cutting alu sheets

[pete]

thks all,

the frame was made with a lubic kit, i always wanted to do a cube design-just had to alter the lubics to fit, time consuming. will do a project thread - hope to complete front and rear this week. 1st attempt at any pc mod

 

[pete]

thks for moving thread. just patiently awaiting deliveryfor more aluminium

 

[pete]

this week been working on rear panel, cutting to size, cutting round motherboard tray and opening for psu. i managed to get 2 damaged coolermaster panels which were ideal size wise and quite cheap

 

[pete]

inside panels are covered with paxmate sheets, found it easier to cut with mr stanley -gives a sharper finish than scissors,a good rub down with some stainless steel cleaner on aluminium works quite well. the more tedious job is fitting the blowhole trim- fiddly but it gives a better finish.

 

[chudley]

Youv'e got a nice little project there Pete, thought I would bump you some reps for it too, cmon guys

I am also green with envy at some of your tools, my workbench is well old and seeing yours with good quality tools makes me want a new one.

Like the lubix , never heard of it before.

 

[FarFarAway]

Very nice work Phil, looking better and better

 

[markkleb]

I have to agree, "very nice work" I am really looking forward to seeing more of your work...

 

[pete]

thks kempez and thks chudley for the reps.

tools wise-when buying the dremel swithered for ages in b&q, but have to say it does the job well. workbench got cheap out the black&decker outlet.

I like the lubic kits, quality construction, makes my cube frame solid.

markkleb ur works are quality

 

[Mr. Smith]

Woah! I have wanted to build a case for a while but feared I lacked the skills... Lubics looks awesome - not that I am detracting any merit away from what you have done!

Quality looking case mate - repped

I may have to try this Lubic kit out!

 

[pete]

cheers mate. its turning out better than i thought. lubics go for it.skills-the more u do the better u get, first time i've used a dremel

 

[old.gregg]

If I was dangerous enough to shape aluminium then I'd probably jigsaw or tin snip to just under 1mm from the line and then use a router with a cutter for aluminium to finish e.g. http://www.trendmachinery.co.uk/profinder/display.asp?PartNo=55/1X8MMHSS

I'm not too sure about what happens to bits of aluminium flying off all over the place - or the best way to lube/cool the aluminium whilst cutting.

If the final pass with the router is only removing minimal material then the finish might be good enough that you would not have to use any abrasives.

 

[pete]

thks, ended up using dremel and file.works ok.then finished with blowhole trim

 

[pete]

eventually got free time to finish case.last part was to finish front panel and redo top for mounts and install 120mm fan.

i wanted the front panel to be sleek just drive openings and power/reset buttons. i would reuse my lian-li stealth doors.

 

[pete]

some more images

 

[pete]

for the power/reset switch i used the pcb that comes with the lubic kit. the problem was that the pcb and cables connect using pin-block connections.this meant that the power/reset would be to far recessed in the case. so i basically removed each pin then bent the connections on the pcb flat and hot sleaved them on then bit of hot glue. mounting the switch, i used 2 standoffs superglued in position then more hot glue, this means i can remove switch assembly for easy replacement.

another problem was the actual switches are square in design and they looked odd in round holes and also looked unfinished. after head scratching got some rubber blanking grommets, increased the hole size and put pilot hole through each so that the leds are visible.

 

[pete]

some shots of finished front and case

 

[pete]

the bad news is that i cracked the perpex top when drilling the mounting holes so now will have to replace perpex. but the bonus is it looks better than i hoped and it works!!!!!!!!!!!