09/10 Project

[Oli4v]

Great job again !

[shazza]

Another good update, Callen. ( It might have been SNiiPE_DoGG's work log where you saw the drilling for the PSU wires)

@ Xion - I imagine the offset on the bracket is due to how the door fits onto the front of the case.

[dingdong555]

Top job AGAIN Callen...

P.S. Love the Union Jack!

[callen_1]

Seriously Callen...I can't get this stupid smile off my face after seeing the level of execution you bring to the poker table.

Love love love (yes. that's THREE Loves ) what you did to create the holes for your power/reset switches. Reminds me a little of CyberDruid's Side Window Cut out tutorial but like...oompla loopaed. lolz

Enjoyed the pic explanation on how to eliminate "drilling drift", which takes more skill than Tokyo drift. heh.

I lack the online vocab to thoroughly express how much I enjoy your gift, me hearty! Seriously. The level in which you execute your fabrication ideas is just friggin' amazing. (chalk up another amazing from me.)

My turn to stir:

How did you get all this done and still have time to have Easter dinner with the fam? Spill publically here. Now.

I always love your comments, they're complementary yet extremely entertaining at the same time.

As far as family dinner goes, well the olds pissed off on holidays and left me to look after their place. So my easter family dinner was a subway by myself, and a dozen of my dads beers with my mates

Your manner of 'hitting' and 'jumping on' things is quite unlike any other I have seen.

Just brilliant.

Thanks, karbonkid. I find swinging my dremel by the cord is the easiest way to get the best results. I dunno how it works, maybe i'm just lucky??

Great job on that PCI-e mod. You'll just have to make sure that you stick with cards with two six-pins and not an eight-pin like the new 480 or 5970 has.

I do have a question. Was it intentional for this piece right here not to line up on that right edge? (I'm sure it probably is and you just forgot to explain it.)

Cheers, Xion. I have no intention of getting new cards any time soon but, if the time ever did arise, it'd be a relatively easy fix.

As for the piece in the pic, it's actually an original case part and that's how it's meant to be. It's to allow the door to swing open.

Great job again !

Thanks, bud. Its really appreciated

Another good update, Callen. ( It might have been SNiiPE_DoGG's work log where you saw the drilling for the PSU wires)

@ Xion - I imagine the offset on the bracket is due to how the door fits onto the front of the case.

Thanks, Shazza , but it wasn't from one of Sniipe's logs, although i don't doubt for a second he hadn't done it before. It was a more recent log and the guy had passthrough fittings on his mobo tray.

Your also spot on about the offset, here, have a banana sticker

Top job AGAIN Callen...

P.S. Love the Union Jack!

Cheers, bro. Glad you liked it

[Kibbler]

Hmm...

If I may, this is the first time where I'm not 100% behind your work. Rather, 99% behind you and 1% hesitation.

I imagine a case like this one should last through a few hardware cycles (more to the point I like to design for contingency), so what about GPUs that need 8pin connectors?

So my 2c...

My idea would be to drill out 8x4 holes (add 4 holes to each "end" of what you've just drilled) in the acrylic. Drill and tap 2 holes at the front and back of the wire pass-thru holes. Then cut out a larger...um, cutout, in the upper midplate (need to widen the cutout in the original midplate as well, but not as much, just enough to clear the holes). Make 3 more plates with 6x4, 8x4, 6x2+8x2 pass-thru holes respectively, drill and countersink 2 holes in each plate to match the 2 tapped holes in the acrylic. There you go, interchangeable plates for GPUs with different power requirements. Something like that.

EDIT:
Just saw that Xion mentioned a similar thing, I'm late to the party.
I think you're thinking of NaMcO's recent project named...The Project (iirc).

[callen_1]

Hmm...

If I may, this is the first time where I'm not 100% behind your work. Rather, 99% behind you and 1% hesitation.

I imagine a case like this one should last through a few hardware cycles (more to the point I like to design for contingency), so what about GPUs that need 8pin connectors?

So my 2c...

