[Captain Slug]

Well, this is actually an old project that was postponed for a little over 2 years. Way back when, DeVil_909 came to me a rough design concept, which I fleshed out practically in 3D.
Well, for a handful of reasons the project was delayed. But it now has feet and is off and running. Although progress has been a tad slow due to my new part-time job and the fact that I'm trying to get used to a few new tools. I have far more experience with machining that I did when this project was first started. So in turn the design has become a little more advanced and feature rich. This change is also partly due to the expanse of time leading to me losing the original file for the first design.

Here's the new design

External Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 13 inches
3 5.25" drive bays
3 3.5" drive bays
removable motherboard tray
hinged drive and power access panel
rotatable and swappable reservoir and drive cage units allowing for multiple front panel configuration and case orientation options
completely spherical reservoir

Log
It took me a whole day to get the garage setup for working.

I then placed a HUGE order through McMaster, which even though I only paid ground shipping on arrived the next morning. Shown here, next to the large pile of scrap plastic I bought a few days prior
I then started cutting out the hollow square rod pieces for the frame.

They were troublesome and I wasn't quite happy with the end result.

Granted I wasted alot of time making them, but I decided to start over. The only upside of doing so is that I'm now more comfortable using my new tablesaw.

This time around I decided to build a framing jig to help glue the new solid square rod together at precise spacings and right angles with no room for errors. The first frame half is drying now, and once I get the second one done I can reconfigure the jig to start glueing the two remaining frame pieces.


And now I have something to work with! Most of the square pieces for the case itself have already been cut to size. Most of what's left is detail and drilling work which I will cover in detail in the next updates.

[NsOmNiA91130]

What ever happened to your leet plastic making powers?

[Drec]

this looks like it will turn out great! can't wait.

[scott d]

wow, that looks sweeet. Now hurry up and finish, I wanna see!!

[Captain Slug]

Originally Posted by NsOmNiA91130

What ever happened to your leet plastic making powers?

I'm not allowed to make mistakes once in a while? You think too highly of me.
Besides, hollow square rod has much thinner walls that I was expecting so they're too weak and lack an effective surface for the plastic solvent to make a solid bond.
The new frame is proving to be much more rigid and will definitely be sturdier once it's finished. The second half is fusing now and I will be reconfiguring the jig for the upper and lower pieces tomorrow morning.

[subtotal]

5W337

[Benvanz]

Yet again you come up with a great idea Keep up the GOOD work!!!

[sicloan]

amazing. cant wait to see another update!

[Captain Slug]

Update tomorrow. The most important frame pieces are finished but need to be drilled and tapped so I can take a picture of them assembled with screws. This will be the first update where the progress starts to look like the conceptual image.

[Captain Slug]

The main structural frame pieces are done!

They affix together with 8 1-inch #6-32 screws and the frame will get progresssively more rigid as I add new assemblies. The radiator mount will come next since it's the most structural.

The pictures have been pretty crappy lately because someone decided to "borrow" the camera I was using in the shop for their vacation photos, but did so without asking.

[SniperXX]

Looking good. I wish I had time to mod as much as I wanted too and the right tools, lol.

[flamerail]

Yey!!!!!!

[pik4chu]

omg the captain is at it again! That 3d render looks totally cool and I cant wait to see the progress here! :cheer:

[DeViL_909]

Looks really good so far. I wish it was mine.....oh wait lol. The 2 year set back was my problem due to college and funds, but I am happy that I could finnally pull funds together to get this made. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I am going to

[DeViL_909]

Well it seems like Captain has been a little busy with his job and multiple projects. Since there is no case updates, I will update you all with the parts lol. I just got done painting the optical drives black and the faceplates. I will be sleeving the PSU with black soon. I am also painting my keyboard and mouse black and red to match the case theme. While part of this is done, i will be posting pics tomorrow morning. Oh, I forgot to mention that the tubing in the case will be black so that the Res will be the only thing glowing red.

[Electron Chaser]

Another Cap'n mod, another thread added to my subscribed list.

So any time frame on they Sphere res or what your plans are?

[Captain Slug]

Originally Posted by Electron Chaser

So any time frame on they Sphere res or what your plans are?

I'm waiting for the required materials for the reservoir to arrive before I take care of it. The drilling and tapping required for it will need to be outsourced, but I already have the solvent, barbs, and hex head fill-port plug for it.
It will be held in place by a custom retaining vice the same size as the drive cage.

[AlucardCasull]

Could you get some close up pics of that frame? Im interested in how that was put together. Other than that, its looking awesome as usual!

[Captain Slug]

Originally Posted by AlucardCasull

Could you get some close up pics of that frame? Im interested in how that was put together. Other than that, its looking awesome as usual!

You wanted close so here's close. And thankfully I have the nicer camera back.

The ends of each piece were sanding with 450 grit sand paper, then placed in the jig and fused together with solvent.

The jig was a tremendous help and made sure that the joints fused at the correct angles and kept the pieces in constant contact for the most important first hour.
As the close-up picture shows, the upper and lower frame pieces are drill all the way through, then the side frame pieces were drilled and tapped. The whole structure is held together with black nylon thumbscrews. The structure will become even more rigid as I complete and add the radiator mount and inner drive shelf.

[flamerail]

Your the plexy glass plastics god .....