Breadbox Computer

Posted:Sun Dec 10 @ 1:11 pm

I have talked about building a computer for shop and train layout room in other postings. I have gotten all the parts needed for said project. The mobo is a PC Chips micro-ATX, socket A with video, audio and LAN built in so no need for a lot of PCI cards, just the PS, memory, HDD and CD-R. The case is going to be our old wooden breadbox. So for the first pic I'll give you the Breadbox.

The first thing that I have done to the box was to add a hinge that will prevent the lid from dropping down all the way and keep it opened at the level for the CD-R which will be mounted to the lid.

Next was to place the mobo in so that when the lid is shut the new hinge doesn't hit the mobo.

At this time everything is just being placed in and marked for future installation. I have also place the HDD and CD-R where they are going to be.

The PS will be mounted to the roof of the box later but until then you now have a general idea of how the Breadbox is going to work out. All ideas and comments are welcomed and remember Happy Modding to ya.

Posted:Sun Dec 10 @ 5:50 pm

duuude this is a heat trap...

You should prolly put some cooling devices inside, right?

Posted:Sun Dec 10 @ 6:03 pm

hey i recognize that mobo Razz

keep us updated em3 !

Posted:Sun Dec 10 @ 6:19 pm

lots of intake and exhausts.

Posted:Sun Dec 10 @ 6:25 pm

It will have fans Dexboy, the pics are just showing a mock up, most parts there are not working parts, just for getting the correct spacing and senior98 you win a cookie, that is the mobo that I received from you. It's going into service. Thank you all for your comments and I read each and everyone so that I can do the best possible work on every project that I do. It will house at least 92mm fans for both intake and exhaust, Soco_Pheak. It's because of the ideas and comments, that makes the corrections, that can make or break a good idea. Happy Modding to ya.

Posted:Sun Dec 10 @ 7:10 pm

Good mod though!

WC would be cool, but that would take up more space.

Posted:Sun Dec 10 @ 9:53 pm

WC would be great but I think I would need another breadbox to house the extra parts. My WC project is in the Industrial Case project. That project will house my gaming machine when it's completed. At this time the funds will only allow 1 WC project. Happy Modding to ya.

Posted:Mon Dec 11 @ 6:33 pm

Today I removed the back and the flooring so that cutting for the PCI slots and mobo tray will be easier. I also located the PCI slot guide that will be used. It will have to be trimmed to size and to remove areas that are not needed. One end is setup for AT style keyboard, that will be removed and then shortened for the mATX mobo. Here are some pics of the work I did today.

I know that it wasn't much work but please remember that I'm also working on the LCD for Cash Box which also received a update today. Plus I'm still cleaning the house from the wedding that was held here at my house on Saturday afternoon. I gave away my niece since her father died 2yrs ago at the age of 49 in his sleep. Then of course it's time to decorate for Christmas now. I don't see a break until Feb. of 07. Ha Ha All ideas and comments are welcomed and remember Happy Modding to ya.

Posted:Mon Dec 11 @ 6:44 pm

looks nice, tho what color is the whole box gonna be?

and fo fans, are you gonna use the normal ones or those with LEDs?

Posted:Mon Dec 11 @ 8:17 pm

I'm leaving the box as it is in the pics. The fans that I have at this time are just plain 92mm fans, no LED's. This computer will be used in my shop and for programming the decoders in my locomotives.

Posted:Tue Dec 12 @ 9:59 pm

I did get a little work done on Breadbox today. The first order of business was to get myself a mobo tray, so I went and torn apart a old AT frame for the tray that was spot welded into place. So the safety goggles and drill came out and I proceeded in drilling out the spot welds. That took quite abit of time due to my battery went dead and I had to take the time out to recharge. Here is a pic of the tray once I got it out.

While I was working on the mobo tray I found half of a old PCI slot that I used the other half on Cash Box, so I thought it might be able to be used on Breadbox. So I installed some PCI cards and mounted the slot onto the cards to see if it would be enough there to be used on this project. It was and here is a pic of it.

Now that I had that part the right size it was time to find out if the mobo tray was going to fit into the breadbox or if I was going to cut it to fit. To my surprise it was a perfect fit for a bottom for Breadbox. Here are some pics of it in place with space for a fan in the bottom for air intake.

Now this is all I got done on Breadbox because I had some honey-do's that had to be done. So I'm also going to show you a pic of one other thing that I had to do today. There were other honey-do's that I did but I only took the one pic to show you. So here it is.

All ideas and comments are welcomed and remember Happy Modding to ya.

Posted:Mon Dec 18 @ 5:54 pm

Today I worked a little on Breadbox getting the bottom fixed to the base of the breadbox. I first marked where I was wanting the mounting screws to go and then wearing safety goggles I used a hammer and punch to punch a starting dent to drill out the hole using my drill press. Once the holes where drilled out I took a file and cleaned all holes of burrs. Then it was just a matter of laying the bottom onto the base of the breadbox and screw it down. Here are a couple of pics showing the bottom on.

To get a nice flush fit with the back of the box and the PCI slots area I had to cut down the back board so that it would fit on the inside of the box instead of the outside. Once I got it cut down then I was able to cut out the area for the PCI slots. Here are a couple of pics of the area cut out.

As you can see from the last pic I still have room for the fan to bring in cooler air from the bottom. Next is to cut out the area for the I-O shield. All ideas and comments are welcomed and remember Happy Modding to ya.

Posted:Tue Dec 19 @ 2:12 am

Hey this idea is pretty cool and coming along well, ever since i started my first mod i have been looking for things everywhere to try and mod, i might try a mouse and a keyboard soon.
Keep it up

Techytom

Posted:Tue Dec 19 @ 4:53 am

omg techs heads guna blow...to much modding brain cells workin...lol jks Wink

this mods looking really good! ive always liked the "hidden" computer mods so i kinda favour for them (hench th eones im doing) but this well! ive never thought of anything like this now this is a good mod! cant wait to see it start moving along more! and just wondered em3.....are you going to be putting you LCD into this as ive noticed youve taken a real liking to them (tee hee that would look mad! a breadbox with a LCD!!)
keep it up

Joined: Mar 18, 2006 Posts: 90 Location: Netherlands

nice one m8 .. gonna follow this one =)

but eh .. that backplate .. did u paint it red yourself, or was it red already ?? normally they're silver ..