--- r e f l e X i o n ---

[Xion X2]

WOOT!!!!

More work.

Looks great bud, Keep it up.

Thanks man.

Looks like you're having fun, nice work, I enjoy watching this build.

Thanks, Weevil.. glad you're enjoying the build.

Well done, I am glad you score the perspex first.
Looks good.

Thanks, kg. There was one time, I think, where I had a brain fart and forgot to score and started to bend the brake. When the plexi didn't give as much, I remembered.

That SSD "case" will look so good

Thanks, TMWH. I'm very excited about implementing the zero gravity concept.


Things have been moving kind of slow this week, because I'm at the stage where I need to do some cutting, and I just don't have a place to do it around here. I took my jig to a piece of 050 Alu last night, and my neighbor started to yell at me. Never mind the fact that I can hear her and her boyfriend fighting every other day through our thin walls.

So I'll be trekking up to dad's again this weekend for some more fun with power tools and will be working on the following:

- L and U brackets for zero gravity drives (perspex cuts have been made)
- Mockup of zero gravity chamber so that I can test the components inside and make a final decision on whether to display the pump windows or the zero gravity SSD windows toward the open side of the case
- Cut shelves for the zero gravity chamber
- Cut/modify case frame to accommodate the zero gravity chamber
- Experimenting with various wire management solutions

Going to be a busy weekend!

[Vinas]

Why would people want to see the SSD sticker?

Well, I was thinking that when they are in the case it looks like two rubber parts. You can't really see what they are. We know that they are SSDs, but to add to the bling I'd show the tops off. In my build the SSDs are right next to the window and people always comment on it at LANs. Anyway, it's just a thought. Instead of two boring rubber looking devices I'd show the tops off so you can see what they actually are.

[Weevil]

Well, I was thinking that when they are in the case it looks like two rubber parts. You can't really see what they are. We know that they are SSDs, but to add to the bling I'd show the tops off. In my build the SSDs are right next to the window and people always comment on it at LANs. Anyway, it's just a thought. Instead of two boring rubber looking devices I'd show the tops off so you can see what they actually are.

You would be hard pressed to find one person on these forums that wouldn't know what those " rubber looking devices" are.

[kgtiger]

If I remember correctly Xion, way back when I was an apprentice.
.050" is 18 gauge, which is 1.4mm.
If you are just cutting straight lines then try cutting the ali with a very sharp knife, like a Stanly knife and straight edge.

A bit like the perspex. After 2-3 hard cuts you should either be threw it or really close. Then just bend along the cut, keep flexing and it will brake.
Will need a quick file to clean up.

[Xion X2]

Hey, guys. I cut the L and U mounting brackets for the drives today. I should have the shelves cut tomorrow for the zero gravity chamber, and I'll post an update with pictures tomorrow night.

Well, I was thinking that when they are in the case it looks like two rubber parts. You can't really see what they are. We know that they are SSDs, but to add to the bling I'd show the tops off. In my build the SSDs are right next to the window and people always comment on it at LANs. Anyway, it's just a thought. Instead of two boring rubber looking devices I'd show the tops off so you can see what they actually are.

The top stickers will show just fine. The drives will be right up against the window; I don't think anyone will have any trouble seeing that they're OCZ drives. I don't want to slant the drives because I think that would take away from the weightless appearance that they have when sitting perpendicular to the window. Also, I want the res tops to be able to show clearly from behind.

You would be hard pressed to find one person on these forums that wouldn't know what those " rubber looking devices" are.

If I remember correctly Xion, way back when I was an apprentice.
.050" is 18 gauge, which is 1.4mm.
If you are just cutting straight lines then try cutting the ali with a very sharp knife, like a Stanly knife and straight edge.

A bit like the perspex. After 2-3 hard cuts you should either be threw it or really close. Then just bend along the cut, keep flexing and it will brake.
Will need a quick file to clean up.

I might try that, thanks.

[millertime359]

Hey, guys. I cut the L and U mounting brackets for the drives today. I should have the shelves cut tomorrow for the zero gravity chamber, and I'll post an update with pictures tomorrow night.

Slacker.

[Xion X2]

Time for another update.

