Yes it is nice to be able to put your projects INSIDE something isn't it? You know, to hold everything together so it doesn't flop around? Discuss the techniques here!
Hey guys love the forums and a biiiiiig fan of Bens work. I recently started toying with the idea of turning my 360 into the XBOX 360 Laptop after I found the directions on engadget to do it and after asking one of my clients who has a CNC machine if they could cut out the aluminum case for me and getting a definite yes I am excited to get started on the project.
I started soldering this year and have gotten pretty good at it and I have a good understanding of electronics and taking things apart so I am confident I can do this. What I wanted to know is if it was possible to get the plans for the case so I can CNC it. I dont know much about CNCs and I found the Adobe Illustrator version of the plans. What do I need to do in order to CNC the case? Does anyone have the files to use with a CNC to do this. I was also toying with the idea of building one of those DIY CNCs but I am not sure what I would need to be able to CNC aluminum to build the case like Ben suggests.
Any help would be greatly appreciated and any additional advice on top of the guides .
I am not insanely rich but its not "expensive" to do this project. The most costly part apart from the 360 is the LCD and that I am still trying to find. I have a few $$$ to work with and this is what I want to do. I asked my friend what format he needs the plans to be in to use with the CNC Machine just waiting back to hear from him.
No offense but I'm sure if Ben lived by that sort of ideology then he wouldn't be as great as he is. I know the risks involved and I have been practicing my soldering skills on old mainboards and such. Lately I have been tackling "Capacitor Flattening" so I don't mess that up. Also micro soldering and component de-soldering. I think if you practice enough and get the skill and confidence to do these things then it will just be a matter of actually DOING the damn thing
I just need some guidance with the things that aren't clear and I am sure I can do this. I have modified quite a few systems and this will definitely be the most complicated thing I will ever have done but I am not going to let that hold me back from trying.
I disagree. I mean, whatever floats your boat, I'm not stopping you. But ben didn't start with a 360 either. Ben had LOTS of practice by the time he made his 360 laptop.
I'm not saying don't do it, I'm saying start off with something easy as a little more practice, before you start off with the hard stuff.
But if you think you can do it, and that you don't need any more practice than you have, then I wish you good luck.
Sounds like you've taken a lot of steps to get yourself ready for this project. So I say why not?
At the end of the day if things do go awry, the most you're out is your time and a 360. It sounds like you've made your peace with that and know the risks.
I'm no modder, but have wielded a soldering iron for a living in my life at one time and to be quite honest anybody can do it if they have the patience. The fact that you have Ben's guide to go by makes the task of modding a 360 a little less daunting.
So I wish you well on your journey. Be sure to post updates on your progress as you go along.
PS - Watch out for the ROHS. Ben tells me it is a pain in the ass.
Last edited by jones on Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I would definitely advise going with a professional CNC machine and probably having a CNC machinist cut it for you. He'd also probably know what you'd need to do to go from Illustrator file to what's needed for cutting out the design from aluminum.
Go for it!
dragonhead wrote:sweet. ive spent a third of my life on benheck!
If you're that confident in your soldering skills, go for it, man! Besides, it's not my money you'll be blowing.
But yeah, if you really want to go the CNC route, I'd recommend getting someone to help you draw out a professional CAD layout and then take that to a milling shop. If you're not completely set on CNC, vaccum forming also produces factory-quality results, and is much cheaper, less time-consuming, and offers more versatility as far as case design is concerned.
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