IKEA Kallax ATX Case

[blau1431]

So I got a used Kallax 4x4 shelf for free and wanted to incorporate it into my living room setup..

 

Only problem was.. my case is normal ATX and stands in a place where it later couldn't stand anymore because the Kallax is supposed to go there..

 

So the only logical thing anyone can think of is of course to search for an ATX case that would fit inside a Kallax.

 

Measurements are 33x33x39

ATX is 30.5x24.4

 

So there should be a fitting case, right? Wrong!

 

Now I have to build one myself because I'm to stubborn to relocate my PC down on the floor or high up on the Kallax (1.5m high).

 

For cooling I thought about 2 front intakes, one top intake and one rear exhaust.

 

Case is supposed to be 32cm wide, 29cm high (without feet), and about 37cm deep.

 

Front, back and side panels will be made from 0.8mm Aluminum (should be thick enough) while the bottom, middle and top panel will be made from 0.75mm steel.

 

In the bottom compartment goes the PSU and the SSD's. (Don't know if I'll need extra ventilation for this space)

 

Then on top of the PSU goes the middle plate on which I will mount the mainboard and everything else. 

 

I'd be glad for any additional input you guys might have.

 

Will show sketches and progress in the next few posts. (Already got the Aluminum cut to size)

 

MfG

blau 

[aisle9]

You know how you can tell that a piece of Ikea furniture is used?

 

It comes with all the parts.

[blau1431]

This is the layout as I mentioned before.

 

Also tried cutting the steel today but that didn't really work out, probably will need ab better cutting tool, any suggestions?

[19_blackie_73]

8 minutes ago, blau1431 said:

This is the layout as I mentioned before.

 

Also tried cutting the steel today but that didn't really work out, probably will need ab better cutting tool, any suggestions?

What did ya try? Angle grinder with cutting disc is probably the fastest way, flappy wheel to clean it up

[blau1431]

1 minute ago, 19_blackie_73 said:

What did ya try? Angle grinder with cutting disc is probably the fastest way, flappy wheel to clean it up

I tried it with some tin snips, cutting was okay but it got warped in the process so I couldn't use the rest of it.

 

I don't own an angle grinder just a dremel but I can't imagine that this would work.

[buyobuyo]

 

On 7/14/2020 at 8:53 AM, blau1431 said:

I tried it with some tin snips, cutting was okay but it got warped in the process so I couldn't use the rest of it.

 

I don't own an angle grinder just a dremel but I can't imagine that this would work.

 

A dremel will work. It's just slower than the angle grinder.  Pick up some reinforced cutting wheels for the dremel and go at it.

 

Also you can flatten the sheet metal that you cut with the snips with a hammer. It won't be perfect, but it should be usable. 

[blau1431]

May I present you an almost perfect Cube..

 

Now I just have to drill some holes in it and insert the middle plate then I'm almost good to go!

[Lord Nicoll]

Hi, I'm a fabricator and general sheet metal designer/worker.
If you want to get straight cuts there are a few ways to go, an angle grinder can definitely deliver a straight cut with the right disk, but can also be a bit dangerous. A dremel would be similar but under powered. Since it's aluminium too make sure you coat the disk in some candle wax to stop the aluminium sticking, WD40 also works but not as well for cutting disks. For the round holes, it would be best to get some large hole saws but those can be very expensive for large holes like fans, however you don't really have a good option that's also cheap, a lot of metal fab stuff costs so much because the tools are not cheap. .8 mm aluminium is also pretty thin, very thin in fact for aluminium, I wouldn't personally go under 2mm but that's just me. 
Since there isn't much room behind the PC case or around it, maybe bring cold air in from the bottom and have a baffle in the case to bring the air to the back, then exhaust it from the top of the front of the case, that would create a good clean air path, or maybe if there is room at the back you could exhaust it there, but you wouldn't want it to exhaust into a closed area the air then gets trapped in.