The zero gravity chamber is... well, it's still not complete, but it's getting close. All the pieces are cut now, and it's just a matter of drilling some holes, a little bending here and there, and then assembling. So it shouldn't be too much longer. There are some final measurements that need to be taken to ensure, once again, that everything is going to fit ok (it is really, REALLY tight in there) before the chamber cover is bent. Because once it's bent, there's no turning back.

To start, I set up the jig to cut the L mounting brackets for the drives. I used 36 TPI blades. Getting a smooth cut with a jig can be difficult, but these finer blades cut cleaner than anything else that I've tried.




Focus, focus.. cut along that line. Don't blink, sneeze, or do anything stupid...





Hmmm, not bad. Could be a little better or could be a lot worse. I'll go with it and take a file to it to clean it up some.



Oops. In my eagerness to get all this done I forgot to snap off a shot of the U mounting brackets being cut. (That's them on the left, the thicker pieces.) Ah, who cares, right? If you've seen 1,000 rectangular jig cuts, you've seen them all.

The file cleaned the pieces up nice, and when checked against the square, they were all fairly close.

The next morning, I woke up and, after eating breakfast, walked outside to take in some scenery. It was 37 degrees this morning, and there was frost on the ground. I thought it would make for some nice pictures, so I decided to snap off a few shots before getting back to the grind (a.k.a. project).





The lighting was just right for these pics. Not too bright, not too dark. And I thought the low hanging cloud over the mountain was a nice touch.

Ok, back to work.

Let's mark off the shelves that will be mounted inside the Zero G Chamber. There are two shelves that need to be cut. One for the top pump/res and SSDs, one for the bottom two.



Oooook. And time to break out the jig again.



Looking pretty good there...

Exciting stuff, I know. I can sense that you're on the edge of your seats with anticipation of what will come next. For those of you outside the US, I can hear your snores from overseas.

Let's spice things up a bit.

To have the Zero G Chamber fit properly, the existing drive cage needs to be removed from the internal structure. So, time to get those rivets out once and for all.



Anyone want to take a guess at how many rivet heads you can fit on a drill bit? Anyone ever try?



Ooooh boy, there's no turning back now. Mark, if you're reading this, Kansas' "The Point of No Return" has never played so loud inside my head.



Case = destroyed.

Such a tragedy. She lived a short but meaningful life. Sacrificing herself for the good of the modding community. They looked on in delight as she was broken apart piece by piece, rivet by rivet.

Let us have a brief moment of silence for the Cosmos S that no longer is...

...



..




(eulogy)





.............

(looks at watch)


......




.............................


......................... (something mentioned about good Cosmos go to Heaven...)





.................................................. .....

(closing hymn)






.........


Ok, enough of that...


The Cosmos S that was has now officially become the ever evolving "refleXion." A continuous evolution of ideas, some nutso, some possible, few practical.




Well, I really wasn't LYING when I said I'd add a little spice to this update. So let's pick up the pace a little.

Here comes the Sonic boom:



A new tool that my dad introduced me to over the weekend, the Sonic Cutter. 8)

No moving parts. Uses a static blade mounted onto the end that simply vibrates at insane speeds and inherently cuts away the material in its path. "Faster than an electric toothbrush," dad said. Hmm, sounds interesting. Let's give it a go on the drive cage to see how it does.

Why break this new tool out? Well, the drive cage will be a somewhat awkward cut on what is rather thin material. A jig would probably work just fine, but it may cut a little rough since the cage material is so thin. The wheel attachment for the Sonic is much finer than a jig blade as you'll see below.

We'll just test it on an unimportant section of the drive cage first to see how it does.





Hmm, not bad. And the blade barely saw any heat at all. This might be a good tool to use for modifying the cage.

Unfortunately, I ran out of time right as I was about to give it some decent play. Cutting that cage will have to wait for a little while.

After arriving back home, I set all the completed parts out on my studio (seems like there should be a lot more, as always...) for a few finished shots. No tripod for these (still deep in the trunk of my car) so they're not quite as good as I'd hoped, but they'll do. Hope you enjoy.

[aka_GK]

wow sonic cutter it must be powerfull
nice update as usual!

[Antioch]

Actually, there are moving parts in that tool - the blade just doesn't spin like a normal saw. There's a motor inside that moves to make the head vibrate quickly (and with enough force) to cut metal. Cool tool though, but it looks like you'd get uneven wear on the blade depending on how you use it

[Xion X2]

wow sonic cutter it must be powerfull
nice update as usual!

