Scratch Build – In Progress Electrocutous Orchid - final mod 2-25-14

Hello BitTech modders, have started lets say a mid sized case build for my wife. This is to replace her dying laptop used mainly for Facebook, photos and web-browsing.

The goal is have something semi portable around the house and good looking, Oh yeah must be Purple.

Started a couple of months ago, needing to get something done to show you all and knowing there would be a summer break, did not want to start and then pause the log.

So back at it now and happy to present you with




Starting with the acrylic window, best to start with the most complex part first. Cut and bent it into shape.





As you can see not real good, blistered the bends







So made another and much better. I can live with that light blister defect






Now onto the panels, aluminum this time round. Cut and bent the two rear panels.



Made a narrow gauge bender to bend the opposite direction



Test fitting



Then onto the front panel.







and with the top edge bent over



So there we have the shape of the case.


Hope you all enjoyed the start of this little project. Back tomorrow

 

Some nice bending there! Going by the shape of the first couple of pieces this is going to be an interesting build. Look forward to seeing it progress.

 

how hard is it to bend all the acrylic into the right shapes? im looking to make a protective cover for my keyboard

 

Thank you, with 16 sides I sometimes question ...why

well I will say you will need to practise first but not overly hard.


The next step is to secure the panels to the acrylic. Using 1/4" stock cut out the basic shape.



rough file them down







a little sanding, tap some 6-32 threads and mounted.



Now the other side



made a fixture to hold while routeing a relief



and start the file process





layout and drill holes for venting slots





file and sand



Now for the base plate



fan hole and mounting holes and relief for the rivets



I glued a strip of black acrylic around the inside bottom edge of the window. These will hold the window legs in place and give a little contrast to the overall look.
Mounted up.



Now all completely mounted.




Wow that was a big update.

 

Very interesting build!!

 

ohh, looks interesting, can't wait to see this progress.

 

Delicious shape. I love the amount of work put into the DarthVader vent. too.
You got Sethnmalice to chime in as soon as you posted the finished outer shape. -That should tell you how cool looking it is right there.

 

Holy hell the craftsman ship!

 

You are good with metal my friend! Design looks very interesting

 

Thank you very much, I'll say it took a couple of months to get the design right.

Thanks, almost up to date.

Thanks Cheaps I never seen the resemblance until it was done.
I had to check his work, as I do not know him. Nice builds Sethnmalice.

Thanks Pierre.

Thank you, metal just feels so good to play with.


Now for the last part of the exterior I have done, still working on this.

I will call these flower boxes

Cut the blank



and bend, red line just shows inner clamp block



and plant



small conduit next



conduit ? remember this is an electric flower

so in one goes, Power button, headphone and volume control





making custom length USB's



building back up the connectors





result



and the other planter filled



So that takes care of the outside work done so far.
Hope to see you all for the inside work.

 

This is looking awesome, good to see you making a new one Craig.

The grill looks cross between Darth & a storm trooper, really nice grill, nice shape of case too.

 

Seriously interesting design Craig. And a nice first post of the project log, not a piece of hardware
to be seen. Very refreshing!
The design and shaping of the grille is terrific and something I'll tuck away for future reference.

 

Thank you Wayne, this was an unexpected build when the wife said can you make me a cute one.

Always a pleasure to see you Mate, thank's.

Happy to give back


Into the interior we go now. :

Start with bending an internal frame with some rolled edges for a clean look.



further bending, that looks good now



motherboard tray cut out, no reason to follow the norm here



and a test fit of the hardware, aligns up nicely.



so started with these mounting arms



but realized after the HDD's need a different shaped arm, so remade them for this result.



a flower is not square



all together now



I hope you enjoyed my play-time and may you all have a great week.

 

This is so bizarre... I'm all in!

 

Very interesting start to things! Will keep an eye on this

 

Thanks man, nice to have you here.

Glad to have your interest


Busy with getting the house and yard ready for winter but have managed a few more pieces.

Cover plates for the flower boxes



Time to sleeve those USB cables. Trimmed the connector and then use epoxy instead of shrink. Slower but I like the result.





file off excess smooth





and finish with some flat black





The camera sees all, but from a short distance looks real nice.
Maybe give a light sand and recoat.

See you later.

 

Epoxy is a nicer look than heat shrink.

 

Very nicely done. Subbed

 

That epoxy certainly looks neat! Subbed as well.

 

Finally a clean way to sleeve sata cables.