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<blockquote data-quote="JimCatMP" data-source="post: 957336" data-attributes="member: 103549"><p>Only because Kiwijunglist asked<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p> </p><p>Build Log.</p><p> </p><p>1) Sizes.</p><p> </p><p>Was originally going to use a existing MB & AMD CPU, but overall power requirement meant I'd have to use a real PSU, so decided on Mini-ITX route, this set the outline size.</p><p> </p><p>Depth was determined by MB + the depth needed for the 12V PSU converter, which is mounted directly on MB + air space, and finally by material - 3 sections of oak cladding used give me 24cm.</p><p> </p><p>Width - MB + it looked right and allowed space for fan (not enough as I found later).</p><p> </p><p>Height - again, material - tongue and groove removed, it's 8cm. At 1cm thick, size becomes 10cm.</p><p> </p><p>2) Material</p><p> Wood - oak tongue & groove, which give a nice flat face on the 'wrong' side. Choice - was working in oak on fireplace & TV unit, so made sense. Source, local DIY shed, standard pack cheap enough to bin if it all went pear shaped.</p><p> Steel sheet - very very thin stuff, easy to work, murder on fingers if not careful (kitchen knifes are not that sharp).</p><p> Big switch, LED & 40mm fan from Maplin, some old jumpers to make new leads for switch & LED, and that's about it.</p><p> </p><p>3) Computer core</p><p> CPU/GPU, choice on cost & heat output - the Intel unit fits the bill, MB, to match.</p><p> RAM & SSD - on hand, nothing special about either.</p><p> CPU cooler - low profile, low noise, good performance, the Akasa K25 seems to fit the bill.</p><p> </p><p> Fitted risers to MB so could build on table top. Fitted CPU/cooler/RAM, connected up PSU, SSD & on/off switch and it lives! Install OS off USB, install multiuser termserv hack, add MePo & plugins over net, install existing TVSeries & Moving pictures DB's & thumbs, and in 90 mins, fully working MePo with 1000 or so movies + 150+ TV series.</p><p> </p><p>4) Build.</p><p> Saw, glue, drill, curse, bleed, curse more, repeat until done or run out of wood (I did - side panels are some ply I have handy after could not decide on how best to fit sides).</p><p> </p><p> TIP - glue graph paper to panels - metal and/or wood - totally forgot about doing this, would have saves me hours, resulted in less waste & a much better job all round.</p><p> </p><p> Sand, varnish, sand, varnish (sanding is your saviour - get the most from the wood it's your only decoration), repeat until happy or varnish gone.</p><p> </p><p>5) Photos.</p><p> </p><p>[ATTACH=full]119992[/ATTACH]</p><p>The base - as you can see, nothing more exotic than a series of holes to allow air IN.</p><p> </p><p>[ATTACH=full]119993[/ATTACH]</p><p> </p><p>Switch. The hole above is the recessed LED. When lit, the wood looks like it's glowing red! I'm going to try and fill the front of the hole with varnish & sawdust to a 0.2mm depth - to make the hole 'invisible' but still give me the red glow - may need to up the LED power to do that<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p> </p><p>[ATTACH=full]119994[/ATTACH]</p><p> </p><p>Back - easily the worst part - the fan mount is horrendous.</p><p> </p><p>[ATTACH=full]119995[/ATTACH]</p><p>System in place. Bluetooth min-keyboard, Logitek remote, separate NAS for content (4TB), sitting in my oak TV unit<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p> </p><p>6) Operation</p><p> </p><p>Only yesterday I actually powered this on in anger for 1st time. 40mm fan, very noisy, has to go, but overall thermal control - better than expected - static after 5 mins, CPU 32, Case 40 in warm room with MePo running.</p><p> </p><p>So, decided to replace fan, but what with? Have an 80mm units to hand, with speed control, but it's too big....</p><p> </p><p>As this is proto-type only, decided to get creative (in the best Heath Robinson fashion). </p><p> </p><p>I have space to fit the fan just behind the power switch, but still want to vent air out of case at rear. </p><p> </p><p>So, one empty plastic bottle + a card board tube - I have fan ducting at to back of unit....</p><p> </p><p>[ATTACH=full]119996[/ATTACH]</p><p>Yes, it really is that M Mouse (duct tape is your friend) - but it works!!! Not as effective as 40mm fan, but only testing it with fan at lowest speed, so more for noise than efficiency - CPU 45, system 50, very stable and MePo playing Black Book's as my standard 'test' video.