M0nkeyb0Y's Tinderbox

disclaimer: I am fully aware that placing a few hundred watts of electrical components inside an old wooden desk may appear a touch fool-hardy to some... I am also aware that the level of workmanship and planning that went into this project are 'light' at best; however I would love to have some feedback!

I've always wanted to build a PC into an old pedestal desk but have been put off in the past by three factors:
1 - the prohibitive cost of a decent looking pedestal desk
2 - justifying taking a jigsaw to a piece of old furniture
3 - fire

I dealt with the first two factors by finding a pretty beaten up desk on eBay for 81 squids (the cost of a half decent case, I mused); and I managed to bury the third factor deep enough in the back of my mind for it to no longer be an issue.

Here's the desk; it has a large marble top which isn't pictured:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/...852d65c104.jpg

If I removed the central shelf I could, I guess, just put a tower in one of the cupboards:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/...d66a1a96c4.jpg

Where's the fun in that?, right I'll cannibalise my Antec 180 for cages etc, but first I need a motherboard tray:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/...4a5e291042.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/...6a5f94c4_m.jpg

fixed
Right, let’s get some airflow on the scene, flip the desk over, hole-saw-tastic:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/...d4ebe9ba3a.jpg

a little rougher than I would have liked, hey ho it's at the back though.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/...25a9806f2d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/...355014ae8a.jpg

that'll do for the mobo, hard drive cage and fan; now I need somewhere for the PSU and DVDR...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/...88e3fb1c92.jpg thank you Antec

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/...ca47c940e7.jpg

the brackets for the drive are just small galvanised L brackets from B&Q/Homebase etc, fit perfectly.

OK - those are all the pics I can find; after this stage I added a power button and jigged out appropriate holes at the rear - then it was done. When I get home I'll take a couple of pictures of it in its "completed" state, and post on where I feel I went wrong and what I'll be changing.

Hope you like it.

Looking good mate, I've always wanted to do something for a media centre, so even more compact.

Will be keeping an eye on this project.

Thanks!

Looking good so far. :)

Wow this section of the forum was always pritty dead, now we've got a few on going builds.
Maybe I'm self-conceited, but I wonder if I've kicked off something good with my log ;)

Back to the build at hand.

Did you see MoonPig's desk pc? http://forums.hexus.net/chassis-syst...ml#post1757534
It's basically the same thing you're trying to build.

I loved his layout of the motherboard at the top then a glass window in the top of the desk so you can see the motherboard through it. :thumbsup:

Here's an idea for you, if you're going for it totally concealed in the desk.

• Get some big assed 200mm+ fans, cut holes in the back of the desk at the bottom for them.
• Mount PSU vertically, i.e. cut a hole in the bottom of the desk so the psu is drawing in air from inside and pushing the air out of the desk through the hole in the bottom.
• Make a front panel for the cupboard or a latch to keep the door closed and some methord of sealing the edges. (some PaxMate around the edges of the door or cupboard should work well ;) )
• Cut a good sized hole in the front of the middle shelf for air flow
• Cut a large hole in the upper section of the back of the cupboard, possibly fit another 2x 200mm+ fans

This layout should mean that air is drawn in at the bottom half of the back of the cupboard, flow through the lower section, up through the deviding hole at the front of the shelf, flow through the upper section and finally out at the upper half of the back of the cupboard.
Thanks to the 220mm fans that should give you plenty of air flow while keeping the noise level very low.
Oh and you'd probably need to make some form of dust filter and the intake fans. ;)

These are the sort of fans I'm talking about
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/220mm...LUE-LED-lights
I've also seen a non-LED version of that Akasa fan.

And you could try asking on the Antec section to see if they could supply you with the top fan from the 1200, as that has both speed switches and led on/off switch.
Or the top fan from the 900, as that has no LED's, just speed switch.

If the wood is decent then it should be easy enough to sand down and re-varnish it to make it look less battered. ;)

Damn you!!

I was planning this sort of thing ages ago (when you posted here about it) and I still haven't done it.

