**** PHINIX NANO TOWER **** Smallest and most powerful mITX rig !!!

[UrbanSmooth]

Slow and steady. Easy does it.

[phinix_mike]

Slow and steady. Easy does it.

I will do! Thanks man

[phinix_mike]

Guys, I finished the front panel design. Now, I have two versions, difference is very small - small hex shapes in version 1 are fully covered with balck aluminium, version 2 has a bit smaller aluminium parts where acrylic ones come out on edges a bit.
Imagine that both versions are lighten up from behind with yellow led, every single hex shape.
Version 1 is more stealth, light will glow around hex shapes only if the pc is on. Second version will have small yellow edges, however mind that even if pc is off, they won't be seen so easily cause background will be black and this transparent yellow acrylic doesn't look great on black surface...




What do you guys think? Version 1? Or second? Isn't the second one too "honeycomb"?
I think I prefer version 1, more mistique, more stealth, more "nano".

But wanted to hear your thoughts.

[UrbanSmooth]

The second (bottom one).

The top one seems like it's missing something. The second one completes that which is missing.

[OC Maximus]

V2 hands down.

[alpha0ne]

The top one does it for me .............the one with the honeycomb seems to be 'over done ' IMHO

[OC Maximus]

Overdone, No freaking way! V2 is subtle enough with all the black and enough yellow to highlight whats important. V2 is Nano enough.

Just my opinion though. Either one looks great.

[aka_GK]

if honeycombs still be lightened in option 1 (didn't get your idea tbh), I vote for ONE.

[phinix_mike]

Sorry guys, I know, I should ahve explained more what is going to be there.

See, there are 3 layers there - first one is main full aluminium panel (that grey one), then there is acrylic 3mm yeallos one, which is the same shape as 2mm aluminium third layer. I will moount lots of leds behing that acrylic, so even if the small acrylic hex shapes won't stick out from behind of small aluminum hex shapes, they will still be lighten up with leds.
version 1 basically has fully covered those small 14 hex shapes. But it still will be lighten up with yellow leds, only difference will eb that you won't see lighten up acrylic edge from the front of the case, only looking from angle you will see those small hex shapes lighten up. However, looking from the front you will see "yellow glow" around those shapes. That is why it is different - it makes it more misterious, giving only the glow around, not edges.
From all my logs form 5 different forums, 95% voted for version 2. I am only affraided if that version 2 won't be "too crouded", too much details on the front, too much going on. Version 1 is more subtle I think....

[UrbanSmooth]

Oh, ok.

Version 2.

[OC Maximus]

The one after the first one

[leo_bsb]

second

[Johnny87au]

definately second, first is 2 plain!

[The[R]eaper]

Number 2

[phinix_mike]

Jeeez... everyone wants to see second version!

Thanks for your opinion guys!

OK ... it's time for small update.
First few days ago small envelope came to me - M3 full nuts for panel covers. We decided we are going to use button head screws, so I needed these...




Now, here is something that I found out few days ago....
Both, top and bottom acrylic panels supposed to touch top and bottom aluminium panels, but there were M6 screws on its way on each corner. I don't really wanted to cut out holes in acrylic to hide those screw heads. So I ordered some countersink screws...

Problem....






Solution...




Result...






Nice and clean, exactly as I wanted it to be.

Now, I don't remember showing you my new mobo tray...






OK. Now another thing.. I tried to make a "mock-up" of that hex shape that will be on the front panel. I used some black cd envelope for it, so please don't laugh:blush:














So.. I don't know.. I'm still liking the first version, cause it's kinda stealth, but still can be seen. It is the shape that needs to be exposed, not a lot of light. That small, gentle glow around hex shape looks nice. You will still beable to see egde from some angle, which will be shiny yellow. Well, I can always file down a bit all edges of those aluminium pieces on top to make that edge anyway. First would be great to see it all on satin black powder coated case


So that is it for now...

...and once again at the end of this update.... Isn't that nice?:blush:

[Wezly]

I'd say the second version would be stealthier if you could get a fade effect by using progressively dimmer lighting in a downward-diagonal pattern.

Or make it pulse like the EVGA Classified NB LED's :P

[UrbanSmooth]

LOL, nice work with the screws!

The lighting on this build is going to be spectacular! Very special effect-like!

[phinix_mike]

I'd say the second version would be stealthier if you could get a fade effect by using progressively dimmer lighting in a downward-diagonal pattern.

Or make it pulse like the EVGA Classified NB LED's :P

LOL, nice work with the screws!

The lighting on this build is going to be spectacular! Very special effect-like!

Thanks guys!

[phinix_mike]

OK.. another update! ... What?!.... Yep! Another one! ALREADY!

Nothing huge, just a few small things, but wanted to show.

First, small thing I had to do. There are always HUNDREDS of small things that need to be done during project. A lot of small addons, corrections, tweaks, but they must be done.
Few days ago I tried to fit PSU to in the power chamber. I noticed that there was 3mm missing.. I was like.. WHAT?!!:wallbash: Then I noticed that two screws holding side wall of power chamber were too long.. so I implemented my "dremel harassment" and two screws stopped being a problem. PSU fitted nicely and I was happy again

Those two screws one the left side, covered with nuts and not even a single mm coming out of them




Next, I finally finished all mountings for power chamber.
I had this L shape alu profile, so cut out small piece, cut off 1cm along the edge so it would fit in next to the acrylic piece under power chamber top panel and riveted it to the sides.
(...and yes, I will shorten those screws later )




Now, side of the power chamber looks like this...




Lovely rivets








Here, those two screws are holding top panel. If I need to take off top panel, I simply unscrew them with hand. Easy peasy...:thumb:




Now last thing I did lately. I finally mounted top acrylic panel to the Tower.
I changed the idea of using some locker kits and decided to use two screws that I can unscrew by hand. Easiest way possible.

I drilled and threaded holes in top aluminium panel...





Both sides...





Then I drilled holes in top acrylic/alu combo panel...





..and added two screws. Job done






As you can se below, screw goes easily through the acrylic panel to the aluminium frame under it where the hole is tapped. I like this solution. How about you guys?




Last photo of this update - NanoTower with finished power chamber and properly mounted acrylic top panel.




Enjoy and till next time!:dremel:

[UrbanSmooth]

Well done, sir!

[Jokester_wild]

amazing craftsmanship! Keep up the good work

[aka_GK]

loving the last picture!

[phinix_mike]

Thank you guys!

Just to let you all know, Nano Tower has been nominated to Mod of The Month on bit-tech forum! Fantastic!

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=194319

[aerial]

i like top panel, good project

[phinix_mike]

Maybe not the full blown update, but still.... Here are photos of some new items.

First, fantastic quick connectors I received from Aquatunning. Pascal, thank you again for help!:thumb:

























Now, these are small 2 pin connector I'm going to use with all led lighting strips. These will make taking case apart much pleasent.







And these are the items I received from Phenoptix - thank you Ben !!!:thumb::rock:
SMD yellow led strip - 4 meters!!! Also received some UV leds, cable and huge banch of 3mm yellow leds:









Last two photos shows the tube I bought - yes, this is orange, yes it is not yellow. Let me explain - yellow tube under UV light looks like... acid-green. This orange tube under UV light looks like... sweet deep yellow. That is why I will use orange tube to get nice yellow effect. You will see, it will be fantastic!... Well.. I hope... :eeek::worried: