The Left Handed Build

[piggin23]

The funny thing is, that's not all the fans. I am looking to get another 14 - 16 before I am finished.

[kalniel]

Looking good but by the number of fans(!) I now suspect you're actually building some kind of watercooled hovercraft!

Where else would you put the eels?

[piggin23]

As promised, here is an explanation on what I am attempting to do and why it is called ‘The Left Handed Build’

Even though I was very happy with ‘The STY’ I thought that I could have a better water cooled system. I started looking around and decided that the only way to have a set up that I wanted was to do a scratch build. Shortly after this initial brainwave, I had a conversation with Tom on the possibilities of producing such a case. We both felt that if I could produce a frame for this new build then Tom would CNC the required panels.

So after this initial conversation I went away and started to do a few basic sketches of my new design. I then returned back to Tom where I was ridiculed about being ‘old school’ and using pen and paper and not sketch up. Again after this conversation, we both felt that this project could be manufactured and I went away to start the construction on the frame.

I thought about producing the frame from aluminium but the problem of creating a good looking corner arose. I then decided to use 20mm steel angle iron to build the frame as I could produce a frame with welded corners.


So I purchased a few lengths of angle iron.




These were then cut to the required length





The chop saw was then set to 45deg





And the ends cut to 45deg to build a good corner.





All the pieces were cut to the correct size & with 45deg ends





These pieces were then cleaned up with a grinder





The frame was then setup on a flat surface with magnetic corners.





Then the 'tools' were broken out :scared:





One side completed, now only four to do (or should it be 5, I think this is going to be a funny shape!!!) :001_huh:





The center pieces were then 'notched out'





Then set into places and welded





All of the frame was then 'tacked' together and all joints fully welded.


As for calling this the ‘left handed build’, this came from a conversation with Tom @ ChilledPc when we were discussing how the side panels should look. During the conversation we decided that we had a blank canvas to work with and we could build a design that flowed through each section of the case.

We both agreed that this was an excellent idea but were unsure of what type of design to use. I then explained to Tom that he had to be artistic to do his line of work and that he must have a good design in his head somewhere. He then laughed and said ‘you have to be left handed to do this sort of thing, don’t you’ and you would be better off looking for someone who has a degree in art rather than computers.

This now means that I do not have a finalised design for the cut outs for the fans and the window for my scratch build, yet!!!!.
Hopefully someone will read this and come up with an outstanding design !!!

[Attila the Bun]

Piggen,

I think a simple old school sketch would be good to give an idea of the flow you have in mind. I mean, looking at "the Sty" and the current pictures of the left hand build give the impression of a seriously robust but fairly conventional box type structure with the same basic internal layout.

But if this is not the case then I'm thinking that even the the most radical of artists might need a bit more info if they are to come up with ideas that fit your flow.

For myself, the fact that it's a Left Handed Build, is of heavy industrial construction, has a red and black internal colour scheme and is built by Piggen (A nod to Animal Farm here) then the panels should carry a sort 1920/30s Communist Russia theme.

The symbolic propaganda art a bit like this http://www.boingboing.net/images/sovietposter.jpg is what I'm on about.

Actually come to think about it you should code name it the T34.

[Zhaoman]

Honestly I am drooling. I love the way you take the pictures, flipping the components over so we have a full front and back view of it. (which really helps picturing said components and all the shiny bits )

PS if I were designing a pc case then I would angle the top backwards slightly and have the front fatter than the back. Vents at the bottom and bottom front while an angular cut going down the side diagonally. Kinda like a toad... but more angular obviously and made of steel. Also the russian theme works i reckon so a nice shiney gun metal grey with some dark, muddy communist red touches spring to mind. White leds glowing from the vents... yeah i'm slowly running out of weed. But nice build keep it up!

[piggin23]

Thank you both very for your ideas.
Both of you have made me think.
The frame has now been completed and pictures will be updated soon.
As for design I like the look of this case

http://www.casemodblog.com/?p=1236

but as I am not left handed, a design has not been finalized.

