Looking for ibm front panel

[Mechman]

Working on a sleeper pc built into a ibm netvisa type 6840. The last piece I need of the original case is the door that covers the front drive bays. The pictures I've included are of an old site posting I found that show the door and that it has actual hinges. I've been able to find ibm doors but with pips on either end vs the ones for this case. I'm hoping posting this here will help me find someone willing to sell me the door. The color doesn't matter and as far as I can tell the ibm eserver xseries 200 has the same door but is black. If needed the FRU for the door is 19k4939 or 24p9090. I'm not sure the FRU for the eserver.

Side note I'm not sure what the site is that has the photos as it's not in my native language but I'm guessing it's similar to ebay.

[Kadzo]

If you can`t find it, consider resin printing or even 3d printing it? I mean do you plant on using the drive or you just want the cover the hole? 

[Mechman]

While I do have a 3d printer, I'm not adept with 3d printing software beyond importing a model and hitting print. I also don't know if the photos I have found are clear enough for someone to recreate the door and IBM logo in the corner. Also yes I'd still want to use the DVD drive as my sleeper will have one and if the door was 3d printed I'd like it as close as possible to the original.

[Kadzo]

On 7/23/2021 at 8:21 PM, Mechman said:

While I do have a 3d printer, I'm not adept with 3d printing software beyond importing a model and hitting print. I also don't know if the photos I have found are clear enough for someone to recreate the door and IBM logo in the corner. Also yes I'd still want to use the DVD drive as my sleeper will have one and if the door was 3d printed I'd like it as close as possible to the original.

Well without the physical case in front of you and without knowledge in some 3d software it going to be difficult because you want functionality also, not just a plastic cover. 

Without that you are stuck with finding one on a flee market or some case made for parts.

 

Also please quote me of tag me with @Mechman function because i will not see your reply otherwise.

[Mechman]

On 7/26/2021 at 5:07 AM, Kadzo said:

Well without the physical case in front of you and without knowledge in some 3d software it going to be difficult because you want functionality also, not just a plastic cover. 

Without that you are stuck with finding one on a flee market or some case made for parts.

 

Also please quote me of tag me with @Mechman function because i will not see your reply otherwise.

Im a bit confused on what you mean by "without the physical case in front of me" I own a case with everything but the door panel. I just used some photos i found on google to show the door that I don't have. The front panel consists of three main parts; a main front bezel that the power button and dual usb ports mount to, a bottom panel that attaches to the front bezel and hides the grill of the front air intake, and the third piece is a door that covers the two 5.25" and two 3.5" external drive bays. Ive included a photo to show what it is I have of the front panel assembly. The extra two pieces shown are a drive bay cover and handle that goes on the top of the case.

[Kadzo]

1 hour ago, Mechman said:

Im a bit confused on what you mean by "without the physical case in front of me" I own a case with everything but the door panel. I just used some photos i found on google to show the door that I don't have. The front panel consists of three main parts; a main front bezel that the power button and dual usb ports mount to, a bottom panel that attaches to the front bezel and hides the grill of the front air intake, and the third piece is a door that covers the two 5.25" and two 3.5" external drive bays. Ive included a photo to show what it is I have of the front panel assembly. The extra two pieces shown are a drive bay cover and handle that goes on the top of the case.

 

I misunderstood you, i thought that you are just going to by the case and the one you are looking is missing the door, my bad.

What i meant was, it will be a bit tricky to nail the curvature of the case so it matches, but if you have the case that is the easy part. 

If you can`t find the replacement 3d printing will be the way but the you will face 2 problems:

 

- Making a 3D model

- Nailing the colour.

 

Problem is that i don`t know where in the world you could get just that part, it is such and obscure part of an old case. If you checked your local E-Bay and didn`t find anything then i don`t see other solution.

3D printing is available in most parts of the world with a relatively low prices and this is not something super complex. 

[Mechman]

Yeah that's why I figured I'd give it a shot asking on forums. I check ebay a couple times a week to see if anything pops up, there are about 5 models of ibm/lenovo towers that seem to have been made using this same exact case but no luck for about a year. I've found paint to much my cases particular aged biege color so creating the model is an open option for me. The main issue Is just my inexperience with making printable models and I'm not sure if the photos I have found would be enough to get the hole right and the ibm logo right. My hope at this point is that a local goodwill ends up with one or later this year there is a huge flee market that I'll go check out.

[Kadzo]

6 hours ago, Mechman said:

Yeah that's why I figured I'd give it a shot asking on forums. I check ebay a couple times a week to see if anything pops up, there are about 5 models of ibm/lenovo towers that seem to have been made using this same exact case but no luck for about a year. I've found paint to much my cases particular aged biege color so creating the model is an open option for me. The main issue Is just my inexperience with making printable models and I'm not sure if the photos I have found would be enough to get the hole right and the ibm logo right. My hope at this point is that a local goodwill ends up with one or later this year there is a huge flee market that I'll go check out.

Well if anything i can help you with the CAD model, i work in 3D software so if you give me accurate dimensions i can make you a model. If you go that way, it will probably be after a couple of tries, so it looks original. 

[Mechman]

@Kadzo 

Thank you for the offer, if the next couple leads I have don't pan out I'll be sure to work out a cost and details for it with you.