This is to be my first stab at a complete "built from scratch" mod. The topic title says it, if you haven't guessed. It will be made out of concrete.

To start with, I'm a concrete contractor currently not working because of the winter weather and economy, but I won't go there. Hehe. I got the idea about 2 or 3 years ago and did nothing about. For one, new to the mod thing, secondly, time and money, and thirdly would be faith in myself. I've followed quit a few of the guys here and on other forums around the net and have taken a lot of mental notes.

I was searching around the net to find out if someone else had tried or done one and found one over at "TBCS" forums linked here. I found it to be very cool for sure. I even had a double entry in posting, must of had a brain fart or something.

Anyways, the last few days I've been tinkering in my little garage building forms and etc... I have some pictures for you all to look at and please comment on.

Thanks, and enjoy.





I 45'd the corners then sanded.

These are 2' by 4' 1/2" and 3/4" sheets of insulating styrofoam..





Started lay out of block outs for i/o plate, psu, and a rear fan.

Back side of mobo tray, these will be 3 windows about 2" by 14".

Top center 120 mm fan.
[img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p177/medo69/CroncretenSteel/Photo0224.jpg[/img
120 mm fan on top and bottom with an approximate 5" by 6" hole for optical drives and what nots.

Side panel window block out.


More to come.

Thanks,

D.

As promised, more photos, enjoy.


Side panel block outs with 1/4" ply "stuff", used for window insert.

Side panel window block out with 1/4" ply stuff used for window insert.

Caulking I used.

Side panel block out attachment.

Fan block outs.

Rear i/o panel block out.

All attached, front view.


And the back side.

Outside forms starting to be screwed together.


And the top form on.

Lastly a look inside.

Thanks for looking,

D.

Concrete??? looks a good secret to keep jajajajaj

well.... lets take some corner over here to watch the process

Well, failure.

I'll post pics later. I guess it's all my fault. I should've known better with the mix design and re-enforcement. But, on the bright side of things, it's a lesson learned once again and I have another idea on how I'm going to get-r-done.

D.

Well, failure.

I'll post pics later. I guess it's all my fault. I should've known better with the mix design and re-enforcement. But, on the bright side of things, it's a lesson learned once again and I have another idea on how I'm going to get-r-done.

D.

This is it.








This is it after.









So, I'm upset. but like I said, lesson learned. Oh well.

Give me a couple of days and I'll have something else for ya. Better.


Laterz.

Am back... wow... concrete that's a first... nice thinking!!!

Ok, something when wrong when you demold the case... I think you should add a wire frame to make structure stronger like the they do in buildings... that will give you a solid, rigid and strong case... looking forward for more!!!

Sorry for not keep you all informed on this. Since it's winter I typically do not get any work, but I just finished a re & re of a stairwell so now I can get back to this. I'll post some updates soon.

D.

Waiting for updates!

I'm waiting for my tax return. Lol.

JK. As soon as I'm paid from the last job and tax return comes, I can continue with this. Be patient folks.

Thanks,

D.

Well, here's an update for you all. Been a while I know.

Yesterday I poured the new concrete case. This time I did each panel separately. I actually did only four sides out of the six because I wanted to lessen the weight of this beast a little and get some steel into it as well. So, I now have right and left panels as well as top and bottom. Two panels out of four have windows in them, the other two do not. But all four have some mounting holes so that this creation may be bolted together. The back side of the windowed panels have a recessed ring around the window so that the plexi will fit flush to the inside. All four panels also have wire mesh re-enforcement running through them. Currently, the concrete is curing in my garage under a concrete blanket with a small heater running to take the chill off. This go around I am not going to strip the panels out of the mold for at least one week if not more. I learned my lesson last time. I should have known better too. Oh well. So, without further ado, here are the pics I took.

Enjoy.

Pictures here show the concrete just poured and floated off.








Pictures here show concrete all finished and edged with an 1/8" radius edger.











The concrete mix that I used was a 80# bag of Sakrete found here. I used the entire bag.

Each panel is 1" thick. The right and left panels are 20" by 20" and the other two panels are 10" by 20". The top and bottom panels will fit inside of the larger panels and sit on another recessed area on the top and bottom.

Thanks for looking and the interest you all have in this en devour.

D.

nice adventure on concrete

just as a side note... remember to always use some engine oil in the panels, using oil going to make the thing easier when you have to break the molds

nice idea brother... hope you have a Hulk brother or friend to move this thing around

waiting for more...

I oiled the forms well. I plan on having this monster as a garage/shop computer. So it wont be moving a whole lot.

D.

I see that you are back, am watching... something that have never been caught my attention... will like to know much it gonna weight at the end... but I know that is not a problem when it comes to computer... jejejeje... keep it up... wanna see more

Well, short update lost of pics. Stripped the panels after ten days under a concrete blanket with a heater.








































So, as you can see I've been a little busy. Now I have to shape the angle brackets, make up my mobo tray holder, psu mounting, HD mounting, and DVD/CD mounting. I have contemplated on turning this monster into a water cooled beast. Will have to see.

Thanks,

D.

So far sooo good... and yes you should water cool that beast