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>So - provided you keep an open mind, don't worry too much if it looks fairly crap (because you can always do better next time), scratch building your own case is perfectly possible. </p><p> </p><p>When the weather improves (freezing bits off working in unheated garage over past few weekend has not made this easier) I'll be at it again, with better plan, better preparation and more practised<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p> </p><p>Search the net, you'll find some truly stunning wooden PC cases - it's why I decide to have a go.</p><p> </p><p>TTFN - JCMP</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JimCatMP, post: 957336, member: 103549"] Only because Kiwijunglist asked:) Build Log. 1) Sizes. Was originally going to use a existing MB & AMD CPU, but overall power requirement meant I'd have to use a real PSU, so decided on Mini-ITX route, this set the outline size. Depth was determined by MB + the depth needed for the 12V PSU converter, which is mounted directly on MB + air space, and finally by material - 3 sections of oak cladding used give me 24cm. Width - MB + it looked right and allowed space for fan (not enough as I found later). Height - again, material - tongue and groove removed, it's 8cm. At 1cm thick, size becomes 10cm. 2) Material Wood - oak tongue & groove, which give a nice flat face on the 'wrong' side. Choice - was working in oak on fireplace & TV unit, so made sense. Source, local DIY shed, standard pack cheap enough to bin if it all went pear shaped. Steel sheet - very very thin stuff, easy to work, murder on fingers if not careful (kitchen knifes are not that sharp). Big switch, LED & 40mm fan from Maplin, some old jumpers to make new leads for switch & LED, and that's about it. 3) Computer core CPU/GPU, choice on cost & heat output - the Intel unit fits the bill, MB, to match. RAM & SSD - on hand, nothing special about either. CPU cooler - low profile, low noise, good performance, the Akasa K25 seems to fit the bill. Fitted risers to MB so could build on table top. Fitted CPU/cooler/RAM, connected up PSU, SSD & on/off switch and it lives! Install OS off USB, install multiuser termserv hack, add MePo & plugins over net, install existing TVSeries & Moving pictures DB's & thumbs, and in 90 mins, fully working MePo with 1000 or so movies + 150+ TV series. 4) Build. Saw, glue, drill, curse, bleed, curse more, repeat until done or run out of wood (I did - side panels are some ply I have handy after could not decide on how best to fit sides). TIP - glue graph paper to panels - metal and/or wood - totally forgot about doing this, would have saves me hours, resulted in less waste & a much better job all round. Sand, varnish, sand, varnish (sanding is your saviour - get the most from the wood it's your only decoration), repeat until happy or varnish gone. 5) Photos. [ATTACH=full]119992[/ATTACH] The base - as you can see, nothing more exotic than a series of holes to allow air IN. [ATTACH=full]119993[/ATTACH] Switch. The hole above is the recessed LED. When lit, the wood looks like it's glowing red! I'm going to try and fill the front of the hole with varnish & sawdust to a 0.2mm depth - to make the hole 'invisible' but still give me the red glow - may need to up the LED power to do that:-) [ATTACH=full]119994[/ATTACH] Back - easily the worst part - the fan mount is horrendous. [ATTACH=full]119995[/ATTACH] System in place. Bluetooth min-keyboard, Logitek remote, separate NAS for content (4TB), sitting in my oak TV unit:-) 6) Operation Only yesterday I actually powered this on in anger for 1st time. 40mm fan, very noisy, has to go, but overall thermal control - better than expected - static after 5 mins, CPU 32, Case 40 in warm room with MePo running. So, decided to replace fan, but what with? Have an 80mm units to hand, with speed control, but it's too big.... As this is proto-type only, decided to get creative (in the best Heath Robinson fashion). I have space to fit the fan just behind the power switch, but still want to vent air out of case at rear. So, one empty plastic bottle + a card board tube - I have fan ducting at to back of unit.... [ATTACH=full]119996[/ATTACH] Yes, it really is that M Mouse (duct tape is your friend) - but it works!!! Not as effective as 40mm fan, but only testing it with fan at lowest speed, so more for noise than efficiency - CPU 45, system 50, very stable and MePo playing Black Book's as my standard 'test' video. So - provided you keep an open mind, don't worry too much if it looks fairly crap (because you can always do better next time), scratch building your own case is perfectly possible. When the weather improves (freezing bits off working in unheated garage over past few weekend has not made this easier) I'll be at it again, with better plan, better preparation and more practised:-) Search the net, you'll find some truly stunning wooden PC cases - it's why I decide to have a go. TTFN - JCMP [/QUOTE]
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