PROJECT LOG Project: Hacked Benching Station

onefstsnake · Jul 11, 2011

After looking at a few threads of homemade benching stations I decided to make my own. I recently built a new rig for my mother and in the process inherited her old rig.

The Plan:
This will be a super low cost or no cost build!
I plan on using existing parts/materials that I have on hand to do the entire build.
Even though the title says "Hacked" I want the station to be clean and somewhat good looking.

So here is the case I will be working with.

onefstsnake · Jul 11, 2011

Ok so far Ive drilled out most of the rivets and cut down the motherboard tray a bit.

I plan on adding some sort of feet to the bottom of the tray as its not very stable.
Still not sure if I will leave the PSU in the original position. (above the mobo)

onefstsnake · Jul 11, 2011

reserved 2

onefstsnake · Jul 11, 2011

Found my can of self etching primer as well as some copper colored paint.
Trying to think of what I can use for feet on this thing...
Or I could mount the whole thing to a piece of wood.

More updates tomorrow.

SamSaveMax · Jul 12, 2011

Hey, congrats starting on your project.

Well, stick-on bumper anti-sliding legs would be best in your case since it's a thin plate.
I've used on mine. It's a bout a nickel size in diameter and 1/2" tall.
I bought at Fry's in a package of 12 for 3 bucks.

onefstsnake · Jul 13, 2011

Well instead of making the motherboard tray sit on the ground Ive decided it will have some legs. It will stand ~1' tall using angle aluminum.
Im also going to try to make some HDD and CD drive mounts.

Time to draw out some plans.

onefstsnake · Jul 13, 2011

Well here is a quick sketch of my design, minus drives and drive mounts.

onefstsnake · Jul 16, 2011

Well I got some legs cut for it. The tray might be too flimsy to use as is.
So im either going to brace the tray or possibly just find a piece of wood for the base.

fventura03 · Jul 16, 2011

i see a lot of people build benching stations, what exactly is the use for them? lol

onefstsnake · Jul 16, 2011

Makes it alot easier to swap hardware.
It can cause some components to run cooler.

When your benching, quite often you need to get at the hardware quickly and easily. Especially when running subzero a standard case just wouldnt work.

ChanceCoats123 · Jul 16, 2011

It also allows much easier access when pouring ln2, or scooping dry ice. Very tough to do with a vertical case.

fventura03 · Jul 16, 2011

oh ok, i guess i understand...

your plans look fine, i think the legs might be too thin, you could also add a triangulation bar in there, for support.

onefstsnake · Jul 19, 2011

Well this project is changing direction a bit.
Instead of using the flimsy motherboard tray I will be using wood for the base.

Picked up a 16x36" piece of pine today that will be cut down to arround 16x18". Also got some threaded inserts to mount the legs and things to the board.

onefstsnake · Jul 19, 2011

Wired up the power/reset buttons as well as the power/HDD leds.
Hope to get a lot more done tomorrow.

onefstsnake · Jul 20, 2011

Well got most of the control/front panel done.
Looks decent. Work is just going so slow on this project! :bang head

onefstsnake · Jul 21, 2011

Well got a bit more done today.
Got the motherboard inserts done and the motherboard mounted. Fits great.

Also got a few of the inserts for the legs done.

onefstsnake · Jul 31, 2011

Anyone want an update?

Devil_Dog · Aug 1, 2011

Keep it coming.

onefstsnake · Aug 1, 2011

Well I got all 4 legs complete, as well as all the standoff done.

The standoffs are a combination of threaded inserts in the wood with nylon spacers epoxied on top.
I also got the I/O plate mounted using the same method as the mobo standoffs.

Standoffs Epoxied.

Board Mounted.

Tomorrow I hope to get the control panel finished as well as cut some holes for wire management.

SamSaveMax · Aug 1, 2011

Looking better everyday. Did you paint I/O plate from silver to black or is it a newer one?

PROJECT LOG Project: Hacked Benching Station

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