BUILD - Custom Plexiglass Computer Case

[OG buckshot jr]

One step ahead of you Clash. Thanks for all the tips guys, and no, no yellow glue lol I'm gonna use a proper, high-quality epoxy. As I don't need too much, the cost should be fairly inexpensive to know I have the best stuff holding my stuff together - especially when I go to move it.

Know this first: I've decided to suspend my motherboard above the Power Supply and hard drive cage(s), and to do it I'm gonna use clear plexiglass tubes I've cut to size, rubber washers, locknuts and nuts, and lastly cut-to-size threaded bolts to go through each tube. This will bring the motherboard 6" above the base - more than enough room to store the PSU and Hard Drive cage(s), while giving a nice custom look.


TO VIEW THE IMAGES, RIGHT-CLICK ON THEM, AND SELECT &quotPEN IN NEW WINDOW". Lightbox is really slow/not working, so it will load instantly using this method. Thanks Dead Mike for confirming this method.


Picture1
- I've bored out the motherboard screw holes to fit the threaded bolts through

[lightbox=http://img17.imageshack.us/f/dsc00341dd.jpg/|||]/lw.jpg[/lightbox]

Picture2
- Making sure the threaded bolt (yet to be cut to size) fits through, nice and snug

[lightbox=http://img25.imageshack.us/f/dsc00343iq.jpg/|||]/lw.jpg[/lightbox]

Picture3
- These are the tubes that will hold up the motherboard (with locknuts and rubber washers at each end - all rubber contact to mobo)

[lightbox=http://img688.imageshack.us/f/dsc00344jk.jpg/|||]/lw.jpg[/lightbox]

Picture4
- Just to show the tubes are bored out (bought it like that, as one very long piece). The threaded bolt fits perfectly snug.

[lightbox=http://img706.imageshack.us/f/dsc00345a.jpg/|||]/lw.jpg[/lightbox]

Picture5
- Clamped to wood to ensure no cracking or peeling, I've pre-marked the motherboard holes. Here are the small pilot holes.

[lightbox=http://img22.imageshack.us/f/dsc00346lmz.jpg/|||]/lw.jpg[/lightbox]

Picture6
- I've taken the pilot holes and bored them out, using the same technique outlined in Pic5, to the perfect size for the threaded bolt (the bolts will run through the base plate and be 'nutted' shut on the bottom of the case). The case is on wheels, if anyone is wondering.

[lightbox=http://img706.imageshack.us/f/dsc00350oah.jpg/|||]/lw.jpg[/lightbox]

***NOTE***
- The holes look rough because of the blue 'seal' that covers the plexiglass. It's like plastic wrap. It's been recommended to make all cuts leaving this on, only to be peeled once near completion, but the plexiglass itself is really clean, I'm very proud.

I've also done the power supply holes, but pics would be very similar. Mounting will begin once I cut the threaded bolt - as I've not yet figured out the best way to cut it would be :/ The bolt is 10-24 (metric) in size. I'm open to suggestions.

Lastly - Clash, I've already planned ahead for using the original hard drive cage. The 5.25" drive bays are another story, we'll see about them.

 

[47]

threaded bar cutting tip: put on a nut, cut, machine the end to remove sharp edge, remove nut. That way the nut carves the thread on the end where u cut. otherwise ull never be able to get a nut on there because cutting rapes thread.

BUNG !

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Good point 47. I'm heading over to my friend's place for a few beers now, his dad has a fuckload of tools - he's a real life Tim Taylor (minus the accidents lol). He said he'll hook me up right quick. PROPER

P.S. Is lightbox not working? I thought I did the code correctly... ? I can't see the pics

EDIT: UPDATE
I got off work and headed to my boy's house, he's got bolt-cutters and they did the trick, like magic. I've got tomorrow off, so I should be near completion by tomorrow afternoon. After angle-grinding the pre-cut bolts to smooth ends, I'll mount the mobo and power supply and cut the back panel to give way to all the connections. I'll update with images.

 

[B.From.Acc]

[quote1276334074=OG buckshot jr]
P.S. Is lightbox not working? I thought I did the code correctly... ? I can't see the pics
[/quote1276334074]
yeah i don't know, i opened in new tab then it works.

looks good though! never thought plexi would be that expensive though. sheesh.

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Ya man, that was the cheapest place... First they quoted $190. Second time I called and said I just needed the panels cut to size, not assembled or anything, then it dropped to $99. By the way, this didn't include a top (or lid) for the 'box'. I asked the guy where the lid was and he said &quoth, I didn't know you wanted one", so he cut one in 2 seconds without charging me lol

 

[DrUgZ]

another way to get a good cut on allthread is to use a grinder

 

[47]

[quote1276478189=DrUgZ]
another way to get a good cut on allthread is to use a grinder
[/quote1276478189]
it really doest matter what u cut it with, if u dont put a nut on it before cutting = epic fail + tears.

