Some days ago i began a new project. And this time itsn't a small PC... That's a rack server tipe mod to house my computers (less the Mech, of course) I like modding a lot, but sometimes, a modded cases aren't the best option for upgradabily, maintenance and dayly use of a system. So it was needed a stock case... But i dislike stock cases at all. Then i had the idea. To buid a case, strong and easy to operate like a stock case, but my own stock case. And since i have more than one PC, a rack mount was the logical option. Like i have 3 PCs (Shuttle, Epia, Gigabyte) and alll different. The challenge is to make the rack, find 3 suitable cases and modify they enought to fit in the rack and to avoid the stock case looking. Maybe it not going to be a very eyecandy looking modd, but it has a lot of job and its very functional. The worklog: I love IKEA stores. Is a fact. They are a continuos source of ideas. After a quick view to the web and a short raid in the mall, i got my first components. A master piece of art by IKEA. A rack chasis of 102cm high by only 11,95euro supported with ALU L profiles i added a base and cover to the chasis. The profiles was firstly glued with ARALDIT epoxy extra... ... and then finally fixed with head-less (cut-off heads) screws. The epoxy fix the pieces, avoid vibrations and fill the gaps. While the screws allow they to support more weight Small pieces of profile to reinforce the base. The base level will house the UPS, plugs and others. The base, a 49,5x44cm of checkered ALU is double fixed with araldit and screws. The top cover is fixed also with L profiles, but in a different way. And i didn't glue it and only used screws, because later maybe i'll need to remove the top for maintenace. Finished main chasis. To do: The side panels and doors. I have an idea with some square mesh. Find and mod 3 cases. Paint it all in black. At the beginning i thinked in to mod the same 3 cases for every board. but itsn't a good option because every board has its own measures and specs. Although the desired goal is that the 3 cases reach a similar look. More things... when i come back from Japan Ideas and comments Here!
hmm... you didn't say why you have three comps? I guess servers but what are they serving if I may ask? but anyway... I love large mods; just look at my sig I'm all about form following function. this is definatly one of very few rackmont mods i've seen I find home depot to be my most inspiration, but hey, if you like ikea, to each his own
True! It's a server alike mod, not a pure server, of course. I have 3 PCs: The Shuttle; My main daily windows desktop for everything (for now, until i'll finish the Lan Raider mod). The Epia (win2k); File/media server, download server, etc... This is a server, of course. And one gigabyte with Linux for playing around with that OS (with time i want it became in a real more useful linux server). Anayway the purpouse of each PCs is not the more important thing for now. The problem is to house the comps in a small flat and use it confortabilly. So the rack gives me an interesting option to keep all tiddy.
Cool mod. I like it when people manage to use cheep matirials instead of spending lots on overpriced gear I would definatly recomend switching to linux for your servers. I run linux game servers and file servers for LANs and find that SAMBA gives much better performance than windows file sharing. I also like the complete controll you have with linux and the aditional security of not having passwords that can be brute forced in a few weeks on a fast pc. checkerboard alu gives a nice industrial look, using more fo it would be cool
love the idea, actually was thinking about doing this myself for a lan im doing in essex (www.landeath.co.uk, i know shame full spamming ) for our switch cabinet i havent modded any thing for a while, i might just go grab me an ikea mag lol, But loving the idea, is it the right width to fit switches in at all, i was originally thinking about a bass speaker you get a gigs. cheers, inferno
Thanks all for the support. Actually i'm messing with the 3 cases matter. I hope to reach a solution soon to resume the work quickly.
The name: Kumo No Su Jou That name that was the name of one of my first serious proyects (there's a log in spanish in my web) means literally The Spider's web Castle. Its also the japanese title of the version of Macbeth by Kurosawa Akira: Blood Throne. Like its big and strong (a castle), house 3 linked machines and network stuff (the web), its mine (of Kumo) is the best name that i could find ever
Nice to see some original thinking, using what you find somewhere else instead of just buying the same stuf eveyone buys. BenJ
One more step ahead. After a short holidays in Japan, i've resumed the work. I've removed the upper rail, because it will not be needed. I destroyed the solders with the drill and then simply pushed the rail out. I'll keep removed rails, because they can be useful later. The frame for the upper plate was also reinforced and finished with ALU L profile in the long sides. Once the sides will be complete, the plate will be riveted to the four profiles. Until then, a removable top plate is useful. Small L angles added to avoid a "Pissa's tower" style rack. The back is reinforced with more checked alu plate (next pict) but maybe i'll need to remove the front lower angles and replace they with someting bigger, for a rock solid storage. Reinforces on the back. One botton and one in top. Heavily riveted, they add a nice looking element and strong support to the chasis. Basically, the back is an open hole, for vent and wires. It need more? grill? more plate...? we'll see it. The back of the rack with the 2 plates. What do you think? More updates soon.
The grooved aluminum metal on the base has a very chique and urban, loft aparement feel to it, all you need is a silver facias for the drives and matching monitor in the same silver colour and it'll look amazing with the custom perphiperals and add ons, its all in the details.
That stand doesnt look very strong.Are you sure its not going to bend,crack and the bottom alluminum is going to take the weight? good luck with the mod
Thanks. I already have a silver TFT, but i want to paint the rack in black (and also use some black plexy). It's stronger than it looks. Actually is loaded with some things to test it.
A little update. I finally got the needed pieces for the side pannels. They aren't finished, but you can imagine how ithey going to look. Basically, the sides are fixed upside and down (pic) with square alu profiles of 10x10mm and pop-rivets. In add, the profiles reinforce the structure. The side panels are steel mesh of 100x50cm (cutted down to 100x49,5) with square holes of 5x5mm. We'll see if they need more fixations, when finished. More soon.
I've often thought of making some sort of rack too. ATM I have four computer lying all over the place and this isn't what I'd say practical. Looking forward!
The problems with PCs are the wires... I hate the wires lying everywhere, catching dust. If you have 4 comps, you now what i mean. And i don't think that Wireless systems are the solution for everything in the life. So the rack gives me also the oportunity to tiddy up all wires, because most (not all) of the cables will be inside of it. Now, looks like Racks mods are going on. There are few just in this forum. Go for your own one.
That's a good point. Other one is that cases lying around spend more space than nice pile of them in a rack.
cool project. i need a rack myself. im thinking of investing in a few predrilled rails and some steel, and whipping up something nifty with my welder. need to score a few atx rack cases from ebay first though, 2 for servers and one for my gaming pc....
