- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Location
- Ohio
Nice finds, how loud is that fan?
-
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Sprocket's New Home
- Thread starter clocker2
- Start date
- Thread Starter
- #102
WHAT???
SORRY...CAN'T HEAR YOU!
WAIt a minute...there that's better.
Erm...pretty loud, actually.
240CFM in such a small space makes for quite a hurricane as it turns out.The whoosh of air is very noticable.
This is going to completely change the requirements for fans in the case.
The two blowhole roof fans are probably impeding the escape of air...those vents can almost certainly be passive.
I'll have to do some fiddling and teporarily fit the original outer shell ( which I hadn't planned on using at all in the final build) and see how the airflow is with the chassis completely enclosed.
Funny, but this one fan could have a major impact on the whole rest of the development....
SORRY...CAN'T HEAR YOU!
WAIt a minute...there that's better.
Erm...pretty loud, actually.
240CFM in such a small space makes for quite a hurricane as it turns out.The whoosh of air is very noticable.
This is going to completely change the requirements for fans in the case.
The two blowhole roof fans are probably impeding the escape of air...those vents can almost certainly be passive.
I'll have to do some fiddling and teporarily fit the original outer shell ( which I hadn't planned on using at all in the final build) and see how the airflow is with the chassis completely enclosed.
Funny, but this one fan could have a major impact on the whole rest of the development....
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2004
haha... that fan is nothing.. i got a duct inductor, 6 inch diameter... 250 CFM!! The 8 inch is like 400 or 600ish... Your finds, make me want to go to the eastside of PDX and shop them surplus stores....
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2004
-needs to learn how to drive and then wer clockers shop is....- must.... spend... life savings.... @_@ but yah, wats going on with the "turbo" switch thing? you get anywere on that? and can we get som new updated pics with som ideas on wat your talking about?-for the less imaginative in the post- *coughMEcough*
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Location
- Ohio
Any Updates?
- Thread Starter
- #106
well, yes and no.
Kinda.
I finally got all the major components arranged and mounted.
The motherboard was moved up 4 1/2" so I could switch back to the Aerocool HS with the Torin mounted below...this allowed the blower to be properly aligned to the sink.
Performance was very good with this arrangement.
The HDDs were also remounted (sorry, no pics) as space in the upper case area was quickly becoming cramped.
Because Sprocket is my only PC it was becoming quite a chore to strip her down, make some changes, then reassemble...a feat I was performing almost daily.
So I am in the process of relocating her to a temporary home as the work on the new case continues.
Naturally, I have made this apparently simple task into a challenge in and of itself, but that is another story.
I did pay a visit to my sheetmetal fabricator to check on the progress of my aluminum diamond plate panels...what a bummer.
I don't know if it is a function of his technique, the material itself, the brakes or a combination of all of the above...but the results were disappointing to say the least.
The raised pattern ( which gives the sheet it's distinctive diamond look) is tearing/getting deformed at the fold lines.
Basically, looks like crap.
I am reconsidering my options.
Plexi looks like an attractive alternative...the ease of fabrication is a big plus, but the cost is rather higher than I can afford at the moment.
Throw into the equation that fact that I just started a new job and this whole project becomes even more of a struggle than before.
We'll get there...just slower than perhaps it seemed at first.
Thanks for the interest.
Kinda.
I finally got all the major components arranged and mounted.
The motherboard was moved up 4 1/2" so I could switch back to the Aerocool HS with the Torin mounted below...this allowed the blower to be properly aligned to the sink.
Performance was very good with this arrangement.
The HDDs were also remounted (sorry, no pics) as space in the upper case area was quickly becoming cramped.
Because Sprocket is my only PC it was becoming quite a chore to strip her down, make some changes, then reassemble...a feat I was performing almost daily.
So I am in the process of relocating her to a temporary home as the work on the new case continues.
Naturally, I have made this apparently simple task into a challenge in and of itself, but that is another story.
I did pay a visit to my sheetmetal fabricator to check on the progress of my aluminum diamond plate panels...what a bummer.
