- Joined
- Jan 12, 2012
Clever idea with the rod to make sure the valves don't mysteriously open on their own. 
-
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600lbs Steel I-Beam Desk/Computer Build
- Thread starter JLambeth87
- Start date
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #62
It's getting closer!
Power washed and scrubbed the entire desk today to smooth it out and remove any loose rust. I wanted to keep the general look of the beams so we didn't fully take all the rust off.
Once it was dry I masked off all the mounts for the Mobo, GPUs, PSU, and radiators then hit them with about 4 coats of black paint.
Tomorrow the real fun begins of cutting and soldering all the copper piping for the coolant system. I'll be buying all that tonight. Roughly 60ft worth and around 100 fittings.
Power washed and scrubbed the entire desk today to smooth it out and remove any loose rust. I wanted to keep the general look of the beams so we didn't fully take all the rust off.
Once it was dry I masked off all the mounts for the Mobo, GPUs, PSU, and radiators then hit them with about 4 coats of black paint.
Tomorrow the real fun begins of cutting and soldering all the copper piping for the coolant system. I'll be buying all that tonight. Roughly 60ft worth and around 100 fittings.
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #63
Tonight I put together the motherboard, cpu, Waterblock, and NVMe M.2s.
All ready for install onto the desk tomorrow!
All ready for install onto the desk tomorrow!
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #66
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #67
Another update:
I pulled the tape and paper off and I really like how the stands came out.
Next I started the fun task of piping the dual loops. I started with the top section first then started down along the radiator side of the desk. I haven't soldered any of the pipes yet. I am waiting to get the entire side finished before I solder anything.
One radiator is now piped in along with all the drain valves on that side. I'm hoping to get that side finished tomorrow.
Overall I really like how this is coming together.
I pulled the tape and paper off and I really like how the stands came out.
Next I started the fun task of piping the dual loops. I started with the top section first then started down along the radiator side of the desk. I haven't soldered any of the pipes yet. I am waiting to get the entire side finished before I solder anything.
One radiator is now piped in along with all the drain valves on that side. I'm hoping to get that side finished tomorrow.
Overall I really like how this is coming together.
Alaric
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Location
- Satan's Colon, US
I mentioned silver solder on the previous page, but it occurs to me the biocide effect of silver makes silver solder an attractive choice. What solder are you using for the copper, if I may ask?
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2012
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #72
Problem with the silver is it needs to be easy hotter to solder compared to the lead free. 188*C compared to 420*C for silver. I'll do some test joints and see if it discolors the copper.
Alaric
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Location
- Satan's Colon, US
Ahh, I see your point.
I have no idea if copper is antimicrobial, but that would be optimal as all get out.
Alaric
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Location
- Satan's Colon, US
I was thinking the same thing! Regularly spaced spots of silver solder securing the tubing to the I-beams may do a fine job of dissipation! Then again, this build is all about excess.
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #76
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #77
Haha I am thinking about how to use the frame as a passive cooling system along with the radiators. I'll do some testing this weekend.I was thinking the same thing! Regularly spaced spots of silver solder securing the tubing to the I-beams may do a fine job of dissipation! Then again, this build is all about excess.
I'll be working on it tonight and all day tomorrow. Hoping to get the piping done by Sunday and bring it home.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2005
- Location
- Oregon
I sure hope one of those is attached to a kegerator. Be cool if they were under water too. With neons of course.
OP
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Thread Starter
- #79
Good morning everyone,
This weekend I got a good amount done but am quickly realizing how big of a project this really has been. The copper piping is getting to be a massive headache, trying to figure out the best way to route it and make it fit correctly while still looking nice and I haven't even started soldering it yet. The radiator side of the desk is complete and yesterday I started on the PC component side. I knew from the beginning that this was going to be hard but it is kicking my butt and taking much longer than I was anticipating.
My first problem I ran into was when I mounted the motherboard. The thumb screws to hold the monoblock to the board were interfering with the motherboard mounts. I had to run to the hardware store to get some small 3mm nuts.
Next, the guy who's shop I've been using brought his dad by to see the progress being made and they asked where I was planning to fill the loop from. DOH!!! That's what I get for finishing the radiator side loop at 1am. I was planning on putting the fillers right at the top of the reservoirs. After talking through the setup with both of them, we decided it would be best to put them up on the top in the "V" using some sort of valve setup so I can fill while running but then close the valve to keep water from running backwards through the fill line. I'll twist on a barb fitting attached to a flexible tube which I'll fill from. I'll add these in during the soldering process.
Once we figured all that out. I kept going on the PC side. As I started mounting components I started to realize this was going to be a big challenge. I slightly underestimated the amount if space the 1/2" copper pipe would take up on this side. Because it was going to take up more room than I thought so I had to figure out how to change the layout around to make them fit correctly. Pictures are attached with what I came up with for the GPU loop. I'll finish the CPU loop today and then get the second set of pumps and reservoirs mounted. I couldn't finish the cpu loop because I ran out of 45* fittings. I need to swing by the hardware store today and get more.
I also am wanting to add a 10gb Network card for high-speed data transfer between this rig and my network file server (new idea and not sure how I'll make it fit). The new card shows up today so I'll hopefully see if it's even possible.
Anyway, here are pictures for you. Oh and I have been shooting a time lapse of the piping process.
This weekend I got a good amount done but am quickly realizing how big of a project this really has been. The copper piping is getting to be a massive headache, trying to figure out the best way to route it and make it fit correctly while still looking nice and I haven't even started soldering it yet. The radiator side of the desk is complete and yesterday I started on the PC component side. I knew from the beginning that this was going to be hard but it is kicking my butt and taking much longer than I was anticipating.
My first problem I ran into was when I mounted the motherboard. The thumb screws to hold the monoblock to the board were interfering with the motherboard mounts. I had to run to the hardware store to get some small 3mm nuts.
Next, the guy who's shop I've been using brought his dad by to see the progress being made and they asked where I was planning to fill the loop from. DOH!!! That's what I get for finishing the radiator side loop at 1am. I was planning on putting the fillers right at the top of the reservoirs. After talking through the setup with both of them, we decided it would be best to put them up on the top in the "V" using some sort of valve setup so I can fill while running but then close the valve to keep water from running backwards through the fill line. I'll twist on a barb fitting attached to a flexible tube which I'll fill from. I'll add these in during the soldering process.
Once we figured all that out. I kept going on the PC side. As I started mounting components I started to realize this was going to be a big challenge. I slightly underestimated the amount if space the 1/2" copper pipe would take up on this side. Because it was going to take up more room than I thought so I had to figure out how to change the layout around to make them fit correctly. Pictures are attached with what I came up with for the GPU loop. I'll finish the CPU loop today and then get the second set of pumps and reservoirs mounted. I couldn't finish the cpu loop because I ran out of 45* fittings. I need to swing by the hardware store today and get more.
I also am wanting to add a 10gb Network card for high-speed data transfer between this rig and my network file server (new idea and not sure how I'll make it fit). The new card shows up today so I'll hopefully see if it's even possible.
Anyway, here are pictures for you. Oh and I have been shooting a time lapse of the piping process.
JL this build is looking EPIC!
I would highly recommend placing some pipe unions before and after the PC components. Once this is all sweated together there will be no way to move these components. Adding pipe unions will allow you to assemble and make replacements/service 1000 times easier. Just my 2¢.
I would highly recommend placing some pipe unions before and after the PC components. Once this is all sweated together there will be no way to move these components. Adding pipe unions will allow you to assemble and make replacements/service 1000 times easier. Just my 2¢.
