First time block construction question

[olv]

Long time lurker, few time poster. Finally decided that i want to create my own waterblocks, not tempted shelling out £100+ for 3 small blocks of copper and it seems like a fun challenge making my own.

My first major limitation is machinery, in that i don't really have any! I have the basic drill, saw etc and i have access to a dremel. So i've already decided i'm going for a #Rotor style blocks. Seems the most highly recommended for first time block builder.

After searching around for a long time i found this http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=6273 Seems like a relatively simple process for a fairly high performance block. Is this an ok design to tackle for a first timer?

First three hurdles:

1) Are there any alternatives to creating detailed plans other than using CAD to get accurate results? If not, how do i get started with CAD, is it an annoying pain in the ass?

2) I need to get myself a becnh drill or making it is going to be pretty hard. How much do a i need to spend? I've seen bench drills for £30-£40 on the B&Q website. are these going to fail miserably at the job? Seeing as though i'm trying to go cheap here i don't fancy spending £100+ on a drill if this is the only thing i ever use it for.

3) Where do I actually get big blocks of copper from? (bear in mind i'm in the UK) what kind of places sell it and how much should i expect to pay?

When it comes to sealing the block i was planning on using something like Araldite, should be strong enough?

I've seen a lot of people talking about the importance of good quality thread cutters, nothing worse then building a beautiful block and then snapping your tapping thing. How do i know what are good quality ones and what is the technical term for them, couldn't find them online.

Final questions now! I was wanting to create my own CPU, GFX and NB blocks, is it too much to tackle all three or first? I dont see any problem with it, just need to design two more blocks. Which brings me to my final question, what sort of designs would you recommend for NB and GPU. NB doesn't really bother me, should be ok but its the GPU that seems difficult, mostly finding a way of easily mounting barbs without having 90 degree barbs.

Thank you very much for you patience, any help would be most appreciated.

[Puzzdre]

Hi Olv, and welcome to the forums!!!

This is the thread where g.l.amour and I made our first #Rotor blocks, with a generous help of all the ppl here on the forums, here's the link, hope you'll find some answers on your questions:

http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/sho...p+setup+serial

as for CAD, if you're more familiar with Corel (my templates are all made in corel) will do the trick also...

You don't really need to spend too much money on bench drill, and for the tappers, just don't go and buy a whole set of diff dia, buy three pcs set for a desired dia, and don't skimp on this, buy decent ones (middle priced, or such). AND just don't forget to buy WD40 or similar, it helps a LOT when cutting threads.

Dunno for araldite, but you'll see that it's your choice in - bathroom silicone, goop, that glue g.l.amour uses etc....

Hope this helps, just go and do it, the fun is more than great!!!

[olv]

Thanks puzzdre, your thread is REALLY useful. i'm reading through it now (page 7) and i'm getting a lot of useful tips.

i'm getting the general feeling of 'Try it you own way and just see how it turns out' which gives me confidence just to try it. Tomorrow i plan to go out and try and find some tools and materials to get me on my way.

Thanks again for the help
other contributions are extremely welcome aswell.

[Puzzdre]

NP,

LOL, you got the right feeling, and the fun is enormous...

Hope you'll end up with something like this

http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/sho...omemade+blocks

Also, do a search on g.l.amour and fragn'stien threads on making the #Rotor blocks

Must be some more ppl doing 'em also, but sorry I cannot remember the names

G'luck!!!

[#Rotor]

and for when you are done.....

The Chade-tree Block Gallery

your welcome to sign up and upload your pics for all to see...

[olv]

Yet another very useful thread puzzdre, thank you. I think i might use your NB design if you wouldn't mind, its exactly what i had in mind.

Is it easier to make tops out of copper or polycarbonate? I'm just wondering with the cpu block design. if its easier to drill and tap copper i could make a polycarbonate sandwhich, sort of like that, if you get what i mean. if it's harder to make in copper then nevermind, thought i'd ask.

Barbs                       |     |                    |      |
                            |     |                    |      |
Copper top      =======================================================
Polycarb          -----------------------------------------------
Polycarb          -----------------------------------------------
Copper base   =======================================================

[edit] sorry for crap diagram drawing in code is hard lol

i'm having trouble with thinking up a gfx block design. well i know it's going to be a #rotor style but can't figure out how to mount barbs perpendicular to the card. i cant find any 90 degree barbs either. I'll continue search for more ideas.

I'll definately make sure i post in your gallery rotor.

My dad is looking at bench drills for me today whilst hes getting some other materials.

Thanks for the help.

[olv]

Look what i got