PROJECT: HTPC-3 Part 4

Alright, after a busy weekend/week I finally got some time to work on HTPC-3. As I mentioned before, I bought another sheet of MDF and fabbed another top. I successfully drilled the holes and the countersinks, and I cut the blowhole directly over the CPU for a 120mm fan to mount. I don't know why I decided to cut the octagon degsign afterwards. Honestly, I just started to do it and bam, octagon. Probably in case I could could figure out a war to cut out space enough to "embed" the fan deeper in the MDF instead of right on the surface.

So, I woke up on Saturday deciding to make some major progress on the box. I got in my car with my 4 year old, fully planning on going to Home Depot, but at the last second turned left instead of right and went to Harbor Freight Tools. Once there I was able to pick up this:

For $22. Oh, yeah. Sure it's probably a piece of crap, but I don't plan on using it all hardcore, just to make my cases... for now anyway. I also picked up a 5 piece router bit set, only needing the 3/8" corner maker. And I picked up these:

for $5 a piece. HFT is awesome for people like me... need just enough tool to get the job done, but not so much that it costs me an arm and a leg.

So I had to fabricate a "router table" made out of spare mdf anf plywood.

The guide is semi permanent, really I just wanted to make something to get my 2 cuts done. Later on, I will make a permanent add-on to my "work bench".

And here's the box with the sides rounded. Really turned out good. A quick sand to smooth them down, and all set.

Here are some shots of the box after the first coat of primer. MDF soaks up the paint, and I read somewhere, probably on Hardocp.com, that primer creates a good seal and allows for better painting. So, I paint with primer until I empty the can and then use the can of black.

Below is the hard drive case. I will probably add 2 small pieces of sheet metal, since I botched the screw holes.

The top, and did you notice something different?...

Yup, I went to HomeDepot later in the day, looking for a specific attachment for my dremel tool and I found it, for $15, plus $5 for a cutting bit.

And here's something new. I decided to place the buttons on the left side of the box for a couple of different reasons.
1) Mobile infants, toddlers, and curious youngsters LOVE buttons.
2) Clean looking front, tottally discreet.
3) I dunno, I just couldn't place them anywhere on the front that I liked.

The RESET button will be further back and the POWER button will be up front, since you can't read which is which, discernment by location.

More later, like Monday or Tuesday... hopefully.

Late.