Project: Pirate Ship!

Beren · 3 May 2016 at 02:39

I am just starting a new build project, some pictures to follow shortly - it is going to be about a 6 month build before I get all the components together for the finished article.

I was talking to my wife about a living room PC and building an entertainment centre for the telly to sit on... and she stupidly suggested that it would be cool if I could build a pirate ship. I love my wife

First step was to make a model of the entertainment desk, I am going to be using predominantly mdf for the build for cost and ease of working with the boards. Half way through the model I realised I was going to be making an enclosure for the PC components and therefore I am going to build the computer directly into the unit.

However, the motherboard is going to be pretty inaccessible. I am currently thinking about mounting the mother board tray onto sliders attached to the unit so that I can roll it out to modify it.

Has anyone here done anything similar?

Cenedd · 3 May 2016 at 09:45

There are a number of desk build type projects on here that might give you some ideas.

Given that you're designing the 'desk' that the motherboard is going to fit in, you've got the freedom to adapt the design to what you can get at sensible prices. Something like some drawer runners from Ikea would let you cheaply and easily pull out the motherboard tray for access. The front of the 'drawer' could be made to look like anything you want to fit in with your design. You could do push-catches rather than handles to make it more subtle. Just make sure you allow for the cables to move with the tray or for everything to slide out with it!

For the motherboard tray itself, you can either transplant a chunk of old case or look at this build for inspiration: Another PC in a Desk!. Standoffs with the right thread can be stacked too - if necessary.

Hope that's of some help.

Bickaxe · 3 May 2016 at 14:27

Beren said:
....and she stupidly suggested that it would be cool if I could build a pirate ship. I love my wife

I love your wife too, subbing!

Does this mean your entertainment unit will take the form of a pirate ship? If you want exact plans, my missus is a naval architect/marine surveyor...
When its done, you have to stand next to it in a pirate costume.

Beren · 3 May 2016 at 23:42

Thanks for the comments

I figured making a thread would also give me the encouragement to make sure I don't quit half way...

I am going to buy an old second hand rig to cannibalize the motherboard tray and the rear IO plate - as well as giving me an ATX motherboard to play with so that I can build a working design and then replace the components as funds become available.

I am pretty confident of the design now, I have built the first scale draft from cardboard so that I can scale all my measurements - but the first model has threw up a few design issues that I need to address. The decks (shelves) had too much unsupported span, I need to strengthen it all but leave it light enough to still move when I am done!

The biggest current problem is materials - the centre hull is going to be cut away for the sky box / xbox etc but I need to build a curved skin for the bow and stern which follow three dimensions... I may end up playing with some fibreglass, but that has the potential to go very wrong.

Beren · 4 May 2016 at 06:12

smogsy · 4 May 2016 at 07:16

Add a full size door to the front/rear giving you extra support and hiding the boxes

So it drops down like a draw bridge. Imagine dolls house on its side

Cenedd · 4 May 2016 at 09:31

SketchUp is quite good for knocking up a model. It's free for hobbyist use and the 'get good fast' videos are pretty helpful.

Just randomly I stumbled across a plank bending machine for curving planks up to 3mm thick for making model ships. One of those random things a certain rainforest related store thought was related to me buying a vernier caliper. Not sure if it's of help but could be worth looking to see whether it's possible.

Bickaxe · 4 May 2016 at 17:18

Your skin should be hardboard or ply, it flexes well enough and can be painted/stained.

Beren · 5 May 2016 at 00:41

Thanks for the find Cenedd - but I am on a pretty tight budget for buying new tools that may never get used again

Bickaxe - Yeah I had reached that conclusion as well, I think if I go with 4mm ply it will flex enough, I am going to try a couple of methods of fixing the curve soaking the board I think I can do, and then possibly laminating two boards - though I don't want it to end up super heavy so I am going to avoid that if possible.