Help with mounting computer with out case

[acasualtourist]

I have a smaller arcade cabinet, that the computer, in it's case won't fit in it.  I know the easy way is to buy a bigger cabinet , and the easier way is to buy a smaller case, but I'm poor and would rather spend the money on a marque or side art.  So I figure I'll just put it in without the case.  I know to use standoffs for the mother board, but I'm wondering what I should use to hold everything else(CD-drive, hard drive, etc..).  
Also I plan on putting a sub-woofer in the cabinet.  It's a set of old computer speakers so it's not that big, 4" or so.  I can get the motherboard and hard drive about 2' away.  Do you think that's enough?  Do you think there is any difference between the two presidential candidates?   Do you think George Lucas will ever release the UNEDITED version of Star Wars III-IV-V?  OK, maybe I'm getting out of hand here...

Thanks in advance,

Acasualtourist

[Hoagie_one]

i bought a pack of mini bungie cords from big lots....they hold most of my stuff down that isnt screwed into something.  Or y ou could just cut off drive bays from your case to mount that stuff as well

[SteveJ34]

I have a smaller arcade cabinet, that the computer, in it's case won't fit in it.  I know the easy way is to buy a bigger cabinet , and the easier way is to buy a smaller case, but I'm poor and would rather spend the money on a marque or side art.  So I figure I'll just put it in without the case.  I know to use standoffs for the mother board, but I'm wondering what I should use to hold everything else(CD-drive, hard drive, etc..).
....

There are many different approaches to accomplish this. Someone made a similar inquiry in the Buy/Trade/Sell forum recently to which I responded.

I was in the process of clearing out old stuff and needing an excuse to "create something".

I took an old AT case, removed cover, and got busy with my dremel with a cutting wheel. Basically, cutting frame below 5.25 drive cage, then cutoff bottom of case, drilled some holes, reattached bottom to the shortened frame. The end result was a 3 slot mounting frame for CD, HD, and Floppy (w/ 3.5 to 5.25 adaptors) and a place to mount power supply per norm right behind.

He was going to post a pic when he got a bit further in his project.

Just an idea, perhaps a bit overboard.

[SOAPboy]

im just using a motherboard tray to mount the mobo, then velcroing everything down, like the HD, CD drive, ect..

that way it can be removed easy for moving and i dont have to jam a full size case in it..

[Hoagie_one]

VELCRO, now thats smart

[Lilwolf]

If you have any cards, that will be your only problem.... keeping them down.

But I'm assuming that you have a WOOD cabinet... If so, you don't need standoffs... You can find them, but don't need them.

I used to use the box my motherboard came in (it was the right size).  This raised it just high enought for cards to fit in the back (and the bottom of the card fit in the slot on the side of the box).  This kept it in place....  Finding a location for the powersupply and drivers always seems to be the problem.  Since a case puts them over your computer... and you probably cant do that.

[captainpotato]

VELCRO, now thats smart

Except if there's too much heat near it and the glue melts. I haven't had this happen in a cabinet, but if it happens, it's a real pain.

[whammoed]

I used standoffs for the MB and aluminum angle and flat bar for everything else.  Check it out if you like:
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/whammoed/whammocade/whammocade.htm

[electricd]

SteveJ34 - I am still going to post up some pictures, but life has gotten VERY busy lately and I haven't actually installed it yet.  Hopefully within the next couple of weeks!

[daeven]

I like the idea of the aluminum angle pieces.  I've always used scrap pieces of piano hinges with a chunk of rubber underneath the hinges.  This reduces hard drive and CDROM vibration transmission to the rest of the cabinet.

[SteveJ34]

SteveJ34 - I am still going to post up some pictures, but life has gotten VERY busy lately and I haven't actually installed it yet.  Hopefully within the next couple of weeks!

No problem. I wasn't moanin' nor do I need any "attaboys".

You're talking to a single dad with three kids and a GF with two more so I definitely understand how life can get busy.

There's never enough time to work on the things to the degree that we would like to.

Good luck and continued success on your project.

[acasualtourist]

Thanks for all the good ideas.  I really like Whammoed's card brackets.  (and the cabinet kicks @ss)    Also with the velcro, has anyone actually had the glue melt on them or is that just a fear?

[captainpotato]

Thanks for all the good ideas.  I really like Whammoed's card brackets.  (and the cabinet kicks @ss)    Also with the velcro, has anyone actually had the glue melt on them or is that just a fear?

Only in my car, but in shade in winter, which is why I'd be cautious, given the heat that some machines now put out.