Small tech tray for IKEA's Helmer cabinet (low cost renderfarm/cluster)

[Spotswood]

Patrick had asked me for something like this quite a while ago...So, here's a modular tech tray (drawer replacement) for IKEA's Helmer cabinet.

The existing drawer front is attached to the tray via the handle.

Its completely modular, so you can adjust the final placement of all of the flat bars.

Top:

Bottom:

There's room for three 80mm fans (two in the front and one in the back).

The trays are tiny, but one can hold 2x 5.25-inch drives (for more storage).

Multiple trays can be attached to each other, to form a single large "drawer."

This is the least expensive solution for a DIY renderfarm available today.
Some more info here.

 

[cesmith9999]

how much?

and how about a 2 drawer variant where the top is for storage disks?

 

[Spotswood]

how much?

and how about a 2 drawer variant where the top is for storage disks?

$75.

You can fit 6 HDs in a single tray/drawer.

Yeah, there's not much room. It'll be interesting to see what others come up with.

 

[cesmith9999]

How about having the HD on their sides, hanging from the top. Should be able to do more than 6 HD in a drawer

 

[Spotswood]

How about having the HD on their sides, hanging from the top. Should be able to do more than 6 HD in a drawer

Yes, you could squeeze in two rows.

 

[cesmith9999]

looks like that is in the doable but not recommended category. time to checkout the low power 2.5" drives for future servers.

 

[Spotswood]

looks like that is in the doable but not recommended category. time to checkout the low power 2.5" drives for future servers.

 

[Spotswood]

With our Helmer trays your aren't restricted to low-height, non-discrete GPU rigs. For example, here's a 3-slot miniITX rig with a full size ATX PSU:

 

[Biren78]

Do these come assembled? They look like they have more parts than the helmer.

 

[Spotswood]

Do these come assembled? They look like they have more parts than the helmer.

Yes, pre-assembled. You would just need to attach the existing drawer fronts.

 

[Spotswood]

Modeling a fullsize ATX rig...

 

[hillbear]

I'm curious if two drawers would be tall enough to have something similar to a mini Backblaze (hard drives standing upright plus the necessary supports)? If so, how many do you think could fit?

 

[Spotswood]

I'm curious if two drawers would be tall enough to have something similar to a mini Backblaze (hard drives standing upright plus the necessary supports)? If so, how many do you think could fit?

It might fit...there's 30/45mm of space underneath the 18x(!) drives.

 

[hillbear]

18 sounds promising! Would there be enough support between all those drives to make it sturdy? Could I see a top-down view?

 

[Spotswood]

18 sounds promising! Would there be enough support between all those drives to make it sturdy? Could I see a top-down view?

 

[OBasel]

You'd still need vibration dampening and a way to attach the drives IMO. When is all of this helmer stuff available?

 

[Spotswood]

You'd still need vibration dampening and a way to attach the drives IMO. When is all of this helmer stuff available?

Yep.

The miniITX "drawer" is available now: Helmer Tray | Spotswood Computer Cases, LLC

 

[hillbear]

You'd still need vibration dampening and a way to attach the drives IMO. When is all of this helmer stuff available?

That's what I was curious about when I mentioned the drive support. Maybe 12 drives in the configuration would provide enough room for mounting and support.

 

[Patrick]

Yep.

The miniITX "drawer" is available now: Helmer Tray | Spotswood Computer Cases, LLC

We need to get you a click to order/ configurator!

 

[capn_pineapple]

^that!