Cabinet PC

Cabinet PC



*** This project is now complete. If you wish to skip to the Complete Thread with a summary of the build log, the Link is --> Here <-- ***



I've got a decent shop, but its separated from my house (which is a good thing, so I can tinker even at night).



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psaad592a2.jpg



However, I haven?t got a PC in it, which would be useful for browsing, music, photoediting, etc.

When I needed it, I?ve been toting my laptop over.


As you can, see, my shop has got a lot of modular workstation type units, so why not a PC?






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse45b2f89.jpg










http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps54279243.jpg







Important concept notes:

1) Built on a simple cabinet structure, with a desktop

2) PC mounted on a pull out shelf unit

3) Speakers for music

4) Mounted on wheels

5) This one is meant to be a quick and simple build--focus on function and low cost. Aesthetics are taking a back seat. Not really for performance either, the PC is going to be cobbled together components.

Aesthetics one thing, but what about ergonomics? Or this will be built for only ocasionally small work while standing near it? If you gonna sit by, you'll have to sit with legs unconfortably sideways.

Probably not got to get a lot of extended use, primarily standing.

Height to the table top, including casters, 40".

The table top hangs over the cabinet by 4.5", should provide enough room for the toes.

Hmm. That + wheels .. probably for easy relocating near to different instrument tables? Then i'd think of getting some wifi N adapter, + think of something for power cord to not easy accidentally be pulled out (-1)well fixed on this 'cabinet' end, -2)maybe of some cable reel to make it longer/shorter on need to basis). Also imho important to ensure good dust protection/filtering for air or liquid cooling, as usage place - workshop. And i'd make shorter left side, longer right side shelve, for better mouse placement (or make that expanding in some way). Imho trackball gives up too much of usage comfort for compactness.

Subbed, seems like a good idea :D

People have brought up a lot of important functional points, thanks!


1) This is mainly going to be a short use stand up station: the table top is set for 40” including the caster wheels


2) Not drawn, I will have a simple shelf on top of the desktop for a monitor stand, with the keyboard underneath.


3) Since its on wheels, obviously its meant to be mobile. My plan is to have an extension cord, maybe wound on a pair of cleats. But I do also have this APC UPS, which works well, altho the LCD has burn out:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psd852aec7.jpg

Should be able to power the system for a while, even with the speakers. Cabinet boom box, yah?


4) Dust control. Definitely going to be an issue. The cabinet is mostly enclosed, and I plan on keeping positive pressure with 3 dust filtered 120mm fans intake, with 2 120mm fans exhausting. Still probably going to get dusty--on the other hand the whole system is easily accessed (on the pull out tray) for a dust blasting.


5) Wireless connection. I picked up an on sale Edimax USB plug (I plan to have a USB hub on the desktop) for cheap. I supposed I could find a PCI card (my planned mobo does not have built in wifi), but I would also need an external antenna extension, as the whole motherboard (including i/o ports) will be within the cabinet enclosure.


6) On the subject of wireless, some observant posters have wondered how I get internet access into my shop--a very valid point.


Here is my shop, as pictured from the corner of my garage.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps332c7d49.jpg


(yeah, I know its purty)

While not far from my router (which is just inside my garage) the shop is entirely metal. Which means no good penetration by 802.11. In fact, if I leave the door open, I get 3 bars or reception, if I close the door, zero.

Currently I’m doing a sort of ghetto wireless bridge.




If you look in the picture, I’ve got this weatherproof box sitting outside the shop roll down:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psea8c1b1c.jpg



Inside is an extension cord and a cheap edimax wireless access point.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse5ac9887.jpg








Which is then connected to an older wireless router, giving me wireless within the shop, even with all the doors closed:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps773d6338.jpg



Believe it or not, this ghetto setup has worked for me all the way thru winter, sub-freezing temps, wind, rain, and hail.

Kudos to edimax tech support who helped me set up the access point as its not-intended wireless bridging function.





