Project Athena: A Custom Case Build

[nmil]

 

Update time!

So while i was waiting for my brazing rods to arrive, I cut out some vents for the hot air from the hard drives to escape

 

IMG_0251 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

Then it was time to braze everything together. Here's my ghetto brazing setup: B)

 

IMG_0256 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

The four big pieces all brazed together.   (I know it's a very bad picture and I'll try to get a better one)

 

IMG_0289 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

In other news, I wall mounted my main monitor, so that it's the correct height.

 

IMG_0254 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

That's all for now

[nmil]

 

So a small update this time.

Last update I was building vertically, this time i working sideways. everything is just temporarily held together with duct tape for now

IMG_0294 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

I also cut up an old case to get the motherboard tray and PCIe slots

IMG_0292 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

IMG_0293 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

That's all for now

[nmil]

I also posted up a video on last week's progress

 

it would be great if you guys could support my Youtube channel as well. I want to try to hit 30 subs by the end of the year.

[nmil]

Sorry there wasn't an update for while guys. I had to dedicate all my to school assignments.

Only a small update this time. I trimmed the mobo tray and pcie slots.

 

IMG_0330 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

My X carve cnc mill finally arrived as well! It still looks like a mess cause i haven't finished wiring it yet. I'll post up better pictures when I'm done.

 

IMG_0331 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking.

[Deblow]

hey sorry for never replying to you before

Forgot to sub, sorted it now, just hope I get email update notifications because they don't seem to work on my log. ?

Thanks for the kind words & I think its down to how much you use the drive. 
if its often then I would keep the bay unless its going to make a major difference to the looks of the final build.

saves all that messing about everytime you want to burn/play a disk.

if possible, see how it looks when your almost done with the build, iv been doing that & changing things, redone some bits 3 or 4 times

until i was 100% happy lol

BTW, im trying to keep up with lots of forums & other site so if you have a FB page I could follow let me know, then I would get the info faster

Rob


 

[nmil]

hey sorry for never replying to you before

Forgot to sub, sorted it now, just hope I get email update notifications because they don't seem to work on my log. ?

Thanks for the kind words & I think its down to how much you use the drive. 

if its often then I would keep the bay unless its going to make a major difference to the looks of the final build.

saves all that messing about everytime you want to burn/play a disk.

if possible, see how it looks when your almost done with the build, iv been doing that & changing things, redone some bits 3 or 4 times

until i was 100% happy lol

BTW, im trying to keep up with lots of forums & other site so if you have a FB page I could follow let me know, then I would get the info faster

Rob

 

Thanks for subbing mate.

If you want to keep up with the build maybe sub to my youtube channel. I usually post updates on there about a week later, but at least it'll be in your sub box.

 

I also finished wiring up the cnc and hope to get it all working fine by the end of next week.

[Deblow]

Thanks for subbing mate.

If you want to keep up with the build maybe sub to my youtube channel. I usually post updates on there about a week later, but at least it'll be in your sub box.

 

I also finished wiring up the cnc and hope to get it all working fine by the end of next week.

Done, thanks

would love to have a CNC, laser cutter & 3D printer, well i can dream lol

[koehler]

subbed...

[nmil]

Done, thanks

would love to have a CNC, laser cutter & 3D printer, well i can dream lol

Haha yeah lol.  :lol:

 

 

subbed...

Thanks

[nmil]

 

I drew up a fan grill for the top 2 fans. What do you guys think?

 

fan grill by /]nmrci1, on Flickr

[Drixen]

Looks like a great grill, however do you think too much coverage could negatively impact performance? Whether this grill goes over intake or exhaust? Maybe as opposed to making it very detailed, go with a symbol or "icon" that resembles the build? Something that could take up less surface area?

[Drixen]

But nonetheless, it's AWESOME!!

[nmil]

Looks like a great grill, however do you think too much coverage could negatively impact performance? Whether this grill goes over intake or exhaust? Maybe as opposed to making it very detailed, go with a symbol or "icon" that resembles the build? Something that could take up less surface area?

