DIY'ers-Come Forth!

[V12|V12]

I'm going to get to the point: I just woke up after having a dream of all things, about a new DIY-water-block design... it's still a little cloudy, but I'm still baffled about having a dream about water-block design (laughing)! Any how, after reading and much observation of members, (new & old) I've begun to notice that more and more people seem to either be buying milled blocks, have access to mills or have a mini-CNC station in their own garage!! That left me thinking, where have all the original "DIY'ers" gone? Seems like they are of a dinosaur breed... going extinct? There's been a couple folks that have popped up with some original and innovative ideas that came from the barest lump of copper and not-so-copper like materials, but they are a scattered lot. (I don't know if I speak for a minority of others out there with a severely LOW cooling budget, but filled with ideas, yet no CNC-type access, hell not even a drill-press) I would like to see more DIY blocks/projects! Though they do not yield the awe inspiring look and complexity of a CNC'd block, or even a manually milled block, these simple-to-make water blocks can (if made right and with some cooling homework done) compete nearly as well! For example there's a person going by the nick of "Hoot" and his "Pinned" block, which was made from an old and very low performing Socket-A class heatsink, was tested and yielded quiet amazing numbers, I believe it was around a low .11xx! Now if a home made block such as that, with some minimal tooling and material (believe me, look up "Hoots" block on google or overclockers.com) can achieve such fantastic results, then anyone can do it!!
As I mentioned previously; some of us out there do not even have the funds for a ragged drill-press (which can work wonders!) and just have bare hand tools. For us, making blocks is much more of a task, with such a limited assortment of tools, (of which can get pretty costly too) lets see some more crafty and unique folks out there posting their ideas (Pics too!)... I am a proud part of this group! My first block was a horrible attempt, which turned out to be a 1-1/2" PVC cap and some ULTRA-thin copper sheet, it had to be no more than .5mm "THICK?!" With a little goop, a hand drill, bits supposed to be for wood-working, and numerous trips to Home-Depot, I finally made my first block! Not a great performer, but it worked... Coupled with a HUGE Little-Giant pump I found in the physics scrap bin at OSU, this pump was at LEAST 800-1000GPH from only 3/8" outlet, you could see the vinyl tubing shrink from the inlet's suction! Lol! I moved up to finding some copper plates, and made blocks using a brazing torch and much use of the kitchen stove and sink, as there was nowhere else to heat and contain very HOT copper plates.

For example of how even a crappy DIY-block (search my posts for a pic lol!) can perform: I've got an XP1600 (AGOIA-Y Green) running around 1814Mhz, CPU-default Vcore @1.792v/181FSB etc. From my calculations it is putting out ~85.323W (35C-load-22.7C-amb /85.323W) yielding ~.1441 C/W idle and over the past 16hrs (2:58am-6:58pm) I've have yet (accounting for changes in night/day ambient increases and decreases) to see my max temp reach more than 38-39C. Doesn't sound like much compared to a CNC'd block, but considering my block only cost ~$10 to make, and about an 1hr of working, w/ breaks, that's not too bad? Heck even I laugh at the inner construction of it, now that I know even more than before about block design and fluid-dynamics (concerning heat dissipation). A nice drill press would surely make my block design exponentially better (okay not that much, but a lot), but finding one that's built relatively well and CHEAP is tough! Plus the added expense of milling bits, and a mini x/y-table... I'll be working in the garage with my hand tools as usual...

COME FORTH DIY'ERS AND REPRESENT YOURS!!!!

Good day, Go-BUCKS!

[jaydee]

Originally posted by V12|V12
For example there's a person going by the nick of "Hoot" and his "Pinned" block, which was made from an old and very low performing Socket-A class heatsink, was tested and yielded quiet amazing numbers, I believe it was around a low .11xx! Now if a home made block such as that, with some minimal tooling and material (believe me, look up "Hoots" block on google or overclockers.com) can achieve such fantastic results, then anyone can do it!!

I think you need to re-read that article and thread at OC. The heat sink was from a air sink that was never put on the market. There are others to use in it's place but they are just about as expensive a a good already made block. And his results are far from conclusive.

Other than that I like were you are coming from. People like you have not disappeared, they have simply moved on to better things. You should have seen my first block!. 2"x2"x1.25" chunk of aluminum with two holes drilled half way through the sides and two holes to meet from the top. I had a loop at the top with hose connecting each other and the inlet/outlet on the side. I used a regular hand drill for that and used some al flat bar to make a make shift hold down device with the 4 mounting holes. I must admit that block did pretty good! I have since jumped up into the CNC arena with my mini mill and have made some decent blocks. But it doesn't take a CNC or drill press to make a good block. One just needs to reaserch what is important in cooling the core and what areas to concentrate on. I have a DIY tutorial planned that uses a hand drill to make the block and it should perform pretty well as the cooling will be directed where it needs to be. I concept that has been either ignored or simply not thought about untill the center inlet blocks started coming out and further expanded when cathar relesed the WW. Just need the time vto do it.........

