Treasure Chest Build. Water and Phase Cooled

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02-16-2009, 04:38 PM
bmilos

Treasure Chest Build. Water and Phase Cooled

So, I got sick of the ThermalTake Armor case that I originally used for my i7 build. I wanted something big enough to hold everything - my components, my watercooling hardware, and, maybe, a SS. Then, I decided to go vintage. :up:

I went on eBay and found this -

[IMG]http://www1.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...97770e116g.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www4.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...4d2f80bb6g.jpg[/IMG]

It's a 19th century steamer trunk. I love dark colored, aged wood. There were many options, but this one was reasonably priced (shipping is a pain) and not too nice that if it didn't work, I wouldn't have ruined someone's airloom.

Anyway, I used a 4 1/2" hole saw to drill the holes for the fans.

http://www4.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...d255bf8c6g.jpg

I then raised the side rails, and used them as a guide for mounting the fans.

[IMG]http://www4.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...84e92d836g.jpg[/IMG]

From there, with a nice piece of pine as my tray, I mounted the mobo using 1" standoffs.

[IMG]http://www4.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...f9223d086g.jpg[/IMG]

Next, I made the raw cuts for the PSU, VGA and USB ports to be accessible.

[IMG]http://www2.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...40ef56696g.jpg[/IMG]

So, thats it, thus far. I still need to clean up the cuts on the back, stain the tray and maybe add sides to it.

Also, I mentioned earlier that I am building a Phase change unit for this. I am still waiting on my compressor and condenser. I also need an evap, which will be taken care of once Teyber is up and running again.

I hope you all like it and, as always, comments are welcome. :yepp:
02-16-2009, 04:42 PM
bmilos

reserved for future photos....
02-16-2009, 04:46 PM
sniperbob

neat idea for an "out of the box" case! I love DIY cases (idk why...)
02-16-2009, 04:55 PM
Bertross

I would sand it all back and re-coat the inside with matte black spray paint.

Then on the outside add highlights to the black metal with some silver. The panel for your peripherals you should cut out the sqaure sections as a hole and make it perspex and then trim to required like you have (neater and less risk of a fire). You may want to consider inlaying the box in some sort of sound deafening. Not only for noise but for protection in case the PC gets to hot for the wood.

Also try and find something to finish off the Fan holes just to snazz it up abit and make the fittings tighter. Maybe use a router in the holes you made so the fans sit closer to the box exterior then fit fan dust covers on the inside.

EDIT: you know what would look really cool if you take all the wood away and leave the steal frame and use perspex instead. Then make it look all aquatic.
02-16-2009, 05:04 PM
bmilos

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertross

I would sand it all back and re-coat the inside with matte black spray paint.

Then on the outside add highlights to the black metal with some silver. The panel for your peripherals you should cut out the sqaure sections as a hole and make it perspex and then trim to required like you have (neater and less risk of a fire). You may want to consider inlaying the box in some sort of sound deafening. Not only for noise but for protection in case the PC gets to hot for the wood.

Also try and find something to finish off the Fan holes just to snazz it up abit and make the fittings tighter. Maybe use a router in the holes you made so the fans sit closer to the box exterior then fit fan dust covers on the inside.

Yeah, I did buy a sander, but I took it back as I wanted a better one. I do plan on sanding the inside and refinishing it, but with a nice light brown stain. I also intend on making something for the dome aspect of the trunk. Maybe a tray that comes out when it is open.

As for the fans, I was thinking of getting black fan filters to cover the holes. Making them fit tighter and flush is a cool idea though. Maybe steel fan grills would be enough to make the black metal on the outside pop?
02-16-2009, 05:10 PM
Splave

epic
02-16-2009, 05:27 PM
SAE

LoL! Luv the idea of yours^^. Real treasure. :up:

P.S. Don't forget to create a treasure map before you dig it! :rofl: ;)
02-16-2009, 05:42 PM
Hockeydude

Wow this is such an awesome idea! Very nice!
02-16-2009, 06:19 PM
bmilos

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeydude

Wow this is such an awesome idea! Very nice!

Thanks bro!
02-16-2009, 08:24 PM
Groveling_Wyrm

Excellent idea! This will DEFINITELY be a one-of-a-kind! LOL!!! :up::up:
02-17-2009, 03:46 AM
G80

Maybe make some plexi glas seperators and fill it with coins :D. And let the tubes run through the whole case. Would be a wicked look.
02-17-2009, 04:50 AM
PakaPaka

wow look very good, wait for updates :)
02-17-2009, 08:35 AM
GregSG

Awaiting ur updates.