Thanks mate. It's going over the exhaust fans up the top and it shouldn't cover up that much airflow, cause it's mostly covering the centre and most airflow goes found the sides.

And with the insignia, I can probably do one with a PA and one with my insignia, since I have 2 fans, but I'm still contemplating.

[farhanorakzai]

Looks awesome, I wish I could do crafty things like that

[nmil]

 

 

Looks awesome, I wish I could do crafty things like that

 

Well I have lots of crafty progress today.

So last night I finally mocked up the power supply cover with duct tape.

 

 

IMG_0332 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

Then this morning I got all the parts attached together with pop rivets, don't worry they won't show up in the final.

 

 

IMG_0333 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

Then it was time to braze. I can't actually believe I finished all of that in one day.

 

 

IMG_0338 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

IMG_0340 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

So next update I hope to finish filing the frame and finish brazing.

Thanks for looking,

nmil

[nmil]

So I'm currently having trouble deciding on how I should mount the panels. Currently my 2 ideas are either epoxy so it looks seamless, or button head hex bolts which look quite cool. What do you guys think?

[Drixen]

If you want an "industrial" look go for the hex bolts, otherwise I would say epoxy so it looks seamless like you said. I would appreciate the fine detail like that in a build more than something that will stand out.

[nmil]

If you want an "industrial" look go for the hex bolts, otherwise I would say epoxy so it looks seamless like you said. I would appreciate the fine detail like that in a build more than something that will stand out.

Yeah, the only problem with using all epoxy is that it is not strong enough to hold up the back panel, meaning I would have to use something else as well to take the strain, such as pop rivets

[MEC-777]

So I'm currently having trouble deciding on how I should mount the panels. Currently my 2 ideas are either epoxy so it looks seamless, or button head hex bolts which look quite cool. What do you guys think?

 

I would suggest using the button head hex bolts. Main reason being; if you ever have to take it apart. If you use epoxy, once that panel is on, it's on for good. 

 

Plus I prefer the look of the button head hex bolts - but ultimately it's up to you, since it's your build. Make it how you want it.

[Drixen]

Yeah, the only problem with using all epoxy is that it is not strong enough to hold up the back panel, meaning I would have to use something else as well to take the strain, such as pop rivets

Ah, I see. Makes sense for sure. Not completely sure what would be better structurally between solutions to use, but if it was me I would probably get some flat head rivets and call it a day. There's really no reason to get too fancy, especially on the panels. 

[nmil]

I would suggest using the button head hex bolts. Main reason being; if you ever have to take it apart. If you use epoxy, once that panel is on, it's on for good. 

 

Plus I prefer the look of the button head hex bolts - but ultimately it's up to you, since it's your build. Make it how you want it.

 

Ah, I see. Makes sense for sure. Not completely sure what would be better structurally between solutions to use, but if it was me I would probably get some flat head rivets and call it a day. There's really no reason to get too fancy, especially on the panels. 

 

Thanks for the help guys, I'll probably be going with the button head screws. The only question is whether i should leave them black, or paint them white?

[nmil]

 

So I drew up the top panel for the case. I did both the one with PA on the second fan hole and another one with NMIL on the second fan hole.

 

top panel pa by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

top panel nmil by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

So what do you guys think, first one or second one?

[MEC-777]

Thanks for the help guys, I'll probably be going with the button head screws. The only question is whether i should leave them black, or paint them white?

 

What if you get stainless (silver/chrome) button head screws?

[nmil]

What if you get stainless (silver/chrome) button head screws?

Good idea, but I can't find any places near me that sell button head screws that aren't black. I'll keep trying though

[nmil]

 

So a small update this time.

 

I got the X-Carve completely finished and setup.

 

x carve finished by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

 

If you guys want see everything that I've done to the CNC, you can check out the video below.

 

And I finished brazing the frame, now all that's left is filing.

 

IMG_0357 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

That's all for now guys, I won't be able to post any update for a while since I got exams coming up 

Cheers,

nmil