The Filing Cabinet Server

[jdbnsn]

I'm liking this project, lots of elbow room in there!

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I'm liking this project, lots of elbow room in there!

Oh yeah. All sorts of room. In fact, I'll see if I can find a pic of me actually working on it.

I'll have another update up in a bit. This one's almost done.

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Here's what's left to do, and it'll be done by next weekend!

Find and install some molding around the fan holes.
Hang the front door.
Install lock on front door.
Install handle on front door.
Tear down and paint.
Final assembly.

Cut a few holes in the cabinet, and managed to gouge it a bit as well. Hence the need for some molding.

Intake fan hole.

Closeup of the exhaust fan hole. Holesaw got away from me just long enough to do this.

Since the PSU is going to reside inside, I had to make a hole for it's cord. Still needs a bit of cleanup done to it.

A perspective shot.

$9.99 a piece at Radio Shack. So I got two.

My method of drilling holes worked, but next time, I'll try to find a template. This side is just a bit off. No biggie. Form Follows Function.

$4.99 @ Ace Hardware. I now have enough mesh to do quite a few computers. I just might cut the door panel up some and install a bit of this there as well.

Speaking of the door, I didn't measure correctly the first time around it seems--was off by 1/4" inch. I took it back to Home Depot to see if they could cut basically a saw blade's thickness off of it. They tried, and while it looked good in the store, it STILL DOESN'T FIT. I might be rethinking the door over the next few days.

And the Mrs. and I decided on a dark purple for the color. I'll have to pick that up before next weekend.

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After much deliberation, the front door is actually going to consist of two independent pieces: top and bottom. I'll add two more hinges (in fact, I might have to jump up in size a bit), and have a 14 1/4" X 24 1/2" piece of the MDF cut into two 14 1/4" x 12 1/4" pieces. Why? Because I can.

The top door will have a rectangular hole cut into the middle of it, and the afore-mentioned mesh will make another appearance there as well.

And lights. I was planning on my blue CCFLs to be on the bottom of the case, but I am now thinking that they are going to reside inside and the single lazerleds that Crimson Sky sent in the grab bag (I believe I have four of them) will highlight each wheel. So, two separate switches are going to be incorporated into the backside of the cabinet. Or perhaps I'll incorporate two of the military toggles (from Crimson Sky as well, thanks a ton man!) on one of the sides or the top.

And I still need to go get my two 40 gig hard drives from uncle Bob (yes yes I know :p), since he's almost as crazy as I am when it comes to computers--one of these days I'll talk him into modding a case.

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Alright, update time. This one's pretty much done except for the painting, which will happen this weekend.

I got another sheet of the 1/4" MDF and had a front panel cut that is more or less flush with the rest of the cabinet. I then drilled holes for the hinges, handle and lock, and here's the results:

Handle and mailbox lock, all mocked up.

Holes for the hinges.

And here's a couple 'minor' problems:

These screws are a bit long. A quick trip to Ace can remedy that.

This needs to sit flush. So I'm gonna have to do some handywork with the dremel tomorrow so I can get one of the ridges built into the lock through the bottom, that way the metal clasp can go underneath as well.

I'll find a hard drive cage and probably just bolt it down on the bottom panel.

Almost there.

[chaksq]

These screws are a bit long. A quick trip to Ace can remedy that.

So can a hacksaw.

Save yourself some gas and change and just cut the screws to length. No need waste time, fuel, and money for something minor like this.

[Drum Thumper]

So can a hacksaw.

Save yourself some gas and change and just cut the screws to length. No need waste time, fuel, and money for something minor like this.

True enough, but Ace is literally right next door to where I work, so it's not a biggie.

+rep for the idea though!

[FrooP]

save the world saw your screws /offtopic

this thing is greaaat maaan

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ARGH!

People here have no damn clue what I'm looking for--I just spent the better part of 2 hours looking for trim and getting shown sealant.

So screw it, when all else fails, improvise.

What I'm looking for is nothing more than tubing, so I'll just get some of that.

Oh, and I'm jetting town for a few days. Expect the final pics up by Tuesday at the latest.

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Trim problem solved with some vacuum line. I bought 4 foot of the stuff, as I have one more hole to do on this mod and one on Frankenstripe as well.

Having said that, I'm gonna pack for a 3 day modfest/get out of town/enjoy the outdoors mini-vacation.

See everyone Monday,

DT