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The "EPIA Powered Mantle Radio"
By Beau Walker - Posted on July 20, 2003
Introduction
I've always wanted to build a wooden mantle
radio from scratch. Like fully from scratch. Even when I
fully rebuilt the Astor (a previous project),
it was still starting with something - so it wasn't really
a true construction from the ground up, but more of a retro-fit
than a fully built unit.
Construction
Well here was my chance to make
it happen. I started with an EPIA Eden ME6000 mini-itx
board (ordered
from mini-itx.com).
This has a fanless CPU, and very power efficient properties,
so was a great candidate for this project to spring from.
I ordered one along with a 55W
DC DC power supply. Next I grabbed a Compact Flash to IDE adapter so I could
use a Compact Flash card as a Hard Disk. On This 128MB CF
card is an Operating System and my software.
After deciding on a hardware platform it was time to build
the case! Lachie and I constructed a test enclosure from
a nappy box :)
The reason I made the cardboard prototype, was to gauge
the shape and size of the final design.
To start construction I cut two pieces of 18mm MDF in the
shape of my structure. Next I glued and nailed ply to one
side of the shell. The secret to moulding ply around corners,
is to cut the ply with the grain opposite to the direction
of curve. Then it's just a matter of stressing it to the
point of breakage, but not too far.
Next just add water. I found a spray bottle far more effective
than soaking the wood in water for ages.
Here is the finished shell curve, using a
ton of nails and glue! The nails are spaced at 10mm intervals.
After the glue has dried, I cut to windows out of the MDF
to create a front and back. For the front it was time for
some pine - cut into to arches to form the front panel.
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