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Scratch Build – In Progress Case Mod: Canary Mesa

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Pfaffen, 9 Sep 2007.

  1. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Well, I'm on to my next project.

    I've been toying with the idea of making something other than the traditional case for my next computer and was struck by the simplicity of a table and the complexity of mounting everything underneath. Soooo... My next project is the Canary Mesa...

    Also the good workshop gods bestowed upon me a new router table and a 9" bandsaw... I just had to appease them and try them out...;)

    Well, here are the wood planks as they came from the shop.

    I was looking for some teak, but this wonderful CanaryWood caught my eye. I had really tight grain and some splashes of red, along with a very vibrant yellow.

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    Here is a close-up of the boards. You can see the tight grain on the left and the red splash of color.

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    Here is a close up of the sides.

    The left most is common yellow pine, the middle and right are Canary Wood, however, I recently trimmed the middle one.

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    Here is a shot of the some Ebony I plan to use as accent pieces.

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    Here is the 2x2x24 Canary Wood blank for the legs.

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    Once I laid out the basic dimensions, I cut the long piece in half.

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    and rabbited the inside edge to recieve the top, thinking of using marble, granite or wood... Not sure yet, but either way the mobo will be mounted to the underside...

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    Here is a shot with the pieces cut to length and laid out on top of each other...

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    This should give you a sense of the size. (21inx27in) That is a template for a full ATX motherboard (9.6inx12in)

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    Here is a close up shot of the blank for the legs. I ran it through the planer to ensure it was square and all the beautiful color came out.

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    Next was to miter all the corners... Apparently, my compound miter saw does not exactly reach all the way across at 45deg. So I had to take out my handy trim saw and finish off the corners...

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    Next I routed slotted dovetails to recieve the decorative braces from each of the corners.

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    Here is a closeup.

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    After that was done, I cut the dovetails for the braces, cut the blank for the legs to length and trimmed the extra corner pieces...

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    I say that was enough for one day....;)

    Still a long way to go though...
     
  2. radodrill

    radodrill Resident EI

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    Interesting; got any sketches of the conceptual design?
     
  3. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    In my sketch book, I just have'nt had a chance to take pictures yet... I thought I could gen something up in ppt, but nothing seems to look just right.
     
  4. x06jsp

    x06jsp da ginger monkey!!!!

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    looking good.
     
  5. ComputerKing

    ComputerKing <img src="http://forums.bit-tech.net/images/smilie

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    Soo nice, I like the idea really, Yeah I need to see the 3D but I like it from now :D Also your skills in wood is amazing, I wish that I can do that.. I tried but Failed ;) you the pro :D Keep the nice and clean work up brother.
     
  6. 500mph

    500mph The Right man in the Wrong place

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    nice wood skills. the other modder here thats good with wood, i forget his name.
    but this looks like it will be pretty nice! keep up the great work
     
  7. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Here is a top view concept drawing...

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Good to see you back!
    A table top rig is a nice idea. I'm too messy for something like this. I'd have to take my junk off the table to work on it!
    The wood is beautiful. I'm used to seeing that much color in stone, but not wood! How are you (are you?)going to stain it?
     
  9. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks... glad to be back and seeing all the great new mods. I'm building it wide so it will support two 22" widescreen LCDs. This way the base of each will fit nicely on the table.

    I found it at the local wood shop and knew that is what I wanted. But I haven't decided on the finish yet. I'm leaning towards Danish Oil, that should bring out the colors and depth and then a couple dozen :wallbash: coats of poly. Need to make sure its durable.
     
  10. radodrill

    radodrill Resident EI

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    Nice work; pretty slick design.
     
  11. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Here is a concept drawing showing the elevation.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks...:thumb:
     
  13. jokkos

    jokkos too busy to mod *sigh*

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    Nice design, and more important, very nice looking wood...I'll be keeping an eye on this!
     
  14. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Jokkos,

    Thanks... and I like DerMeister as well.
     
  15. dacust

    dacust What's a Dremel?

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    I'm not familiar with that wood. It's gorgeous. Glad to hear you're thinking of just oiling it or sealing it. Seems like a stain would just hide a lot of the character.
     
  16. n00btard

    n00btard Go away

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    greensabbath? Tale Gunner?
     
  17. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Canarywood, works alot like any other hard wood and has a nice scent when cut. I want to bring out the complex colors and not overpower the wood or bury it in artificial color. I also have some boiled linseed oil, just not alot of experience working with it, so I am hesitant to work with it.

    I just cut the bevel on all the outside edges tonight and will have to take some pictures in the morning.
     
  18. Pfaffen

    Pfaffen What's a Dremel?

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    Had some time this weekend to work on the Canary Mesa, and beveled the leading edges at 11.5 degrees. Here is a shot of the table saw, tipped to 11.5 degrees. I had to move the fence to the other side to make the cut. Worked out well...:clap:

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    I then ran all four sides through and it made a nice bevel. Here are a couple of shots.

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    BTW, anyone have any experience :duh: working with Aluminum angle iron. I have the 3/4" x 3/4" stuff from Home Depot. Just wondering what is the best way to cut it. Specifically, what kind of blade. I can handle most wood issues, just never really worked with aluminum before.
     
  19. radodrill

    radodrill Resident EI

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    Great work; use a carbide cut-off wheel for the aluminum (or a hacksaw LOL)
     
  20. ComputerKing

    ComputerKing <img src="http://forums.bit-tech.net/images/smilie

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    Very nice idea! and nice work wood. You have the skills. I love the angels! You know how to do it ;)

    Are you gonna paint the wood or keep it same it is ?

    Well done
     

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