(update 1/3) Multi-Weekend Mod Custom Case

[MeDownYou]

So, This weekend Is modding weekend again!

Only...I really don't have anything to mod with...or a use for a mod...anyway let's do this!

 

Steps:

 

1. Gather Materials.

2. Design a project/Mod.

3. Do the Mod/project.

4. Make it look pretty, Post pictures, and show it off.

 

 

STEP ONE:

The first step is solving the Materials problem, so I worked on that first. Obtaining a few materials that could be useful. 

 

Materials List:

 

1 x sheet Plexiglass

12 x  5/8 OD steel DOM line (cut into 6 in. segments)

 

2 x steel mesh strips (2 in. by 14 in.)

2 x random aluminum plates (small/short end drops)

Random Wood drops & logs

 

 

STEP 2: Design and Conquer. 

 

Okay, So i picked up a sheet of aluminium today that I feel I can use as a motherboard base.

The Idea is to create a sandwich of my DOM rods and my aluminum sheet in between slices of plexi.

 

I haven't yet decided on what the front/back/top/bottom will be made out of yet or where a switch will come from for the power.

I want to add more plexi sheets for the front/back for added effect, but am unsure about strength and durability at that point, and weather the plexi will look appealing enough by adding angling around the design(...and to hide any lighting.)

 

 

 

Keep in mind I have basic tools such as drills, angle grinder, wood saw, hammers, screwdrivers, a few files.

I don't have advanced tools such as sheers, presses, bridge-ports.

 

 

Suggestions/Help/feedback is always appreciated.

(Ideas for current/future Mods/projects are HIGHLY encouraged.)

 

Will update OP after each major step and a few times in Step 3.

[MeDownYou]

Step 3: Build, Assemble, Mod...Repeat.

 

First part were the hollows, While I was painting these I was also working on building the shape for my aluminum mobo stand. 

 

I used Bailing wire to hold them up so I could get paint all around them in a better environment than outside. 

 

 

Next I worked on my sheet of aluminum marking out where my hollows are going to go and discovered I'm going to use far less of them than expected - I hope the structural support will still be there. It will be close for this minimization of bracing, but should be Okay as long as picked up correctly.

 

First I sheered off an angle after marking the hollow points measuring for my board and PSU. 

Second I cut my angle off at the end creating a straight edge around an inch and a half or so that will give us some more definition and an improved PSU fit. And look better with a drive. 

 

I proceeded to cut the top and bottom side plexi panels and frost them before bed tonight  (they need to be made square on 1 side yet) 

I tried to get the Psu I had torn apart to paint, however, The main power plug was unremovable from the 2nd facade of the metal meaning I would have had to splice and solder the wire creating more resistance in the line lowering the psu limit slightly..and with a 320w psu I need it fully functional.

[MeDownYou]

...didn't get real far on the design phase, had this...

 

 

 

Ended up doing a side project today, and doing a couple odd jobs for some cash to fuel meh addiction... lame mods since I suck and always use the wrong tools as I don't have anything that can just cut a hole in something....... #Ineedajigsaw

 

[MeDownYou]

 First step this weekend as I got side tracked last is updating posts....

 

UPDATED.

 

TL;DR updates:

   - I picked up a sheet of aluminum, bailing wire, and a can on green spray paint, Currently I am painting my DOM hollows green. 

 

  - I Now plan on using some of my green LED's in this case/bench (whatever it turns into). 

 

  -Case will fit an Matx board, SSD, Full atx psu, and Gpu under 11.8 inches long and 5.9 inches tall.

 

Sad News and realizations:

  - I don't have a Matx Board for measurements of standoffs. 

 

  - I can not paint my aluminum plate before making holes for board standoffs.

 

  - I need to acquire about 15   3/8" bolts

 

  - I probably will need more robust plexi glass for at least my two main pieces. 

 

  - Budget left including driving around money: $19.82 (then again I started with only $25)

 

 

Stay tuned later tonight for painted DOM hollow pictures, as well as pictures of my aluminium mobo tray in progress. (Truculently working on both typing this while hollows dry...)

[MeDownYou]

Updated post recently with aluminum plate work. 

 

MORE UPDATES:

 

Sheered aluminum plate, then cut down sheet and filed.

Attempted to drill in aluminum with the worst drill in existence and failed.

Nabbed Green LED's to put in the finished build.

 

TO DO: 

 

- Need to drill holes into the aluminum plate now for hollows and stand offs -then paint. 

- Need to cut, frost Plexi, and drill holes where hollows will attach. 

- Need to print Design for the top Plexi piece out of vinyl (possibly going to wait on this as I want a green design)

- Need to determine how I am going to mount PSU.

 

Currently I do not have all the parts to build a PC however laying around I did dig up these parts:

 

 - 320W PSU

 - Semperon 145 (with stock cooler)

 - Thermal paste

 - 80gb 3.5 HDD

 - 120 mm Fan with molex and 3 pin connection

 

I Don't have these parts for a build:

 

 - Motherboard (needs to be Matx or itx)

 - Ram

 - GPU if the mobo doesn't have igpu

 

 

Next step is some plexi work until I can get the drill press working properly...(the chuck is missing, and it needs a good oiling)