Scratch Build – In Progress *** PHINIX NANO TOWER *** --- MOTY 2011 nomination !!!

congratulations


wolfie

 

UPDATE TIME!!!!

Guess what? I spent 3 hours today on tapping holes 3hours, 20 holes!!!
I cannot feel my hands, but it was worth it of course
I tapped all holes for panels, job done! Now, I made few photos to show you how the Tower looks closed, only thing is I don't have anough screws right now - decided to make more holes, after I felt confortable to do all the tapping So rear and side panels have 6 holes each, front one has 8. I thought that as long as know now how to tap, I can add more holes to make the panels structure more secure. So photos show panels with 2 screws each..for now Also some of the edges may not stick to the frame, cause of those missing screws... Anyway, I still wanted to show you how this Tower is going to look like. I hope you gonna enjoy those photos











Here's how the dvd hole looks like with front panel attached... I tried to fit in the drive and it fix perfectly!




Some of the holes need small corrections, but most of the edges align nicely...




Some sweat, blood and tears have been sacrificed during today's hard work on those holes.. here you can see one of them.. nicely tapped




This is the panel I haven't showed before - it is front wall of power chamber - with prepared holes for two SSD drives - mounting and cable holes on the left. Top rectangular hole is for dvd cable that will go to the top...

Before...



..and after






At the end few photos of nice panel window holes






next move will be correcting all holes, screwing all the bolts to make sure all works fine with those panels. Then I need to work on pump stand... till next weekend!!!

 

This build is coming along nicely! It's amazing how straight and lined up you've got everything. Coincidentally I was cutting/tapping aluminium sheets and bars too today and I was really surprised how hard it is to get everything looking good.
Also, love the pics! They are perfect now IMHO. Perfect balance between information and bling.

 

Those side holes look wikid awsum Bob Holness would be proud

 

Well done on the tapping you lines look great, want to come and redo mine

Window looks like a really nice Idea.

 

Aye, lovin' the hexagonal windows

 

Thank you, thank you very much!

Yeah, I'm surprised too how it all came out straight I need to realign few holes, but apart of that looks like panels align ok. It really hard to achieve, it took dozens of double checks and measurings... But it was worth it.

 

This is looking great! Nice clean work, Phinix

 

The hex panels remind me of this build:
http://allthemods.com/userinfo.php?userid=25&id=432

The tower looks like it was done in a professional metal shop. Nice work!

 

Great work this is looking awesome!

 

awsome man now get cutting i want to see it done

 

wow awesome, just one question...where can i get one?

 

Hey Phinix - very nice build mate!

But I gotta check - are you using the right size pilot hole for all the tapping you are doing? Your hands should not be in pain from tapping 20 holes in aluminum.

http://www.engineersedge.com/manufacturing/metric-iso-tap-drill-chart.htm

(The thread search didn't turn up what screw size you're using, but as an example for M3)

The recommended pilot hole for M3 is ~2.5mm, but I've used imperial 7/64" (2.78mm) in a pinch. There are also wire-size drill bits in small increments that you should be able to find http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit_sizes - a #38 is what I believe I use for M3.

 

I'm using M4 screws, pilot holes I drill with 3.2mm bit. If I used 3.4mm it would be easier - maybe I should go with 3.4mm but I had only one - 3.2mm bit

 

If the M4 pitch you are using is 0.7 mm, you should use a 3.3 mm twist drill.

 

We Want Moar!
*grabs torch and pitchfork to go riot*

 

If you were to make blue prints of this case, I'd buy them. I love this case! Long Live SFF

 

It is a great design. The hexagonal holes give it an almost organic design, with a tip of the hat to "order from chaos". it says so much, like an art piece.

 

I use 3,2mm as well. The correct drill bit would be 3,3mm, but I haven't got one in that size and 3,2mm works fine. Even if it's a little more work.....

Here's a chart of hole sizes with the corresponding drillbit size.
It's in danish, but you guys should be able to figure it out, regardless:

 

You got a job in the porn industry?

But seriously, amazing work you're doing on this! Love small form factor builds, and this is one of the better ones I've seen! Keep up the good work