However, I am pleased to say this week, I incidentally am having an electrician by to install a whole-house-surge protector (BTW definitely a wise investment), but he is also going to pull ethernet to my shop, so it will soon be non-ghetto wireless.


Last year, I personally wired my house with CAT6, and pre-wired a line to my telco box in my garage, in the hopes of one day getting line pulled thru a buried conduit I know exists to my shop. Hopefully that will happen this week.


Pat my own shoulder, here is my CAT6/gigabit ethernet router and switch, in my laundry room next to my garage:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psa7390663.jpg

Okay, no more ghetto wireless for me: I now have Cat6 lined to my shop from my hub!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps938e2c23.jpg






Let’s get back to building!


First I headed to Home Depot and picked out a 4’ x 8’ panel of 3/4” plywood (~$45), and had them rip it down for me into the following panels:


Left panel: 34” x 20”
Right panel: 34” x 20”
Structural shelf: 19” x 20”
Bottom of cabinet: 19” x 20”
Top door (final dimensions): 18.25” x 8.5”
Bottom door (final dimensions): 18.25” 21.34”



Other sheet lumber I needed:

2’ x 4’ 1/2” ply (~$15):
Motherboard tray: 16 3/8” x 17.5”
Floating shelf: 18 3/8” x 18”


2’ x 4’ 1/4” ply (~$10):
Backer panel of cabinet: 34.5” x 19.75”




Other sheet lumber involved:


3/4” white laminate (~$20--this I had lying around the shop from other projects):
Table top: 36” x 24.5”
Wing shelves (x2): 8.5” x 20”



Other items picked up at this shopping trip:

Cable pass thrus (x2) ($3 x 2)
Set of shelf pins ($4)








Here we go with the stuff at my shop:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6de2d5cd.jpg








Let’s get a cuttin’:

My left and right side panels got dados and rabet joints to fit the structural shelf panel and bottom panel.


To make these joints, I used my trust festool plunge cutter. It takes about 8 passes to generate a 3/4” wide dado or rabet, which is annoying. On the other hand, for the tools I’ve got (table saw, router), it generates the most accurate, safe, and least dusty grooves. I do have an old radial arm saw, which could mow it out quickly with a dado blade set, but the lengths of the grooves required exceeds a single pass.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps045378a0.jpg









Just putting the 4 3/4” plywood panels together, and its already looking like a cabinet:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6c3c5b2f.jpg


Note, it looks upside-down, but the solid panel is the bottom--time to make the table top:











I added dado grooves to the table top to join to the cabinet base:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psc3e9fd01.jpg










Put the 2 together and its already looking like something!



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps5160daca.jpg

Sorry for the pause in posts, but I am back after a nice vacation!



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psca6459a0.jpg


(Points for guessing the location? Mrs. Navig?s in the foreground).








Let?s get back to it. I next decided to work on my doors.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psbadfde81.jpg



I was planning on having 2 doors--the top for access to the pc components, the bottom for storage.






Again, keeping with the simple and economical theme, I decided not to build a face frame for my cabinets. Instead I purchased 2 sets of these hinges:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps2109b0d3.jpg


http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...0&site=ROCKLER

(2 x $9 = $18)


I just cut my doors to size and mount them directly to the plywood box, no need for mortising or building a face frame.








And here I mounted the hinges:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psd15402f0.jpg









Cut my top door:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps2c6f2372.jpg







And here it is opened:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps1cc1c85e.jpg










Next I worked on my door-stop/catch mechanism. I had some push-to-open latches from a previous build, so I simply used those. Here is the mcmaster part#:


mcmaster part # 10825A28

(I ended using a total of 3 for 3 x $2.25 = $6.75)

http://www.mcmaster.com/10825A28




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps255f9466.jpg








And here is a video of the latch and door in action:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps09c5298a.jpg

(click to play)








And repeated the process for the lower door:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps06f2d853.jpg










http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps295fea4d.jpg

Answer to previous non-modding question. Just back from a trip to Zion National Park.

