Mac Classic NAS

ginsu417

n00b
Joined
Jun 29, 2020
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So, hopefully this is the right place to post this. I just finished work on my newest case mod project - an 8-core atom-powered 48TB NAS in a 1991 Mac Classic case. This is my second vintage mac build - my first is the G4 Quicksilver on the last photo.

I needed a new NAS; my original one was built in 2014, and it's still working quite well, but it's getting a bit long in the tooth. I wanted something compact, and classic looking, to go with my 'Ancient Tech Lab' theme.

Donor machine: 1991 Mac Classic



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40% hydrogen peroxide cream solution + sunlight , to remove yellowing caused by bromine contamination
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Donor machine, all pieces
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3D printing a new display bezel

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My assistant, Genji

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Prototype bezel, final design bezel and front fascia

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8" 4:3 LCD display disassembled
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Bezel fitted to fascia

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Supermicro A2SDi-8C-HLN4F logic board and 32GB of RAM

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Case cutting carnage for IO shield

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Logic board on new 3D printed mounts

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Logic board fitted, with new 3D printed IO shield.

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Display power comes from the internal PS. I created a cable for it.

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Factory power board. Needed to remove rail with socket and switch to retain factory look
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Power supply opened up to access 120v leads. In hindsight, there was room in the case to use the PS unmodified, if I used a 90 degree cable - but I didn't

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Original power rail, removed from power board and fitted with new wires (all heat-shrink tubed)

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Power rail installed on the factory cage

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PS modded with spade connectors for servicability

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3D printed a 4-bay drive cage to house the 12TB drives. This print took over 30 hours, but the results are pretty good.

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Drive cage also secures PS

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Mock-up, with two 92mm noctua fans. We'll need cable management (it's already printing)

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3D printed manager

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3D printed fan mounting plate

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Installed plate. I used rubber isolating washers to try and keep the vibrations down, but I don't think I need them. The print also came out a bit stringy - which is not unexpected, since I choose to push my PLA at 215C, to promote better adhesion. I cleaned it up a little bit with a heat gun, but I'm really not thrilled about the way this looks. Probably going to redo it next time I have it apart.

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LVDS board had to move to make room for fans.

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Logic board came as passive cooling. Did not want to have to track down a low profile cooler I liked, so I built fan clips to hold the CPU fan to the supplied heatsink. These were printed in ABS (I recognized at the last minute PLA would not do).

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Some last minute testing before I button her up

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FreeNAS installed, and burned in over night

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Sitting in my 'Akkala Ancient Tech Lab' data center.

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Final parts list:

1x Vintage Mac Classic
1x Supermicro A2SDi-8C-HLN4F logic board
1x Rosewill PHOTON Series 750W
4x HGST Ultrastar HUH721212ALE600 12TB
2x Crucial 16GB 288-Pin DDR4-2400
2x Noctua NF-B9 redux-1600 PWM fan
1x Everflow 60mm Dual Ball Bearing PWM Fan
1x YWD-801 8” VGA 4:3 LCD display
1x Samsung 64GB FIT Plus USB Flash Drive
1x Spare power cord (for PS relocation)
2x momentary N/O SPST switch

Custom parts made:
1x display bezel (PLA)
1x rear I/O sheild (PLA)
1x 4-bay drive cage (PLA)
1x drive bay fan plate (PLA)
4x logic board mounts (PLA)
4x CPU fan clip (ABS)

Consumables:
Assortment of heat shrink tubing
Rosin core solder
Double-stick tape
Assortment of sheetmetal screws and nuts
About 1/2 roll of PLA
Some glue gun sticks

Time w/o design work: 20 hours
Time w/design work: 32 hours


Full worklog here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LfSziXHGaa3X4Cog8

Comments, Question, Flames and Feedback welcome
 
I find this act of thread necromancy justified.
I would love to have the ability to make drive bays such as the one you've made for your project.
I'm always on the lookout for enclosures for my various stuffs and yours came out very pretty.
 
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