So jealous :D

Very nice! I look forward to seeing it completed, I don't think you should worry to much about fire I think your computer will start complaining long before your desk has a problem. Combustion happens about 500-800 degrees C, and bad things only start happening (gassing) about 300. The main problem with wood is it is a good insulator, it will not radiate any of the heat so do need a good air flow which you are doing. If that is not enough, water cool the things and mount those on the back of the desk. You have a lot of space so you could even duct/box the area so the flow comes in from the back and is vented out the back and never comes near the rest of the computer!

As oolon said, I doubt it'll get hot enough to burn the wood, just make sure there's no sawdust left in there ;)

Heat build up, which could probably damage hard drives and other components would be a bigger issue without air flow.
Which is why I posted that 200mm+ fan ventalation idea ;)

Looks good, but remember to keep the airflow high so as to avoid "server disease" i.e. trying to cram too much into too small a space and overheating the lot.

Looks to be interesting! Just out of interest what kinda spec is going in it?

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Originally Posted by woody_294

Looks to be interesting! Just out of interest what kinda spec is going in it?

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My system in the "my system" tag under my avatar. Nothing special, but want to make sure the idea and execution are solid before spending any dollar on a new one

this is a great project mate, where you gonna have the power on switch? on the outside of the door?

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Originally Posted by M0nkeyb0Y

My system in the "my system" tag under my avatar. Nothing special, but want to make sure the idea and execution are solid before spending any dollar on a new one

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The funny thing is, looking at your specs if you did an upgrade the main thing I'd carry over would be the p180 which is the thing your replaceing with your desk. :surrender:

p.s. keep it up, we're waiting for more :)

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Originally Posted by Pob255

The funny thing is, looking at your specs if you did an upgrade the main thing I'd carry over would be the p180 which is the thing your replaceing with your desk. :surrender:

p.s. keep it up, we're waiting for more :)

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Ha! it was a good case and served me well, but that time came to an end when I took my drill to it!

I'm waiting for more too :), but I only get time to work on it at the weekends, and with my kids running to and fro that makes it a little hard. I basically had this built as a dry run (the above pics were from that build), but it wasn't really fit for purpose, so I set about finding a motherboard to base a proper build around, and start again.

Oolon very kindly gave his old tray to me after seeing my thread in the 'wanted' section. I'll be giving him kudos in this thread next time I post pics, as that was certainly 'above and beyond'.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vti

this is a great project mate, where you gonna have the power on switch? on the outside of the door?

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It's currently on the top of the middle shelf. I'll probably keep it there. will post more pic hopefully after the weekend.

Ok - update time is overdue...

After the original post I decided that a more systematic and thought-out approach was needed to the design. I have now removed the rear of the pedestal cupboard and am building a 'flight case' to house my components; this will, in theory, give me a sealed unit in which I can determine airflow with some degree of accuracy. It'll also make the whole thing a little more upgrade-friendly if I can slide the box out and work on it.

Now because the job has suddenly become a much larger project I've decided to 'do it properly', which involved some google sketch-ups that I'm too embarassed to show here, and a lot of sanding...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/...fb667175_b.jpg

a fair amount of riveting

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/...7610f4613a.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/...ab325f63fa.jpg

Which went wrong

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/...3e4a00d1_b.jpg
I love drilling rivets :)

After a while things were starting to take shape, and I had the base of a case that would hopefully fit snugly into the pedestal.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/...e386c0a5_b.jpg

right, now some credit (as mentioned above in not big enough font): many thanks to oolon!! for providing me with a motherboard tray free of charge.

I have no dremel so I got to work on it with a hacksaw and jig...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/...fe5252f4_b.jpg

:embarrassed:

add a little electric tape and who's to know?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/...40c4d1d9_b.jpg

Right, I made those washers so I could attach the motherboard tray to the batons on the inside of the case using grommets to absorb any vibration...

Anyway that's all the pictures I have at the moment, but there will be more to come, probably next week.

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fter the original post I decided that a more systematic and thought-out approach was needed to the design.

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:(
Half assed and bodget FTW!

