CF-29 hard drive caddy?

Alright now I think I have a problem. I recently got my first toughbook a CF-28 (that I dont even have completely finished yet), and now I have gotten another one, a CF-29 (model # CF-29C3KGZDM). Is this a issue? I think maybe but on to my question. The CF-29 doesnt have a hard drive or caddy, what I would like to know is if someone who has a 29 could get me the measurements of the hard drive caddy. I plan on bending some aluminum to make one to use in my 29. Yeah I know I can buy one but I already have some aluminum sheet and access to a brake so I think Ill just bend one up to use. One more question, is there any way to make use of a floopy drive housing to hold a cd or dvd drive. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

The problem is you only have 2 :laugh: :laugh:

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And what are you going to do about a heater and padding and ide cable. I bet buying these will cost more than the caddy I think there is a little more to it than just a little bending of aluminum.

 

Me too. I started measuring one up the other day. I tried several methods in order to get the correct dimensions and have come to the conclusion that a complete independent design will need to be done (as opposed to trying to reproduce what they have done exactly).
I have ALOT going on, but I will try to do a dwg/pdf of the hdd caddy as a prism,and then you can do what you want to fabricate it. you will need a hdd cable. I have one on the way for myself.

You don't need the heater if you aren't in cold temps (or don't leave the unit out in the car all night). IN the winter, when left in the car overnight is the only time my heater has ever kicked on. When you push the power button, a message comes up telling you to wait, and 30 seconds later it proceeds to POST and boot. the cable is available on fleabay for $10-$30.
Don't be fooled, this is not a simple tastk.

TTYS.

 

Back a few years ago there was a few ebay sellers that were selling 29's running XP without caddies...all they used was a ide cable and foam...they no longer sell on ebay now.

 

I can make something close, not trying to reproduce exactly. The foam padding isnt a problem, I got some stuff thats close enough to work. Im getting one of those cables off fleabay after I get a caddy close. Thanks for the reply's.

 

It's important (I believe) for the connector to float a little. That's the tricky part of the caddy build. The alignment holes in the cable make up for differences in caddy size.

Good luck.

Jeff ...take pictures

 

Yep sadlmkr, I thought that too. Im more hands on so I wont be able to see it all till I start in a week or so.

 

The way I understand it that was the problem. I read some where that the hdd was over heating and burning up . You are also going to need the copper thermal plate , these stick to the hdd with double face tape ...helps take the heat off the hdd. Check the pic

 

Medicdogg,

I have a caddy at the moment that doesnt have the ribbon connector, so sitting idle at the moment. Not sure if you could get your measurments without taking it apart or damaging it, but if you wanted to barrow it, I could mail it to you, and you then mail it back when done.

I dont want to sell it and need a few complete cadies myself, but in the interest of science, willing to loan you one to ses if its possible.

Sam

 

That's going to be the hard part, getting that float/self aligning clip part that locates the cable connector to mate up with the socket in the computer. Definitely not tin knocking 101.
CAP

 

Toughasnails, good to know that, I can do something like that (I think)

orphanlr, Thanks for the offer but I hate to have it lost in the mail or damaged.

capt.dogfish, yes that is gonna be hard but Im gonna give it a shot, Ill have the bottom foo while fitting so I think I can get a look at how its gonna work.

If I cant get it to work oh well Ill buy one off fleabay, its something to tinker with.

 

AIght,
I had hoped to get one made before making a post, but here you go.

All dimensions are in mm
Note that all the corners are bent with a radius of 2mm unless specified otherwise (I don't know that a crisp 90 corner would work or not)
Printed scale of the pdf should be 1:1, but no guarantee.
The dimensions listed are the max allowed (AFAIK).
Just a good starting point.

Here are the pics, the dimensions are in the attached pdf.
If you have a question, let me know.
Pic of bottom
[URL="i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/interestingfellow/side.jpg]Pic of side[/URL]
[URL="i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/interestingfellow/end.jpg]Pic of connector end[/URL]

 

Hey medicdogg.... take Sam's offer(orphanir) and I'll send you a cable. This as Sam said is in the interest of science. I have two cables one has a little kink in it and I think Sam sent them to me in the first place.
The rules are to share the wealth and by that I mean take pictures.
Sam if he he doesn't go for it do you want the cable? It's yours if you need it buddy.

Jeff

Oh, if you go to fleabay before talking to members here (as in me ) it would be a bit rude. I'll hafta send I.F. to have a "little talk".

Are you working as a medic?

 

sadlmkr, Thanks for the offer and I may take you up in that but Im gonna get the caddy roughed in first. I would ask here first now that I found it. I will do my best to take pics. Yes I work as a Paramedic, small county in north TN and also as a auto body tech.

interestingfellow, thanks for the info, much appreciated

 

I just got my cable in the mail.
I'll try and get a dwg of it, too, but I have other stuff goin right now.

 

Got my caddy roughed in, finnally. I may need more air holes but I have some aluminum blocks attached to copper with thermal coating on them to help with heat. I dont have the cable mounting/hole worked out yet as I dont have a cable yet. Right now Im leaving the top open, I have two bars holding HD in. Pics attached.
Thanks

 

Nice!
I've been busy. I want to try to use some pvc coated aluminum (like what they wrap windows and facia with); lightweight, and easy to bend.
I would watch those metal brackets holding the drive. You may want to look at cutting some rectangular foam rings to slip the drive in before you drop it into the caddy. I would be worried about vibrations running right into the HDD.

Did you get the connector to "float"? I'm curious how you did it.

Good job, dude.

 

Yes sir Im going to pad those just didnt have any handy. I dont have a connector yet so Im not sure what Ill do there. On that end currently I only have the holes drilled for the pins.

 

I love to see men go bravely where no man has gone before.. You'll see all of us cheering you on with this new caddy-shack for the cf-29. a journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step. may your efforts prove successful..Driller

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/551916-cf-29-floppy-caddy-dvd.html#post7113172

 

Thanks Driller I hope it all works well. Thanks Shawn, I knew someone had to have tried it.

 

Medicdogg... Nice work with the brake and the shear... But I would punch A LOT more holes in there for air circulation or you may cook your drive! The hard part is going to be getting the connector to line up and connect to the motherboard when you push it in.

Keep us posted!

 

Yeah I figure Ill need more air, this one is actually the second one I made the first had more holes but wouldnt fit. Ive got to get a connector now so I can figure that part out. Im slow but I will keep you all posted.

 

Looking good so far, please do keep us posted .