Plus Bryce Canyon:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psb0967b0d.jpg







Next I began work on my system tray.

I picked up these standard cabinet slides from Home Depot (~$15).


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psb8f29c8f.jpg


Note, I had to mount the right side slide on a block to allow me to pull out the tray, without having to open the cabinet door fully.







And here was my system tray:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6c1b3068.jpg









And mounted up:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps233f1532.jpg



The nice things about this drawer slide set is that it is real easy to fully remove the tray (see video later).









Next I organized where I wanted my components to lay:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psfca77503.jpg



The items in the foreground will actually be in the back of the cabinet. I felt this was the best layout for cabling and airflow. It is a little odd to have the powersupply up front, but I think that was the best choice.









Next, I had an old pci rack I had fabricated laying around:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps907a123f.jpg









I hacked it apart to build what I needed:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps678f24b1.jpg









And mountings for my motherboard were set:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psae2400c2.jpg










Turned my attention to mounting the power supply:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psf894dea7.jpg









And the drives:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psbc933cc0.jpg








Assembled my system:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps9454e114.jpg




This is almost actually my real system, short of the real hard drive.

System is:

e8600

Gigabyte EP45 UD3R

2x4gb G.skill RAM

Thermalright 140mm HSF (model escapes me)

Corsair HX620 psu

Kingston 128gb SSD

Asus Radeon card (model escapes me)







Into the cabinet it goes:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps74944f33.jpg








And here is a video of the system tray in action!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psbbb293a4.jpg

(click to play)

Nice, it's a test bench/desk hybrid...:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ivanlabrie

Nice, it's a test bench/desk hybrid...:D

---

MOBILE test bench/desk! :D

Nice mobile 'pooter and bench :clap:

Have you thought about a dust filter/air intake @ the back ???

I love your shed !!!!!:yepp:

This is the airflow plan:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps1eda498d.jpg


3 intakes, 2 exhausts, keeping it under positive pressure, filters on the intakes.

You only need one 120mm intake and a slower 120mm exhaust

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alpha0ne

You only need one 120mm intake and a slower 120mm exhaust

---

I would go so far as to say just a dual intake. Make sure it's filtered--several times over. Broad mesh filter on the outside, finer mesh filter on the inside. You'll want to keep things protected from wood and metal dust.

Not really known for my restraint in cooling!


Anyway, my shop is insulated, but not cooled, so it gets to 100f regularly. Quietness is also not a priority, as the intended primary purpose of this unit is to be a boom-box. Also, happen to have a 5 channel fan controller laying around, so 5 low speed 120mm fans it is.

Next I cut my backer panel.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3232bb3a.jpg












I?m going to need a door here to access the i/o panel of the motherboard.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse450efea.jpg












Besides just covering the backside, its important structurally, keeping the cabinet square.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psa21d21a3.jpg














Access door, opened with the same push-to-open latch as the front doors.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3418266f.jpg

BTW, what sound/speakers are you planning to install in this? What do you think if alongside normal speakers install in easy to reach place normal minijack socket, so that earphones (with long spiraled wire of course) could be used when working in workshop at some very loud machine-tool (for sound insulation as well). I'd also would cut in into table surface some usb ports for easy plug in without reaching anywhere far or some flash-sticks and alikes.

I've got a pair of logitech x 2.1 speakers:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-X-240.../dp/B000MDZWUS

They have a little interface console (with jacks), which I will mount up top. I'm re-using stuff I've already got. You can see them in the background of some of the pics, on some shelving.

Also got a USB hub--got this one fairly cheap on newegg, I believe $10.









Let?s get back to it!


Focused my attention on the monitor stand situation.