I don't know if it is a function of his technique, the material itself, the brakes or a combination of all of the above...but the results were disappointing to say the least.
The raised pattern ( which gives the sheet it's distinctive diamond look) is tearing/getting deformed at the fold lines.
Basically, looks like crap.
I am reconsidering my options.
Plexi looks like an attractive alternative...the ease of fabrication is a big plus, but the cost is rather higher than I can afford at the moment.
Throw into the equation that fact that I just started a new job and this whole project becomes even more of a struggle than before.
We'll get there...just slower than perhaps it seemed at first.
Thanks for the interest.
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Location
- You Should Make a Wish!
on the Diamond plating, what exactly are you folding it for? if for the side panels and the lips, just attach 14guage sheetmetal on the back for the lips!
- Thread Starter
- #108
Well, the general idea was to make the top, back and bottom panels all from one piece with flanges folded on the sides to provide an attachment point for the sidepanels.
I could do as you suggest, but then I would have to fix the angle to the flat panels somehow, which kinda ruins the clean, professional look I was going for.
I think my next move is to check with a different shetmetal fabricator...it's possible that this problem originates with the man, not the material.
I could do as you suggest, but then I would have to fix the angle to the flat panels somehow, which kinda ruins the clean, professional look I was going for.
I think my next move is to check with a different shetmetal fabricator...it's possible that this problem originates with the man, not the material.
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Location
- You Should Make a Wish!
Just use big hunking bolts, it will make it more of an industrial look, and i think you would like it!
if not, just use little tiny rivets, LOTS of them
if not, just use little tiny rivets, LOTS of them
- Thread Starter
- #110
To me, "industrial" oft times equates with "amateur".
If I were to go that route it would be the "industrial" look of the 19th century ( think of the Time Machine from the movie of the same name...)...a time when extra care was lavished on the appearance of even mundane, everyday equipment.
Today's "What the hell" industrial look strikes me as slipshod and lazy.
I guess the ultimate goal is to produce a case that, while extensively modified/mostly handbuilt, is not imediately obvious as a homemade project.
Plus, it has to be as easily serviced/upgraded as a normal, manufactured box.
Not asking too much....I hope.
If I were to go that route it would be the "industrial" look of the 19th century ( think of the Time Machine from the movie of the same name...)...a time when extra care was lavished on the appearance of even mundane, everyday equipment.
Today's "What the hell" industrial look strikes me as slipshod and lazy.
I guess the ultimate goal is to produce a case that, while extensively modified/mostly handbuilt, is not imediately obvious as a homemade project.
Plus, it has to be as easily serviced/upgraded as a normal, manufactured box.
Not asking too much....I hope.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2004
- Location
- North Bend, Wa
clocker2 said:
You have just perfectly defined my perspective on case modding. Wonderfully put.
I would guess it's probably the man and his equipment, not the design you are requesting. If he can't deliver, by all means go elsewhere!
- Thread Starter
- #112
Thanks Suran.Suran said:
The problem with changing sheetmetal fabricators is manifold...
1). This shop is close and was easy to get to in my spare time ( read: lunch hour)
2). He was actually interested in the project and willing to work with me both pricewise and in design
3). Most of the other shops I have talked to are basically specialists in HVAC ductwork, the aesthetics and fine(r) tolerances I want are either beyond their capabilities ( doubtful) or just outside the scope of their interest.
Although I have no basic aversion to outsourcing the aspects of this build that I can't pull off myself, I have to keep in mind that a case that ends up costing $500 is a trifle silly...even for me.
At this point I am at a crossroads.
The parts of the mod I am most proud of...namely, the mounting system, is completely generic and could easily be applied to any build.
In fact, I now realize that the same basic concept could be used to mount all the drives also, which makes the interior construction quite simple.
It might make more sense to shed the last vestiges of this old case and just start from scratch.
Temporarily, Sprocket has been moved into a new, less spacious home...a process that I found quite relaxing after struggling with every last detail of the AT conversion case.
I dug an old, discarded ATX case at random from my brother's company's junk computer room ( gotta love free parts!).
