Dave's perpetual question thread

[GNEP]

You might be best off buying a really cheap case and ripping it apart - or alternatively rooting around and trying to find a ~5yr old IBM desktop or something - and then ripping the 5-1/4 drive cage out of there... I have a couple sitting around here from exactly that.

G

[Helevitia]

Yeah, I have the skeleton of a computer case that I use for reference on my specs. I'll probably just make my own enclosures out of wood possibly. I might use plexiglass, but I haven't thought that far yet.

BTW, thought I'd tell you that you can buy case skeletons from Directron for 10 bucks.

Dave

[Helevitia]

We have a bunch of old HP cases at work that people are throwing out. They all have the sliding rail mechanism that I have been looking for. I just need to cut out the drive cage and cut each bay into one single unit to use for sliding in the drive rails One less thing to have to look for now

Now I need to go buy a tap set, screw thread inserts, long screws and do some more building

I also need to go to the local plastic store, have them make me some pieces, meet up with this cabinet guy on Saturday to order some laminate panels. Man, this is getting expensive. I hope it comes out cool when I am done.

[Helevitia]

bad news, the rails are too close to the front of the CD drive, so I can't use those. I've decided to just get acrylic pieces made to spec and forget the rails. Just means it won't be as easy to change out the devices.

I tore apart a case tonight and dremmeled off all of the rivets so I have specific pieces. Something I am going to have made is an acrylic backing that attaches to the motherboard tray. The slots will still be metal and where the PS/2 ports, etc.. go will be metal but the surrounding area will be acrylic. Once I get some pieces made and I feel confident the project will be completed, I'll start posting some pictures. I still won't reveal what I am doing though.

[Helevitia]

Anyone know where to find some finish machine screws. I guess they would be stainless. Probably polished or plated?

[GNEP]

[facetious]
Finland?
[/facetious]

[Helevitia]

Maybe something like this but even more polished to give a nice finished look.

[Helevitia]

Originally posted by GNEP
[facetious]
Finland?
[/facetious]

hehe, wouldn't that be 'finnish machine screws'

[GNEP]

Yeah yeah I know - just couldn't resist

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/home.jsp

is where I'd go in the UK - don't know of a US equivalent... Home Depot?

[Tjalfe]

can you not put a nice shine on a regular stainless one from e.g home depot? with your dremel and some toothpaste?

[Tjalfe]

and why stop with a nice shiny finish, when you can go all out

http://www.goldplating.com

[Helevitia]

I was at Home Depot last night. None of the screws have a "I can put this on a piece of furniture and put it in my living room" look to it.

I think doing it myslef will probably come out ugly.

Gold doesn't match my design

[Helevitia]

Here is the exact screw I would want, but in chrome or nickel plated.

[Liquid Snake]

Try <A HREF="http://www.mcmaster.com">McMaster-Carr</A>. Look under "Fastening and Sealing."

[Helevitia]

Well god damn! I think you helped me find what I am looking for Thanks! Now I just need to find the inserts to screw the screws into.



Here is a pic of what I might get.