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Naw 47, you can't do that. I just used bolt-cutters and then chamfered the ends. A nut can slip on and off like brand new.

Update: Motherboard is fully mounted now, and she's rock-solid despite the thought it'd be flimsy by design (real happy with that). I just cut the back piece of the case for the I/O bracket, I'll do the video card/pci bracket tomorrow... I'm still wondering how to integrate some sort of design to keep video cards, tv tuners solid - you know how you screw your card in to keep it from wobbling? Ya, that... dunno what I'll do yet. Perhaps I'll figure that out before cutting.

 

[47]

[quote1276966082=OG buckshot jr]
Naw 47, you can't do that.
[/quote1276966082]
ive built armored trucks for Iraq war back in the day.

 

[auron]

Update?

 

[47]

bump

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Not much to update since the pics I posted. I've now cut out the back panel for the I/O Bracket as well as the expansion bay slots. I'm now working on a bracket to lock down/hold things like Video cards, TV Tuners, Lan Cards etc. After that, fan ports will be drilled, as well as mounting for HDD's and DVD-ROM's will be worked out. Finally, wheels and putting together the box (glue, hinges etc). I'll post pics for the giggles. I'm not working on shit until Toronto ISN'T fuckin 43C outside.

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Alright, so here's where I last left off because I was broke and started working too much to have time to work on it. It just sat here and I had a room fan on it to ensure cooling:

[lightbox=http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/592/imag0031h.jpg|||]Half-Ass[/lightbox]

It's currently sitting on 3 cd-R spindles (the prongs suspending my motherboard go through the bottom of the case, so it can't sit on the floor (haven't put wheels on it yet).

Now, here's where I currently stand. I did a lof of work recently.

[lightbox=http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/83/imag0036hx.jpg|||]In day-light[/lightbox]

[lightbox=http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/2975/imag0037n.jpg|||]Another...[/lightbox]

[lightbox=http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4067/imag0038c.jpg|||]Night-shot to enjoy the lighting[/lightbox]

[lightbox=http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/3181/imag0039.jpg|||]Side-Profile[/lightbox]

[lightbox=http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6981/imag0040z.jpg|||]CPU-cooling setup[/lightbox]
Cool air from front via 2x200mm fans, another 120mm on front of cpu pulling that cool air (passing them over the heatsink), which is then expelled via another 120mm fan on the back of the case. Very efficient, I think, no?

Notes:

- Haven't cut out the spot for my fan-controller/front audio/usb/time/temp/power/reset all-in-one faceplate
- Forgot to drill the front panel (as you'll notice all the E-tape lol) to accomodate metal L-brackets (which are holding the REST of the box together)
- Haven't tied up cables AT ALL, yuck. I'll deal for now
- Haven't mounted HDD's or DVD's yet, waiting more money to acquire more plexiglass to build it (I now have a plan

 

[Taylor Sith]

thats different nice job

its still pretty slick...

 

[LT_Clash]

got pain all over the moldings. nice case tho thats bad-ass i want one

 

[B.From.Acc]

no kidding thats pretty sweet BJ. and that heatsink is a monster.

how thick is that plexiglass, 1/2 inch? how heavy is that? and how much did that much plexi glass cost you?

 

[OG buckshot jr]

@ Clash, "got pain all over the mouldings" - I don't understand your comment lol

@ Bob - 3/8" thick (just a tad over 1/2&quot. Probably... well, lemme pick it up - ya, she's gotta be about 50Lb's or so lol

The plexi cost me $99 flat, I just gave them internal dimensions required, and they cut/sanded edges for me (6 flast panels, I had to cut everything else. I took care of the rest.

EDIT: Oh, and $5 for a 6' (as in feet) long hollow plexiglass tube (used to surround the threaded bars holding up my motherboard - all custom-made)

 

[Keeripes!]

[quote1289172593=OG buckshot jr]
@ Clash, "got pain all over the mouldings" - I don't understand your comment lol

[/quote1289172593]

Allow me to translate. You have some wall paint on your mouldings.

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Oh! hahahahahaha I kept reading it in context of the case lol
Ya, my girl helped me paint my room, buckled oj the tape job. I'm replacing it anyway

 

[3xtr3m3]

Cant see the pics man.

Update them.

This is what i built like 3 years ago. It used to look like this :