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Scratch Build – In Progress BETA

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Gtek, 13 Aug 2010.

  1. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    FINAL PICS
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    Hi everyone!

    After a while, I'm back with another machine from scratch, project BETA. As a name may suggest, it's going to be a secondary PC. The plan is to put together very compact, microATX based computer, capable of most every day tasks including some gaming. Also, to save even more space, no watercooling in this one (sorry). In fact the target is to use only ONE big fan for whole case airflow(excluding cpu, vga, psu fans). But, with option of adding some extra fans if needed, as I aim to oveclock the system as well. We will see how that goes... As I've used aluminium as my primary building material for ages now, it's time to try something new. So here is the concept in short. Aluminium chassis and fibreglass body panels. Yes, it's the fibreglassing that is new to me and this is where I'm going to start. If I can manage this part, the rest should by ok, as I worked with aluminium a lot. The colour pattern will again be white and black, but probably with some extra spice, like green cabling or some other detail inside of the case.
    No concept pictures of rendering at the beginnig, but the idea is a simple, but attractive design, and I'm sure you will catch the clues quickly if you will follow the work log.
    Oh, and with this project I'm going to start a video log on youtube as well, and I'll be putting up and linking some videos of ongoing work every now and than, for some pure DIY action :rock:

    So, lets get to work! For start I ordered some styrofoam to sculpture a model for 2 main fibreglass panels. Left and right one, both the same shape. And here is how it went so far:

    time lapse video:



    and some pics:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    All the questions, comments, etc. are welcomed, and stay tuned for next update!
     
    Last edited: 31 May 2011
  2. Remmes

    Remmes Be One With Your Mod

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    got any sketches made about how and what?, i'd love to see those
     
  3. craigbru

    craigbru Cramming big things in small boxes since 2006

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    Very cool concept! I'll be watching man!
     
  4. craigbru

    craigbru Cramming big things in small boxes since 2006

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    He's got a little sneak peek sketched on the paper in the first pic... :D
     
  5. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    Hi, well you can spot one in the first photo, other than that, its just lots of numbers and some basic sketches about components layout, and some other details... nothing interesting. But I will post more photos and videos of every step in project with more detail explanation...
     
  6. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    Hi, thanx! I'm watching yours as well, great job btw...:thumb:
     
  7. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    Back with a first update.

    Did some more work on the styrofoam model. Well I'm actually done with it. All I need to do is to apply a layer of bodyfiller and and sand it down to get a nice smooth surface, before actual fibreglassing process.
    Chceck out new video and pics:

    video:



    pics.:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: 21 Aug 2010
  8. Razarach

    Razarach Minimodder

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    nice work
     
  9. Waynio

    Waynio Relaxing

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    Cool, got me interested in seeing this unfold :thumb:.
     
  10. SuicideNeil

    SuicideNeil What's a Dremel?

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    Curvy is always sexy, I'll be following along for sure..
     
  11. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    Thanx guys, hope you will like it... :thumb:
     
  12. devilxc

    devilxc Biding my time...

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    Nice curves... looking forward to this build.
     
  13. Throbbi

    Throbbi What's a Dremel?

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    The shape of those really curves really reminds me of the turrets in portal.

    Subbed and waiting for updates :)
     
  14. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    Thanx! new upadate very soon...
     
  15. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    So, after a couple of layers of body filler and lots of sanding, its finished. Everything looks just fine so far. Surface is nice and smooth, edges sharp... Its all ready for fibreglassing i guess. :naughty:


    video



    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: 21 Aug 2010
  16. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    I like the shape. -'specially the 'not a box' part of it.:D This should be cool.
     
  17. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    :D yes 'not a box' was a very first idea...
     
  18. rambo

    rambo What's a Dremel?

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    Very nice looking concept cant wait to see the fibreglass. :dremel:
     
  19. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    thanx, I just finished some work on fibreglasssing. These styrene fumes are... :lol:

    next update tomorrow...
     
  20. Gtek

    Gtek Doesn't raise the bar; he IS the bar.

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    Ok, so with a short delay, but here is the fibreglassing update.

    I waxed the plug with a couple of layers of mould release wax, and after an hour or so starded the mess. I prepared lots of smaller sheets of fibreglass matting and polyester resin. Once resin mixed with hardener its kinda race with time, as it turns into gel pretty quickly, depends on ratio. I laid just like 3-4 layers of this matting as its thick. I've also got a nice fine woven sheet, but I will use that one for the actual part not for the mould...
    And the best bit at the end. For some reason, I simply forgot to take photos of the whole process. :duh:
    ... but I've got the video:





    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: 21 Aug 2010

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