Although electrical tape says you've not truely given up on that approach :thumbsup:

Plan and plot but never put it on paper, although flattened out fag packets or chocolate bar wrappers are allowed ;)

Keep up the good work :)

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Originally Posted by Pob255

:(
Half assed and bodget FTW! Although electrical tape says you've not truely given up on that approach :thumbsup:

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Ha! Go easy! I thought the electrical tape was a stroke of genius. :confused:

Unfortunately these are just the pics I got on my phone, I was also using my wife's 'proper' camera but that's not available at the moment; otherwise I would have had some more/better pictures.

I've re-sanded (240grit) and stained the desk, and need to oil and polish it. I'll stain the case the same colour so it doesn't look out of place.

The case is coming along nicely, the motherboard tray is in and appropriate air holes are being cut into the base and rear. :)

I think you found a big enough font! Good to see it coming along and desk really came out well after the sanding. Personally I spent the weekend putting up shelves, though I did get a new power tool a jigsaw with a laser sight to follow the line better... Insulation tape goes tend to go a bit icky after a while, if you get some thin pvc tube and slit along the edge, it might get a nicer edging, of use a flat low amp mains cable and just the edge, however the colour is not as good. You can always use a bit of glue to keep it in place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M0nkeyb0Y

Ha! Go easy! I thought the electrical tape was a stroke of genius. :confused:

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It was a stroke of genius :) And the sort of simple approach that I fully approve of.
Keep up the good work :rockon2:

An update as promised....

I had hoped to get the thing finished this weekend, more for my wife's sanity than mine, but unfortunately it didn't go quite to plan.

Either way I've made some progress...

(apologies for camera-phone quality pics)

I jigged out the rear:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2772/...a46bf193b2.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/...8254b18ed9.jpg

Need somewhere for the HDDs and DVD drive:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/...079cf4e664.jpg

that brace should also add some stability

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/...24bccb7e_b.jpg


I stained and then oiled the sanded desk

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/...775b822d_b.jpg

I also tidied up those rear vents and added appropriate(ish) holes in the base.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/...43b89a27_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/...ae0ae6d5_b.jpg

I think the doors came up pretty nicely.

All the oiled wood now needs to be rubbed down, and it'll have a pretty attractive low sheen.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/...c816d9cb_b.jpg
like a glove

Not finished yet, but I broke the back of it this weekend, and the rest of the jobs are bite-sized bits I'll hopefully be able to do in the evenings...

Hope you like it. :)

Looking good! Cant wait to see it finaly finished.

That is coming on a treat, I like the nice dark red colour oil you used that brought out the wood nicely. If I remember correctly you said there is a top to the desk which will finish it off nicely.

Nice. :)

I see you went for the bigassed fan approach :mrgreen:

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Originally Posted by oolon

That is coming on a treat, I like the nice dark red colour oil you used that brought out the wood nicely. If I remember correctly you said there is a top to the desk which will finish it off nicely.

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Cheers oolon; it's the stain that's given the colour to the wood (colron 'walnut' if memory serves...), the oil is supposedly clear (although you can buy colourised varieties), the oil's really brought out the 'patina' (as the tin says) or colour and grain (as you or I would). :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pob255

Nice. :)

I see you went for the bigassed fan approach :mrgreen:

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Thanks Pob255, I couldn't locate an Antec Big Boy (fnarr! fnarr!) so ended up getting the far cheaper Akasa one - although having never used the Big Boy (pfft!) the Akasa feels pretty flimsy. However it runs silent.

Anyhoo - It's FINISHED! for now, so pics to follow imminently... :woowoo:

Okely dokely... I had planned this as a-quiet-as-possible build, so planned to line the case with acoustic foam

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/...3a4553ae9b.jpg


... but... After taking that picture I put down the camera, and virtually forgot about it, until I'd basically finished.... but here's what I did: I cut out the templates for the acoustic foam, assembled the system with bolts, positioned the PSU, riveted some brackets for it, took it all apart, spray glued the acoustic foam, and riveted the bugger as I reassembled it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/...4edef6c9_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2655/...aa8445f565.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/...6afc901350.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/...dff1148e63.jpg

Then, I stood back with a pipe and admired my handy work...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/...8531477f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/...f5363742_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/...3dd92e61_o.jpg

Thanks for all the support guys. In the next few months I'll be making adjustments, and perhaps upgrading the entire system, so as always any comments greatly appreciated!