I built the basic structure with 3 pieces of melamine board:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psbfe21be0.jpg











Then I put together my wiring. In the theme of low cost and re-using stuff around the shop, I started with a mess of discarded wires.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps75b4546c.jpg











Work my magic, and bam, got a switch panel:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psee2f4def.jpg











Cut a hole where I want my switch panel:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps77b22339.jpg










And mounted it up:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps005e027a.jpg










A little bit of finish work--iron on melamine trim. The trim is available from Home Depot ($4), also helps to have the trimming blade.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps5f9c6f2d.jpg











Don?t want my monitor to tip while I?m rolling about, so I?m going to bolt the base down:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psef43a50b.jpg










And here is my proposed layout (sans the cabinet):


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psce8ce2fe.jpg

Nice work Navig but if your workshop is anything like my shed with dust even when using an industrial vacuum I would change the placing of your switch panel to the side/under the monitor stand

Too late, its already hard mounted. Hopefully not enough dust to jam the buttons--they seem hi quality, plus easy to wipe off the desktop.







I went to work on my fan panels, starting with some ⅛? bronze acrylic panels:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6f737839.jpg











Cut my fan holes with a circle cutter on my drill press:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps96969b20.jpg











And here were the completed panels:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psb607c9a9.jpg










Next, I laid out the holes I would need to cut in the wood panels:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps4c5d0668.jpg











Long straights I cut with my circular saw, then finished the corners with a multi-tool.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps9f8607f3.jpg










Holes cut:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pseb00595a.jpg












And mounting the fan panel:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps2b36590c.jpg



And now my "case" will have ventilation. Plan is for 3 120mm fans with dust filters as intakes on the right, 2 120mm fans on the right for exhaust.

Time to build my truck.


Started with a cross of 2x4 lumber:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps41cbb7a0.jpg










Stained it with Minwax polyshades mahogany--stain + polyurethane in one.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps12bf9aaa.jpg


This is the first time I’ve used this product, Minwax polyshades. Worked nice for this sort of rough quick painting--one coat and it is nice and sealed and stained. Later on, tho, for more refined staining--as you will see--I was not so pleased with this product.











Added my caster wheels (got these on sale from Rockler for $10). 2 wheels turn, 2 wheels have brakes.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse8e3c713.jpg











Put my cabinet on the truck to makes sure everything fits well:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6f1a147c.jpg


Also, forgot to mention, last time I had the cabinet panels apart, I added shelf pin holes to the larger bottom compartment--so you can see a second floating shelf down there.

Time to get into the meat of painting.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psc1ea704d.jpg


I started with my components that were going to get stained.

First, everything got sanded down, 120 grit and 200 grit on a random orbital sander. Then thoroughly de-dusted. Then I taped all my edges for edge-drips.


I used the pre-stain above, and then the combo stain+polyurethane pictured above.











The combo polyshade goes on very streaky:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps265ede58.jpg











But does mellow nicely. This was just one coat--and since this was going to be the inside/less seen side, I deemed this good enough.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psd0fadd25.jpg











After letting this all dry thoroughly, couple of days, I removed all my masking tape, hit the other side with 200 grit sand paper, and re-taped.


Here’s why I tape edges--its just too difficult to avoid runs and edge drips:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps2afc7466.jpg


That spoon is in there because I use it to seal my tape edges, otherwise paint will soak under the tape. This is obviously much more important if you are relying on your tape to generate a clean line, instead of just masking as I am doing.












Here is my first coat on the “show” side of my panels:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps4378ef19.jpg


I’ve let it completely dry, and come back and sanded it with 200 grit.











At this point I felt like it was not stained enough, so I went for a second coat:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps074212bb.jpg



I feel like a second coat came out too dark, really losing most of the natural grain of the wood. Had I known it would come out this dark I wouldn’t have applied a second coat. At this point it is practically paint. In the past, regular stain-only products I’ve used, second coats never cause this much wash-out of the grain.











On the other hand, the finish of this stain+poly combo is just fantastic--I had planned on putting a third coat of clear polyurethane on top, but it wasn’t necessary:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps8c5acc99.jpg












Now that I had the system tray painted, I went ahead and assembled it:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps02a393af.jpg














Computer on a tray:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse12d90cb.jpg

Hi all,

Posts may be a little scarce as I am on vacation in London/Paris, but I do have pics on my laptop.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3c9235c9.jpg









Back to the project.

