Parts required for a DIY benching station

[Adhoc]

I want to make a benching station like the many floating around the forums, but I have no idea for materials.

I prefer materials from stores not online, like lowes or home depot, just for ease of returning them.

I am planning to use aluminum and wood and would like to know what I should use for aluminum supports, and also what to make the motherboard tray out of.

Thanks

[Navig]

Hi,

I've made a few (okay well actually a fairly large number).

Unfortunately, my original build thread went down when the abit forums shut down, but you can get some ideas from the pics:

Build thread. (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=528477)

For sale thread. (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=536035)


Feel free to post any questions. It's hard to gauge your technical skills from your short thread. What tools do you have available to you? At the very least you should start with a drill, a jigsaw, and a rotary tool.

navig

[Adhoc]

Thanks.

To tell the truth, my carpentry skills have mostly consisted of using a hacksaw. I only have a drill, a knock-off dremel, and a hacksaw, though I may be able to borrow some tools from a friend. By the way, what did you use for your stand-offs?

[Navig]

My personal method is fairly unique. Here is what I use:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/navig/DIY%20Station/Standoffs.jpg


6-32 machine screw (length depends on thickness of the motherboard tray material).

6-32 rubber well nut aka rivet nut

6-32 knurled nut

All these parts easily found with searches on mcmaster.com.

My method is a expensive and takes a little jiggling to get the standoffs to settle in the exact location, but the benefits are 1) tool free mounting of motherboard 2) you can drop the mobo onto the standoffs and not even lock them with the knurled nuts if you feel like it 3) much more solid mount.


navig

[Adhoc]

Thanks again,

Um, what are the "things" you used to join the aluminum and wood (and the aluminum and aluminum) together? Just a keyword would be fine. :)

[Navig]

I will 1) Drill and tap my own holes. I'm partial to 6-32 machine screw threading. Aluminum and plastic tap well. MDF not so well. To drill and tap your own holes, you need a tap (for example 6-32), matched drill bit size (see mcmaster), and a tapping wrench.

2) Threaded inserts with 6-32 threading.


navig