Linear gave me a great idea for the front bezel which will involve multiple layers of acrylic.
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Cut two pieces, one smoked, one UV reactive piece to the same dimensions using the table saw and mitersaw.
Click to enlarge
Then cut a matching piece of scrap MDF and screwed them all together and rounded all the edges on my sanding station. I want a nice beveled edge so it doesn't look like a big chunk of plastic hanging off the front of the case. The rounded edges will carry the overall design theme of the case. The screw locations are in a strategic place that I know will be removed later so I don't worry about the holes.
Click to enlarge
45 degree bearing router bit.
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With all of this screwed together, I can safely and accurately bevel the edges so they look like all one piece. The MDF provides an elevated platform for the bearing to run on and give me this effect.
Click to enlarge
The blue UV panel will go against the front sandwiched between the case and the smoked panel. Mapped out where the optical drive is and cut out a window. A very nice fit. So nice, it stays in place with a pressure fit.
Click to enlarge
Next, I measure out where the other elements will go (Matrix Orbital VFD and USB hub)
Click to enlarge
Then I carry that window through to the front, smoked panel.
Click to enlarge
I remove the front panel of the optical drive and cut a drawer window out. I will be making a smoked acrylic replacement for the Plextor one so the front is seamless. The little "droop" is where the eject button is located, there will be a tab on the drive drawer cover that you touch to open the drive.
Click to enlarge
The two front panel pieces. Fabricating them in tandem was absolutely necessary to insure they match well.
Cut two pieces, one smoked, one UV reactive piece to the same dimensions using the table saw and mitersaw.
Then cut a matching piece of scrap MDF and screwed them all together and rounded all the edges on my sanding station. I want a nice beveled edge so it doesn't look like a big chunk of plastic hanging off the front of the case. The rounded edges will carry the overall design theme of the case. The screw locations are in a strategic place that I know will be removed later so I don't worry about the holes.
45 degree bearing router bit.
With all of this screwed together, I can safely and accurately bevel the edges so they look like all one piece. The MDF provides an elevated platform for the bearing to run on and give me this effect.
The blue UV panel will go against the front sandwiched between the case and the smoked panel. Mapped out where the optical drive is and cut out a window. A very nice fit. So nice, it stays in place with a pressure fit.
Next, I measure out where the other elements will go (Matrix Orbital VFD and USB hub)
Then I carry that window through to the front, smoked panel.
I remove the front panel of the optical drive and cut a drawer window out. I will be making a smoked acrylic replacement for the Plextor one so the front is seamless. The little "droop" is where the eject button is located, there will be a tab on the drive drawer cover that you touch to open the drive.
The two front panel pieces. Fabricating them in tandem was absolutely necessary to insure they match well.
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review
October 14 2021 | 15:04
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