Worklog: Massively (Update #60, 5th June - HDD Bay Fixing and the big loop reveal!)

[WishBone17]

What do you do for a living.

Let me guess. Architect, construction? project management?

[Saate]

Originally Posted by WishBone17

What do you do for a living.

Let me guess. Architect, construction? project management?

Hah, I take that as a high compliment :) All the stuff in this worklog is truly first time for me, though, and I'm learning as I go - before starting this build my collection of tools consisted of an orange IKEA kit with a hammer and screwdriver inside :p The drafting stuff is done using the free Solid Edge software that I've picked up thanks to the [awesome guide] that Bastard Child wrote. It's not too difficult to use and as you can see the results look pretty professional!

I head up IT and Software Support in my current job, been here for 3 years since we moved to Canberra. Before that I worked entirely in call centres around Sydney for 10 years, initially on the phones and later in management roles. Worked for a big call centre outsourcer (Teletech) for most of that time - Nokia, Bigpond and Aussie Home Loans were the key companies I worked for over 8 years - and just before the move I worked in the big TAB call centre in Granville. So nah, no professional experience informing this build - just google fu and patience to learn :p

[CaidsTech]

You should use this thread as a reference on your CV..

I'd hire you.

[Saate]

Originally Posted by CaidsTech

You should use this thread as a reference on your CV..

I'd hire you.

I should be able to use Scarab Lord on my CV too, but nooooo they say!

[WishBone17]

haha fair enough, just all the cad work and planning, you seem like someone thats pretty organised.

I work in Management (print management) and my organisation skills outside of work is about is good as the Greek Economy. LOL

[D_MaN]

Originally Posted by WishBone17

What do you do for a living.

Let me guess. Architect, construction? project management?

+1

Your skills seem legendary!
Everything look really professional. Even you photo shots

[Reaper_1994]

Just saw this on [H]ardOCP that may give you some inspiration

[oculi]

Originally Posted by Saate

Let me know if you have any questions/comments/suggestions and especially advice!

that looks kinda rough, depends on how fast you did it i guess.

have you considered getting these bits laser (maybe, can;t cut all plastics and edge quality might be poor) or waterjet cut? if you can output to .dxf (from memory) they should be able to cut from your CAD very easily.

If you want to go with hand cutting i'd suggest getting a few good files to straighten up/smooth the edges, there should be a fair bit of information on cutting perspex. you could even buff the edges if you felt like it.

[Saate]

Originally Posted by oculi

that looks kinda rough, depends on how fast you did it i guess.

have you considered getting these bits laser (maybe, can;t cut all plastics and edge quality might be poor) or waterjet cut? if you can output to .dxf (from memory) they should be able to cut from your CAD very easily.

If you want to go with hand cutting i'd suggest getting a few good files to straighten up/smooth the edges, there should be a fair bit of information on cutting perspex. you could even buff the edges if you felt like it.

Yeah definitely rough, was just a practice run to get used to the new scroll saw and the cutting process in general :) had a delivery of proper acrylics come in on Friday so will be using those for proper goes! Also read a hand tip that suggested printing the designs on A4 label sheets to cut out and stick on the acrylic film which should work great. The file suggestion is good, was thinking of similar - any ideas what kind of file would be best?

If I'm not happy with the quality of my own results they'll absolutely go to laser cutter :)

[Saate]

Originally Posted by Reaper_1994

Just saw this on [H]ardOCP that may give you some inspiration :thumbup:

Awesome, very cool! Thanks mate :)

[Eject]

Originally Posted by Saate

I should be able to use Scarab Lord on my CV too, but nooooo they say!

Only if you are hoping for many sexual services from me in exchange for the account :P

An I agree, nice work for a first time Looking good

[D_W_Y]

Originally Posted by WishBone17

What do you do for a living.

Let me guess. Architect, construction? project management?

if he was he wouldn't be amazed at the ability of drafting software lol. my favorite part is when you whip out solid edge and sketch some stuff. you should consider giving autocad a go but it costs money, unless you didn't pay for solid edge either :-D

autodesk(that makes autocad) also makes a program called inventor which I use all the time, http://usa.autodesk.com/autodesk-inventor/
there appears to be a free trial, but its basically incredible 3d modelling software I learnt to use in high school and I still use in uni and practice.

[Saate]

Originally Posted by Eject

Only if you are hoping for many sexual services from me in exchange for the account :P

An I agree, nice work for a first time Looking good

I'm sure we could arrange something Thanks mate

Originally Posted by D_W_Y

if he was he wouldn't be amazed at the ability of drafting software lol. my favorite part is when you whip out solid edge and sketch some stuff. you should consider giving autocad a go but it costs money, unless you didn't pay for solid edge either :-D

autodesk(that makes autocad) also makes a program called inventor which I use all the time, http://usa.autodesk.com/autodesk-inventor/
there appears to be a free trial, but its basically incredible 3d modelling software I learnt to use in high school and I still use in uni and practice.

Hah yes, definitely a newb to this stuff - I grabbed Solid Edge because its free and the guide I read here was pretty comprehensive. If CAD is as easy to pick up it might be worth having a look at too - it certainly would make sending DXF/whatever files directly instead of having to convert them. With that said, Solid Edge seems to do a good job at helping me prototype so maybe I'll wait until next builds to hurt my head with CAD? we'll see

[D_MaN]

Ahh, I'm very keen for an update 😃

[Saate]

UPDATE - Acrylic, Midplate Work

Hey folks! Has been a busy weekend for me, working entirely on the build so I have a LOT of catching up to do worklog wise. Last weekend I took 180 shots of work I did as well, and then another 280 shots this weekend. Have just finished post-processing and uploading so time to get stuck into story-time eh? :)

Firstly, I picked up a 3TB drive for $164 including postage which was pretty amazing. Was a special via dealsdirect and couldnt resist:



My acrylic order arrived, the stuff looks so great and photographs really well. Here's the order and a few shots of the acrylic:











I'm still waiting on an official response from Laing Thermotech regarding the pump orientation, my contact in their Aussie office has been a top bloke though and is keeping me updated on the wait. The Koolance tech guys have told me in specific terms that the inlet-down orientation is workable, and provided good insight on some of the concerns raised by people earlier. I'm now comfortable with proceeding with it this way but will wait for the response from Laing before I post all the info - I'll need time to digest it first and draft up a "Right to say I told you so" document for Creekin and Moptimus :)

The midplate will have a 3mm acrylic cover attached to the top of it so I made some modifications to allow the pump + bulkhead fittings to connect through:





I couldnt figure out an easy way to cut the new bulkhead fitting holes, I don't have a proper drill (just my dremel) and I'm not sure how available hole saws are for metal? I decided to use one of my worn-down dremel cutting discs and did it the slow way:









Looks really rough, right? but never fear - turned out perfectly after a little attention from the sanding barrels:





I'll show you what I've done with the hotswap bay tomorrow :)