Cheers all :)

Love it, really impressed with the finish - any chance of a pic without glaring back light though (curtains drawn maybe?), so we can see your handy work in all its glory?

Very nice :)

Lovely block of marble you've used for the top :)

That looks great! The desk is perfect for the alcove as well. Well done.... whats your next project!

Awesome work, have been following this log but just havent posted but have to say some very nice work there. Came out better than I thought it would to be honesy.

Nice one. It goes well in the room.

Is it as quiet as you hoped?

Very nice indeed. :)

Do you suffer from vibrations passing through the desk? I ask because this is a problem which I (and probably others) have a constant battle with, despite packing things with foam and rubber spacers between the case and the desk.

I've been putting off replies until I had any sort of update, but I'll be upgrading the whole rig in February so there'll be new pics etc then... in the mean time:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pob255

Very nice :)

Lovely block of marble you've used for the top :)

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awthankyou

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oolon

That looks great! The desk is perfect for the alcove as well. Well done.... whats your next project!

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Thanks; gah! My mate wants me to put one of those old arcade coffee-table-arcade shooters into an actual coffee table, but that's well beyond me!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GheeTsar

Is it as quiet as you hoped?

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No, not quite, but the quiet quest is hard to fill. Better than any other case I've had mind, and I'll be tweaking when I get my new system in it next month and will be able to give you better info then

Quote:

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Originally Posted by laywill

Very nice indeed. :)

Do you suffer from vibrations passing through the desk? I ask because this is a problem which I (and probably others) have a constant battle with, despite packing things with foam and rubber spacers between the case and the desk.

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Yes definitely, but it's the best case, insulation wise, I've had and the block of marble is a massive dampener! The noisiest element is now the cooler, which certainly wasn't the case before, I think the different materials conduct sounds of higher frequencies...

:)

That's a lovely looking desk. I'd have given up on the sanding and painted the thing black to save effort :)

Does the 220mm fan provide sufficient cooling in that case? I'm planning to use a similar layout on the rear of my first build (an old subwoofer cabinet).

Where did you buy the acoustic foam from? I've been looking around for suitable foam, but there are so many different fire retardant standards it gave me a headache.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sadbuttrue

That's a lovely looking desk. I'd have given up on the sanding and painted the thing black to save effort :)

Does the 220mm fan provide sufficient cooling in that case? I'm planning to use a similar layout on the rear of my first build (an old subwoofer cabinet).

Where did you buy the acoustic foam from? I've been looking around for suitable foam, but there are so many different fire retardant standards it gave me a headache.

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Thank you

On paper the 220mm fan provides 95cfm of airflow, so the equivalent of 2 x 120mm fans as a guess (which I have that the front). Cooling has been fine, but I haven't taken any readings. I don't really view it as a particularly efficient case design but it does the job for me - Considerations I'll make for the next system will be a larger cpu cooler with a 120mm fan, and GPU cards that exhaust air rather than circulate it inside the case.

For the foam I went with the 10mm thick version of this:
http://www.noisestopsystems.co.uk/so...p-foam-36.html

call rather than order online, as they had stock issues when I ordered. Delivery is pretty steep.

I'd probably go for the S/A stuff which has a self adhesive membrane on the back - Much easier than the spray adhesive I used. A nice sharp stanley blade cuts it very neatly.

Good luck

OK - I've upgraded to i7 and the specs are as those in 'My System' to the left... I thought I'd take the opportunity to change the layout of the case slightly

Apologies for the quality of these photos - blame the iPhone.

I added vibration dampening brackets for the hdds:

http://forums.hexus.net/members/m0nk...85-photo-1.jpg

http://forums.hexus.net/members/m0nk...e491-photo.jpg

I drilled throught the fan filters so I could reverse them, and attached them with cable ties:

http://forums.hexus.net/members/m0nk...89-photo-6.jpg

My cooler is the giant Prolima Megahalems - with a scythe silent typhoon fan attached:

http://forums.hexus.net/members/m0nk...88-photo-5.jpg

http://forums.hexus.net/members/m0nk...86-photo-2.jpg

I know these may seem a little odd and inconsequential, but I had them on the camera and thought I'd share them

Thanks
MB