My idea would be to drill out 8x4 holes (add 4 holes to each "end" of what you've just drilled) in the acrylic. Drill and tap 2 holes at the front and back of the wire pass-thru holes. Then cut out a larger...um, cutout, in the upper midplate (need to widen the cutout in the original midplate as well, but not as much, just enough to clear the holes). Make 3 more plates with 6x4, 8x4, 6x2+8x2 pass-thru holes respectively, drill and countersink 2 holes in each plate to match the 2 tapped holes in the acrylic. There you go, interchangeable plates for GPUs with different power requirements. Something like that.

EDIT:
Just saw that Xion mentioned a similar thing, I'm late to the party.
I think you're thinking of NaMcO's recent project named...The Project (iirc).

I completely understand where you guys are coming from about the need for the extra holes to future proof the case (and here come the buts) but i'm only going to worry about that when the time comes.

The plate which covers the acrylic may look simple but it actually contains hours and hours of work to get it just how i want it. To make more of those would also mean i'd have to re-do the acrylic too, as i wouldn't be able to line up the screw holes perfectly again without messing up the thread.

I know, i know i'm making excuses but had i changed it to accommodate for later, the final result would still look exactly as it does now, only with hidden holes.

On top of all that, i'll probably build a new system when i need to upgrade anyway haha (why do i waste my money like this , because its fun says the devil on my shoulder )


EDIT: Yeah it was NaMcO's build, thanks man, and thanks NaMcO

[Xion X2]

@ callen - gotcha. I wasn't sure there was a door on the front of the case. Makes perfect sense, then.

[aka_GK]

damn, you did that again such a precise cuts

[charles_h]

IMHO, this build truly represents the next level in craftsmanship, integration and execution.

Frankly, I have no idea how its going to turn out but that's part of the enjoyment. There's something to be said about not initially showing final concept renders and instead allowing us to take this remarkable journey - revealing as you go. I believe you know what you're doing as that's abundantly evident in your work. I'm fully confident that from what I've seen so far, it will surely be a masterpiece.

This really is an awesomely inspiring project. Thanks for sharing your work Callen; lead on my friend.

p.s.

/high-five!

[Colossous]

IMHO, this build truly represents the next level in craftsmanship, integration and execution.

Frankly, I have no idea how its going to turn out but that's part of the enjoyment. There's something to be said about not initially showing final concept renders and instead allowing us to take this remarkable journey - revealing as you go. I believe you know what you're doing as that's abundantly evident in your work. I'm fully confident that from what I've seen so far, it will surely be a masterpiece.

This really is an awesomely inspiring project. Thanks for sharing your work Callen; lead on my friend.

p.s.

/high-five!

Could not have put it better to be honest

[Red-5]

Great update. Such precise work and meticulous execution.
Already looking forward to your next update.

[kgtiger]

Excellent work mate!

I really liked NaMcO's idea about having the GPU cables go through the mid plate like he did.
It looked excellent in his case and if by chance your planing to light it up with blue LEDs from underneath the mid plate, then it's gone to look Fantastic.

Well done Champ.

[callen_1]

Sorry for the late reply, guys. I didn't wanna bump the thread until i had an update ready, and i finally have something. But first i'd like to thank some people, it's well overdue

@ callen - gotcha. I wasn't sure there was a door on the front of the case. Makes perfect sense, then.

That's cool, man. I wouldn't be at all surprised if people forgot which case i even started with, the project's been going on for that long and there's not a whole lot of the original case left .

damn, you did that again such a precise cuts

Thanks, aka_GK . I hope you like it

IMHO, this build truly represents the next level in craftsmanship, integration and execution.

Frankly, I have no idea how its going to turn out but that's part of the enjoyment. There's something to be said about not initially showing final concept renders and instead allowing us to take this remarkable journey - revealing as you go. I believe you know what you're doing as that's abundantly evident in your work. I'm fully confident that from what I've seen so far, it will surely be a masterpiece.

This really is an awesomely inspiring project. Thanks for sharing your work Callen; lead on my friend.

p.s.

/high-five!

Thanks for the incredible complement, Charles. I've told you before and i'll say it again and again and again.. your work is some of the MOST (if not the most) inspiring artwork i've ever seen and the reason i started this project (and hopefully many more )!