Next I prepped all my non-stain panels:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps201bd96e.jpg

(Middle structural shelf, bottom panel)








http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps95223cae.jpg

(Side panels x2, floating shelf, backer panel and door, shelf slide mount, kicker panel).



All the pieces were hit with 120 grit sand paper, cleaned, and masked.









Next I applied the first coat of polyurethane (Minwax, oil based, hi gloss).

Halfway applied to this panel, you can see what it does!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps4d845cc7.jpg










Here it is after the first coat has dried--I waited 48 hours.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psb77e0137.jpg


Hit this with 220grit and laid a second coat.











The finish is amazing.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps0090151d.jpg







http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps4e86dfd3.jpg






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6a071e50.jpg

Looking good.

Hope you have some serious dust filters on your intakes and around the cabinet because it looks like you do alot of woodwork and wood dust could become quite a problem.

Dust filters there will be!




Bonjour once again from Europe!


Kudos for identifying these pics:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps8a09e0a6.jpg





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps0de8b6e2.jpg



Lots of people ask me where I get my inspiration, and it comes from a lot of directions--particularly interests in materials (plastic, metal, wood). But also from all kinds of other things. For example, in the museum pic above, I love the victorian style small window panes, I just may have to incorporate that into a mod someday.













Back to the modding...

I had just finished painting all my pieces, so its time to start assembly.




First I set up my 2 large side panels, and attached the wing shelves:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps2ba4507c.jpg












Next I added the cross boards and got this unit upright:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psa0d81645.jpg













Got the table top on and various brackets:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps73ffa1de.jpg










Made sure the motherboard tray still fit and functioned:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps51c520f6.jpg











Added the front doors:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psc8e6f37d.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps28c8ce4f.jpg












And a little something somewhat hidden. I needed to fill in this portion of the dado cut on the underside of the table top (eventually I’m going to add edge trim to the table top), so I used some leftover trimmed plywood. I think edge cut plywood looks pretty neat when finished off nicely:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps1ec51ea1.jpg

Okay, let’s finalize this structure.



I used a combo of glue, screws, and pin nails to make it make this cabinet furniture strong:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pscccade58.jpg











http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psd7d24507.jpg


You could dance on top of this case.








Put the final touches on my backer panel:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps98edf389.jpg


A hole for the cables to exit, and 2 coat hangers (2x $4) to wrap the cables on.










Mounted my fan panels:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psd4d3b133.jpg














And mounted my fans:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps05255f06.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps923b0a27.jpg


Note, on my triple intakes, I’ve got these mesh dust filters. They do a good job and are easy to clean off as a shop-vac is never far away.














Next, to control the fans, I’ve got a Scythe fan controller, which I put together a simple mounting bracket:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psf15774f1.jpg





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps8cc8b658.jpg











Finally, I carefully routed and mounted all my cables to allow the system tray to easily roll out and/or fully remove.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psdc503e07.jpg










To completely remove the system tray, these are my steps:

1) From the backside disengage the monitor connection, and i/o cables (USB, audio).

2) From the front side, there are 3 cables to disengage, which are highlighted:

1. PSU cable

2. Cable to power the fan controller

3. Switch panel cables


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps4dabdc5e.jpg



After disconnecting these cables, the whole computer system tray can slide out and even be completely removed.

Next it was time to mount the cabinet to the truck:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psd6188f6b.jpg







http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pscc4d016f.jpg




Four deck screws thru the bottom of the panel.












