Tech Project Update!

MarkLP

MarkLP

MarkLP

Soldato
Joined
28 Sep 2004
Posts
3,128
Location
Devon, UK
Hi,

Not sure if you remember my other thread, which seems to have been pruned, about my technology GCSE project. I was going to make a computer case out of wood in a spiral shape. Well after a few weeks of design and working out. I started to make my case. Lots and lots of different things i have had to think about, fixings, joints, placement, how to fix the components in, etc, etc..

Heres some pics! Sorry about the quality! Will get some better photos next week!


MVC-928F.JPG


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MVC-930F.JPG


MVC-931F.JPG




Any Comments, Questions, Ideas welcome :)

Thanks,
Mark
 
Last edited:
ACPCUP said:
What is the shape going to end up like? Have you thought about ventilation? Keep those pictures coming.
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Thats the case as it will look on its side. The front panel is yet to go on as is the left side (top as you look at it).

Going to put a 80mm fan at the bottom of the back panel and a 80mm at the front of the top panel :)
 
Sandmaster500 said:
Must have been a pain to get the wood to curve; how did you manage it?
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A BIG pain. Ruined the front panel, so i need to buy some more wood. Its 3mm Ply then slots cut out on the table saw where i need it to bend. Didnt cut enough slots on the front panel so it snapped :rolleyes: Learnt the second time as you can see in the pic!


Sandmaster500 said:
What finish are you aiming for? Pure wood or pain/varnish?
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Well at the moment the plan is to cover it in a Carbon Fibre vinyl! I have yet to cut a Circle into the top of the side panel, this will be covered with plexi!

Sandmaster500 said:
how is it going to stand?
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Plan to make or find some metal detatchable poles that will slide into some holders on the front. Sorry its hard to explain. But when i try and get some better pics ill explain more lol!
 
Harib0 said:
Interesting shape, Another one wanting to know how it's going to stand!

Is it 5mm ply? 3/5mm pretty easy to bend and fix. Edit: already answered

2 x 80mm fans are you sure thats enough? there's going to be plenty of air inside to try and shift about.

Is the PSU in possition? I notice a hole for what could be the switch on the PSU but what about the lead?

What about access to drives and components ones it's all put together?
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I'll just have to see with the 80mm fans really, i have nothing to compare it too. Its really just go with the flow, i can always put 120mm fans instead.

The PSU isnt in position yet. I have still got the rewire the Power Connector.

The left side will be removeable, but im still not 100% sure how im going to fasten it etc.. yet!
 
Harib0 said:
The vinyl wont stick for very long directly to the wood so you'll have to paint it first, apologies if you already knew that
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Oh!! I didnt know lol! Could be a problem then! What if i mixed some sort of glue/water solution onto the wood first? then applied the vinyl?
 
Yewen said:
See about doing after lesson work on it maybe?

What I did when I was behind in tech, depends how 'exam strict' your teachers are though ;)
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I am doing this at the moment, after school for an hour, on wednesdays and thursdays! It's still going to be pushing it!

I think i will try the glue idea... I can use the carbon vinyl for other stuff if it doesnt work, and i will just varnish it!
 
Basically its going to be trial an error, i've got nothing to compare the flow or how hot the components are going to get. I will start with 80mm then i can always go to 120mm after
 
Well, dont want this thread to get pruned...

A little update...

Have ordered the Carbon Fibre Vinyl as i have been told it will stick to the plywood..

£45 worth :eek: thats how big the case is lol!

Have got the other side fixed on now... and the PSU switch and socket is mounted onto the back..

Heres what i have left to do

1. Cut out slots for CD/FDD drives
2. Glue and screw the sides on.
3. Fill gaps with wood filler.
4. Make/Find legs for it to stand up.
5. Fix the legs securely.
6. Cover in Carbon Fibre Vinyl.
7. Cut out Side circular window.
8. Fix acrylic inside the window.
9. Somehow work a way to secure the 12mm plywood side, maybe some latches.
10. Collapse with tiredness!!

All in 2 weeks, wish me luck, its gonna be madness.. Will try and get some good pics tomorrow though :)

Thanks for looking,
Mark
 
Yewen said:
Just to note, I posted asking for this to be archieved not pruned about a week ago :p
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Thankyou

Yewen said:
Hope to see the pics!
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Will be uploaded when i get home from school :)

Yewen said:
Just two questions though, would the case in event of component failure be a fire risk? Also does the motherboard still get grounded properly through the risers?
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Well, really, any case carries a fire hazard. I know what you're saying though, as its wood it will carry a higher risk but could always incorporate a fire alarm in the case somewhere :p

Im a tad unsure of this, but i still have the risers between the wood and the motherboard if that is what you mean? Or does it still have to me grounded against metal or something?

Yewen said:
If you have to make a project folder to go with it, may I suggest that you do a survey and mention its of high end computer users, I for one would happily complete it :)
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Good idea!! Thanks, only thing is im not sure what I could include in the survey? Do you like this case? lol!

Harib0 said:
I really hope it does mate thats a lot of money to be screwed up in a ball on the floor, who said it would stick to the plywood (i'm hoping you got if from a signshop or manufacturer and they told you that so you have some come back if/WHEN it doesn't stick)

Sorry to be negative/weary about it but i am a signmaker by trade, and direct to ply with no paint varnish is a big NO NO
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m+d are friends with a signmaker and he said it should stick to the plywood. I will make it stick one way or another!! If for some reason everything I try does not work, I can always sell it on, sure some boy racers might want it! lol or some people on here :) (not trying to sell out of mm lol)

Thanks for all your input though, it really is appreciated,

Mark
 
Looking to use some 120mm fans, 120mm grills ( of course) and also a set of cathodes!

Only had a single lesson today so couldnt do much, only had time to cut the holes for the CD/FD drive. Didnt even have time to sand or file the edges so ignore the rough bits please!!

So onto the pics!!

Here you can see the shape and everything as it will look when its finished. Ignore the side panel, it looks like its doesnt fit properly its only because I didn't put it on properly! lol

d+t%20001%20(Medium).jpg


This is the top side, you can see what i have had to do for both sides!!

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Here you can see it with the side off!

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And heres the place where the front panel and the back panel meet, not bad if I say so myself!!

d+t%20014%20(Medium).jpg
 
Its a possibility, but at the moment i don't have the money nor the time, if I get it finished with time left then I could think about doing that :)

Thanks,
Mark
 
Just ordered 500ml of Wood filler.. :D:D Will look so nice :)

Also got the carbon fibre on order 5m x 610mm for £60.. won't be using all of it, so will sell what I have spare :)

Have to work out how to fix the stand next, but have a main idea in mind :)

Thanks,
Mark
 
Yewen said:
One little idea, how about some rubber edging around it all once you have finnished the wood, would make the lines much much cleaner than anything you can do at school and is a bit of a modding trick ;)
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Found some of this in the cupboard :D

chrome%20edging.jpg


So using this around the CD / FD drives :)

Will post some pics at the end of the week!!

Mark
 
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