I was pleasantly surprised when I got it home to discover that it had a removable mobo tray ( a feature I've never had the pleasure of working with...) and with two days easy work the PC was watercooled and running fine.
Whilst mulling over options for my custom case at least Sprocket won't be subjected to the daily depridations of teardown/reassembly, which was growing tiresome for us both.
Progress will continue...right now I just can't say what direction it might take.
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Location
- Ohio
Well, whatever route you take, you'll find us here, waiting for pictures (read: geek porn). I wouldn't mind seeing you build your own since that's something I plan to do for my next case and it would be nice to see what issues you run into.
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Location
- You Should Make a Wish!
what i meant industrial, is what you just explained Clocker, think of the old style rivets they had on boilers, that is what i was thinking. but you can talk to the guy and see what you can do about it
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Location
- Ohio
pokes with stick
What's going on with this? Have you decided to start from scratch or rework this case?
What's going on with this? Have you decided to start from scratch or rework this case?
- Thread Starter
- #116
Ouch!
Damnit...watch what you're doing...you could put an eye out.
I recently started a new job which has put a crimp in my personal mod time.
I actually now get paid to assemble and modify PCs and the bloom is off the rose when it comes to personal projects.
Sprocket is now nestled into a SFF case (like this ) because the shop feels that this formfactor will be the wave of the future so I needed to get familiar with the ins and outs of modding them.
Cooling is quite a challenge in such a limited space...not to mention that power is not terribly abundant, either.
All is not at a standstill, however.
One of our customers is almost ready to open his new metal fab shop which will have in-house water jet and powder coating capabilities, so my access to better technology has become easier.
Almost certainly, Sprocket's new case will be a completely custom build.
Unfortunately, I need to concentrate on the upcoming Christmas sales season before I can devote a lot of time to her, so it may be a while before there are significant updates to the saga.
Sorry.
Damnit...watch what you're doing...you could put an eye out.
I recently started a new job which has put a crimp in my personal mod time.
I actually now get paid to assemble and modify PCs and the bloom is off the rose when it comes to personal projects.
Sprocket is now nestled into a SFF case (like this ) because the shop feels that this formfactor will be the wave of the future so I needed to get familiar with the ins and outs of modding them.
Cooling is quite a challenge in such a limited space...not to mention that power is not terribly abundant, either.
All is not at a standstill, however.
One of our customers is almost ready to open his new metal fab shop which will have in-house water jet and powder coating capabilities, so my access to better technology has become easier.
Almost certainly, Sprocket's new case will be a completely custom build.
Unfortunately, I need to concentrate on the upcoming Christmas sales season before I can devote a lot of time to her, so it may be a while before there are significant updates to the saga.
Sorry.
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Location
- Ohio
Ahh, sorry about the stick thing, I thought you were asleep.
Interesting case, though I don't see my love of big cases fading anytime soon.
Good luck with the new job, I hope it doesn't suck all the life out of the project. I'll wait for updates now.
Interesting case, though I don't see my love of big cases fading anytime soon.
Good luck with the new job, I hope it doesn't suck all the life out of the project. I'll wait for updates now.
- Thread Starter
- #118
I admit that I am still ambivalent about the virtues of SFF cases, but the challenge of working within the confines inherent in the design is interesting.
With my old server cases the choices were limited only by what I wanted to do ( and could afford )...with this case space ( and power) is at such a premium that the choices narrow to what I can do.
I capriciously had set a restriction that nothing would be added externally, I would stay within the dimensions of the original box, but I can already see that may pose a real problem and may have to change.
Experiments continue and I hope that anything I learn during this process will be useful for my future work.
I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised at the interest the little box has evinced among our clientele...specifically women.
My original thought was that this would sell well to LAN party addicts and students ( tiny cramped dorm rooms, you know), but so far, it's actually housewives that are most enthused.
Theories to explain this are plentiful, but I can't say with certainty yet what the explanation is.
Frankly, I don't much care...my eye is firmly planted on a plump Christmas bonus...the better to continue my personal projects with some nice shiny new hardware.
