it, plus they are generally cheaper there anyway. Postage can be a killer though.

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Update 8

And another bit of aluminium

Starting to cut...

A few more lines and a few more cuts...

Couldn't avoid a little test...

And yet more aluminium

And yet more cutting...

After the filing and the sanding this was the result.

in place...

and now with the grill! Plans for this have changed since.

That's it for today guys. Hope your enjoying it.

 

[FenixMS1.1]

Looks great dude, can't wait to see it when it's finished.

Are you going to paint/coat the frame?

Thanks mate. Yeah, it will be spray painted matt or satin black.

 

[FenixMS1.1]

I was looking at and thinking, a gunmetal grey hammered paint might look quite nice but you cant go wrong with black

That's actually under consideration but for now black is ahead.