| Project by sandflea | posted 210 days ago | 161 views | 2 times favorited | 7 comments |  |
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I just got a new camera so I thought it would be a good idea to finally show some of my stuff.
I work at a software development company and a few months ago our IT department decided to sell of a bunch of old laptops that were too slow to be useful for the company. They were selling them for only $30 so I tried to think of something I could do with one. Being a computer geek also, I remembered a project I had seen on another forum where a guy took some desktop components and a store bought shadow box style frame and turned it into a ‘digital picture frame’ where the computer is set to always run its screen saver and the screen saver simply scrolls through all the pictures on the hard drive. Remembering that I thought I could 1-up him by building the frame from scratch.
The frame is Spanish cedar with a dutch oil finish. The legs that hold it up are cocobolo. I used Kreg pocket screws to join the face to the carcass because I liked how the color of the screw heads worked with the color and grain pattern of the Spanish cedar. The backing is a piece of hardboard with slits cut into it for air flow to keep the computer components cool.
I removed the laptop guts from its chassis and them removed any hardware that was unnecessary like the speakers, keyboard, etc. I then added a receiver for a wireless keyboard and mouse combo. I flipped the screen around to face away from the motherboard and then mounted the whole thing inside the carcass I built using the mounting holes that the manufacturer built in the laptop parts to mount them to their chassis. I also set an automatic startup so the laptop boots up 5 minutes before I get to work and shuts down 5 minutes after I leave. The frame is networked with my work computer so if I ever need to add more pictures I just copy them from my work computer to the frame’s hard drive. The keyboard and mouse rarely get used but I keep them there in case any settings need to be changed or anything.
When I get the parts I plan on making a larger version of this frame to hang in my living room at home.
-- Sawdust is life
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7 comments so far
GaryK
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8486 posts in 473 days
posted 210 days ago
Great job. That has to be one of ths most expensive picture frames I have seen.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
sandflea
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18 posts in 268 days
posted 210 days ago
Out of my pocket it was actually quite cheap. My brother works at a cabinet shop and they had some spanish cedar scraps they were throwing out. He, knowing the wood addict I am saved them for me so those were free. The cocobolo was on sale at Woodcraft for about $5 during a pen turning blank sale they had a while ago and the laptop was only $30. Including the finish, screws and hardboard I think I was only out $40 and I got the wireless keyboard and mouse on sale for $20. Still maybe a lot for a small frame but it was fun and I get a lot of comments on it at work.
-- Sawdust is life
Dadoo
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1536 posts in 475 days
posted 210 days ago
This is a great idea for a way to recycle these old laptops. I could see them selling very well too, as long as you can keep the price down. I found in a quick Google search a 10” model going for around $250.00.
Newegg.com has a 21” Viewsonic LCD monitor on sale right now for like $180.00 after the rebate. You really can’t beat that. And I’ll bet it would make into a big seller too.
Good project Sandflea!
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
sandflea
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18 posts in 268 days
posted 210 days ago
I actually considered building them to sell, but after having worked in the tech support industry for several years and finally getting out of it I have no interest in providing tech support on something I sell. I had considering a video tutorial for people to follow to do their own though, then I can share the idea and avoid tech calls at the same time. That’s probably what I’ll do when I finish fixing up my shop and making it presentable.
-- Sawdust is life
Scott Bryan
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9086 posts in 307 days
posted 210 days ago
This is a very unique frame, Sandflea. And built from scraps, essentially. $40 for a digital frame is a bargain, especially give the size of this one. This definately gives me an idea. I would never have considered anything like this except for your post.
Well done.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
cajunpen
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5348 posts in 550 days
posted 210 days ago
That is really clever. I have a 5×7 digital frame that cost in the neighborhood of $100 – so your project was a bargain. Nice combination of two skills.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
rikkor
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7632 posts in 359 days
posted 210 days ago
I am impressed. I like the recycle angle, too. Nice work.
-- Maplewood, MN