I know it seems like i'm probably keeping people in the dark when it comes to the overall design, but it's not intentional. The project, as it stands, is completely different to what i had first imagined. I wish i had a plan to follow sometimes, i probably would have been finished by now if that were the case. But overall i'm happy with the results, and every day at work i come up with new ideas to add to the case . Sometime in the near future i will learn to render though, i think it looks awesomely fun, not to mention useful

Thanks again, mate. High-five (Hai-ya! /high-five noise)

Could not have put it better to be honest

Thank you too, Colossous .

Great update. Such precise work and meticulous execution.
Already looking forward to your next update.

Cheers, Red-5. I'm happy with the result but by god it's time consuming

Excellent work mate!

I really liked NaMcO's idea about having the GPU cables go through the mid plate like he did.
It looked excellent in his case and if by chance your planing to light it up with blue LEDs from underneath the mid plate, then it's gone to look Fantastic.

Well done Champ.

Thanks, Graham . NaMcO's idea was great! Unfortunately once the GPUs are in place the holes wont be seen at all, so no LEDs for me .


I'll have another update shortly

[josk1]

will be waiting, don't worry, your updates are worthy enough for us to wait...

[callen_1]

will be waiting, don't worry, your updates are worthy enough for us to wait...

i appreciate it, mate. I just wish i could get more done sooner....stupid job making me stupid work all the stupid time rabble rabble rabble....

[callen_1]

Ok it's been a while but i'm ready to post something . I've done quite a bit of work but for some reason i tend to
start work on something, finish about 20%, then move onto something else. So it wasn't until recently that i actually
got around to finishing (or at least finished enough of) a few parts to make it worth posting.


I've changed a few things and i'm sure some people will question the choices i made, but most of the parts i changed
aren't finished yet so please don't judge on first impressions


Anyway, I'll be quiet now and get into it ;



First of all i decided to take the advice of Kibbler and Xion X2 and fix the midplate to accommodate 8-pin GPU cables.
I didn't want the extra holes in the midplate cover, so i marked exactly where i need to drill on the under-side
instead. This will make life much easier if i decide to upgrade the GPUs. The acrylic, however, has been fully drilled
out -





Thanks for the advice, guys. I think you were right and i'm glad i changed it



I also secured the acrylic to the door and PSU bracket, and made backside covers too -























To help with tubing runs i've decided to make a small mod to the acrylic on the mobo tray. I'll show you exactly what
i'll be doing with it in a future update but for now, this is all you get -







Thanks for the forstner idea, Rick -







The acrylic was easy. The mild steel..... not so much . So i got through as much as i could until the bit died and
finished the rest with a drill and dremel -



















Lastly i had to cut the hole in the mobo tray. The bit sill had enough life to cut 1 last rough hole -









The hole in the following pic may appear off centre with the hole in the acrylic, but it's just bad light. I'll show more in
the next update -






Right, next up is a pump bracket. They need to be at slightly different levels otherwise they'd look a bit odd when the
tubing is installed. It still needs bending too which i plan to do when i make a pan brake some time soon -















A bit of fine tuning left and some small mods to the pumps but other than that it turned out ok.



I've been playing with some mesh lately too -






I didn't like the back of the case too much or the look/design of the side panels so i started on some more. The
diagonal theme i had going will still be there but it will be different to the original -







Using a scalpel to mark the aluminum works really well. It's harder to see than pen but when i'm cutting on the router
i don't have to stop and measure as often because the line is so fine and accurate. All i need to do is cut until the
line is juuust gone -

















To get accurate markings for the thumbscrew holes i screwed in the thumbscrews from the inside until they were just
poking out the other side. After i screwed a thumbscrew in each corner i lined up the new backplate and gave the
corners a tap with the hammer -

















I also needed to secure the mobo tray. I decided to get rid of the old bracket which was just a piece of 90 degree
aluminum angle riveted to the mobo tray. I replaced it with some solid aluminum square bar instead which i drilled and
tapped. This saved me drilling out rivets every time i needed to pull the mobo tray apart -









Old style -





New -






At this point i needed to secure it to the new back plate before i could finish it off -





I drilled through the back plate and marked the bracket at the same time so the holes would line up -
















Now that the bracket had been tapped and fitted i could take it off and finish it -










I also had a chance to make a sweet new bench. It has a steel frame and 1" MDF surface so it's super-duper solid
-





I convinced my old man to buy a mig welder. He always said he wanted one so it's win win -





