The F3nix MS1.1 Desk scratch build

[F3nixMods]

Hello Everyone

 

I have been building my custom desk for a while now and it has reached that stage where I feel that it's time to share with this great community.

 

Would like to thank the likes of Peter Brands and Pascal de Greef who have inspired and motivated me to attempt something of this scale, there has been stages where I just thought that it was turning out to be a bit too much but with a bit of research I have come to learn that everything is possible. I have also learned along this journey that there is some really good people out their who are willing to give up their own time to assist and help a total stranger in all ways that they can. There's still hope for humanity after all :thumb: lol

 

I have picked up a few sponsors along the way which I will be introducing as I progress through this build log, I would like to take this opportunity to once more thank them for their help and belief, this project would have been completely different without their help :dremel:

 

But let's get this build log going, I will try and keep it as short as possible but have well over 1000 pictures on my facebook page, which by the way is FenixMS1.1. Just in case anyone is interested to have a look. 

 

Mod to live or live to mod???

 

Thank you everyone. Hope you enjoy the ride

 

 

 

 

[F3nixMods]

I would like to take the chance to send a huge thank you to all the companies that have believed and decided to support this build. I surely wouldn't have been able to do it the same way without their amazing help. Thank you All

 

Water Cooling Parts

 

 

Power and Reset Switches

 

Laser Cutting - Thanks Nate for all the help and support when I didn't really know what I was doing

 

 

PSU and Fans

 

LED Lighting and Custom Cables

 

Fans

 

Partial Sponsor of a 360 Admiral Radiator

 

4TB Hard Drive

 

 

Water Cooling Parts

 

Water Cooling Parts

 

PSU and Fans

 

Slim Optical Disc Drives, 5.25" Aluminium Cover Bay and Fan Filters

 

16GB (4096MB 512M x 64-Bit x 4 pcs.) DDR4-2666MHz

 

2 Huge Custom Sized Filters

 

[F3nixMods]

Right, let's get this started.

 

I've used an electric metal mitre saw to cut all the aluminium tubes, plastic connectors to connect all the tubes and rivets to firmly keep the whole frame together.

 

Final result was this.

 

It all starts with the first cut!!!

 

 

It starts to take shape...

 

And that's the frame put together, time to move on to the bottom of the frame

 

3mm aluminium sheet

 

 

After quite a few rivets this is the result. Looks like a turtle on it's back

 

 

That's it for now...

 

Mod on!!!

[F3nixMods]

Lateral exhaust fan holders in the making...

 

 

 

 

 

 

All done and fitted to the case. They will actually change in the future but will spare from the pictures then. 

 

The whole project has been a huge learning process, in future will ensure that the planning stage is not skipped as it saves a lot of time and material.

 

Mod on!!!

[F3nixMods]

Sanded the the bottom of the case and moved on to the external plates. 

 

I'm showing just a few pictures to give you an overall idea of what was done. There are a lot more pictures in my Facebook FenixMS1.1 page if you're curious enough...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This lateral plates are all made using different sized u channels stuck together using JB Weld.

 

 

 

Starting to take a bit of shape now...

[F3nixMods]

On this update I'll be showing some pictures of the finished external panels and how I double checked measurements to do the oak top. 

 

Majority of the external panels were done using aluminium profiles which meant that the top and bottom of those panels had to be filled using Isopon Metalik body filler, lengthy and messy job for sure. :wallbash:

 

Did the corner panel with the MS1.1 letters from a 3mm aluminium sheet cut to measure, used a fretsaw and needle files to finish off.  

 

Bought a cheap mdf board just to double check measurements prior to getting the actual oak top done. Glad I did this as one of my measurements was out by 5mm, could have been a very expensive mistake and without doubts very frustrating 

 

You'll be able to see some parts in the pictures that were replaced with more suitable upgrades, many hours of work wasted but I am much happier with the final result :naughty:

It's funny how easy it is to change your mind during a project and how sometimes it leads to learning new skills. All great stuff!!! lol

 

 

 

With the template in place is time to start cutting...

 

 

... and the final result.

 

 

This is the metal filler that I chose to use, really good stuff and very easy to sand.

 

 

Several thin layers worked great and the final result was a lot better than the above picture, lol.

 

 

And here it is, pretty much finished and ready for painting. Just kidding, so much more to do...

 

Anyway, moving on to the oak top...

 

 

 

Really happy I bought this cheap mdf board, saved me bucket loads of money in the end.

 

Till the next update

[F3nixMods]

Hi guys. Sorry it's been so long since the last update but been really busy designing the panels for the F3nix pedestal, to be revealed soon.

 

On this update I want to show you how the front and lateral panels of the enclosure will be secure to the aluminium enclosure. They will be really easy to remove/swap as all I need to do is slid them in/out. Nice interchangeable panels for the future

 

I've used aluminium (what else?) u-channels to create the panels frame

 

 

and pretty much goes like this:

 

 

JB Weld to secure the frames in place

 

 

 

 

There you go, nice and simple. Will be back very soon with more updates.

 

Mod on!!!

[F3nixMods]

I was advised against using solid oak as to avoid wood warping and shrinking. This could potentially cause major problems as such I decided to go with a MDF core, solid wood profiles for the edges and 3mm european oak veneer. As per usual I will let the pictures below do the talking:

 

 

The 18mm MDF core after it was cut

 

Used panel pins and wood glue to secure the solid oak profiles to the MDF panel.

