Looking forward to seeing more, love the pinnacle, cant wait to work in it
lol. the 29th will soon come
The Left Handed Build
- Thread starter piggin
- Start date
lol. the 29th will soon come
As promised another (interesting) update
As I am ‘old school’ , I thought I would do some 3D modeling.
Placed a makeshift center divider to split the main body of the case from the rads.
Just checking spacing between the fans and the 120.4 rads.
I am going to place 140mm fans in the front to help draw in some 'cool' air.
I then measured everything out and marked it up on the floor.
Then checked out where the motherboard will finally sit.
Checked where the drive holder will fit in (this will be suspended from the roof)
Then worked out where the hard drives will be placed in the HD holder (this will be attached to the center divide)
After my session of 3D modeling I produced a set of drawings using pen & paper. (Told you I was 'old school')
As I am ‘old school’ , I thought I would do some 3D modeling.
Placed a makeshift center divider to split the main body of the case from the rads.
Just checking spacing between the fans and the 120.4 rads.
I am going to place 140mm fans in the front to help draw in some 'cool' air.
I then measured everything out and marked it up on the floor.
Then checked out where the motherboard will finally sit.
Checked where the drive holder will fit in (this will be suspended from the roof)
Then worked out where the hard drives will be placed in the HD holder (this will be attached to the center divide)
After my session of 3D modeling I produced a set of drawings using pen & paper. (Told you I was 'old school')
Very interested to see how this turns out. Looks great so far
Thanks EdGey
At the moment I have builders block
The next step of the build if to sort out a design for the side & front panels.
As this case is being manufactured out of solid 3mm aluminum sheet. The side panels can have any design I want cut into them.
The case will have a horizontal dividing plate that separates the lower portion (water cooling) to the rest of the case.
I have borrowed a picture of clock work orange for descriptive purpose (hope no one minds)
What I am looking for is a design that can be cut into the side panel that does away with the black mesh but still gives a good flow of air.
I would also like this design to be carried through to the window & front panel.
Any ideas or help in this matter would be much appreciated.
Thanks for the input the_r_sole, I will take this under consideration.
The only problem I can see is the fans will be expelling air from the sides and the ventilation fins will kill the air flow out of the case.
I sure I can find a old locker in work with this design stamped into it.
Will have to take a fan with me a give it a go.
I did find an old locker for testing. Unfortunately the flow was too restrictive (no I did not get in).
So back to the drawing board with the design.
Following this now, love builds from scratch especially when "old school" techniques are used. Got to say I'm one for throwing stuff together and see what it looks like
Keep up the good work mate.
Thanks bobbydigital
I like 'old school' or is that just because I am old
I see lots of builds that are only 'concepts' and remain as a render. With this build I am putting my efforts into 'making the case' and not doing nice pictures.
So its nice to find someone with the 'old school' mentality.
I spent my teens putting my computer into various "custom" cases. Started off painting a gateway case black, then crammed everything into an old scanner so the window was the glass panel and then into one of those metal photography cases. Until I settled with modding a lian-li case.
However seeing your start has made me want to knock something up for scratch, and like yourself I've kept cages and motherboard trays over the years just for this sort of project
Again can't wait to see any updates on this.
I agree, bobbydigital, its always a good idea to hold onto any old parts just in-case they are required for the future.
The only problem is, I think they are useful & Mrs Piggin sees it as more rubbish.
The only good thing is, the loft is big & she dislikes spiders.
I have not updated for a little time due to not having a lot of time to do any work & photo bucket telling me I am a victim of my own success (my bandwidth had run out) 
So this is a small update to prove that I am not slacking off.
Instead of invalidating the warranty on my PSU, I have purchased some extension cables from (name removed).
I purchased a few braided and non braided cabled. I decided to braid them all in (name removed) Dense Weave braid.
First up the 8 pin ATX connection
Also purchased some 2.5mm Dense Weave cable braid & heat shrink.
Purchased a new pair of pliers and side cutters from the local pound shop (no expense spared)
Cut the original braiding off to expose the cable and connections.
Then used a few paper stables to release the pins
As you can see, the clips are straightened and pushed down the side of the connector to release the pins.
