Scratch Build – In Progress Project: Tri-Box supported by DangerDen and MNPCTECH

Project: Tri-Box

This is my second modding venture; however this is my first scratch build. Originally this was going to be a duel pc box with inspiration from Bills PCApex/ Pimp Rig Tribute but I revised this idea. I decided to take my steppes in modding one at a time. After four months of planning, I started Tri-Box.

I am going to be building in a few stages.

Stage One – Wood Work (Started)
In Stage One I will be building the main box out of pine ((210mm*20mm (w*h)) this will contain all cuts except for the slots for the aluminium and acrylic.

Stage Two – Metal and Acrylic
This is going to be the most time consuming part of the build but with any luck, it will look awesome. The aluminium and acrylic will be ‘wrapped’ round the box acting as a foot on the bottom and a symmetrical twin on the top. It will continue on the front to complete the look and to hide the obvious join on the back I will have a sheet of aluminium going from top to bottom. All aluminium will be brushed and the acrylic will be 5mm frosted green with illumination from LEDs imbedded in it.

Stage Three – Hardware and Water Cooling

I will be using this, as my main PC so will transfer my current components. I will also be installing a single water loop with a 360 radiator to cool both my CPU and GPU.

I started by marking out everything and then I learnt how to use the jig saw while cutting I have only finished cutting out the fan, vent, power supply and motherboard holes but they have all been cleaned up. The only holes cut are for the radiator as I do not know what I am getting as of yet.

The Images speak for themselves for the next bit.


Back


Front


Base

Questions and comments welcome.

 

I like the idea, Can't wait to see more, good luck my man

 

I like the fact that you're using so many different materials. How high will it be? I see forward to the next update, good luck!

EDIT: I'm subscribing on this.

 

looking great kyle you know that i cant wait for this so mod on

 

great job i am waiting the follow update

 

Thanks CK

Thanks and it will be 720mm high (28" or so)

Hey all,

Well I am home this week (I didn't think I would be, but anyway). I screwed the pieces together, I have sanded the sharp corners that were made because the wood is warped, and I have started painting the case. So stage One is nearly finished, am just looking for a template for a triple rad. I have also added another step to Stage Two.




the box

just to show you the warp



all questions and comments welcome

 

Nice idea and a nice start.

 

Thanks, by the way sorry if the images weren't there, I have moved them to my server

 

Hey all,

Well with me being on holiday and eagerly waiting to go to the USA I have been working on sketch up.

I have designed the external DVD drive and fan bus box as well as the point I want to reach before September (exams start again lol). So here is what I have come up with.


the front of the box


the back with power, reset and eject switches


from the front (including support/ lighting bars; excluding holes for rad because I do not know which I am going to use)


side view

 

Those cads are looking great mate.

 

thanks take a look at my new ones

Right one last update before I leave. It is another design update, I have completed the 3d model of Tri-Box.

The black is wood (pine as shell, and MDF for side panels all painted black), green is 5mm frosted green acrylic and the silver is 1.5mm aluminum / aluminum rod.


front and right side


back with right side


modular connection holes

Key
1. 2.5mm audio jacks for temp sensors
2. 3.5mm audio jacks for fans
3. eSATA connectors for DVD drive
4. Molex connector to power DVD drive and Kazemaster

 

Looking fantastic. How easy is the wood to work with?

 

nice wood work will you apply a color on the externe

 

looking great keep it up!!!

 

Thanks, wood is stupidly easy to work with if you are patient, and are willing to accept it is never perfect. However, these imperfections are what give it character, in my case the warp.

Thanks, I will be painting the inside black which will help hide the black braided cables (am braiding every cable), but also keep the look clean even through the window.

Thanks, I am in the US at the moment but there is internet at the hotel so can answer questions but unfortunately I can't do any work.

Any more questions or comments are welcome

 

Really liking the overall look of the case, it reminds me a lot of the newer lian-lis with its smooth lines and plain but very attractive exterior.

I hope you find a really nice bright acrylic for the green bit, I think it really needs to standout to really finish the piece, will the acrylic be easily removable and changed incase you decide on a different colour later on in the future?

 

Thanks a lot

I am currently thinking of using white frosted acrylic and putting multiple LEDs or bicolour LEDs.

 

Hey all, well I was incredibly bored so I have been browsing forums and looking for new ideas on how to improve this project. While looking at the mod of the month entries for April on bit-tech, I stumbled upon the Sinuskurve by Sonnenschein. This is an awesome mathematical mod based on the sin curve, but also has a really cool light scheme. This inspired me to use white frosted acrylic instead of the green and create a custom control panel which will fit in between the DVD drive and fan controller. Because I cannot use sketchup on my mums laptop I have made a drawing in paint .

The controller will consist of four to six push switches (depending on how many colours I am going to have) with an aluminum round cut into discs which will be attached to a ON-OFF push switches (one for each colour of LED). The round will make the switch look more in theme with the rest of the case. To make the switches I am going to drill a 10mm hole in the alu surrounding the dvd box, this hole will have a small acrylic piece (probably 15mmx15mm) behind it which will have an LED the same colour as the LEDs the switch will be controlling. So in the diagram if the switch is controlling the orange leds the acrylic surrounding the alu round will be orange.



questions and comments are as always welcome

 

lookin good there... definitely subscribing to this to see the progress

 

I really love your design. The curves and edges are clean and attractive. And I also love that sin curve computer, so I think this idea with the color changing is great.