where do you buy//how do you make a mobo test plat?

[StealthyFish]

I wanna make (or buy) a test platform (one of those stands) for less than 30 dollars. Is that possible? and what would I need to make it (unless I can buy one for 30 dollars shipped... it'd be more convienent that way, but they all seem way to expensive). I'm thinking maybe some cheap acryllic? It's summer so I've got some time to play around. Do any of you guys have any guides or experience in doing this and is it feasible with my budget? I just want to cut costs and not spend much.

Thanks,
Stealthyfish

[jimmyz]

get a peice of wood and make your own. or cut the motherboard tray out of an old pc, and just use it. or use the tray as a template to show you where to put the holes for standoffs.

[Vice]

Just grab some acrlyic.

Use AutoCadd, an old mobo tray, or graph paper to sketch out a template, like jimmyz said, for the standoffs.

Get a hand tap, and a 6-32tap, tap the holes you made for the stand offs, and you're good to go.

[Modulok]

I am thinking of building something at work, like that tech station (http://www.highspeedpc.com/) thing but not spending $130 for materials that cost about $15.

If I do, I will post some pics when I make it.

[bball4ever39]

I had the same idea so I built my own. $10 worth of wood and now I have a dual computer bench station.

http://www.wonderllamaproductions.com/uploads/bball1.jpg
http://www.wonderllamaproductions.com/uploads/bball2.jpg
http://www.wonderllamaproductions.com/uploads/bball3.jpg

The only thing I really need to do is work on some cable management and performance pc-s has lian li motherboard trays for $25. With that you can get a nice homebuilt bench

[Navig]

Making a testing station with a motherboard tray is pretty easy.

Size: whatever you want. To get the holes in the proper location, easy way is to just mark it thru the mounting holes on the actual motherboard. If you want precision and accuracy, hit up formfactors.org for the exact measurements.

Mounting bracketry: 6-32 machine screws fit nice. My standard methodology is to use 6-32 1 in machine screws, thru tapped holes in the motherboard tray. Topped with 6-32 rubber well nuts (or rivet nuts from mcmaster.com). Then to hold the motherboard down, 6-32 knurl nuts.

Material: I typically use .220in acrylic, which is cheap and in stock at Home Depot and Lowes (if you are in the US). Lowe's is nice as most locations will cut to size for free. .220 Home depot plastic is low quality, but okay enough--sturdy and cheap. Given a choice I'd order higher quality acrylic or polycarbonate .220 or .25in from a good online company (like Delviesplastic).

To make the pci bracket, if you want to add stability, you may have to get creative with aluminum angle.

Finally, I might recommend picking up drill bits for plastic. Once you use them for plastic, you won't use anything else.

Flip thru the build logs of my cases in my signature link. Every single one has a custom plastic motherboard tray. (http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=117061)


Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a nice super cheap material available at Home Depot. Its generally thicker than plastic (3/4in) but super cheap.

navig

[Vice]

You could make the pci-bracket with the acrylic as well.

Cut 3 pieces, 2 vertical, 1 horizontal (where gfx card screws in, etc) , and just thread screws holes from the horizontal into the vertical pieces.