Case Mod - In Progress Project: Mission

i really like the chrome bits, they fit really well.
In fact they fit extremely well....
Either you are really lucky, or you are hiding something...

 

Thanks guys!

LOL Maybe you guys missed this part...

The chrome pieces are actually the handles off my wrecked Art Deco Humidor Server. It was destroyed in a shipping accident years ago and I'm slowly re-using its bits and pieces in other projects. I remembered that I had these bits a week ago or so and sized one up. It was 1/4" too narrow but that was close enough to put on my "happenstance I can't ignore" list. Maybe this was their time.





A couple of different versions. The wife likes the last one. I guess I'm still counting on a Eureka moment.

 

Those chrome pieces really look the part, very nice piece of detail.

 

Very good! This is gonna look awesome (as usual)

Yeah i seem to have missed that post, but i was joking anyway...


:edit:

Oh and the second one looks the best.

 

i like the wifes choice

 

Thanks guys!

I like the last one also but it has special problems. I took the photo straight-on because the area above and around the lower chrome piece is messy. The other option is cleaner because you would have to stand on your head to see the ugly bits. I would have to build a shield for the lower option to hide this. It could change the look completely.

An option/compromise I'm shooting for is to move the chrome pieces directly onto the wooden cross members where they now sit next to. Follow me? It would be a fairly minor change that would solve a big problem.

An update:



Take a sheet of walnut and cut it down to fit. I use a very sharp X-Acto Gripster razor knife.






Test fit. Checking to see if there is adequate overhang all around.






Close up. Tiny pencil mark to the right.






I finished the back so I thought it was due a photo op. The walnut should darken up nicely when some finish goes on.

Thanks for looking.

 

+1 on insetting the chrome in the cross members.

 

I like on the second pic how the chrome pieces "bookend" the spokes. Gives them a purpose other than being there just for bling.

 

looking great man!

 

You know that aren't many of us have the resolution to even notice 1/4 inch. Me included.
Just shweet! Craft Master Skip.

john

 

I like that too but I've got another idea...

I agree. Purposeful bling.

Getting there! Thanks.

Remade my rad grill frame to be more low-profile.






Test fit the vent grill and the temporarily clamped-on upper skirts. I cut these skirts from 3/16" maple.






Displaying my clamp collection.





Results of some veneering work.

 

Those grills look very good.

 

yeah those grills look great

 

Thanks guys!

The project's critical path runs through the face right now. I have to make some command decisions in order to move forward. I did some more mocking up and photo taking and tried out one new idea.



The bottom spokes have some "legs" that might appear too long. A long dead optical drive gets pressed into service.






A logo or nameplate will "shorten" the legs and might alter the appearance of the entire bottom section.






Some paper being used to simulate the decorative panel.






My final solution being mocked up.






The only detail I can't emulate in this mock-up is the moving of the upper bracket...see below.






I was also able to analyze the project's optical illusions and plan for them. The computer will sit directly on the floor and will always be seen at a downward bias.






An idea to bring the two chrome pieces inwards to bracket the DVD drive was brought up. I thought it sounded good enough to mock up the entire set-up.






It has its merits. The construction would be simpler. In the end I didn't like the look of the DVD bezel. Next time maybe.






To correct for the downward bias optical illusion I cut out a 5/16" chunk out of the bottom of the upper bracket. Next I added two similar 5/16" blocks to the bottom to help create the pocket for the chrome piece.





For the bottom bracket I simply added a 5/16" block of wood to create the pocket.





Both brackets got 5/16" added to them but the upper bracket is skewed for the illusion.






Next I cut some veneer to cover the four spoke areas.






I'm going to apply a partial finish to these pieces because it will be very difficult to work with them once they are installed. I'll hit them with some sand paper and some lacquer sanding sealer. Maybe a single coat of lacquer.

That's the last we'll see of those spokes. I have some slightly larger chrome spokes waiting to be cut.

Thanks for looking!

 

You're doing it again! Tiny little fussy pieces with precise fit.

Two guesses:

1.) You NEVER make mistakes.

2.) You never show us the 'OOPS'

I'm leaning to number 1. Done this before have you?

Seriously well met.

john

 

I really envy the folks with mad woodworking skillz.

Great work

 

Dude, I love your work, it's so precise and perfect, excellent work.

 

/\ ditto

 

^ What they said.

 

^Best use of a Slim Pickens quote ever.