 

Veneering all done

 

Some solid walnut mouldings will take care of the colour accent

 

Pretty much done

 

Detail Picture

 

Detail Picture

 

In place with the aluminium cover at the back

 

 

Enjoy. Will be back soon with more updates

[F3nixMods]

It's time to start learning new skills and cad work is something that has always fascinated me. The possibility to design something on my PC and have it done by either a laser cutter or CNC router is something that I just have to try. 

 

Took me a while to get the hang of it but the result was pretty much what the following pictures demonstrate.

 

The front panel has the Performance PCs logo engraved as they have kindly sponsored some of the water cooling stuff for the build, a huge thank you to Hank Baron , cheers mate.

 

http://www.performance-pcs.com/

 

Hope you enjoy the pictures

 

2D view of some of the parts needed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really enjoyed doing this, the prospect of creating something unique is very rewarding. I guess I'll have to do some more parts

[F3nixMods]

I guess everyone here has heard of the Red Harbinger and the awesome Cross desk that they are commercialising. Some of you may even know about the reservoir sleeves that they created and that I must add look bloody awesome. 

 

So, why not create something similar but unique to the F3nix desk?

 

Please let me add that this was only possible as: 

 

E22, Nate George, allowed me to use a very similar design to a fan grill that he sells on his website

 

http://www.e22.biz/

 

Red Harbinger was kind enough to allow me to use their sleeves idea

 

www.redharbinger.com

 

Martin Gennat, who was working with The Feser Company at the time, agreed to do a couple for the F3nix on his tube laser cutting machine. 

 

Here's a link for those that are as curious as I am:

 

 

Huge thanks to everyone!!!

 

Here are some pictures of the F3nix sleeves

 

2D view of the finished design

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's it... for now...

[F3nixMods]

These are the trays that I will be using to hold all the components, as per usual, there were quite a few changes till I settled for the final design. 

 

Really like the effect achieved with some led lights behind. The idea is to have two different led colours, one on each level of the trays

 

On to the pictures...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Till the next update...

[F3nixMods]

Time to get something done to hold the reservoirs and to give some exposure to my most kind sponsors. Hope you like this guys.

 

As per usual it starts with the CAD work. Always difficult to picture the final result whilst working in 2D

 

Much easier in 3D though

 

 

And the final result

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think? I've tried it in the case and fits in really well. Can't wait to get to the assembly stage of the build, will be great to see it all coming together.

[F3nixMods]

I've seen so many different ways of displaying the HDD's and SSD's but never really saw anything that appealed to me. Normally and due to the lack of space is more of a let's find a small corner where to put them rather than a prominent location where it's beauty can be displayed. After a bit of modding of course ...

 

Well, as I have plenty of space in the F3nix I've tried to do something completely different and hopefully something that will appeal to the majority.

 

The frame was done using just basic tools as you can see below and what I call the armour was designed in CAD and laser cut.

 

Hope you enjoy the ride

 

 

Love my good old fretsaw

 

 

Not bad I think

 

 

 

Mounting holes drilled and parts sanded

 

 

 

Starting the assembly...

 

That's starting to look like something now...

 

 

***Moving on to the CAD work and what I like to call the armour***

 

 

All parts done and ready for laser cutting

 

3D View

 

Fan grills in place, bet you they'll look cool with the Lepa choppers inside

 

 

And here they are... again very happy with the result and really eager to see what it will look like in place

 

 

 

Yeah, I like it.

 

 

Till the next time guys. Enjoy

[F3nixMods]

Pretty much everything has a logo and I think the F3nix deserves one as well.

 

Time to grab my sketch book and get busy...

 

First attempt - Nah

 

Second... better but not completely happy

 

This is it... on to CAD

 

One of the renders and the real deal below. There will be a Corsair fan behind it that will give it a nice glow. Looking forward to see this in the dark

 

 

It actually has two layers separated by some stainless steel spacers, that first clear acrylic layer will light up just nicely.

 

 

With the fan and the lights on, the true effect will be revealed later, hope I can keep interested and that you guys come back to check later.

 

 

Till the next update... MOD ON!!!

[F3nixMods]

Some of you may have noticed a huge bit of aluminium that will go at the back of the oak top. What? You haven't seen that, then in that case is better to scroll up and have a look at the pictures. 

 

Once the top if firmly secure in place it would be impossible to lift it without the help of some handles.

 

Well, with that said... time to create some

 

That's the design in 2D finished, let's assemble

 

 

And here are the 3D images. Time to send to the laser cutter. Pew, pew, pew... lol

 

They've arrived and the excitement was such that even forgot to take some pictures before assembling. Oh well, never mind...

 

 

This is the effect I'm going for in the end, it will also be possible to control the intensity of the led glow

 

 

Up you enjoy this and till the next update.

 

Mod on!

[Ivyk]

Holy shit....

That is some serious modding.

[F3nixMods]

Holy shit....

That is some serious modding.

Thanks mate

[Pandacake]

How much did u spend only for the laser cutting?

Sick mod dude, rock solid.

[colinmcr]

Awesome work and the planning alone must have taken a while. 

[F3nixMods]

How much did u spend only for the laser cutting?

Sick mod dude, rock solid.

Thanks mate. Stopped adding up a while back

[F3nixMods]

nice job, im seeing mare and more pc desk mods that are really unique lime this one

Cheers bud.

[F3nixMods]

Awesome work and the planning alone must have taken a while.

To be honest been making it up as I go along. Much more interesting and challenging that way

[d33g33]

Holy shit...

[F3nixMods]

Holy shit...

Lol

[Blackie Sheen]

Damn. This is amazing. Hope to see the final result soon