1. Overview
In the Beginning...:
Before I get started with the article, here are some before and after pics for you modders to feast your eyes on.
Ok, now that that is over with, let's get on with the story. I was staring hypnotically at the screen at my old job as usual, and decided to check out my mods again. My boss came in and was really impressed with the mods (yeah boyy!! raise, raise). So he proceeded to ask if I could do a mod for him, something that he could use in the office. After reluctantly agreeing (yeah right), we came upon the idea of using a mailbox for a computer, since the company, NetGram.com, was postal based. My boss also said he would fund this mod! I almost wet my pants. Time to go crazy!
The Case:
I thought about mailboxes and their size, and decided that small would be best, since it would most likely be sitting on a desk. After previously finishing my plexi mod, I thought about using the same motherboard, the Shuttle FV-24. This would require a small mailbox. I also wanted a dope looking mailbox, and it preferably had to be aluminum (teh win). After searching and searching, I came upon the Solar Group's web site. The T1 size was it! Perfect area for front grill, and side windows, and it just fit the FV-24 motherboard! Woo hoo. I called them up and ordered one over the phone. The mailbox was perfect when it arrived. Nice thin aluminum, no dents or scratches, and light too. Cost: $24.
The Plan:
First thing was to get this mailbox into a workable condition. I noticed that it had many rivets keeping it together. Gone. After that simple process, I had all the pieces laid out. I could see exactly how I needed to lay out the computer now, and proceeded to draw a blueprint of the guts of this mailbox. After measuring out the CD-ROM, that sucker would just make it, literally by millimeters!
I would go with 1 or 2 hard drives, depending on available space, and need some type of cooling for the drive(s), and the motherboard. I would also need to get another 1U PSU to fit in this mailbox too. I kept thinking that this was going to be a tight fit, but I had to make it work.
