Scratch Build – In Progress Thin ITX wood case

Thanks, and I won't forget for the PSU.

That's a quite cool connector!

And there is more of those cool connectors on that MB. The LVDS (laptop screen) or eDP connectors (on each side of the MB, eDP is under) or the Display Panel backlight power connector.

Anyway, a great choice for HTPC! (won't be my usage, but who knows?)

 

Update 4

Hi!

Got some time to finish the rear panel! Was pretty ugly before.

Have some pictures for you

First take the panel and cut it to length (removed about 15 mm from each sides)


Then after some sanding at 80 grit.


Isn't it beautiful? (and not so flat unfortunately)

The finished product.


Before questions, I have no photos of the panel hanging under the tree in my garden.
And I have put 1 layer of primer and 2 layers of mat black.


Before painting, instead of during...

Made some wood working!


The technique is simple, take a sharp knife and cut into the wood to needed depth, then with the chisel, remove the bit of wood to make a clean edge. Careful tho, I did make a mistake...

Here you can see. there is only the center part to remove.


And the finished "hole"


Need some depth tweaking, for glue (epoxy) or double-sided tape, don't know which is worse... (screws if I can find a place on the edges)

Some pictures of the panel in it's place.






And The final picture, that you're waiting for.


Next step will be the rear panel fixed to the wood. (I did sand the wood)

And I have 1 question for you: (I'm not an expert in painting)
Is it normal that the paint go away with a finger nail scratch?
(I had to redo the 1st layer of primer...)

Many thanks for following my build!

 

Very nice little case. I´m eager to see whats next.

 

Thanks matiss.

I'm also wondering what's next, cause I realized the plan was completely useless now with all the changes already made.

 

Update 5 Finally here!

Hi everybody!

It's been a very long time since the last update. It's because of me starting studying at university.
it's easier to have great marks in the beginning, so I did that way.

Enough speaking, place to photos!


I drilled the holes in the rear panel. That way I can remove it or change it if the mb changes.
I'm not a fan of visible screws, but I'll see the result at the end.


Drilled the holes for the screws for the MB, and the Power Supply.


Put the screws in the holes (They are not screws, but don't know the name)
It's simply screwed in the wood, like any screws, except it is not for wood originally.

Time to make another piece!

I was wondering a bit on how to fix the DDs, but I suddenly had a flash with that solution!
The piece is about 10cm by 17cm. The holes aren't perfect, but it will be hidden.


With the DDs screwed in place.


Fixed on the motherboard!


A side view, cause everybody loves it.


An the secret revealed!
I used the 2 pieces that supports the fan, but I have no fan so why not use them?
The little red rings are rubber rings, I put them here to make a bit of space between the screw and rad grill, will see for vibrations later.

And finally the power supply in place, it will not move.


Next step is to solder the cables (USB, power switch, and electrical connector)

I have one question for you, does anybody knows which wire is what? (in the last picture)
Cause it's not the same colours as in my country.

Hoping to make an update soon.

 

Update 6

Hi!

First of all I wish you a happy new year to all of you.

Despite the cold weather I found the motivation to work a little bit on that project.
So it will be a small update, but I finally see the end!

Here are the photos:

First I soldered the 3 cable for the power supply (230V)
And since they hadn't the right color code I replaced them with other cable with the right colors.
oh and it took me a while to find out which cable was what on the connector, cause there was no doc with the psu.



As you can see finding that the red is earth is quite troubling.


All wires connected to the C6 connector.
And for that step I totally forgot that I have black shrink... (plenty of it!)

After the soldering done I wanted to test if the pc powers up.
It is after all the first time.


And a darker image where you can see it running (2 leds + fan)


After that I managed to find a way to unmount the motherboard.
As you can see in the earlier photos, there is about 2-3 mm to move the mb backward, but it isn't enough to get it out of the case.
It only means that the front panel needs to be removable, so I figure what is the best solution to make it happen?

I finall shoose the toothpick solution, you'll understand in the next picture.

They are 15mm long, and the holes are 5mm deep.
that leaves about 10mm to fix the front panel. (forgot to take a picture of it, but you'll have one in the next update.)

And for the top cover, I'll use those magnets (i got from Geomag) It's 10 or 12 mm long, and 5mm large, they are perfect for the job.


And here is my toolbox, fully equipped with pins, cables, connectors, ...


And of course the workshop has a furnace to warm the place, but only when it's accessible...


my hands were freezing, so next update will be in a few weeks or days, don't know.

See you