External hard drive + USB hub

Are you annoyed by the wandering USB hub on your desk that easily moves? Would you like some extra space to store your videos, pictures and documents but don't like the look of those external hard drives?
You can create your own, one of a kind, fancy looking external hard drive with USB hub.
The USB hub has its own power supply so you can keep charging your USB devices when the computer is turned off.

This project even holds a little extra: a secret storage space activated by a hidden magnet.

 

The cost was around 5 dollar because I only had to buy a few small components (resistors, LED's, switch and felt pads).

If you have to buy every part the cost will be considerably more!

For conversion to inch visit: http://www.linuxfocus.org/~guido/javascript/cm-inch-conversion.html

Step 1 Materials and tools

Materials:

• Internal hard drive (old or new, I salvaged mine from an old computer)
• USB hub with own adapter (adapter is not essential)
• USB flash drive
• 3 USB cables
• Serial ata to USB converter with own power supply
• An old ore broken adapter
• Two LED's any color you want I used a blue and a white one 
• Resistors 2x 75 ohm
• Switch
• Reed switch
• Magnet
• Wooden board (I used oak)
• Felt pads
• Power jack

Tools:

• Jig saw
• Drill
• Drill bit 6, 7, 8, 20 and 30 mm
• Solder
• Solder iron
• Shrink wire
• Electrical tape
• Wood wax
• Wood glue
• Super glue

Comments

[10jeeeexx]

the best that ever i sy

[Harrymatic]

This is really quite impressive - it looks fantastic. Although, maybe if the hole for the LED wasn't quite drilled all the way through, it could shine through a tiny bit of the wood.

[HHarry]

That was the original idea, as you can see in step 2 there are 3 circles to drill out, I have drilled as close to the bottom as possible but the led didn't shine through. Maybe it will work with another drill bit or another kind of wood .

[yousouf]

But it will always be sensitive to small bumps

[HHarry]

If you mean the box: No, oak is really hard so it will not be really sensitive to small bumps.

If you mean the hard drive: Not more than a commercial hard drive.

[clark981]

Totally awesome!!!!!

[freethetech]

When I read about the "secret storage space activated by a hidden magnet.", I shook my head. After reading the instructable I realize it's safe. But I know people who have actually tried turning a harddrive on with some serious magnets. And then they wonder why it breaks. Humanity scares me -_-

Nice project. I'll be doing all of this with my harddrive I was about to scrap ;)

[raiderdk]

Maybe a Speaker or two can be inside too. I dont think Magnets from speakers damage HDD.

[brewabel]

Awesome 'ible!!!! Adding this to the "to-do" list for sure. Love the detail and all the pics.

[HHarry]

Thanks!