Thanks, aka_GK!

Actually, there are moving parts in that tool - the blade just doesn't spin like a normal saw. There's a motor inside that moves to make the head vibrate quickly (and with enough force) to cut metal. Cool tool though, but it looks like you'd get uneven wear on the blade depending on how you use it

That's actually what I meant; I just misworded. Should've said "no moving blade(s).

[Xyllian]

I have one of those too, ace for cutting baseboards when already mounted W/O destroying the hardwood!

Waiting 4 another update dude, keep it up!

[millertime359]

Nice update.

[weston]

that side panel looks great man, turned out really nice! Keep up the good work, and get this thing done!

[dingdong555]

Can't wait for this to be finished! (In a good way :P I want to see final shots!)

[kgtiger]

Dam! that Sonic Cutter looks just like the tool that the pathologists use in a autopsy to remove the top of the skull
and to cut throw the breastbone, it just needs to be made out of stainless steel and it would be a dead ringa.

Nice work there man, not sure how you can go through so many blades cutting ali, but the fact that you got there in the end is the main point.

As you havan't finished cutting everything out, does that mean we need to wait till next weekend for the next update?

[Mabyboi]

MY god.... that side pannel is UNREAL, great update though! cant wait for the next one!!

[Xion X2]

I have one of those too, ace for cutting baseboards when already mounted W/O destroying the hardwood!

Waiting 4 another update dude, keep it up!

Yeah, it seems great for controlled cutting.

Nice update.

Thanks man.

that side panel looks great man, turned out really nice! Keep up the good work, and get this thing done!

Much appreciated, weston!

Can't wait for this to be finished! (In a good way :P I want to see final shots!)

You and me both.

Dam! that Sonic Cutter looks just like the tool that the pathologists use in a autopsy to remove the top of the skull
and to cut throw the breastbone, it just needs to be made out of stainless steel and it would be a dead ringa.

Nice work there man, not sure how you can go through so many blades cutting ali, but the fact that you got there in the end is the main point.

As you havan't finished cutting everything out, does that mean we need to wait till next weekend for the next update?

Autopsy ... well, it's fitting since the Cosmos was effectively dead by that point.

And, what about the blades, kg? Only one was used.. the 36TPI.

Next update should be either tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll be bending the mounting brackets and drilling holes in them and the plexi to mount the SSDs.

MY god.... that side pannel is UNREAL, great update though! cant wait for the next one!!

Thanks man.

Any of you guys see 2012 yet? Went to see it tonight and thought it was pretty wicked.


Ok, back to the build for a second. First H20 concept shots:



I'm thinking my temps should be pretty good. Feedback is welcomed.

[Weevil]

Ok, back to the build for a second. First H20 concept shots:



I'm thinking my temps should be pretty good. Feedback is welcomed.

I hope that's distilled, where will you put the silver coil?

[woffen]

I hope that's distilled, where will you put the silver coil?

The flow is looking killer.

[kgtiger]

Sorry Xion, my apology.
As I read threw your update, I read " I used 36 TPI blades. Getting a smooth cut with a jig can be difficult"
Sorry I just took it to mean just that, that you had in fact used/worn out 36 TPI blades.
I am actually glade to hear I was wrong, as I think this might have been some of the reason hannibal lecter lost the plot.
No that can't be right, he would have used the Sonic Cutter given half a chance.

[millertime359]

I don't think you will have a concern with your flow rates. Might have an issue finding enough PT Nuke though.

[Xion X2]

Sorry Xion, my apology.
As I read threw your update, I read " I used 36 TPI blades. Getting a smooth cut with a jig can be difficult"
Sorry I just took it to mean just that, that you had in fact used/worn out 36 TPI blades.
I am actually glade to hear I was wrong, as I think this might have been some of the reason hannibal lecter lost the plot.
No that can't be right, he would have used the Sonic Cutter given half a chance.

You guys and that saw...

Over on bit-tech they're calling it the Hannibal Saw now. In my next update when I use it, maybe I'll take a self portrait of me holding it with a surgical mask on.

The flow is looking killer.

Thanks.

Might have an issue finding enough PT Nuke though.

Already thought of that.

[Neox69]

Intersting updates! Lol, you keep me in such suspense!

[Xion X2]

Intersting updates! Lol, you keep me in such suspense!

Glad to be of service.

[Wezly]

Zomg