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[Scratch Build] Node - 3D Printed PC Case
- Thread starter complx
- Start date
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #22
Nope, this project isn't dead, just needed a few weeks to work out the logistics of everything. My last post was about how I was going to redesign the Node to use less parts, be smaller, etc. Well after spending 2 weeks looking for a 3D printer and trying to redesign the case, it became clear that it was going to be a few months worth of work again. I would have to start from scratch again and go from the ground up, and after all the time and effort I put into the current design, the thought of going back to step one was not really all that appealing.
While I was able to get a model that had some potential, there were elements about the design I still didn't like, like the lack of edge covers. This without them you had a clear view to the underside of the paneling and it just didn't look good.
So at this point I decided that the guys who quoted me at $700 to print the entire case were my best option. I was a bit hesitant at dropping that kind of money so they were nice enough to provide me with one of the larger pieces for free so I could test all the paneling.
And IM SO GLAD I DID! Every panel I tried fit like a glove, the finish is at a level where a few coats of paint will fill in the ridges and there minimal finish work. I have already ordered the rest of the parts, and I should have some photos in a few weeks.
While I was able to get a model that had some potential, there were elements about the design I still didn't like, like the lack of edge covers. This without them you had a clear view to the underside of the paneling and it just didn't look good.
So at this point I decided that the guys who quoted me at $700 to print the entire case were my best option. I was a bit hesitant at dropping that kind of money so they were nice enough to provide me with one of the larger pieces for free so I could test all the paneling.
And IM SO GLAD I DID! Every panel I tried fit like a glove, the finish is at a level where a few coats of paint will fill in the ridges and there minimal finish work. I have already ordered the rest of the parts, and I should have some photos in a few weeks.
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #26
UPDATE!!
FINALLY!!! FINALLY!! After about 2 weeks of talking back and forth with the printer, I FINALLY have a quote! $500! They are FINALLY printing the pieces and I should have them in about a weeks time, so I can get back to work!
More info soon!
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #28
BIG UPDATE!!
All I'm going to say is that this was money well spent. I have had a grin stuck on my face for the past few hours while working on this. So happy to be able to begin moving forward wit this project again! Enjoy!!
All I'm going to say is that this was money well spent. I have had a grin stuck on my face for the past few hours while working on this. So happy to be able to begin moving forward wit this project again! Enjoy!!
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #32
And so the work continues!!! This week it was about putting the final touches the assembly of the case and working on getting the hardware fitted, making sure there are no last minute tweaks to any of the parts (Spoiler Alert: There are, but they are minor)
So first up, the design has hex holes carved out for the nuts that will hold all the paneling, they needed to be glued into place to make sure they won't fall out when you remove the various panels, as this was a minor issue when I was trying to assemble this case for the first time. I got to the last panel on and had issues keeping the nuts in place while trying to screw them in. So after some super glue and letting it set, this issue has been resolved and we're good to go!
And after a quick trip to the hardware store to pick up the last few pieces of mounting hardware, I got started on mounting and fitting the hardware!
I ran into a minor issue with the motherboard tray, it will need to be redone, but that's because of a few issues. It's missing pump mounting holes, it's smoked acrylic instead of black, and the motherboard mounting holes are a bit to high. So when I went to install the I/O shield, this happened:
So other than that, I'm starting the next parts of the build, the water cooling and hardline tubing. My first time doing hardline, so wish me luck!!
Stay Tuned!
So first up, the design has hex holes carved out for the nuts that will hold all the paneling, they needed to be glued into place to make sure they won't fall out when you remove the various panels, as this was a minor issue when I was trying to assemble this case for the first time. I got to the last panel on and had issues keeping the nuts in place while trying to screw them in. So after some super glue and letting it set, this issue has been resolved and we're good to go!
And after a quick trip to the hardware store to pick up the last few pieces of mounting hardware, I got started on mounting and fitting the hardware!
I ran into a minor issue with the motherboard tray, it will need to be redone, but that's because of a few issues. It's missing pump mounting holes, it's smoked acrylic instead of black, and the motherboard mounting holes are a bit to high. So when I went to install the I/O shield, this happened:
So other than that, I'm starting the next parts of the build, the water cooling and hardline tubing. My first time doing hardline, so wish me luck!!
Stay Tuned!
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #34
Update! (7/3/2015)
Now that the major stuff is out of the way, I can start focusing on the minor things and detail work that needed to be taken care of. Enjoy!
Taking the heat sinks off for painting.
Pump Mounted
Running a quick leak test
Painting the parts, now to let them sit and dry overnight.
Stay Tuned, more tomorrow.Now that the major stuff is out of the way, I can start focusing on the minor things and detail work that needed to be taken care of. Enjoy!
Taking the heat sinks off for painting.
Pump Mounted
Running a quick leak test
Painting the parts, now to let them sit and dry overnight.
in for the long run.
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #36
Update 7/10/2015
Back with a few more updates, and I'm happy to report it's finally coming together. I have had this thing together and apart so many times I'm getting pretty good at it. There were a few more parts that ended up needing to get painted, one of which was the motherboard tray. I had originally wanted a solid black tray, not transparent. That's what I had originally ordered but the company who cut it for me screwed up the order. (they has also messed up previous things so I decided not to use them any more) So I ended up disassembling the entire thing again to get at the tray and painting the back half with black paint.
A few other things came out nice after painting.
I also marked and drilled holes for the pump to mount to.
I also went about making some custom stickers for the back of the fans so they were not so ugly. I had access to a printer and cutter so I was able to make them next to perfect.
Mounted!
And so the current state of the case looks something like this! LOL!
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #38
Soon it will be complete...soooooon.
OP
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- East Coast, USA
- Thread Starter
- #40
See it in person!
Hi all, I will be attending 2 shows coming up in a weeks time. I will be at both PDXLAN 26 and Quakecon 2015 this year and I will be bringing the Node along with me, so if you are interested in seeing it in person, feel free to stop by!
7/17 - 7/20
7/23 - 7/26
Hope to see some/meet people!
Hi all, I will be attending 2 shows coming up in a weeks time. I will be at both PDXLAN 26 and Quakecon 2015 this year and I will be bringing the Node along with me, so if you are interested in seeing it in person, feel free to stop by!
7/17 - 7/20
7/23 - 7/26
Hope to see some/meet people!