[Pob255]

How about this

The FUGGDIVINO by Seth
That's a box section frame work, the panels are mirrored acrylic, then cut out aluminium powder coated white, then cut out red acrylic and finally cut out aluminium powder coated black.
You know what's really scarey about that build?

He did it all by hand! the aluminium was cut out with a nibbler then filed, the acrylic cut with a dremel, then filed then flame polished.


If you can give us a better idea of the overall layout and shape then mabe someone could come up with a design, but without a better idea of the internal layout, it'll be very hard to do.

PS sure you've got enough fans there?

[piggin23]

Thanks Pob
I do like that build and something to consider.
As for the amount of time required to complete all that work by hand is unbelievable.
As for a better idea of what I am trying to do, I will upload more pictures shortly.


And the fans, No, I have ordered more

[piggin23]

The frame is now completed and fully welded.







As I am ‘old school’ , I thought I would do some 3D modeling.

Placed a makeshift center divider to split the main body of the case from the rads.





Just checking spacing between the fans and the 120.4 rads.





I am going to place 140mm fans in the front to help draw in some 'cool' air.





I then measured everything out and marked it up on the floor.





Then checked out where the motherboard will finally sit.





Checked where the drive holder will fit in (this will be suspended from the roof)





Then worked out where the hard drives will be placed in the HD holder (this will be attached to the center divide)





After my session of 3D modeling I produced a set of drawings using pen & paper. (Told you I was 'old school')

[Attila the Bun]

I'm beginning to think that with this amount of fans you should be upgrading to carbon rods. : )

[Pob255]

Actually I was think this

It might be quieter

On a serious note, if you're sectioning off the bottom for the rads, then consider the intake fans at the back instead, that will help reduce perceived noise.
Also are thoes 120mm x 25mm fans you're using the check the rad position? best to check them with 120mm x 38mm fans if you are going to use 38mm fans.

EDIT: can you give me rough external dimentions for that frame?

[piggin23]

I don't know about carbon rods but I may have to invest in my own nuclear power station to run the thing.

[piggin23]

On a serious note, if you're sectioning off the bottom for the rads, then consider the intake fans at the back instead, that will help reduce perceived noise.
Also are thoes 120mm x 25mm fans you're using the check the rad position? best to check them with 120mm x 38mm fans if you are going to use 38mm fans.

EDIT: can you give me rough external dimentions for that frame?

Its my intention to put 140mm fans in the front and the back to help with a fresh flow of air.
As for noise, each set of fans will be run on a channel of a Zalman fan controller.
As for the spacing of the fans, , there is lots of room for two rads + 4 sets of fans and all the pumps.

The external dimentions of the frame are 610 x 610 x 420 mm

[Attila the Bun]

I don't know about carbon rods but I may have to invest in my own nuclear power station to run the thing.

And some wheels to move it about...with those sort of dimensions (It's more than twice the volume of my rig ) you should diguise it as a Marshall amp...in fact you should just buy a Marshall amp and convert that

By the way are all the power toys, sorry, tools yours? Or are you friends with a local engineering firm.
Whatever the answer I'm getting me some of those magnetic right angle thingimajigs even if I never use them.

[Biscuit]

subscribing here -quite intreged as to where this will go, if its still planning next week i might whip out my 3D programs and see if i can come up with anything. Keep up the good work!

[piggin23]

And some wheels to move it about...with those sort of dimensions (It's more than twice the volume of my rig ) you should diguise it as a Marshall amp...in fact you should just buy a Marshall amp and convert that

By the way are all the power toys, sorry, tools yours? Or are you friends with a local engineering firm.
Whatever the answer I'm getting me some of those magnetic right angle thingimajigs even if I never use them.

The toys are from work and the dimensions are dictated by the number of four fan radiators the build will hold.

As for thingimajigs http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-SILV...tectiveGear_RL

subscribing here -quite intreged as to where this will go, if its still planning next week i might whip out my 3D programs and see if i can come up with anything. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the offer Biscuit

The layout of the case internals is pretty much set-out (in my head)
The design part is to do with the side panels. I am looking for a pattern/ design that will tie everything together.