In this Instructable I will show you how to take apart a CDROM case apart so you can mount a SATA or IDE Hard Drive inside.
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This can be useful for homemade external hard drives, and it can be a convinient storage place for an extra internal hard drive.

Step 1: Things You Will Need

-Screwdriver set.
-Cooling fan (optional).
-Hard Drive.
-CDROM.
-Adhesive.
-Scrap Leather.

Step 2: Unscrewing the Housing

The first thing you will need to do is unscrew the CDROM'S Housing.
Keep the screws because you will need them for later.
Once you take out the screws, the plate should easily slide off.

Step 3: Snap the Flap!

Before you can remove the face plate you must snap off the
flap!

You can use a screwdriver or anything flat that you can slide underneath.

Step 4: Prying the Plate Off.

Once the top of the plate is unscrewed it's time to, pry the
plastic plate of the front.

You will notice there is two clips on the side holding the plate onto
the housing, slowly push them down with a screwdriver while
pushing forward, ..it should slowly ease off the metal casing.

Step 5: Taking Out the CDROM

It's now time to remove the CDROM to make room for the hard drive.

Note:
-some hard drives may have screws holding them down.

Step 6: Making the Fan Hole

(optional)

In this step you will need to remove the
plastic disk on the top of the casing, to provide a place
for the fan to go.

All you need to do is push out the plastic disk from the inside
and it should pop out if not you can use a screwdriver to pry it out.

Step 7: Making the Legs

You will need to make some legs for the hard drive to stand on
in order for the hard drive to keep cool.

I used some leather scraps and glued them on to the bottom of the housing,
and then i glued it on to the hard drive.

Step 8: Screwing the Case Together

Once the glue has dried it's time to screw the casing back together.

Step 9: Mounting the Fan

(optional)

If you are making this for an *external* hard drive I would recommend
you add a cooling fan.

I'll you will need to do is just glue it on top were the fan hole
is (step 6).

Step 10: Enjoy

You can now place your finished housing back into your computer, or
you can use it as a protective case for an external hard drive.

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