WANTED: 5.25" and 3.5" Drive Cage

[electricd]

Hello,

I can't seem to find a case that will work out well with my cabinet, so I have decided to mount the PC components directly to the cab.  I would really like to find a metal drive cage to hold my CD-Rom and one for my Floppy and hard drives.  I have tons of stuff around here, but can't seem to find one that will come out of the case.  If someone could help me out, I would really appriciate it.  I am also looking for a way to mount my power supply.  It really needs to look good, as I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my cabient (I just finished re-wiring it so all my wire bends were 90 degree!).  Thanks in advance!

ED7

[SteveJ34]

Are you still searching for a solution?

I have several old AT cases I'd be happy to hack apart.....several have 3.5 cages that come free easily. 5.25 cages might require drilling out a rivit or two.

Not exactly sure what you are hoping to find that you couldn't put together yourself doing something similar but happy to help if I can.

[electricd]

Still no solution on my end.  I just don't have any parts lying around that will fit the bill.  Basically I just need to mount a CD-Rom, floppy and hard drive.  It would be awesome if you had a couple of cages that could help.  Let me know if we can work this out.

ED7

[SteveJ34]

I found what I think would be a good candidate for 'case modification'.

You mentioned that you also wanted to mount a power supply.....I have an idea after examining one scrap unit where it could be simply cutoff below the 5.25 cage, in effect making a short "mini case" with 3 5.25 bays and power supply mounted behind it as it would be in a normal case setup.

With a couple of 3.5 to 5.25 brackets you could mount CD, HD, and Floppy in those 3 bays with PS mounted directly behind them....eliminating the need for a 3.5 set of bays.....tho have that cage too.

You would still need to mount the motherboard in close proximity so power and drive cables would reach.

What size space you trying to fit this into?

I'm happy to rip it up, piece it back to a 'mini case', would be kinda 'kewl'.

[electricd]

Yea that sounds perfect.  I can just get some drive rail adaptors to elimiate the need for both cages.  I don't forsee adding any other drives in the futures so that should do it.  I have a good amount of space in there, just not enough for an ATX case (5" X 17 X 19).  I planned on just mounting the motherboard to the side using PCB standoffs or the like.  I can make a little metal strap to mount the PCI cards to as well, I believe.  I appriciate your help!

[SteveJ34]

Rough dimensions for this card and PS cage would be are 6" tall by 6" wide by 14" in length.

That gonna fit where  you want it to?

[electricd]

That would be perfect!  I think I will want the 3.5 cage too just in case I every add a second hard disk or ever get around to setting up RAID on my disks. (would be the end of my world if I lost all my hard disk!)

ED7

[SteveJ34]

This was actually pretty easy to put together, knocked it out in an hour or so this evening. Rivets were easy to pop with just a screwdriver, dremel with a cutting wheel carved it up like knife through butter, took the bottom from the original case and remounted it.

Pretty cool little drive and power supply cage if I say so myself.

Would be nice if you have a digital camera or access to one to post a pic of the final result on the BYOAC forum....perhaps as a closure to the thread we've been conversing in. I lost mine while skiing this past season and have not gotten around to replacing it.

I've sent you a private email to acquire a ship to address and other info.

It's a pleasure to play a part in helping a fellow fanatic get his cab together.

[electricd]

Wow, steve you are a good man!  I will absolutely post a picture once i get it all mounted up.  Its nice to be part of a community of people who actually enjoy helping each other

ED7