fretters

I built mine in my apartment, which worked, but it was quite a modest project compared to Zac's. Accuracy in measuring and cutting is absolutely essential to ensure a clean fit, especially if you need a number of pieces that have to be exactly the same size. I had to get some pieces cut at the wood shop to achieve this. I think it would be a struggle to do it entirely with hand tools.

Thanks. I really admire your attention to detail and forward thinking. Planning is everything, never leave anything to chance :-)

Excellent work! I also made a computer desk a while ago. It turned out well but how I would love to have access to a proper workshop. This was mine: https://www.instructables.com/Computer-Drawer/

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to …

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to a new location on whatever drive you want. When you click OK, the contents of the folder will be moved and all subsequent downloads to these folders will be saved to the new location. I keep my boot disk very lean, only the OS and programs are on it. I would highly recommend using an SSD rather than an HDD as they are MUCH faster. Mine is only 240GB in size and is still only half full.

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to …

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to a new location on whatever drive you want. When you click OK, the contents of the folder will be moved and all subsequent downloads to these folders will be saved to the new location. I keep my boot disk very lean, only the OS and programs are on it. I would highly recommend using an SSD rather than an HDD as they are MUCH faster. Mine is only 240GB in size and is still only half full.

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to …

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to a new location on whatever drive you want. When you click OK, the contents of the folder will be moved and all subsequent downloads to these folders will be saved to the new location. I keep my boot disk very lean, only the OS and programs are on it. I would highly recommend using an SSD rather than an HDD as they are MUCH faster. Mine is only 240GB in size and is still only half full.

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to …

Thanks for the comments. I seem to be getting a few more views recently after I was tagged in another project.To answer your questions: all cables come out of the back of the computer, most via the I/O panel on the motherboard, but the cables to and from the mini amp come through a small hole that I cut in the back of the case. I've attached a photo which hopefully makes it clearer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as it is much neater and I think a standard length cable if I'd used wired, would have been too short to accommodate the extra length needed when I pull out the drawer.It's very easy to redirect files to other drives. If you use Windows 10, right click on the folder you want to redirect ('Documents' for instance), then click the 'location' tab, click 'move' then navigate to a new location on whatever drive you want. When you click OK, the contents of the folder will be moved and all subsequent downloads to these folders will be saved to the new location. I keep my boot disk very lean, only the OS and programs are on it. I would highly recommend using an SSD rather than an HDD as they are MUCH faster. Mine is only 240GB in size and is still only half full.

I agree that it is a very detailed instructable and superbly illustrated, but surely a dough/pastry/pizza cutting wheel would work just as well?

The egg crates are there to stop the echo in the room. If you scroll down the comments, I have a better explanation and photos.

Very true. They are basic cheap cables, but they are only used for standard, everyday sound. I also have an M-audio sound card that runs through (semi) shielded cables into my Naim Audio set up for music.

Thanks, that was essential!

Thanks, components now added to Step 9.

The hard drives have been fine for nearly a year so far. Its not like I open and close it every day (although I did at first, just to look at it!). The drawer is closed most of the time and if I ever need to swap a drive, the computer is turned off.

Thanks. The main reason for the shape of the drawer is so I can still fit my legs under the desk without whacking them against the drawer. The bulky rear end is just out of reach. All part of the plan :-)

I don't think that would work I'm afraid, as the ports are all on the motherboard, and all the bulky components are attached to the motherboard. The drawer would basically have to be reversed, resulting in a huge front panel, which is exactly what I wanted to avooid.