And now that we’re mobile, I took the project outside for some nice weather:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps64264094.jpg











Finished the trim on the table top:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pscc962dbd.jpg












Added the monitor stand:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps774aa350.jpg










Started running my cabling. Here you can see I wrapped my power and ethernet cords on the coat hangers:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse05c2918.jpg









More cables back here:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps0cadd350.jpg










Finally mounted a lot of my items with Command strips. I like using these as they’ve got strong grip, yet are still easy to remove:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps36543fe4.jpg







Command strip the USB hub:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6a487d36.jpg








Stick on the speakers:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psca474505.jpg
















And there you have it! My completed project:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psca0695eb.jpg


Did run into a little and somewhat time-consuming delay. I could not for the life of my get 2 sticks of 4gb to work on this motherboard. Played with all the timings and voltages. I got 2x1gb to work fine, but opted for 1x4gb.






As usual, I will be taking a big set of final pictures, so give me a little time to produce and edit...

Nice result & looks :up:. Only i have a bit suspicions about white surface being a bit too easily dirtyable, witch pc/cabinet being used in workshop and such.
BTW, why not bolt/hardfix speakers to surfaces or walls of cabinet? +maybe hide cables of speakers to go within or behind walls ..

The surface is melamine, which is pretty durable and cleanable. And inexpensive and available. As for surface dust, I will take care of it the old fashion way--clean it! Not like a different colored surface will have less dust, just hide it a little better?

My experience with computer speakers is that give up the ghost every now and then. My thought is that this cabinet will probably outlast the speakers, which is why I'm hesitant to permanently mount them.

Regarding speaker cables, actually I did create some routing tunnels:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psce468aee.jpg

Cabinet PC Completed


I’m going to include a very quick summary of the build, for people who might be joining in and don’t want to work their way thru the whole log.


Cabinet PC was my attempt to put together a quick scratch built mod with the following ideas in mind:

1) Based on a simple box cabinet

2) Inexpensive

3) Houses a system on a accessible slide-out try

4) Large worktop

5) Function as a portable PC with music/speakers, primarily for my modding/woodworking shop.






Here were my intial design sketches:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse45b2f89.jpg








http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps54279243.jpg












Fabrication proceeded with standard hardware stuff like plywood, melamine tops, kitchen drawer slides, hinges, etc.




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Lots of painting and staining:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps074212bb.jpg














And final assembly:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps5879dac5.jpg

And here’s my baby!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psb9ac2316.jpg



Double cabinet--lower compartment for storage, upper for the PC.

Wing shelves for the speakers.

Large worktop.

All on a rolling chassis.









Closer look at my desktop:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps30f671b6.jpg



Large work area made of white melamine. Monitor stand holds the monitor and has under-storage for the keyboard. Got a mouse, USB hub, and speaker controls.

The monitor is bolted down to withstand the vibrations of this unit on the go.









http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psb1c1c7a3.jpg


Here I’ve got my switching panel.
Domed button = Power on.
Flat button = Reset.
Blue LED = Power.
Green LED = HDD activity.


The USB hub is a Rosewill 7 port.


Moving down to under the worktop, I’ve got wing shelves that hold the speakers.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps369fbe7c.jpg



I’ve got a triple 120mm fan intake on this side of the upper box of the cabinet, which houses the PC components. The fans are all on a fan controller, keeping them pretty quiet. They also all have critical dust filters, as this whole system will be spending most of its time in my modding/woodworking shop.

For my speakers, I’ve got a Logitech X240 2.1 system.















http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps418c73ce.jpg


On the other side, at this level, are the 2 120mm fan exhausts.
3 fan intakes, 2 exhausts--I’m try to keep positive pressure as another measure of dust control.

Here you can really see the basic cabinet box base for the project:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psa8cb5245.jpg


The structure of it all is a box of ?” plywood. There are 2 large side panels, a bottom, a cross shelf, and a backer panel. All the joints are dado/rabbets, glued and nailed, meaning this thing is strong.

Also, the cabinet is mounted to a rolling chasis, which is really just a square of 2x4, stained, and with wheels. The front wheels lock, and the rear wheels turn.