Practice makes perfect(ish) -































I was going to have the nut welded on the inside of the leg but changed my mind last second so i could have that
little bit of extra height. in the end i should have had it on the inside because the bench ended up a fraction too high
:angry: -










I decided i wanted to make my own thumb screws after i had a lot of trouble finding nice after-market M3
thumbscrews for my lian li case. So, i get to add another tool to the collection. I can now do lots of other things too
and i'll show some further down -








And here my fancy new workshop (yaaaay ) -












I started the side panels next using 3mm aluminum sheet -









Halfway through the damn laminate trimmer bit me lol -











Next day -






The blood's a bit dramatic because the cut's not that bad lol I just liked the shot . I got very, very, very lucky! I
could dive into the whole gloves/no gloves debate here but i just can't work in them. In this particular case i think
they would have made things worse, as they might have caught up and done all kinds of damage, but who knows.


So back to the panel -






And that's it for them. I need to finish other stuff before i can continue.


I got some parts back from the laser cutters too. If all goes well the new parts should look all right when they're
finished, but this is all i've done so far.


First i needed to make some more cuts in the back plate and face plate -











Because of the way the faceplate was cut at the water jet cutters, each corner had a different radius after routing.
Although i liked the corners with a bit of a radius, they still needed to be sharpened -







Backplate -











This is the reason for the new holes -





After routing -















One last obstacle -











The next stage was some mesh -













I looks too rough from the inside like that so i did some more cutting -

























I like that much better . You won't be able to tell from the outside, but from the inside it's much neater. I still need
to do more work on the acrylic and remove the protective layer on the mesh so it still looks a bit crappy, but i'll save
that for another update.



I also started on the buttons but i'll need to re-do them as there are some small kinks i need to work out -



































That's all for that. I should have the new ones finished for next update, and don't worry about how they look ATM
because they're gonna change a lot. The screws will also be re-made from steel.



Next up is a bit of work i've been doing on the lathe.


I hate how the weight of the waterblocks on the GPUs causes them to sag over time, so this is my attempt at a fix -







That hole goes through both the steel cover and the acrylic so it could be tapped -





Get the height of the cards (like my pretty yellow gloves? ) -













Spun it around and drilled out the other end -











I did that twice and made an end piece too -









Meh, it works, but it looks a bit crappy so i decided to fix it -





Better, but not quite. They're still too fat, a bit more work should do it -







That's better. I think it looks pretty good like that .



I also bought some solid copper round bar with 19mm diameter to play around with. I don't want my tubing to veer off
at funny angles so, if all goes to plan, this piece i'm making will help with that. It's not finished yet but hopefully by
the next update it will be ready and you'll see what i plan to do with it -









I like the shape of the bitspower fittings so i did my best to replicate it -







Unfortunately there was too much heat to drill through the whole thing. I will be buying a coolant system to solve
that but for now that's all for the copper work i've done.



Lastly i made some new case feet. I still need to buy some longer M3 screws and boar out the bottom slightly to
stick in some rubber pads, but they're pretty much finished -























Well that's it and that's all . I'll try to stick to working on 1 part at a time and make my updates smaller and more
frequent.

Oh, and on a last note, this update is quite large lol (better late than never :p)


Thanks for checking in guys,

Callen

[h20xide]

great work! enjoying this worklog,
+ access to nice machinery

[bianco]

beautiful work Callen.
not sure if i want it completed so soon... watching each step is entertaining.
gotta admire your skills... and tenacity; working inspite that injury!
you deserve all the praise!

[Colossous]

Gets better and better

[josk1]

i really don't know what else can i say...

[Antioch]

Wow, that was amazing. Absolutely awesome. Keep it up!!!

[TOM-UK]

great update
had wondered where this project had gone

[nlancaster]

sweet!

[y0gi]

Geez, man! Every day i search these threads and every day i'm blown away. This build is by far the sickest yet and from Oz no less. Keep up the awesome work mate, cant wait for the finished result.

[Red-5]

It's good to have a nice chunky update to read and look at. I really like your workshop. Very neat and tidy. Love that router table.
Such a fantastic machine that gives an accurate and neat finish to all cuts.
Simply amazing work there mate. Really looking forward to your next update.