Retrodayz - bartop

[firedance]

Hi all,

Been a while since my last project, this went a lot quicker than my last,ahem, months not years this time around 

sorry no build pics i'm afraid, any questions please ask and i'll do my best to answer.

specs -

dell optiplex 755 SFF pc - intel core 2 duo 2.33ghz
4GB ram
250gb HD
Ati HD6450
Acer 17" monitor
Windows 10 pro (got a windows 7 key from ebay £6, then did the free upgrade back in august)

Konig usb powered speakers
2x70mm & 1x120mm fans and controller i stripped from this laptop cooler,got 2 spare fans, dead easy to take apart - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARES-N6-5-Fans-Laptop-Cooler-Cooling-Pad-w-Speed-Control-For-17-Laptop-Black-/231189567274?hash=item35d3f8d72a

for the black mesh i used a cheap poundshop waste paper bin cut to size, worked a treat.

controls - zero delay encoder and cheapo joystick and buttons that i had spare.

the bartop is vinyl wrapped on the outside, painted inside, the stickers on the sides and back i printed myself using - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HIGH-DEF-CLEAR-A4-INKJET-SELF-ADHESIVE-STICKER-LABEL-VINYL-NOT-PAPER-5-SHEETS-/130740037607?hash=item1e70b6a7e7 think they came out ok.

the chrome trim is from eBay, meant for car bodywork, says it was 12mm but more like 11mm so it doesn't quite fit the 12mm mdf , peeled off the foam sticky backing and used instant contact glue instead, it's not going anywhere 

to seal the edges of the mdf i used "dulux one coat", got a tester pot for £1.59, didn't use it all, sealed the mdf no problem.

all in all think it cost around £150ish in parts, not including the man hours to knock it together, great surprise Christmas present for my nephew 

[TheDude]

I love it !Simple is best for me ! 

[firedance]

Thank you 

nephew loved it as well

[Mike A]

Doing something that takes effort for a child deserves applause.

Glad your nephew loves it.

[Malenko]

That's a great little build! No "in progress" pictures?

Only 2 *minor* things I'd change would be to add a 90* VGA adapter to the video card for easier cord clearance, and if heat or load times were bad then I'd swap out the HD for an SSD. Might be cost prohibitive and it sounds like you build this cab the way I do mine, with spare parts    Thanks for sharing.

[firedance]

Thanks Guys.

yeah no build pics sadly, it was very similar to my first bartop, should be some build pics in there if it helps

[firedance]

Just been going thru pics on my phone, clearing space, found 2 construction pics 

the bare mdf with the hole in the middle is just some scrap so i could drill into the 1x1 batons for the control panel supports and not into the carpet.

the interior shot shows the laptop cooler parts,plug n play really, can add more fans if needed, had 5 fans but can use 6, just below that is a small metal L bracket that i bent into a sort of S shape for the camlock to er lock into and keep the back door closed nice and tight.

The speakers are attached using the metal band i had left over from the last bartop - http://www.screwfix.com/p/galvanised-band-12mm-x-10m/18298?kpid=18298, got loads left, very useful stuff, attached to the base of the speakers via some "xbox X clamp mod kit" bolts i had, knew they'd come in handy one day  , perfect fit for the screw holes that were there already.

the small holes next to the right hand side hinge are from the little white blocks that i tried to use to attach the sides, didn't pull it in enough so removed them, drill n screwed from the outside instead, filled holes then vinyl wrapped, much stronger now.

[Malenko]

cool. Lots of people love the finished project pix but then there are weirdos like me that dig on the "in progress" ones.