Scratch Build – In Progress WORKLOG: 'IOU' – GAM's QubeLok Cube Case with IO connectors facing Up (Apr/Aug 07)

Sorry Missed that Update

Kickass work and good luck , Well done

 

Cheers CK!

 

Workshop - Day 27: Brush with a time machine… that only goes backwards

Workshop - Day 27: Brush with a time machine… that only goes backwards<<<
Note, click on images for higher res. versions.
Oh dear. I spent 14hrs in the workshop and didn't get done half of what I wanted to get done.

I thought it was about time that I updated that rushed 'pics only' post with the proper commented worklog for that day. So, here it is…

Left side panel continued…
Closing the gap, er… well covering it!
As always planned, I cut an offcut strip of 1.6mm (1.3mm?) aluminium to length and stuck to the back of the sidepanel to test it out and check tolerances as far as obstructing the opening and closing of the side panel. Notches had to be cut in the ends to allow for the hinges to rotate their full 90°. The strip was attached using the two empty holes in the top-centre of the bottom fixed panel using screws for the time being. Later, after performing sanding and edging routines, I drilled additional holes at each end and attached the strip using blind rivets. Note the little gap at each end for the hinge clearance.

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Auxilliary device bay cover
I'd been putting this one off for ages but for good reason; I wanted to fit it when I had near-final dimensions of the rest of the have case. I also hadn't decided exactly how this was going to be attached or whether or not it would open with the side panel or remain fixed in place with screws. While rebuilding most of it, I still hadn't decided until the last minute… attached to the case i.e., not opening with the side panel. I figured it would just clutter the side panel when it was opened and be in the way. Unfortunately, this meant that I didn't quite have the right fixing points worked out in the design.

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Compensating for malfitting pieces.

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Lots of positioning, clamping, checking, repositioning ensued…

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Happily distracted by the postman, I put that task aside for the moment, to be taken up again at the end of the day.

More goodies from UpOver!
The postman delivered another package from MNPCTech that I was expecting. Hmmm

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Of particular importance, and just in time, were these little beauties… Vandal Resistant Switches, needed for the front of my case! Thanks again Bill, your prompt action meant I had these in time for the finale with a day to spare.

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The contents of the package
2x Vandal Resistant Momentary Switch

1x "Urban Assault" Grill – 6"

4x Blue Anodized Case Thumbscrews


Breakage
The first tool breakage… my 2.5mm drill bit finally got a chipped edge. I noticed that it wasn't drilling like it should and started a tendency to waver off target… sure sign of blunt or damaged bit. I'm surprised it wasn't sooner as this little guy has drilled every hole in this case at least once! I tried to give it a guick sharpen but it is very difficult getting the angles right with such a small bit. This will probably get a replaced with a new one soon. For the time being I used an equivalent imperial bit.

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5.25" Device bay quick release/locking mechanism continued…
Finally it was time to finish off the quick release mechanism for the 5.25" device bay. As the fabricated channel had to sit flush against the side of the cage, I needed to remove some material from its top panel.

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As 'quiet time' was approaching, I decided to drop this in favour of some noisy table saw cutting before the evening was upon me. This meant I could spend the rest of the evening doing all the relatively quietly tasks to be done.

Right side panel trimming
Now that I had incorporated a hinging/fixing system for the right side panel, I could continue with some trimming of the top and side edges to bring it in line and flush with the front, top and rear case panels. I initially cut the top down to size using the table saw and then spent the next half hour or so back and forth with the plane and sanding block to get it to fit perfectly. I wanted to keep a very slight 'catch' so that it would stay in place while a thumbscrew was inserted.

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More sanding and trimming, and some riveting…
Fixed Bottom Panels
As most of this day was spent sanding, trimming, sanding, trimming and then more sanding and trimming, I didn't bother taking many photos as it is very boring stuff and I was very anxious about getting everything done. Panicking actually
Two fixed-bottom side-panels redrilled to 3.3mm for blind rivets, sanded, edge rounded and riveted in place.

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Auxilliary 5.25" device bay cover

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Note the countersunk blind rivets where the opening IO panel will pass.

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Some assembly and the result of the days' efforts

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Cheers,
GAM

 

WTF.... Your work is Simply KICKASS . its very nice case wow

 

Haha, thanks mate. It's starting to come together. By tomorrow night you should see a 'complete' case - end of phase 1.

Thereafter, the continuing build will be a great deal slower as I need to attend to my wife, work, and other matters

Cheers

 

nice will wait that

 

After seeing the amount of hours logged in this build over the past few weeks, I was beginning to wonder if such endeavors existed in your life.

Great work thus far, your organizational skills are exceptional. I can't wait to see what Phase 2 entails.

 

Thanks B[x]! Yeah, unfortunately I can't mod full time, although I more or less have been lately. There's money to be earned, loving and nurturing to give, sleep to catch up on.

I am venturing into a new line of business which will bring me closer to modding on a regular basis with the potential to earn something from it too.

Phase 2 will be all the 'other' things that I have mind for the case, like tricky cable management, IO cover, some lighting, watercooling, the rest of the vents including the bottom shroud intake vent, etc. With the competition pressure off, it will be more enjoyable being able to take my time and think things through more thoroughly. I've to cut some corners and compromise design details to get to this stage by 31 May 2007.

See you all tonight with a, hopefully, a major update and true PC Case photos.
GAM

 

looking awesome!!! keep it up!! mod on

josh/ginger monkey

 

Thanks x06jsp!

I've got a phase 1 'finished' product to show off now...

 

Good evening all... I have only just finished and taken some 'sex shots' for the final competition entry update. See post below. I will come back and update the worklog later.

Enjoy
Workshop - Day 28: Oh my god, is that the time – Final competition update
Note, click on images for higher res. versions.
No time for words…

Here is the result of my efforts. I will provide the FULL worklog in the near future. I've only just finished… 10:20pm AEST! Phew.

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Later,
GAM

 

oooooo nice its looking awesome!!

 

Thanks mate. After the marathon effort the last couple of days, I can't actually believe I've got it done and entered.

 

great job man, the more I see the I/O on top, the more I like it...

 

I have had the idea for a while. Apart from accessibilty for floor/under desk locations, I did this so that the slack/movement of hard drive data cables would be limited when opening the motherboard.

It will be interesting when it comes time to install the hardware and wire it all up.

Cheers
GAM

 

wowo Nice work

 

Thanks ComputerKing!

 

It's looking real nice, can't wait to see more

 

As Always great work you deserve to win any competition for sheer determination,quality and work speed.

 

That's one very inspirational case...
I have never before seen the I/O's facing up.

H.B.