Scratch Build – In Progress Project: The Snake - SFF Case - 10th Aug

This is gonna be my entry to the CPCFF competition, objective is to make a SFF (Small Form Factor) case, within specific size requirements and able to accommodate all the usual components. The comp isn't about building a working computer, hence the PSU with no wires. Its 100% about design and features of the case.

First heres 16m of tubing:


There will be 10 rows of tubing stacked on top of each other all connected via 2 x 10 port manifolds, you get the idea from the pic:


Rear of case, made from acrylic (if budget permits, alternatively its gonna be aluminium or steel as I can get it for free).
1 x Hard Drive and 1 x DVD Drive underneath the mobo. PSU to the side of the mobo


Tubing will coil into a spiral at the top (may change)


10 Port Manifold to put at rear of case, where the holes are in the backplate, Rob is making these for me so a big thanks to him for that


UPDATE #1
This is the layout for the components, notice my cardboard cut-out DVD writer


A quick mock up of tubing coils (im not using this tubing, its just that I dont wanna start cutting the other tubing till my manifolds are complete).


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE

Well I just got some pics off the Manifolds from Rob and wooo they look sweet as!!!!!!!
So a massive thank you to Rob and his friend for doing these for me!

Heres the pics:




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE

Ive got the aluminium base & top cut out (only 1 shown in picture) and a piece for the backplate that I need to mark up for the PCI slot and mobo ports etc.

Im gonna sand these then prime and paint them so the scratches should be hidden.

Not much else to say, mainly just showing that progress IS being made.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE

Ive just finished marking out the aluminium ready to be cut out 2moz. Then it will all be painted black as well!!!

This "should" be the final design change apart from little bits like switches etc...



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE:
The aluminium pieces have now been cut-out... measuring out the backplate was a right PITA. Its a nice fit though so it was worth the effort I suppose.
The lid has now got a rectangle cut-out in to acommodate the LCD.
I had a piece of scratched acrylic that I found at work months ago so ive cut that into a mobo tray (just needs drilling now)

THE PICTURES







PS: I know I need to cut the acrylic under the PSU.
Hoepfully gonna drill it all today and paint it 2moz.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE

Right im finished for today, will get painted tomorrow though.

PICTURES:
Manifolds attached to the base and lid


Backplate, all fits nicely:


Top View with tubing installed:


Side View with tubing installed:


You like?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is probs gonna be the last update until the deadline so I can add finishing touches behind the scenes

As you can see its been painted black now and ive also added 2 more supports to make the tubing form a much more rounded shape.
Its a big improvement over the previous idea of just having 2 supports.

Thinking about leaving the manifolds unpainted along with the bolts. IMO it looks ok as it is but if you disagree please say so.

THE PICTURES

Case painted with 2 supports:


Case Painted with 4 supports (notice the slight change in tubing shape, it holds to the shape of the base more now)


Inside of Case:


As you can tell this log hasnt been started today, its been going on for about 3/4 weeks but the closing date for entires is this Sunday so it will be completed by then. Im tempted to go put water inside it now!!

PS: Hello to all you people all there, this is my first post here!!

 

Well theses are the only pics your gonna get to see until next Sunday...

oh and yeh did I forget to say WOOOOOOOOOOO WOOOOOOOOOOO!!

PS: For all you crafty sods out there, I havent uploaded any of the other photos to my photobucket account either.
I'll give a more detailed post in the morning. For now its bedtime (4:02am)

THE PICTURES

 

that's soo beautiful. Very good idea.

Can't wait for the next pics.

 

Very nice looking case!

 

A great idea to make the tubing coils as part of the structure of case !!!

 

Wow, looks cool.

 

awesome marcus looks like your ideas have got a lot more advanced since your other two case mods.

 

A little suggestion. I think it would look nice with those rounded nuts instead of the normal ones you are using on the top.


^It's the rounded in the middle^

And with a little polishe they look great!

This is from modsquads Black Rain Take a look, I know he use them in a very nice way.

 

Hey, yeh the idea had already occured to me and if I can get some before Sunday I will change them to dome headed nuts

Thank you to every thats commented on it so far, I suspect the next update to be some time on Sunday night right before the competition ends.

 

wow that looks awesome to bad it wont be a functional case but man at least it will be a great looking art piece ^_^

 

When the comp is over im thinkin bout doing a little bit more work on it and puttin a working pc inside it.
Basically just needs a couple of fans and a power switch and away we go

 

ah well that will be awesome

 

That's one awesome case my dear friend!

 

Im gonna ditch the LCD and in its place is gonna go this...
Its an Alphacool HD block thats gonna sit just under the lid and that will be visable through the hole ive already cut-out

Well the case had to be called "The Snake" for a reason didnt it

 

x06jsp me and u have the same name of a project. im doing a purple haze project excepy my case is clear and i have purple led's everywhere

 

wow, wow, wow, great case, really great case

 

My project isnt called Purple haze, its called The Snake so you've lost me with that.

Ive got loads of UV LED's sat here with my ready to be wired up when I can be bothered

 

It actually takes 3 pints of water to fill this badboy. Ive just re-filled it now so I could take it for a walk around the garden.

Yeh yeh I know theres an airbubble in the top line, i'll fix it later

I need to get some feet for it as well... maybe some chunky black bookcase feet will do it

EDIT:
Quick vid so you can see it, and how it looks under natural light. The paint job really shows in this vid!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzVRzgE1_lY

THE PICTURES

Basking in the front garden:



Trying to blend in... ha ha NOT



OOO The Snake!!!



How its mounted:

 

sweet design. GL in the competition.

 

Just a tiny update for you here.
I had a few problems with leaks at first but ive now fixed that by puttin some PTFE tape and a bead of silicone sealant on the 2 blanking plugs at the bottom of the manifolds. All fixed now though PARTY!!

Ive also decided how to fasten the backplate to the rest of the case.... VELCRO. Its really strong velcro and its actually difficult to pull away from itself (that make sense???)

Few pics to show you the velcro pads and some old knackered hardware in place (Im still using a cardboard cutout DVD-RW at the moment )

THE PICTURES

Velcro pads on backplate:


Velcro pads on the manifolds and some hardware in place:


The backplate being firmly held in place by the velcro


Maybe more 2moz... dunno yet