I'm grabbing parts for a new casemod that i'm planning out. It's going to be low cost as far as the PC parts are concerned (using only what I have around). As for the case - i've got a vintage Halliburton case that's 21x17x7 going to be used. The plan: I want to build the computer into the bottom 1/2 of the case, and use the top half for a screen of some sort (not sure what size LCD i'll be using since that will be a second part for after the computer is finished. I want it to look like a briefcase/suitcase bomb that you'd see in the movies. Something that needs to be armed, has a bunch of lights/toggle switches, etc. Now, I was planning on using a single sheet of aluminum across the top of the bottom (aka top panel) but i've got a problem of attaching it. The lip available is small (see photo) and mates up flush with the top 1/2 of the case when it closes (it forms an air-tight seal). Can anyone make a recommendation on how best to attach this top panel without putting any holes in the outside of this case. I'm going to use a small mini-itx board, 2 HD, and a laptop CD. I was thinking of mounting the motherboard to this 'top panel'along with a small 1u PSU with both hard drives mounted to the bottom of the case. I'll be relocating all the ports to flush mount on the 'top panel'. Ports will include 4USB, headphone jack, mic, video, ethernet, and of course power. Originally I was going to flushmount the keyboard into the top panel as well but at this point I think i'm going to scrap that thought due to space limitations. I'm going to include an 802.11g card - (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11182&item=5746754311&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW) and mount the antenna on the top panel as well. Any suggestions, ideas, or solutions (to my top panel mounting especially) is greatly appreciated.
You could cut the inner edge of the lid off so it doesn't get in the way, or you could cut parts away and have little tabs on the alu' sheet to go into gaps. You could also just glue legs inside and glue / screw the top sheet onto them. Is the pc going to be on when closed? If so the airtight case aint a good idea for cooling.
No, it won't be running when it's closed. I want to disturb that actual case as little as possible, so would rather not cut the inner edge of the lid off. I may just build a complete frame that rests on the bottom of the case that the alu top plate can screw into. Thanks for the ideas.
probably some low profile aluminum angles that you screw into the sides, maybe even rivet them, wouldnt look badly on the outside imo. I dunno how thick it is, but you might be able to put screws through it that dont go through completely...
If you absolutely must not bolt or rivet anything outside, go with bulding an internal frame glued into the inside, it will be much easier than trying to attach anything to that tiny lip. I like the idea, now get some drawings and start buying toggles!
If you build on to the lip you wont be able to close the lid... I disagree with the no rivet idea, if done right and with as few of them as possible it will look like it was manufactured. I'd use small angle pieces, two to a side and a sturdy alum surface to mount your parts on. My idea would be to keep the keyboard detachable and make a reset area to put it away when not in use. That way it would be comfortable to use. Anyway good luck....
what about grinding/filing that bottom edge down enough so you can get the aluminum sheet laying on top of it, then the lid would help hold the aluminum sheet down. Hopefully you can understand what i am talking about (hard to write something down that i am visualizing at the same time )
I think I understand what you're saying unfortunately that lip isn't very thick and would need filed down as the 'top panel' will have to be fairly thick in order to remain rigid across the entire span. I was looking at the sides and noticed these - which might work for replacing with a screw and some sort of bracket on the inside to hold up (at least partially) the top panel
have you thought of using JB weld? all you would have to do is rough up the places where you would glue it too and that stuff would last as long as whatever you are gluing it to
Y'know what? I hadn't thought of that... A couple L brackets on each side should hold nicely. Thanks. I hope to get to making some progress on this in a few weeks - I've got too much work to do to have the time in the necessary blocks that I want. Thanks guys! Oh, here is the power switch i'm planning on using.
Word of warning: Hard-sided Briefcases get their strength from their shape. The more holes you cut into it, the flimsier it will become. Plan you construction in a way that avoids excess holes or screw mounts. Since you're working the task of trying to fit flat parts into an unevenly shaped container, you may need to build an inner frame to support the parts INSTEAD of relying on the briefcase itself. I have also yet to see a stellar briefcase mod. People seem to forget that portability is not only about size, but integration. Hopefully you can build a briefcase PC that carries not only it's monitor and peripherals, but it's accompanying cables as well.
There will be NO holes in the case beyond what was originally put there by Halliburton. I want the case COMPLETELY stock looking on the outside but when you open it you get the feeling that you've seen it on TV or a movie... I figure a few toggle switches w/ LEDS to add to the effect - just not sure what I want to use the switches to turn on/off. Maybe a bank of toggle switches to turn on before you get to the key switch...hmm. Only problem with that is the LEDs wouldn't come on until after I turn the key.
This is looking pretty cool. That VKB looks interesting, but I have the fealing its going to be hard on the fingers. What I was thinking you could do, considering your going to be putting a cover on the inside of the case over the top and bottom, you could get one of thouse cheep flexible keyboards, and cut out holes in the cover for the bottem where all the keys would be. Then lay the felxable keybored on the bottom so the keys stick through the holes you made, you might wan't to put something hard over the bottom of the keyboard so its easyer to use if you deside to do this. It would be much cheeper to do then getting that VKB as well. I think some of them are like trasparent, you could put a light behind to make it glow. but thouse are just my ideas. Can't wait till this is done.
looks promising. gonne be a hard task building this one without putting holes in the case. i gonne have an eye on this one. keep on modding
Yes, the switch does have to be momentary - luckily that barrel key switch I found is. I'm ordering the aluminum sheet for the top panel and gonna head down to Home Depot since I think they have "L" chanel aluminum that I can cut and mount on the inside of the case as brackets just under the lip for attaching the top panel. I'll update when the aluminum sheet shows up.
That's mad, I was JUST talking to my work mate about the computer I'm going to mod out of a case very similar to this. Mine is however hard plastic and I will have a few holes in it. Hope I can get as much help from the forum as you. I'm keeping an eye on this one for sure. I need the ideas. Can't wait for updates and pics.
