Icrontic's EPIC Duct Tape Case
Installing the PSU
Now we were ready to prove the project by putting some working components into the case. Due to structural rigidity concerns, we did not allow for a removable side panel on the case. Therefore we left the top off of the case and loaded all of the components through the top.
Because our case was laid out similarly to a BTX form factor, the first item we installed was the power supply. We chose an Antec Earthwatts 500 due in part to its >80% efficiency rating, which helped to keep the level of heat down inside the case. We placed the PSU on the bottom rails of the case and aligned it with the cutout in the case’s rear panel.
This is a non-working power supply we used to test the form factor
Installing the motherboard
Since we had built the case to micro-ATX specifications, we needed to locate a suitable motherboard. The motherboard we chose utilized an nVidia nForce 430 chipset, which featured onboard sound, networking, and GeForce 6150 graphics. To round out the basic PC components, we installed an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ with stock heatsink and 2GB of OCZ DDR2 on the motherboard.
In order to attach the motherboard in the case, we mounted it to the horizontal poles of the internal case frame. We briefly considered simply taping the motherboard in place, but this would have been contrary to the goals of the project, so we devised a mounting system using common hardware store parts. We placed a 4-40 threaded 3/4” bolt through each of the motherboard’s mounting holes. Each of these bolts was affixed snugly with a nut. Then, we attached a second nut to the end of each bolt, leaving enough room between the nuts for the width of the poles. The bolts then could rest directly on the horizontal poles, without slipping off. Distributing the weight this way, we were able to easily ‘hang’ the motherboard in the case without causing any noticeable stress to the structure or balance of the box.
Installing the hard drive
Next we placed the SATA hard drive in the bottom of the case in front of the PSU, and ran its cables up to the Motherboard.
Finally, the optical drive was placed on its side on the shelf, in such a way that it could be accessed through the door.
All that was left was to plug it in, and turn it on.
The moment of Truth
It worked. The pieces held up securely, and even after being on for some time, the heat did not seem to weaken the tape. Rob even managed a short, choppy session of Me Fortress 2. And of course, we have video.
Conclusion
After working sporadically on the project for nearly a year, we feel that we met all of the goals we set at the outset of this project. We’re happy with the quality of our work, but we learned several lessons during this project that will come in handy during future duct tape endeavors. That’s the great part about working a creative process using a single medium: every time you pick up the tape, you learn something new that will serve you in the future.
To see the rest of the photos taken during the process, visit this Picasa album. If you have a suggestion for a future Duct Tape project, PM CB or Rob here at Icrontic.
That is some serious craftsmanship right there. Kudos to you both.
That case is saweeeet!! Excellent work guys! You're both definitely
The case looks really good. Excellent write-up, I'm sure you guys enjoyed building at least as much as I enjoyed reading about it.
Great Job Guys... Nice to finally read the article.
One Typo on the last page... "Me Fortress 2."
One Typo on the last page... "Me Fortress 2."
It's not a typo, actually... CB called it that because I was playing by myself.
Thanks for the kind words, folks!
One Typo on the last page... "Me Fortress 2."
I saw that too, but I think it was on purpose. He wasn't playing with anyone thus there couldn't be any "team" just himself or "me".
Also I wasn't sure how to visualize a duct tape "dart"? is it just a pointed tightly rolled piece of duct tape?
Added to reddit btw http://reddit.com/info/6lamx/comments/
This is awesome in so many ways. Good job guys!
Also I wasn't sure how to visualize a duct tape "dart"? is it just a pointed tightly rolled piece of duct tape?
So many people have thought the Me Fortress 2 was a typo, that maybe we should change it... :/
The duct tape 'darts' are just thin strips used as fasteners. The problem was that the word that means what we needed was 'tape'. but we didn't want to say that we were making strips of duct tape 'tape'. 'fasteners would have been equally ridiculous, and we had already used up the word 'strips' elsewhere.
Trust me. I fretted over using 'darts', knowing that that usage is a bit obscure, but in the end it sounded best...
I can only imagine
"darts" makes sense to me now thanks.
Fantastic work, guys
I really enjoyed the write-up! Who do we talk to if we'd like to get one in for testing in the IC labs?
Fricking awesome
Nice 
Dude you guys got onto Gizmodo! Congrats.
http://gizmodo.com/394121/if-you-bui...eeks-will-come
Sweetness!
Digg alone has three different links to stories. Congrats all around!
Congrats, guys!
Think you will have a problem with heat form the pc softening the glue and the tape losing its composure? Thats why we lost the duct tape challenge last year, except it was the sun not a pc melting our tape. nice work though.
Your Duct Tape Challenge entry didn't have sweet cooling fans and a stylish air vent, did it?
sweet//// awesome to finally see it complete good work guys
That's flippin sweet.
Thanks for the comments, folks!
Yes, [[][][[v]][[]]]agic, we were concerned about the heat. If we were going to be housing a PC in the case longer term, we had planned to cut a 120MM exhaust fan hole and possibly include a front intake fan behind the vent.
Duct tape, is there nothing it can't do?
So what's the next big project?
I say... build a working duck-tape rockband drum set. And then give it to me
Wow, well done guys. That's an impressive feat.
Also, I didn't think ME FORTRESS 2 was a typo - I believe we've called it that in-game before.
Excellent!
hehe nice.
[...] presents the 10 Ultimate Ghetto Gadget Creations, featuring such rubbish luminaries as a PC case made of duct tape, a car stereo made of an internal IDE CD-Rom drive and a sponge, and anything whatsoever to do with [...]
Bwahahahah total win!
We made Gizmodo's Top 10 Ultimate Ghetto Gadgets list!
Congrats (again!) CB and Rob!
That's awesome!
Congrats guys!
Awesome!!