Datahopa

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Snowcrash on March 03, 2013, 15:38:19 PM

Title: External Drive Project
Post by: Snowcrash on March 03, 2013, 15:38:19 PM
I've decided to change my NAS drive (would work just as well for a USB drive) into a feature. Rather than a black box sitting by my PC. This is one of the sites (http://imgur.com/a/V1dwP) that inspired me.
I'm going to change it into a tank/trash compactor robot loosely based on mek-quake (http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m251/alexfrith/mek-quake.jpg) from 2000AD comic.
My first challenge is to build a box big enough for a 3.5" drive (externally 4", why not a 4" drive?) and small enough for a 1/35 scale tank.
What I really need is a workshop but failing that I have just done my first bend of alumin(i)um sheet. This was a test to see if I could do it with what I have to hand and it was fairly successful. What I now need is a vice, large hacksaw and mole grips or just some time in a well equiped workshop.



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Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: DaveMorton on March 03, 2013, 17:10:12 PM
Wow! Wall-e on steroids! :O

Fascinating project, snowy! I'm interested in seeing the final results. :)
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: sybershot on March 03, 2013, 22:28:21 PM
Sounds like a fun project, can't w8 to see further progress  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Snowcrash on March 09, 2013, 16:43:25 PM
I'll try and do an update per week, assuming I have made any progress.
My tip for bending/marking aluminium is to make a black marker pen line first and then scribe a line through that so you can see where to cut/bend to.

The rough shape...


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Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Snowcrash on March 09, 2013, 16:44:19 PM
Still more filing and hammering to be done but this is the 4 pieces taped together.



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Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Data on March 09, 2013, 18:03:58 PM
Considering the tools you have at hand I think it's mighty fine work.  8)  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Freddy on March 09, 2013, 18:16:40 PM
Yep looks fine.  I used to hate metal work due to all the sore cuts I used to somehow get.
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: sybershot on March 09, 2013, 21:48:08 PM
looking great so far, keep up the great work  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: DaveMorton on March 10, 2013, 07:12:45 AM
Not gonna echo the kudos in any way but thought. :P But then again, it's the thought that counts, right? :D
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Snowcrash on March 16, 2013, 12:27:42 PM
It all, sort of, fits together now. I need to fabricate a 2 piece frame plus cut the steel circuit board mount to be able to fit the HDD and circuit board. And then to glue it together and modify the circuit board to add leads. There goes the warranty.  ;D



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Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: DaveMorton on March 16, 2013, 14:27:56 PM
Wish I could send you a dead SATA drive to use for parts. You'd be able to strip off the connection header and convert it, thus saving the warranty on the enclosed drive. :)

Maybe Data has a dead drive to contribute to the cause? Or Freddy? Diesel? Anyone??? Please don't let Snowy void his warranty!!! :o :o :o
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Snowcrash on March 16, 2013, 16:35:38 PM
I only have leads to solder onto the plugs. I think cutting the steel chassis may void the warranty anyway.  :D

That and it's over a year old.
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: sybershot on March 17, 2013, 18:38:53 PM
very well done, keep up the good work :D
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Snowcrash on March 24, 2013, 10:24:49 AM
Not made much progress. Had a cold and not felt like playing.  :(

I'm on the last piece for the main box. Just needs folding, then drilling bolt holes and soldering leads and I'm up to gluing/bolting it all together.
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Freddy on August 10, 2015, 23:31:36 PM
Did you ever finish this Snowy ?
Title: Re: External Drive Project
Post by: Snowcrash on August 12, 2015, 17:29:21 PM
Did I heck. I seem to have bought a house and have lots of little jobs to do constantly. All the bits are in a box ready to fix together.
One day...