Scratch Build – In Progress Project: Server and Gaming Case

Thanks Rich. I just bookmarked the page. Too late for this build, but I'll keep them in mind for later.

 

Care to share how these nuts actually work? Seems like there would be a lot of uses for them

 

Drill a precise hole. Press'em into the hole. Tah-dah, instant threaded hole!

 

I've got a couple of bags of them (awesome little things ) but not had chance to use them, just need the correct drill bit as Spotswood said, the ones I have are only good for up to 1.5mm sheet though, they get used a lot on retail cases where a good permanent thread needs to be like pci slots, motherboard mounts or any other spots where regular use might occur.

Case is shaping up gorgeous & pro as always mate .

 

Is it really that easy? Then I need to order like a truck-load of them when I get my workshop up. They got them in standard pc-screw sizes right(I have no idea what the standard sizes are anymore)?

 

Oh and btw, awesome project! I'm going to build a server from scratch myself when my workshop is up and running. Looking forward to seeing some updates Subbed

 

I added some "legs" to the motherboard trays so they'll rest nice and level on the workbench.

 

Nice! Can't wait to see how this turns out

 

I spent the day correcting a big mistake, which was I relied on the incorrect posted dimensions of the Swiftech MCR320-DRIVE 3x120 radiator, and thus the case wasn't wide enough by 16mm. (Swiftech has since corrected the diagram on their website).




Actually, the case was exactly the width of the rads, but that might have resulted in some pump vibration getting transferred to the side panels. So the case had to be widened by one inch.


To speedup the process of pinning the bolt blocks to the u-channel I switched to using split pins.












I also had to re-cut the back sheet.




Altogether, it only took me about a third of the original amount of time. Phew!

 

To bad that you had to redo your original work but it's good that you're getting quicker at it More updates

 

So where are those updates?

 

Subbed.

 

The bottom support beams were made from .5x.1-inch aluminum flat bar. I wasn't keen on having to hand drill and tap them, so instead, I routed grooves to accept nuts.






I like this fastening method because its wicked strong and offers just enough "play" for easy assembly.




The frame is bolted to the front inner sheet.




And then the entire subassembly is bolted to the front frame.

 

Coming along nicely, can't wait to see your solutions when it gets complicated

 

The sides of the HD cage consists of three pieces of .125-inch thick 1x1.5-inch u-channel held together with some threaded bolts. The cage will be bolted to the frame of the case via some .5-inch angle.




The holes in the angle were used to guide the drill bit into the side pieces.








Quarter inch slots were routed out of the u-channels to eventually accept .25-inch threaded rods.

 

Nice

 

Excelent job man!

Keep going!

 

moarz! I need you to do my alu work for me.

 

Santoprene rubber/plastic tubing was slipped over 1/4-inch threaded rods to form a "cage" to contain the HDs.




Here's why the routed slots are superior to individual holes.

 

Looking perfect Rich .