After a little bit of time, finished
I also purchased extensions for the graphics card.
Stripped them down as before
The finished item
Finally the 24pin motherboard cable
The finished item
I have to say, I am very pleased with the results (even better than I thought).
Also have to say that the dense weave braid I perched from Tom is excellent and I will definitely be going back for more.
So this is a small update to prove that I am not slacking off.
Instead of invalidating the warranty on my PSU, I have purchased some extension cables from (name removed).
I purchased a few braided and non braided cabled. I decided to braid them all in (name removed) Dense Weave braid.
First up the 8 pin ATX connection
Also purchased some 2.5mm Dense Weave cable braid & heat shrink.
Purchased a new pair of pliers and side cutters from the local pound shop (no expense spared)
Cut the original braiding off to expose the cable and connections.
Then used a few paper stables to release the pins
As you can see, the clips are straightened and pushed down the side of the connector to release the pins.
After a little bit of time, finished
I also purchased extensions for the graphics card.
Stripped them down as before
The finished item
Finally the 24pin motherboard cable
The finished item
I have to say, I am very pleased with the results (even better than I thought).
Also have to say that the dense weave braid I perched from Tom is excellent and I will definitely be going back for more.
G-Dubs, I think my trust is now activated & I have sent you a link to the relevant shop.
As for the dense weave, the one I have been using has three strands over crossing the next three strands instead of single stands.
Therefore this is DENSE.
In real life you can't see the cables underneath but with flash photos, the red and orange can be seen (very strange)
Thanks for the kind words.(from a local boy)
This build is not going very well at the moment & its whole existence is in peril.
I am going to have to make a decision soon, as to progress or jack it all in.
Other factors have to come into ofcourse but I would say continue if you can. It is something different from the norm to see someone building a case themselves. Looking good so far though
The problem I have is the case is bent.
Unknowing to me, when I purchased the 20mm angle for the case the material is actually twisted. The case was manufactured square but due to the twist, the case is not a cube.
This only came to light when the side panels were cut & nothing fitted.
I have since spent a lot of time cutting & rewelding sections but due to the nature of the twist it will not come true.
So I either scrap the project or start from scratch again.
Oh
Always a let down when something like this happens but hopefully you can find a way round it
I could've 3D modeled this all day long & it wouldn't have changed things.
The design is good, the construction is correct but the materials that were supplied were substandard.
I can't see anyway around this problem, its either, scrap this version & start again or just scrap the whole idea & purchase a new case.
The best part about this whole thing is I have just sold my pinnacle 24
As you are aware there has been no updates on my build for some time.
Hopefully I will not get any ‘trolling’ this time due to my explanation, just trying to keep you all informed.
This has been due to a number of things, the biggest being the steel frame that was going to be the main structure of “The Left Handed Build” was bent.
When I purchased the 20mm angle iron it looked like any other material I had purchased in the past.
Unfortunately this time the material I had was ‘special’, this stuff was slightly twisted along its length. (I have seen a lot of steel over the years but nothing like this).
Due to the unusual nature of this manufacturing defect, I never noticed it until it was to late.
When the case was being manufactured, all the sections were cut to the correct length & angles.
The frame was the squared up, held in position & ‘tack’ welded together.
Once the sides were ‘tacked’ the four pieces that gave it its length were added.
The case was manufactured square but due to the twist, the case is not a cube.
This only came to light when the side panels were cut & nothing fitted.
I then spent a lot of time cutting & rewelding sections but due to the nature of the twist it will not come true & nothing would fit.
My next decision was to either scrap the “The Left Handed Build” or start again from scratch.
Also at this time my ‘old case’ (pinnacle 24) was up for sale in a MM.
I had decided to give it all up & move everything back into The STY when an offer came through for the case.
That finalised my decision & the STY was going.
A deal was struck but the case had to be white.
This diverted my attentions from “The Left Handed Build” for a few weeks as turning a black case into a white one is not at all easy.
Once the case was completed, shipped off & everyone was happy, my build could progress.
I decided that the design of the case was sound but the material selection was not the best, as its very heavy in steel.
I then decided to make another frame out of aluminium angle section.