Open the doors and now you can see the internal storage.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps492779b6.jpg


As you can see, the upper box holds my system components.

The larger lower box has shelving, and the UPS, (which truly makes this a mobile workstation).




















To open the doors, I used a push-to-open latch, a system I’ve used before on many mods (and so already had the latches sitting on a shelf).


Video:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3194a3d2.jpg

(Click to Play)






The upper box is an enclosed unit containing my PC components:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps723cac28.jpg














The system is mounted on a single tray, that slides out on kitchen drawer sliders. In fact, just like a kitchen drawer, it can be easily completely removed.

There is a bit of a procedure to do so, however, due to all the cables and whatnot. But it actually only takes a few seconds--in fact here it is in video.




Step 1
Access the back hatch and disconnect all the i/o cables (monitor cable, USB ports, ethernet port, audio):



(Video)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps48f6e279.jpg

(Click to Play)











Step 2
Open the front cabinet door, and disconnect 3 cables:
1) 4 pin molex to fan controller
2) PSU cable
3) Switch cables (power-on, reset, power LED, HDD activity LED)


Step 3
Slide out tray, and remove


(Video)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps2b127b65.jpg

(Click to Play)








Here is the system I’ve got mounted, all of which were parts scavenged from previous builds:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps6d6339db.jpg


Core 2 Duo e8600
Gigabyte EP45 UD3R
4gb G.skill RAM
Thermalright AXP-140
Corsair HX620 psu
Kingston 128gb SSD
Asus AX550

Let’s push around to the backside


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps8b5e8976.jpg


Got cable storage for power to the UPS and ethernet.

















The backside hatch opens (push-to-open latch, again).


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psf8dbe5f6.jpg


Fair number of cables, tried my best to keep it clean.

Also you can see the fan controller.

Couple more pics:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps5dc83e0e.jpg












http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3e0428f1.jpg



















http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps30622c0c.jpg


Nice glossy paint job!











http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psbcaf032b.jpg









And there you have!

Sturdy, rolling, workshop PC and music station.

Let me list my sponsors.....








.

No wait!


Build a rolling PC station?

Got to take it for a ride!





.

(Video)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psf2cf12d1.jpg

(Click to Play)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pse0182acb.jpg










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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps096b8e49.jpg








There you have it.

In case you were curious, with my old UPS APC, I was able to stream Pandora with the speakers on loud for about 1 hour.


Lets get to some lists:



Items I already had:

System components: Core 2 Duo e8600, Gigabyte EP45 UD3R, 4gb G.skill RAM, Thermalright AXP-140, Corsair HX620 psu, Kingston 128gb SSD, Asus AX550, APC UPS, fans, fan controller, mouse, keyboard, USB hub, monitor, Logitech x250 2.1 speakers, switch panel, Edimax USB wireless unit. (~$700)
Screws/nails (~$10)
Plastic fan mount panels + dust filters (~$30)
System tray bracketry ($15)
Melamine stock ($30)




Item purchased:

Stock plywood
3/4” Main structure ($45)
1/2” system tray, floating shelf, shelf pins ($20)
1/4” backer panel ($10)
2x4 lumber ($10)
Caster wheels ($10)
Hinges ($18)
Cable management ($15)
Stain and polyurethane ($30)
Drawer slides ($15)
Push to open latches (~$7)
Cable hooks ($8)


I think that’s about it.

So started with about $785 in components and spent about $188.
And took me about 3 months of work.



No sponsors, but my usual sources:
mcmaster.com
rockler.com
home depot
lowe’s
delvie’s plastics
performance-pcs
frozencpu
jab-tech



Special thanks to my wife, and everyone at ocforums, theraptorpit, and xtremesys forums.


Navig



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psea5ed8aa.jpg




*** I've just posted my entire Complete Project, for a quick link to the start of the Completed Section, click --> Here <-- ***

I wonder if some mod is possible with big capacity auto accumulator batteries in cabinet for lengthy socket&wire free action :). May require some PSU mod though.