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Scratch Build – Complete Project SteelOak

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by ThomasJS, 25 Mar 2022.

  1. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Neat! That last bit looks tricky to paint.
    I wonder what it would look like if you left it rough and had it copper plated.
     
  2. ThomasJS

    ThomasJS Minimodder

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    For routing the channels of the 2 distro plates I want to use the real dimensions of the fitted motherboard, GPU and radiator.

    I marked them on the acrylic and took them over in my CAD software to laser the milling jigs.

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    I think I will tape the bottom sheet, so I can get closer to the material with the paint.
    Yeah I tought about that, but I realy like the black matt look with the oak framework.
     
    Last edited: 1 Mar 2024
    Jean R built, arduum and Cheapskate like this.
  3. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Your router game is top-notch. :rock:
     
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  4. arduum

    arduum Minimodder

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    cnc hand :dremel::rock:
     
  5. ThomasJS

    ThomasJS Minimodder

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    The D5 pump also needs a pump top made from acrylic, so that’s what I’m making with this update.

    Drilled the M4 thread holes so I can mount the milling jig on the right position.

    Screwed the inner circle on the acrylic (after this step this will be milled, so it’s not a problem when the screws would crack the acrylic).

    Also made the side and top acrylic panel that would close the Oak frame

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    Thanks :)
    Realy liked to work with acrylic and milling, so kind of looking for a CNC router.. Alex Banks his work is amazing and realy interesting.
     
    Last edited: 1 Mar 2024
    No X and Jean R built like this.
  6. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Sweet pump Do-hickey. I gotta respect someone that can get an O-ring channel with manual tools.
    Screws cracking plexi: Don't man-hand them. :lol: Finger tighten the screwdriver, and a very light finger tight at that.
    CNC: There's a whole lot of options, most are crap. :lol: Router spindles have even worse options, I'm finding. 1/4" bits tend to be woodworking grade. Something that takes 3/16" and 3/8" bits offers better bit options.
     
    ThomasJS likes this.
  7. No X

    No X Minimodder

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    The images have gone it seems :/
     
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  8. kim

    kim hardware addict

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    nope :grin: they are visible, but sometimes, Bittech server is overwelmed I think, and pictures are unvailiable for a little time :rollingeyes:
     
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  9. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Bit's sever maintenance time lines up with US daytime.
     
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  10. ThomasJS

    ThomasJS Minimodder

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    Everything from working with acrylic is new for me (except from cutting a sheet a few times in my life). So especially for this part I was very excited.
    I made a mould to bend the acrylic 3mm sheet into the right form.
    I put it in the oven from the beginning and let it heat up to 160°, and leave it for like 5 minutes.
    Than I put it on the mould en gently pressed it down.
    But it was cooled down to quick, so I put the mould WITH the sheet in the oven (happy with our big oven haha).
    It still wasn’t right, so I screwed a few wooden panels on the acrylic to push it in the right direction so it couldn’t deform when cooling down, and than I put it back in the oven. And this worked!

    I used a “mortise and tenon connection” to fit the curved panel into the top panel of the case.

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    Thanks!! :)
    Orderded the CNC-STEP high-z 1400 this week!
    Very excited, already ordered some Sorotec stuff, when everything goes well I will try out the Datron endmills.
    So my next case will have CNC milled parts.
     
    Last edited: 1 Mar 2024
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  11. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    I forgot you were on a different continent. :lol:
    You got a great bend. It helps that you made a top-notch jig for it. Love the dovetailed fit on the plastic.
     
  12. ThomasJS

    ThomasJS Minimodder

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    Now it’s time to sand all the acrylic parts.
    Started with 240 and all the way up to 2500, very easy to polish when sanded with 2500.
    I polish it so I could carefully look for damage and make a good surface for glueing. Because I want it to have a “frosted” effect, when everything is done, I will sand it with like 400 until the desired effect.
    The glueing is done with Acryfix, works perfect with nothing visible between the sheets after it’s done.
    The O-ring is made with the how to from Alex (thanks!).
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    Thanks mate! Realy satisfied with the result!
     
    Last edited: 7 Mar 2024
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  13. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    :thumb: 400 might show some frosting, but the water will clear it up a lot.
     
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  14. Dot_Kappa

    Dot_Kappa 100% Puppet

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    Great work with that plate :clap: and it's all hand made :rock:
     
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  15. ThomasJS

    ThomasJS Minimodder

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    All the parts of the case are ready to be painted and oiled.
    Started grinding all the steel parts, this took a lot of time because of all the corners.
    Cleaned all the steel parts 2 times and made my garage ready for the painting.
    The result is amazing, really like it.
    Also oiled the oak parts. Used the same oil as I used for my desktop and some other furniture.

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    400 is great indeed! Didn't go further than 400. End result will be shown in the next post ;)

    Thanks, but can't beat a CNC..
     
    Last edited: 11 Mar 2024
  16. kim

    kim hardware addict

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    If you mean that a CNC would allow you to make some milling that you couldn't realise with your hand tools, I can't argue with that, but honestly, following this build from the start, the level of accuracy and the complexity of what you've done with hand tools, is stunning, and for me and certainly for other followers, it's definitely beating a CNC work, and I'll end saying that the building of the metal frame is equally impressive.
     
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  17. ThomasJS

    ThomasJS Minimodder

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    Now it’s finally time to assemble all the parts and finish this project!
    In the oak framework I had to make some Rampa threaded inserts. Located the holes with just the drill.
    Also installed the LED before the steel framework is closed with the acrylic distro plates.
    Mounted the PCI riser cable and disto plates.
    This is my first time working with hard tubes, but it went very well, the parts were done very quick.
    Used the EK leaktester to test the whole system, separately tested the distro plates.

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    Wow thank you so much for the compliment! :)
    It doesn't look like a lot of work, but it takes so much time!
     
    Last edited: 12 Mar 2024
  18. ThomasJS

    ThomasJS Minimodder

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    The case is done! Enjoyed making it, and a a lot more complicated than my first scratch build.
    Now I can finally enjoy it on my desk. Thanks for the following!

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    Last edited: 15 Mar 2024
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  19. miculago

    miculago Minimodder

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    Your project is so complex and creative, with very clean shapes. I really like it!
     
  20. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Absolutely beautiful. :D It came out awesome.
    I wish I had noticed some things earlier, though. You will want to keep an eye on your temperatures. There was a passive build here years ago that learned that random stuff on the board still needs airflow.
    Also, you will want to add a baffle or duct to the radiator, or half of your fan intake will come from the exhaust.
     

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