This is really an interesting concept.
02-17-2009, 01:31 PM
bmilos

Also, I thought I would share this as I haven't seen them used before.

Since I wanted to be able to remove the tray for maintenance purposes, I had to figure out an easy way to disconnect the water-cooling loop without spillage. I found these -

[IMG]http://www4.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...adf8d27a6g.jpg[/IMG]

I will put these in the loop at the entrance and exit of the tray. That way, I can just disconnect them when I want to remove the tray. It stops the flow. I also bought an extra connector for filling draining purposes. I look forward to seeing the temps as they may hinder flow, just a little. I think they are a great thing to have. Thoughts?
02-17-2009, 02:49 PM
Jokester_wild

Why not just make a square hole and use the backplate for the motherboard ?

interesting build though.:up:
02-17-2009, 02:58 PM
IronWarrior

I really like that, that is pretty awesome.

I so agree that you need to do something with the inside, paint it or sand it down or something, also are you going to put filters on the fans?

Maybe turn the fan holes into ship port holes? :D

You could easy get two or more computers in that case.
02-17-2009, 03:50 PM
bmilos

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronWarrior

I really like that, that is pretty awesome.

I so agree that you need to do something with the inside, paint it or sand it down or something, also are you going to put filters on the fans?

Maybe turn the fan holes into ship port holes? :D

You could easy get two or more computers in that case.

port holes - genius! If only I didn't need the holes for airflow :down:

Yes, I am going to sand it and stain it a lighter brown. Also am going to stain the tray as soon as I have it all planned out. Yes, just ordered fan filters for the outside.

I just received my condenser. Now all I need is the compressor and and evap! Need to figure out how to mount it and attach a fan to it...

Also, the side holes were perfectly spaced to hold up my 120.3 rad. So, I am going to have 2 fans pushing and 3 fans pulling. Or vice versa.

[IMG]http://www2.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php...da4d78016g.jpg[/IMG]
02-17-2009, 05:45 PM
IronWarrior

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmilos

port holes - genius! If only I didn't need the holes for airflow :down:

Well, you don't have to have the holes closed... be creative.

I like that last picture. :D
02-17-2009, 06:13 PM
CyberDruid

Madness!

At least we know where you keep your booty :D
02-17-2009, 06:58 PM
Angmaar

Wow that looks awesome!
02-17-2009, 09:29 PM
Spencer1590

Good looking case back there, but i think it will be hard to move lol :clap:
02-17-2009, 09:31 PM
Bertross

this is getting better and better, heaps of space. LOOT!!! :D
02-17-2009, 11:46 PM
bmilos

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer1590

Good looking case back there, but i think it will be hard to move lol :clap:

It has side handles :up: Also has old, small wheels on the bottom. I thought of replacing them, but I like the original hardware... The lock needs some work.
02-18-2009, 01:26 AM
3Z3VH

Not sure of your budget, but one of the Case Mod competitions we had at our LAN back in 2005 featured a Treasure Chest case, where he used a Dell 24" flat panel in the lid. You can see some good shots of it halfway through a ManiaTV episode shot at the LAN http://www.everlan.com/news/media/ma...ania-tv-spot-2
02-18-2009, 04:38 AM
SAE

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmilos

It has side handles :up: Also has old, small wheels on the bottom. I thought of replacing them, but I like the original hardware... The lock needs some work.

I do hope the chest is stable enough not to break when moving it with all the heavy stuff in it. :eek:
02-18-2009, 07:54 AM
3Z3VH

It is a steel-bound trunk, that looks to have solid, un-rotted pine planks. I am sure it will be fine. :D
02-18-2009, 11:48 AM
Spencer1590

You maybe want to try putting the monitor in the up door, then you can close it and go to a lan, open up and start playing.
02-18-2009, 01:01 PM
bmilos

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Z3VH

Not sure of your budget, but one of the Case Mod competitions we had at our LAN back in 2005 featured a Treasure Chest case, where he used a Dell 24" flat panel in the lid. You can see some good shots of it halfway through a ManiaTV episode shot at the LAN http://www.everlan.com/news/media/ma...ania-tv-spot-2

That's awesome! As I left my 52" in Boston, I am getting 2 monitors for this, so it is in my budget.

Although, I the reason I built this was for looks in my apartment, not for LAN'ing. I wanted something that was sympathetic to the interior. Its a brilliant idea though.