I had a quick look at Yell & after a few phone calls found a supplier that did not want to charge me the earth for the material.
Jumped in the car, called into the suppliers & placed an order for 12mts of 20mm angle & 10mts of 20mm flat.
You can imagine my surprise when I was presented with my order in three 7 meter lengths (I think the suppliers do this just for the reaction from the general public).
Luckily I had a hacksaw in the car (only a junior with the world bluntest blade) as the car will only take just over 3mts.
So after lots of cutting, I had the material back home.
So enough story & more action.
I used the old case for measurements (all that it is good for now)
This time the material was cut by hand and filed to ensure each corner was perfectly square.
As aluminium requires TIG welding, the frame was going to be welded by a professional. (Its good to have friends)
‘Dirty’ Den hard at work
So now I have a nice new case, that’s square & new panels are being manufactured at this time.
Hopefully I will not get any ‘trolling’ this time due to my explanation, just trying to keep you all informed.
This has been due to a number of things, the biggest being the steel frame that was going to be the main structure of “The Left Handed Build” was bent.
When I purchased the 20mm angle iron it looked like any other material I had purchased in the past.
Unfortunately this time the material I had was ‘special’, this stuff was slightly twisted along its length. (I have seen a lot of steel over the years but nothing like this).
Due to the unusual nature of this manufacturing defect, I never noticed it until it was to late.
When the case was being manufactured, all the sections were cut to the correct length & angles.
The frame was the squared up, held in position & ‘tack’ welded together.
Once the sides were ‘tacked’ the four pieces that gave it its length were added.
The case was manufactured square but due to the twist, the case is not a cube.
This only came to light when the side panels were cut & nothing fitted.
I then spent a lot of time cutting & rewelding sections but due to the nature of the twist it will not come true & nothing would fit.
My next decision was to either scrap the “The Left Handed Build” or start again from scratch.
Also at this time my ‘old case’ (pinnacle 24) was up for sale in a MM.
I had decided to give it all up & move everything back into The STY when an offer came through for the case.
That finalised my decision & the STY was going.
A deal was struck but the case had to be white.
This diverted my attentions from “The Left Handed Build” for a few weeks as turning a black case into a white one is not at all easy.
Once the case was completed, shipped off & everyone was happy, my build could progress.
I decided that the design of the case was sound but the material selection was not the best, as its very heavy in steel.
I then decided to make another frame out of aluminium angle section.
I had a quick look at Yell & after a few phone calls found a supplier that did not want to charge me the earth for the material.
Jumped in the car, called into the suppliers & placed an order for 12mts of 20mm angle & 10mts of 20mm flat.
You can imagine my surprise when I was presented with my order in three 7 meter lengths (I think the suppliers do this just for the reaction from the general public).
Luckily I had a hacksaw in the car (only a junior with the world bluntest blade) as the car will only take just over 3mts.
So after lots of cutting, I had the material back home.
So enough story & more action.
I used the old case for measurements (all that it is good for now)
This time the material was cut by hand and filed to ensure each corner was perfectly square.
As aluminium requires TIG welding, the frame was going to be welded by a professional. (Its good to have friends)
‘Dirty’ Den hard at work
So now I have a nice new case, that’s square & new panels are being manufactured at this time.
Well you seem to have everything you need. Nice monitor, once it's clean, I imagine your desk is going to look very nice indeed.
Me and you both, hurry up is needed. For me, it's mum and dad who ain't seeing the funny side. My dad bet me £100 yesterday that my build wouldn't be finished before christmas
Your should be £100 better of quite soon
As for me, not this christmas, maybe next.
As for cleaning the monitor, Mrs Piggin did it the other bay & banged her head on one of the rads.
Thankfully the rad is OK.
Looks like its going to be blasphemy then, as its going on the floor.
Even though my desk is big, this case is bigger
The good thing is my feet will never get cold again.
As for design, I am still working on that.
This build will a window or windows with a clean look.
The case finish will be a mixture of powder coat & spray paint (I have already been talking to a local car body place that does 'specialist' paints).
I know exactly the fan grills you are talking about.
They look great & the ability to swivel is very novel but there will be no fan grills in this design.