My first ever box: an dvd-rom drive enclosure

[alieninaussie]

Complete newbie. Only recently starting to pickup woodworking and getting hopeless addicted. Be gentle on me. :-)

Too many first-times for this box: first time to try box joint, first time to use a router, first time to make groove and rabbet, and many more. Made millions of mistakes but learned a couple of things.

Parts ready to be assembled:
http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5190.jpg

http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5191.jpg

Front:
http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5192.jpg




http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5197.jpg


Bottom

http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5198.jpg


In action:
http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5206.jpg


http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5209.jpg

[Twisted Tenon]

I am certainly no expert either...but your joints look tight and the holes for the power & USB cables look accurate. So it looks like precision is not your problem :)The rest is just practice:2tsup:. I've just done my first box and I'm not game to post any pics because my joints are terrible.
TT

[smagrath]

Very nice concept piece! And it has nice rustic look to it which is very fashionable these days.

The trick is to keep going from box to box - each time your skills improve. :2tsup:

[RedShirtGuy]

Heh. I like it and looks pretty good for a "first time" :2tsup:
I've been having a few ideas along a similar line lately myself...*wonders if head is leaking information*...

I'd be interested to know if you're able to compare drive temperatures when it's both in and out of the case. I'm thinking that if at some stage you're flogging the drive, it might get a bit warm in there without some ventilation.

[alieninaussie]

Thanks for all the kinds words guys, I surely will keep practicing more. After all, Mrs. have given the order to make a jewelry box for her. um ... finally I got a good excuse to get more tools.


I am certainly no expert either...but your joints look tight and the holes for the power & USB cables look accurate. So it looks like precision is not your problem :)
TT

I made the join out of a circular saw installed on a triton, then with the help of a chisel. The joint was far from perfect, only the timber filler and paint hide them nicely. :q see the pic below. The one on the left was my first attempt and I had to throw it away as it was so bad.
http://www.bluestrait.com/bluegallery/pictures/dvd_enclosure/IMG_5181.jpg



Very nice concept piece! And it has nice rustic look to it which is very fashionable these days.
I just applied one layer of some left-over stain and varnish, then gave it a light sanding and it came out like what you are seeing here. To be honest, I didn't really expect that rustic look at all. :B



I'd be interested to know if you're able to compare drive temperatures when it's both in and out of the case. I'm thinking that if at some stage you're flogging the drive, it might get a bit warm in there without some ventilation.
Good question. I drilled two ventilation holes on both sides hoping they will help a bit on cooling. But honestly I have never really given that issue a good thought and hence no testing about the temporature. After all, I only used the dvd drive for once in past 6 months, and this is a project only intended to help me to learn box making and I happened to have a spare dvd drive and a USB board lying around.

Anyway, if heat becomes ever an issue, I think perhaps a couple of holes on the front/bottom and the back will help a little bit.