Figuring out what needs to be done is a hell of a lot harder then actually doing it. I think you will still find just as many DIY's, but there are just more "high tech" DIY's now getting most of the attention.

[V12|V12]

First off: I would like to thank you for such supportive words! I thought it was going to lead to a huge uproar and flame from the CNC folks etc... Anyhow, yeah my first block was and still is VERY laughable, I'm almost embarrassed of it! HAHA. Soon I will have a drill press and things will be better... It's not so much that you can't make a "good" preforming WB by hand, it's just that it takes tremendous patience and TIME... plus hand tools aren't cheap anymore, least not brand new, but thank you again, for your much needed support! And THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!

[SysCrusher]

I just use a drill press, couple of taps and a dremil. It's fun to try different ideas and put them to the test. Makes it fun to learn that way. DIY will always be there. That's where the best ideas start from.

My first few blocks were cross drilled. They did ok but wasn't the results I was after. Got a better idea using just 3 holes drilled down and using a tapered bit to get a slight tapered base. That worked well. Then I added my own home brewed impingement. That worked even better. Still using it now. The whole block thickness is 1 inches. It's thick but works.

Tried another one with the same idea but to make the block thinner and help increase flow. I mucked up the offset by a few mm. But it still works, just not as good.

Learned alot doing it the DIY way. From what I learned, I came up with a nice design I like to get milled sometime when I have the extra cash on hand. I have some copper to play with now so I'll have fun with that.

[bigben2k]

I think that the whole process of making a block is in part an expression of who we are.

In designing Radius, I found that I needed some assurances that the design was ready to be built, with backup in theory: that's how I work in real life, design first, then do it (to my wife's great frustration ).

I remember reading a few years ago about software development methods. Specifically, there are certain levels by which one can code stuff. The first is your basic sit-and-type. The second is more structured, where if you had to do it again, you might end up with similar code. The third, fourth and fifth are high level process-and-review procedures that continually improve themselves over time.

Now this might not seem relevant, but when you think about how the highest level of coding procedure is made up of 80% planning, and 20% actual coding, you know something is being done right.

I have little tooling, and I opted to rely on fellow ProCooling members for the actual building: when in doubt, outsource, it's cheaper.

[SysCrusher]

Originally posted by bigben2k

I remember reading a few years ago about software development methods. Specifically, there are certain levels by which one can code stuff. The first is your basic sit-and-type. The second is more structured, where if you had to do it again, you might end up with similar code. The third, fourth and fifth are high level process-and-review procedures that continually improve themselves over time.

Now this might not seem relevant, but when you think about how the highest level of coding procedure is made up of 80% planning, and 20% actual coding, you know something is being done right.

That is very true and very familiar. lol I spent three years on a server/client project. By the time we finished it, there was a better and faster way to do it or a new technology to use. Every project that I take on, it's the same way. Designing a block is just the same. Always room for improvement somewhere.

[murray13]

Kudos to the DIY people. I've gotten lots of good ideas and new things to look at from a design standpoint looking at all those 'hey I'm tryin' this' blocks. I'm not taking anything away from the theory people either. Both have their benefits, and their downfalls. Personally my block's (and WC system) design has changed many times. I'm finally getting close. All of the DIY blocks I have seen just keep me motivated to finish my own. And I will finish it, as time and money allow.

Over the course of designing a WB I found it was necessary to rethink the whole system, from hoses to pump to rad (or chiller in my case) to actual WB design. I come from the school of do it right the first time. So I'm spending my time thinking about every little aspect before I build it. Exactly opposite from the classic DIY'er but I'm still doing it all myself.

[V12|V12]

Well, here it is, my latest and LAST "by hand" DYI-block! Why, haha, cause the GODS have blessed me with a NEW DRILL PRESS!!!! It's not the best, certainly not the worst, but it works good and seems of solid construction. I wish I had a digi-cam for pics, It's a "Cummins Pro" 8" table top press, 5 spd (750-3150rpm) ~1/2hp motor etc. Anyhow, the pic is of my block that I just made on the fly, didn't really draw to much up, just let my mind wonder. The MS-Paint does it no justice, (wish I could afford A-CAD!) The temps I'm getting are pretty good, about ~.12-13 C/W (idle) 35C-24C_amb/85.323W = .13C/W...
Right now I'm running an XP1600+@1813/1.79Vcore (181*10), welp that about does it! Now I just need to get some copper stock to start making drill press blocks!

BTW- Where does everyone get their caps (plates?) for your blocks?

THANK THE GODS FOR MY DRILL PRESS... Now if only they'd bless me with a SMALL X-Y table! THANK YOU!!!!!

[bigben2k]

Oh look, it's the "Peace" block

[Gungrefjaert]

Maby not the same but you might want to try maya. its free to download in a full version for personal use. I don't know if is usefull to you.
Have a look at it here :

http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/pro...le/index.shtml

[nicozeg]

Wow! free maya? Last time I looked it was several thousands $

[Gungrefjaert]

As long as its for personal use its free. For corporate use its something like 7000 US$ i think :-)