With my old server cases the choices were limited only by what I wanted to do ( and could afford
)...with this case space ( and power) is at such a premium that the choices narrow to what I can do.I capriciously had set a restriction that nothing would be added externally, I would stay within the dimensions of the original box, but I can already see that may pose a real problem and may have to change.
Experiments continue and I hope that anything I learn during this process will be useful for my future work.
I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised at the interest the little box has evinced among our clientele...specifically women.
My original thought was that this would sell well to LAN party addicts and students ( tiny cramped dorm rooms, you know), but so far, it's actually housewives that are most enthused.
Theories to explain this are plentiful, but I can't say with certainty yet what the explanation is.
Frankly, I don't much care...my eye is firmly planted on a plump Christmas bonus...the better to continue my personal projects with some nice shiny new hardware.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2004
-goes to cliffs edge and shouts- HELOOOOOO! heh... hi again clocker! just wanted to see if any updates are in store for the next few months or i should go into forum hibernation ^_^;; would u mind getting a pic from the front of the blower? i cant tell how far it extends on the hs.
Oh... and DEATH TO SFF! bring back the old HUGE cases ^_^!
Oh... and DEATH TO SFF! bring back the old HUGE cases ^_^!
- Thread Starter
- #120
Actually, a major update is in the works.
I have what boils down to a whole new Sprocket to debut...well, almost.
On display in the shop, the svelte and tiny SFF Sprocket really rang some guy's bell...to the extent that he made me the proverbial "unrefusable offer".
The only part I refused to sell on was my baby Raptor.
So, faced with a gaping hole in my PC world, I have been on a somewhat extravagant ( for me, at least) shopping spree...gotta love those employee discounts.
Sprocket is now reborn with a 64-bit heart...a 3000+ Clawhammer to be specific.
Current board is a Chaintech nForce3, but will soon be replaced with a DFI Lanparty, I think.
1 GB of Mushkin PC3200 level one.
ATI Radeon 9600XT.
16x dual-layer Samsung DVD+/- RW and matching 52x CD-RW...black, of course.
Ultra X-Connect 500w PSU.
Thermalright XP-90 HSF.
And a whole new case to boot.
Yet another of my beloved "old school" server cases...my latest find was not only in pristine condition, but also was already ATX compliant and had a removable motherboard tray.
Still waiting on the HS and PSU to arrive, hopefully tomorrow or the next day...and frankly, I am so sick of PCs by the time I get home from work that I'll have to MAKE myself assemble this project, but I'm excited nonetheless.
I have already downloaded the MS 64-bit XP Beta and am working on a Linux distro also...I want to see what 64-bit technology can do.
Pics will show up when I'm not so exhausted and burnt-out...
I have what boils down to a whole new Sprocket to debut...well, almost.
On display in the shop, the svelte and tiny SFF Sprocket really rang some guy's bell...to the extent that he made me the proverbial "unrefusable offer".
The only part I refused to sell on was my baby Raptor.
So, faced with a gaping hole in my PC world, I have been on a somewhat extravagant ( for me, at least) shopping spree...gotta love those employee discounts.
Sprocket is now reborn with a 64-bit heart...a 3000+ Clawhammer to be specific.
Current board is a Chaintech nForce3, but will soon be replaced with a DFI Lanparty, I think.
1 GB of Mushkin PC3200 level one.
ATI Radeon 9600XT.
16x dual-layer Samsung DVD+/- RW and matching 52x CD-RW...black, of course.
Ultra X-Connect 500w PSU.
Thermalright XP-90 HSF.
And a whole new case to boot.
Yet another of my beloved "old school" server cases...my latest find was not only in pristine condition, but also was already ATX compliant and had a removable motherboard tray.
Still waiting on the HS and PSU to arrive, hopefully tomorrow or the next day...and frankly, I am so sick of PCs by the time I get home from work that I'll have to MAKE myself assemble this project, but I'm excited nonetheless.
I have already downloaded the MS 64-bit XP Beta and am working on a Linux distro also...I want to see what 64-bit technology can do.
Pics will show up when I'm not so exhausted and burnt-out...
