Red Nineteen Project Log 18 - 23rd June 2006

First log of the name-changed project...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02042.JPG[/img]
^ I wanted to see what the F-19 was like with a VGA connection - the answer is very nice. It emulates 1024x768 very well.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02043.JPG[/img]
^ The acrylic on the top panel, used for covering up the blow-hole, came loose a bit. So I super-glued it down again.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02046.JPG[/img]
^ Re-drilling the fan switch holes.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02048.JPG[/img]
^ 3 down, 1 to go...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02049.JPG[/img]
^ As recommended by a few readers (thanks guys!), I used an engraving bit instead.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02050.JPG[/img]
^ It took a lot longer, but allowed me to get it mm perfect.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02051.JPG[/img]
^ All 4 ready to go - now for the controller knob holes.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02052.JPG[/img]
^ I spent a good 30 minutes with the engraving bit, then a needle file, to get them just right.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02054.JPG[/img]
^ 11 holes done.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02055.JPG[/img]
^ Test-fitting the fan-controller.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02056.JPG[/img]
^ There's only 2-3mm clearence between the switches and controller. Cool.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02057.JPG[/img]
^ The controller is contstructed in a way which means I don't need the side-mounts. I'll epoxy the clear acrylic you see in the pic, to the front fascia.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02058.JPG[/img]
^ Test-fitting it all in the case.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02060.JPG[/img]
^ A view from the front. Notice the 2 vandal-proof switches? I was initially planning to put them at the bottom of the case there...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02061.JPG[/img]
^ But later opted for here - below the controller.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02062.JPG[/img]
^ I realised that I would need one or two USB ports at the front, or at least near it.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02063.JPG[/img]
^ The vandal-proof switches are around 19mm in diameter, yet the biggest drill bit I have to hand, is 16mm. Time to crack out the rotary tool and engraving bit again.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02065.JPG[/img]
^ 15 minutes later and the first fits flush to the acrylic. One question for anyone reading this - is the black o-ring washer meant to go there (on the outside), or on the inside???

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02067.JPG[/img]
^ Using a grinding bit to finish it off.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02069.JPG[/img]
^ Marking out the USB slot at the bottom of the fascia.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02071.JPG[/img]
^ Is it me, or does it look like a face? Not intentional...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02074.JPG[/img]
^ The USB slot finished.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02075.JPG[/img]
^ Removing the sides of the USB connector (I regret this now, as they would have been ideal to mount it!)

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02076.JPG[/img]
^ Another test-fit, to ensure everything fits. The two switches just fit above the 120mm fan.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02077.JPG[/img]
^ Cutting out the USB slot on the original fascia too...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02078.JPG[/img]
^ Finishing off the original fascia.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02079.JPG[/img]
^ Sanding down the inside of the fascia, to give it a better contact surface for epoxy-ing it.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02080.JPG[/img]
^ The new acrylic fascia and the left-overs of the original fascia ([url=http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/01/DSC01652.JPG]here[/url]'s how it originally looked).

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02082.JPG[/img]
^ Preparing everything for more epoxy...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02084.JPG[/img]
^ To get the alignment perfect whilst drying, I put the broken drive in place.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02088.JPG[/img]
^ Hopefully the epoxy will give it a very strong bond. See it beneath the acrylic?

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/18/DSC02089.JPG[/img]
^ More clear-coat lacquer to ensure the top seals properly and gives a nice finish.

That lot took me a good few hours. Tomorrow I'll do another test-fit with everything on the front fascia.

I guess you're wondering what's left? The electrics will take a good log or two, as I'll sleeve everything. Then a hardware test will be needed (once the CPU/MB/RAM arrives) and then it all needs painting! Stay tuned...