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A while back, I decided I’d had enough of the 3+ USB-attached hard drives I had connected to my primary desktop at home and that it was time I consolidated my digital storage capabilities into one, easily accessible location. It was time for a dedicated network attached storage (NAS) box. Naturally, I figured I’d use mostly parts I already had available and throw one together myself. I’m pretty utilitarian, so this ended up being the epitome of “beige box”. The only things I ended up purchasing for this project are the drives, drive cage, handles, clasps, and some #6-32×3/4″ screws to hold the drive cage and power supply in place. Everything else was something I already had, a donation from someone who wasn’t using an item and never planned to, or scrap material.

Here’s a shot of the NAS as ready to be used:

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Here’s another shot of it opened up and ready for swapping things around:

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As you can see above, one side of it is still completely empty. In the unused side, there is space for at least two more four-drive cages just like the one I already have installed. Filling out those two spots would give me space for 12 drives total which would require a SATA or RAID card since the board itself can only handle five internal drives.

This ended up taking far longer than it really should have and I swear I will never attempt to make 45 degree edge cuts on MDF ever again without the proper tools being setup the correct way and only when absolutely necessary.

Case Materials:

  • Scrap 1/2″ MDF
  • 4 brass door hinges
  • 10 angle brackets
  • 2 handles
  • Plenty of Titebond wood glue
  • 2 chest latches
  • 6 #6-32×3/4″ screws (drive cage/power supply)
  • 8 #8 bolts/nuts/washers (handles)
  • 16 M6 bolts/nuts/washers (hinge mounting)
  • 20 M5 bolts/nuts/washers (panel-panel attachment)
  • 12 zip ties (motherboard)

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Inspired by Crashcart‘s use of Adafruit badges on the Makers Local 256 project wiki, Omegix rises to the challenge of sewing some of the Adafruit patches represented on his wiki page onto his Makers Local Hoodie.

The goal was to have the hoodie be like a boy scout’s merit sash, something wearable around the shop to proudly display hobbies, and help be a conversation starter with new members looking expand their skillsets.

Not sure if I’ve really earned a sewing patch yet, but after some lessons from Enabrintain, Gregabyte, and SqueakyKittie, I can now make the sharp thing go up and down on the electric thread contraption.  At least enough to attach a patch 🙂

For effortless attainment of a Makers Local Hoodie, you can purchase one here: http://makerslocal.spreadshirt.com/

Alternatively, Makers Local 256 will soon be getting a hot press, and you can have an opportunity to make one of your own design 🙂

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With the exit of the glass show case, one of our newer members was able to appropriate space to bring more tools to Makers Local! This stuff can be used to make beautiful nouns and we are excited about the prospect of learning how to Make with it.

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The floor in the loft at 414 Stevens has always been rather questionable, so over the years we’ve been improving it bit by bit. Thanks to our Tuesday Night Feast fundraisers, the facilities committee has spent funds to improve the “Textiles” and “A/V” areas in the loft.

While Punxsutawney Phil was staring at his shadow, our Phil helped Tim, Kinsey, Jake, and Tyler (also Lowell) put down new sub-floor and Tardis colored paint for the last 25′ of the loft. This, of course, displaced a lot of stuff, so all of the loft will be mostly unusable for the next week or two. Thanks again to all that helped worked and helped make this possible.

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[INSERT COIN]

Makers local 256 is embarking on an epic journey: to participate in the Power Racing Series. Teams from various hackerspaces across the US will be modding the heck out of children’s ride-on-electric-toys, to carry adult weight at unreasonable speeds!

Makers Local 256 has formed the “8-Bit Racers” team and will be racing car #256 “The Bit Bucket” against many other seasoned teams. Can we run a new high score on the PPPRS circuit, or are we doomed to spend every quarter of our allowances, only to be defeated by that really hard boss at the end of world 5?

Here are some shots of work that is getting underway: