Which metal do I need for my waterbox?

[eXCeSS]

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=60&step=2

I'm using aluminum to make a waterbox.
As for thickness, I assume 0.04" is thick enough to support fans, heatercores etc...
But I am unsure wheather I need bare aluminum, or other aluminum...

Can anyone clear this up for me?
Thanks.

[=ACID RAIN=]

Bare would be ok I assume, probably would be cool to shine it up and clearcoat it :)

[Sneaky]

my lian-li case has all the stuff attached to ~0.04" aluminum, so you should be just fine with it as long as you have reinforced corners and the like


and for some really high-quality aluminum, go with the 6061 T6 alloy: http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=1240&step=4&showunits=inches

and i know that this stuff polishes up real nice with some fine grit sandpaper and dremel polish, as many paintball parts are manufactured from this alloy, and i'll sometimes strip the anodizing and polish it to a mirror finish :bday: (it may take a while with the dremel - might wanna get a buffer of sorts)

[sunrunner20]

Bare would be ok I assume, probably would be cool to shine it up and clearcoat it :)
I would highly recomend against doing that, Unless it is on areas that are irrelavant to heat transfer.

And a question, is there a reason that you have chosen Al instead of Cu?

[=ACID RAIN=]

I believe he's talking about an external waterbox. I thought the same thing for a sec :p

[creepy]

I would highly recomend against doing that, Unless it is on areas that are irrelavant to heat transfer.

And a question, is there a reason that you have chosen Al instead of Cu?


Hes talking about an external box to hold his comonents if im right. The box would probably transfer very little heat and CU would be $$$$.

[Sneaky]

sunrunner20 thought that it was a water box, as in a resivoir/tank - and use of aluminum with copper parts in the same water cooling loop can result in copper corrosion problems, which is why he suggested to make it out of copper

but it has nothing to do with that - eXCeSS is saying a water box, as in external containment box for all the WC stuff to be inside (pump, rad, etc.), in which case, aluminum is fine

[juliendogg]

Yessir, an excellent idea IMO. IF it were me i'd try and grab some really thick aluminum sheet. I don't think you'll be toting it around, and using thick enough panels will eliminate the need for any internal framework. This will make a very rigid container as well as make the best of the interior space.

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=1245&step=4&showunits=inches

something like that would probably be nice. then you can choose the width you want for all four side, determine the length so you can cut all the sides out of it, and you need only order 1 piece and cut it into 6 pieces. if the pieces are sturdy enough you'll be able to use smallish L brackets on all the inside joints to secure everything together. voila! stout aluminum waterbox. Polish and enjoy :D>

J.

[matttheniceguy]

What will you be using to attach everything?

My vote would be TIG welding it all, but unless you have the equipment and skills that is pretty much out. There are some really good aluminum epoxies around that are nearly as strong as welding and would give it a very clean look. Mechanical fasteners (bolts rivets etc.) could also be used, but they don't generally give as good of look, and may come loose after time.

[Diggrr]

Might I suggest: At Home Depot (or maybe it was Lowe's, danged old age) they carry various sized sheets of fairly polished aluminum diamond plate.
They also carry aluminum angle, and aluminum rivets.

You can cut the angle to size with a hacksaw, and cut the sheets to fit with a jigsaw, then rivet it all together. You can also use JBWeld Quick (5 minute set time) for a cleaner appearance.

Nice looking, and easily done at home without contracting a welder ($$$).

Oh, they also have the expanded mesh for radiator openings, and you can get outdoor carpet for sound dampening.

Just a suggestion, but I'd assume it might be cheaper than using online metals (though that place rocks).

[alinosa]

find a local high school metal trades class and talk to the instructor. they aren't allowed to charge for labor. We used to do a lot of welding for people. gave us some experience beside welding straight lines on plates and lame exercises for the course. We put penises on a whole batch of roping dummies that we built for hte instructor, and they went outlike that! we got in so much trouble. Anyways, the instructor will know if he has someone good enough to do it right.