[Worklog] Building Case From Scratch: Aluminium Project Options

[Smokie]

Current Status Of Build (08-02-09):






I am thinking of building a case from scratch. I have done a couple of mods and really want to give it a go. It wont be cheap so i want to make sure everything is planed before i start. The front pannel consist of 3 120mm fans. Top exhausts are 2 80mm and rear is 80mm. I want to put the DVD drives down the bottom for extra ventalation up top. The really cool thing is i want the door to hindge from the back corner.

Please feel free to critisise or incorage, provide tips on the build or how to build it. More imput the better.

Cheers

-Smokie



This post has been edited by Smokie: Feb 8 2009, 12:29 PM

[Luke_SLI]

Cool! :)

[Kid_Morbid]

Looks much like the Lian Li TJ09 case

[Luke_SLI]

Looks much like the Lian Li TJ09 case

the TJo0 is a Silverstone case.

[SoloBuggMaster]

I would do ALL 120MM FANS!
I don't know seems more reasonable if you're doing it by yourself

[Bistro]

Ditto, ditto, ditto SoloBuggMaster. You have too many noisy 80mm's in there. Go 120 on the rear exhaust and maybe just one on the top, hook the front and top fans into a front panel fan controller at around 1200 rpms and have a nice, quiet machine. If you want bling, use something like Antec 3 blue led fans. If you don't need bling, I would use Scythe 120s...super quiet.

This post has been edited by Bistro: Mar 11 2008, 07:30 PM

[Circus]

On the side panel.

Get some hydrolic arms. Like what is used on car trunks, but smaller.

That way you unhook a latch at the bottom and *swish* up goes the door.

Also, try to find a good piano hinge. They can be hidden quite easily. They also will come in a length you need.

It is better to use one long hinge than a few smaller ones.

This post has been edited by Circus: Mar 11 2008, 07:41 PM

[Smokie]

Thanks for the imput. Yeah, i think i will add another drive bay for fan controlls or only have one drive bay and use the second for the controll. I was inspired by the design of the TJ09 case but wanted to add onto i a bit. I want steel mesh over the 3 120mm fans on the front so that should look cool. And i will probably just have 1 120mm fan on top instead of 2 80mm - probably have the one at the rear 120mm now you mention it

I havn't decided on what material to use yet. Stainless steel will look much nicer but when cutting it is less forgiving and much more expensive than second grade steel. So any advice on the material to use would be much appreciated.

Circus - I like the idea of hydrolic arms so that the side can stay up unsupported. I just wonder where i can get some of them from. To confirm: a piano hinge is a single long hinge than could run to the front to the back? But i am worried how i will fassen the hinge to the inside of the case because i really dont want screws poking out of the side.

[AustonnTexas]

I think it will work , and look, great. I like the Idea of the DVD drives on the bottom. What are you planning to put in this case? Just wondering

[Circus]

Just a question.

Do you know the benefits of using BTX mobo mounting style? ex.: inverted and upside-down, door opens on the right side of case not left.

Piano hinge : yes. its a single long, low profile hinge. If you weld it onto the 'door' you can avoid screws from being seen there. But I suggest you screw the other edge to the case and hide the screws behind the side panel, so you can remove the 'door' if need be.

Take a lesson from the TJ-09 as well. Try to setup an intake like it has [the 120mm in the middle inside the case. this time too cool your HDDs and psu area]

2x 120mm in the top [or 3] at standard spacing will allow you to add a 360mm liquid rad later for liquid cooling.

Also, make about 3 to 3.5 inches of room above the top of the mobo for that if you plan for liquid later.

You are building your dream case. Go wild with drawings [cad, freehand, etc] and let your imagination flow.

If all goes well this may be the only case you will ever need to own for your main rig.

[Smokie]

I think it will work , and look, great. I like the Idea of the DVD drives on the bottom. What are you planning to put in this case? Just wondering

The components are in my signiture. But i am planning a CPU upgrade in the future, perhaps a second GPU and another 2 GB of RAM

yeah i was thinking a BTX design but i think i will stick with atx. The 3 X 120mm fans on the front in future could be fitted to a readiator on the inside of the case. What is the biggest PSU available (demention wise), i want to make sure there will be enough room and ventalation in the bottom to acomodate the PSU.

I am planning on doing a honeycomb persecs window on the side. Should look real nice, with mesh on the lower end of the side pannel for the HDDs and PSU.

I still havn't decided on a material to make it out of yet.... open to suggestions.

[geckoguru]

I might use aluminum for the material. Although it would add a lot to the cost.

[Circus]

There was an article in toms hardware about a custom case company.

I can't remember who they are ATM but they gave them a very good review.

Check them out if you can find the review. Toms said they were helpful and easy to deal with and had a fair price. They also help with CAD drawings, but it would be cheaper if you already have those when you contact them for a build.

Food for thought.

[6foot4geek]

you said you would use a metal mesh to allow airflow for the intake fans at the front of the case.

what material would you use and where would you get it???? (just modders mesh????)

I have a mod I'm working on and modders mesh is like $30 + s/h and I have to wait for it!!!

Is there a product that would be sold by a local retail shop or what, any idea's?????

BTW I like the hinge idea, there are a few case's out that use hydraulic??? hinges and they look pretty cool, and I also agree on using 120mm fans, they will serve you a lot better.

[Smokie]

At the moment i am cheaking out a few steel manufactuers and seeing if i can get 2m^2 of the stuff and spray paint it a metallic silver with an air gun but i would really love to use aluminium for the front pannel.

[wolverinedo]

If I can have input in one area of this build it would be to have no mesh, no cover, no material over the fans.
Have the fans totally exposed and make them a feature. The steel mesh that every single bloody case maker uses these days ABSOLUTELY KILLS the fans ability to do what they do best - provide airflow.

Test it for yourself. Feel with your hand how much air is vented out of your case through these mesh/vents. Then take the fan out of the case and feel how much air its moving without any restriction!! I bet my rig there is a HUGE difference.

Don't cover the fans. I know its not exactly kiddy finger safe, but then again, what is your kid doing in the computer room anyway!!!

Good luck with the build.

Cheers

[javoid]

If I can have input in one area of this build it would be to have no mesh, no cover, no material over the fans.
Have the fans totally exposed and make them a feature. The steel mesh that every single bloody case maker uses these days ABSOLUTELY KILLS the fans ability to do what they do best - provide airflow.

Test it for yourself. Feel with your hand how much air is vented out of your case through these mesh/vents. Then take the fan out of the case and feel how much air its moving without any restriction!! I bet my rig there is a HUGE difference.

Don't cover the fans. I know its not exactly kiddy finger safe, but then again, what is your kid doing in the computer room anyway!!!

Good luck with the build.

Cheers

Plus it cuts down on the sound of it going through the tiny holes but I do like having A filter on the intakes to keep the case clean.

[Smokie]

That sounds like a good ideam, but as you mentioned the risk of getting a finger jamed in one. The only problem i could see with that is dust intake and also when the case is being carted around for a LAN, you would definetly have to watch where you put your hands. But yeah - it has never been done before and i do beleive it would give it a fresh look....

[javoid]

I would make or add A mobo tray to make it better to work on.

http://www.mountainmods.com/eatx-black-pow...-tray-p-59.html

[Circus]

Dont use mesh. Use OEM fan guards.
These


They proved finger protection and don't limit airflow. I am going to paint mine black for a better look.

Haha, Javoid, thats almost the same tray the TJ-09 uses.

This post has been edited by Circus: Mar 14 2008, 06:52 PM