Hi everyone! I would like to share to you the worklog of my very 1st custom built computer chassis. I called this one "Alpha-Custom", since it is my 1st scratch build, it is supposed to be named as "Project ScaRlet" and should be in red paint. But due to time constraint and some limitations, it did not end up what I have expected it to be and it is in dull black paint. This chassis was the one that I use last Davao Cyber Expo '10, an annual event here in Davao City, Philippines, and it won the custom build category, where only two us are the participants in that category! Though it was not yet finished, it did win... So, I'm finally posting the worklog here and I'll try to revisit the project. This build was diagrammed using google sketchup, i did the sketchup for a month (planning it and learning the software), though it look simple, it was hard for me to finish it and come up with a good rendered version of it (I'm not really good in drawing and in software related to it). This build was inspired by SS raven 90° motherboard setup. I would have gone for raven 2 but it is built in SECC metal not aluminum, so decided to build one. This is what is should look like: =============================================================================================== The actual building process... some parts have no photos (forgot to take one)... by the way, pardon my crappy photos! The motherboard back panel, in the case it will be on top of the casing, the coping saw really did help... thanks to [DcW]ReaperVon Poorman's sheet bender, this will be the a major help during the build Still the motherboard back panel, bended using the bender... The top plate, i wasn't able to get some photos while it was cut/bended. Well, it still needs a lot of work for this part. This one here is the top cover, this will hold the vents... again, no photos of its build. top cover on top of the top plate... Test fitting the components, looks like it fit!!! w00t!! More photos will be added later...
thanks... it was really a simple procedure, i have drilled a 6mm hole on both ends of the pci slots then cut it with a jigsaw... and then i use the coping saw for some tight corners... then finished it with a handfile... the first photo of the mobo back plate was a failure because when I try to bend to it, the small space between the mobo I/O slot came along with the bend part. here's a photo of it, (good thing i still have it, so I took a photo of it) When I did it again bended the thing first before cutting the I/O slot. Here are some more photos of the build... Polishing one of the vent cover, the #4! Test fitting the top cover vents
Forgot to post photos of the top cover, so here it is... The top vent will be a combination of translucent red acrylic and aluminum... Another part is the back plate... here are some photos... I cut a grill for the psu intake and a blowhole for exhuast... another crappy pic of the back plate
Kinda reminds me of Raven 2, with the difference that this is lovely crafted aluminum instead of plastic and overall just looks great.
Thanks, I haven't design it yet! by the way, here's a photo of it during the event... it has identically side panels... I have to make a temporary side and front panel for the event... now i have dismantled the case and redesign some components... As for the sidepanel, I think I had enough sketchup, I guess I'll just have to come up with a manual drawing, I was thinking of a wide body kit for the side panel, though I'll still try to draw it on sketchup. Also, I have to redesign the front panel. Oh well, its gonna take a lot of work again! I'll just the some photos of it while i was building it... then i'll post some pics on the current updates!
yeah... i love the raven 2... before this build i was gonna get a raven 2, but it came to me what if i'll build my own case inspired by the raven 2... thanks... that the only this i haven't dismantled yet thanks!! here's another part... the previous motherboard tray... I'm making a new mobo tray, i need to relocate the wire holes under the motherboard, good thing I still have some aluminum sheet left... ill an update on this tomorrow... hopefully
Really nice! And a great idea! Don't think I've ever seen a rig with all the connectors at the top! Just one question... How is it gonna look when you put in the cables for the monitor? Won't that lift the top a lot?
Thanks mate, it fits fine... it lift a little when i was using it because i have to use a dvi-vga converter to connect the monitor that I was using that time, w/o it it fits fine... hahaha! thanks!!! hmmm maybe I'll try to look in to it, I might get some ideas for the sidepanel!
a few ideas for the sidepanel: remove the "scarlet" engraving from the front and replace it with a red v shape that matches the top (maybe acrylic with led baclight) put the scarlet engraving on the right panel maybe a bit bigger and for the right panel, a window to show off the insides if i have time ill sketchup something to show you what i mean cheers, chris
I build one case inspired in Corsair Obsidian 800D and in Silverstone Raven 2... but I do not have this tool to bend metal like you... it would facilitate my work enough... Your case are amazing! Congratulations! After look out my project... PS.: Sorry my bad english.
thats a nice idea chris and a sketchup diagram would be much appreciated! thanks... you can always make one... there's a lot of ways to bend metal... depending on the thickness... for example you sandwich a metal between two hard wood, clamp it in and hit it with a rubber mallet.
No problemos amigos! always glad to help! here are some photos again... this time psu sleeving! hahaha! What a mess! 24pin... sleeved!!! almost... 12 wires completed! more updates later...