First all hello to everybody, I'm reading this forums for a while ago and now I'd like to start writing of them. I live in Argentina and here is very difficult to find most of the modding stuff that you see as "normal", and basically there are not many people interested on this, in fact just in the last couple of months the very first cases with acrilic windows began to appear... And what about the clear ones?, well, one of those could cost near u$s250 here, and that's TOO much money for an Argentinian mortal (just like me), so I decided to build my own clear case. I believe I have most of the questions already answered, because I plan to copy my existing case, so the dimms are already there, and also plan to follow the ATX designing guide, so good for that... But I have a couple of questions around, I believe the most complicated in this type of cases: 1- How can I make the back panel of the case?, I'm specifically referring to the slot cover, the remaining stuff are just some holes , but what about that?, I don't have any of those just going around from some old case, so I need to build one... 2- What's the better way to secure the bay's covers? (those that come with the case) 3- Is it best to use screws while joining the pieces together? Thanks in advice,
1- either by had and vey meticulously, or get it C&Ced professionally 2-anyway you can think of, 3- screws if it is coming apart should be machine screws and not self tapping, you will then also need to tap the holes for teh screw, that way you sont strip the clear plastic to bits as you take it apart and put it back together. Nuts and bolts can also look good, take a look at Gnomes Orac[super]3[/super]. IF it isnt coming apart then I would say glue it.
Welcome to the boards! Have a look at some of the other acrylic cases around and see how they did some of the stuff you are asking about. To me, The back panel could just be a rectangular cut out with some sort of support for the cards. Since you are building the case, you can just not have bay covers if you don't need them. The best way I've seen of joining acrylic is a special type of glue/epoxy that bonds the plastic together at the molecular level. Can't think of the name off hand. Screws, L-brackets, Aluminum frames, all have been used. Have fun with it.
First at all thanks for your answers. So... 1- What I can't figure is a "design" for that support (the rear brackets), as geek1017 said, I cuold just leave it open, in fact, I saw some comercial cases that do this, the don't provide any special support, and then you have the ones like Soyo that comes with a "standard" one. 3- Ok, I prefer the look of the screws, I'll take a look at that mod...
2. On a regular case, the backplate is set into the case, so the top (bent) sections of your pci cards can sit on the edge and allow to screw into the side of the metal section. I hope you can follow that, coz I don't do piccies! So, if you have your atx backplate flat, there is no-where for the bent-over edges of the pci cards to go, as they will hit the back edge of the case, yeah? If you make a slot here, they can fit through, then you need to glue a strip of acrylic vertically, in line with the undersides of all the screw holes on your pci cards. This can then be drilled and tapped, so you now have support for the cards, yay! If you are confused, I will try to find a link to a piccy later on!
Hi there Kong..., wait a minute, let me read that again... Ok, if I'm not mistaken you're taking about something that I just figured out I was wondering if could be possible to open the slots for the cards, then open another vertical bar so the "bent edges" of the cards can go in, and later attach from the inside some vertical bar (with screws so if's easy to remove) to hold the cards in place... I don't know if I'm making myself clear, but I think it makes sense... Then I have another question..., if I see a mobo with the cards plugged and so on, in theory there must be a straight line between this cards and the onboard conectors right?, I mean, the rear panel can be a "flat panel" right? Thank you
If this is your case, viewed from the back: Then the red strip is glued onto the outside, allowing the angled section of the pci cards to be screwed to it. hope it helps!
ot- shouldnt it be yacc, yet another clear case, then it is identical to yacc, yet another compiler compilier, then again you could call it bison, but thats taken, I ddo waterbuffalo. My idear uses 1" cubes at each of the 4 corners which will then be screwed into place with chrome screws(7/16th inch long ones to be exact), I can post a pic if you like, I do have it sort of 3d moddeled. For the cards im either gonna bend the tabs straight, or make a stepped backplane - identical to teh way metal cases do it. and im still looking for a name too, I think for mine it will be warpcore. Anyways if you want a look at how I am doing it email me. digitalblueshift(at)hotmail.com
Kong: That's a good idea also, a little different from the one I had...., mmmm..., I like both of them..., I believe yours is more "practical" if you keep changing cards..., mines is cheaper and easier... Digitalblueshift: You mean something like this: http://www.bit-tech.net/images/review/206/corner1.jpg. I believe that's a good idea also..., but a little harder ti machine... Anyway I'll send you an email
