Extreme Case Mod, Looking for input!

2006-06-11 18:11:34

#1

Gam Man: Member; +5|7020

Hey everyone, I got my hands on an insanely cheap propane tank (20#) the other day and an idea struck me: turn it into a gaming machine. My lack of a grill influenced this quite a bit.

So anyway, I am going to use all ATX parts, no half assing, I want a full machine in there. I dont really care for a "grilling" theme, so the doors are open. I really just have a cylinder with beveled edges. To get the Mobo to fit I have to add 4" to the height (to avoid the bevels) so I am going to add a mesh ring around the middle, besides that, the design is open

I am really cluless of what to make. If you have any ingenius ideas or something you think would look cool, I want to hear!!! Cooling is important though.

Thanks all!

PS. I am posting this in a few places, so as I hear ideas I like, I will be sure to update ya'll and see what you think of them.

Cheers
-Gam

Last edited by Gam Man (2006-06-11 18:12:10)

2006-06-11 18:14:22

#2

stryyker: bad touch; +1,682|7012|California

if you are clueless on how to make, i suggest you dont make one. parts can be easily destroyed when put into not-normal places.

or if you do have some experience, use micro-atx parts i guess

Last edited by stryyker (2006-06-11 18:15:52)

2006-06-11 18:16:03

#3

Gam Man: Member; +5|7020

stryyker wrote:
if you are clueless on how to make, i suggest you dont make one. parts can be easily destroyed when put into not-normal places

I am clueless of WHAT to make, not how, I have done a few case mods in my time...

One question I am having is how to secure the HDs and have good cooling over them (I am envisioning air cooled)

Last edited by Gam Man (2006-06-11 18:33:33)

2006-06-11 18:37:49

#4

Janus67: Tech God; +86|6887|Ohio, USA

what if you fabricate a door?

What are the measurements of the propane tank (normal gas grill size?). If it is that small it would be pretty tough to fit it all in there, I guess it could be possible, you would just have to make ledges/walls for everything.

2006-06-11 19:06:30

#5

Gam Man: Member; +5|7020

Its:

12.2" D
13.9" H + 4" addition to give the mobo plenty of breating room.

http://www.mantank.com/products/steel_propane/20.htm

Also, where could I pick up an ATX motherboard tray, or a really cheap case to cut up?

Last edited by Gam Man (2006-06-11 19:07:20)

2006-06-11 21:38:28

#6

99Ram2500: Member; +6|6907

Lol this is a pretty cool idea.. propane tanks even got the handles on top and all... see you walk into a LAN party and prop down your propane tank and get to gaming.. LOL

Best way to go about it would be to cut the propane tank in half, make it like a DELL Clamshell case. The motherboard will have to be right in the middle, so mount the power supply in half of the tank, with the power cord and fan blowing down out the bottom.

Then hack up a cheap ATX case, for the motherboard mounting and some extra metal. fab the metal onto the tank somehow, removable by a few screws of course. Then mount the motherbaord to that plate.

The other half of the tank, mount the hd, cd, etc. Be sure to leave room where needed so when the two halfs are closed the cpu fan is open and pci cards dont hit.

Itd be hard, but when youre done itll look so bad ass!!

2006-06-12 01:52:52

#7

Sarrk: O-O-O A-O A; +788|6948|Brisbane, Australia

Man, wouldnt it be awsome if you could cook from that thing while gaming

Not possible, I know but like that guy said

Imagine going to a LAN and pressing a button on a propane case, then while owning everyone, make yourself a burger!!

2006-06-12 02:09:09

#8

Orgtheone: Member; +30|6955|The Dark Side Of The Moon

right guys i want Karma for this lol

I'm a massive pink floyd fan & when i seen this i nearly wet my pants

Click >> http://www.crazyrussian.com/02/entry_1419.php <<

Last edited by Orgtheone (2006-06-12 12:41:19)

2006-06-12 02:30:02

#9

JE3146: Member; +109|6863|Oregon

Just to state the obvious.... make damn sure you remove the valve and fill it with some form of absorbant material prior to cutting into that thing.... the last thing you want is a bomb

2006-06-12 13:52:47

#10

Gam Man: Member; +5|7020

Its a new tank, filled with carbon dioxide by the manufacturer. I will take the valve off first.

Anyway - the clamshell idea is good, great in fact, but I dont think my mobo will fit, I will take some measurements tonight and see. (It works vertical)

In the meantime, I am trying to get my enactment code for some free CAD software, expect some nice cad drawings soon!

Also, I am really thinking about making it functional... Adding a camping propane cylander in the bottom or top wouldnt be too hard, but my worry would be leaks/heat from a grill.

Last edited by Gam Man (2006-06-12 13:59:49)

2006-06-16 13:58:35

#11

Gam Man: Member; +5|7020

Quck update:

I have drilled the mobo tray, cut the tank, bought a cheap case for parts, and piloted for my 120mm fans. So far so good.

https://xs102.xs.to/xs102/06245/LP-CaseMod-0081.jpg

My tools for cutting - took a good hour.

https://xs102.xs.to/xs102/06245/LP-CaseMod-007.jpg

The tank in half, can you start to see my plan?

https://xs102.xs.to/xs102/06245/LP-CaseMod-004.jpg

Mobo tray (with 10 yr old mobo on it). Still needs to be cut out of the door.

https://xs102.xs.to/xs102/06245/LP-CaseMod-006.jpg

The cheap case I got, notice the lack of a mobo tray and back - dam it was cheaply built. My hands got diced trying to pull things out of it.

PS, I go to Biloxi for a week to rebuild a church, so I wont have an update for a while.

Thanks
-Gam

Last edited by Gam Man (2006-06-16 14:01:36)

BF2S Forums Extreme Case Mod, Looking for input!

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