INVERTED by ToB1

[ToB1]

I'll change the size of the pictures as soon as possible!



Sponsored by:

ZyXEL sponsor with a GS-108B


Dremel sponsor with a Dremel 4000


Lamptron sponsor with power and reset switches, and a few other useful things.


Phenoptix sponsor with red 3mm LEDs!


Komplett.no sponsor with Corsair H50, Silverstone SST-SOD01, Arctic Silver ArtiClean, Arctic Silver Alumina and Fractal Design EFS Fan Accessory!

Thank you very much for sponsoring my project!

I started up this project a few months ago, but there is still a lot left to do, so I thought i would be appropriate to start a worklog hare at this forum too.

The main goal of this project is to create a computer case out of MDF, and later use it as a server or guest computer.

Here's the first draft of the unfinished 3D-modell.


The grey box under the motherboard tray is a gigabit switch that will be usefull at LAN-partiese etc.

And here are some pictures that shows the work I did earlier:
The vertical separator was a bit too large, så I had to resize it to make it fit inside the frame.

And then I had to drill a few holes for the screws...









List of things left to do
- [U] Make feet out of MDF, or purchase aluminum feet
- [U] Attach the vertical separator
- [U] Make or buy a mount for harddrives
- [U] Purchase fans
- [U] Purchase power/reset-button
- [U] Drill holes for the fans
- [U] Drill holes for cable management
- [U] Paint the case and the motherboard tray
- [F] Milling the edges of the case

[F] = Finished
[U] = Unfinished

Hope you like the project! I'll try to make another update during the weekend! ;)

[gingerbee]

With sponsors why not use wood instead of mdf?

[ToB1]

I'm planning to paint it, so I think the smooth surface of the MDF will look better than wood. If I had been using wood it had been a day's work just to sand the surface of it. And in addition I wanted to try out a material that was unknown to me untill I started to build this case.

The MDF is also very easy to shape and the material behaves pretty much like wood

[ADay2Long]

Very nice project! Another wooden case log on the forum, yikes better start mine soon!

I must disagree though, MDF is a lot more picky to work with than wood. And makes toxic ish dust when cut, with all those chemicals. Wood FTW!

[gingerbee]

that's what i thought did the same thing just mine is never gonna look that nice, cool build. thanks

[ToB1]

Originally Posted by ADay2Long

Very nice project! Another wooden case log on the forum, yikes better start mine soon!

I must disagree though, MDF is a lot more picky to work with than wood. And makes toxic ish dust when cut, with all those chemicals. Wood FTW!

Thanks! Glad you like it!

Yeh, the MDF dust smells kind of toxic ish, but that's fine if you use a mask or just try not to inhale to much of it.

[ToB1]

Now I've milled the outer edges of the case, and sanded a bit. Oh? You want pictures?

...here you go!







There are a few screws located at the rear end of the case, so I'm not going to mill that part of the case yet...


What do you think about the result so far?

[fishingfanatic]

It looks good! What is especially nice about doing it with MDF, is that you can custom carve a design into any of the panels at any time and if you don't like it or get tired of it, it's easy enough to make another one. You can use a veneer for the wood look, or any # of combinations. Keep up the good work and keep those pics comin'!!!

[ToB1]

Thanks!

[Pelt]

If I were to build a wood case I would also use real wood. I find MDF more trouble than it's worth, it's heavy for one and quite fragile this stuff breaks on me all the time. But then again I'm not the one taking the leap and trying something new like you are. I applaud your willlingness to take on this project and it looks to be shaping up nicely, you've got some wood working skills I'll give you that. I can't wait to see the finished project.

I imagine a wood case will have superior sound dampening properties over conventional cases. I've never seen one in action before but it seems like it would be a fun project to undertake.