Newegg did their usual good job getting the case to me on time and in good condition. From there on, my experience turned to worms.

First impression after opening the box: This thing is cheesy. Cheap. Flimsy. Poor cover-to-chassis fit. No manual. More sharp edges than Hannibal Lector’s knife drawer. Prudence requires that one wear welder’s gloves to be in the same ZIP Code as this beast.

The finish is what I’d expect from a very bored 8th Grader with a slab of tin and a can of cheap spray paint. Still, I figured that I’d at least peek inside before getting an RMA. Whew! The factory guy that put this monstrosity together must have had a two horsepower screwdriver to hog the case fasteners into place. It took me about that much effort to get ‘em out.

Do I expect more for eighty bucks? You bet I do. The fit and finish standards adhered to by, just to name a couple of chassis manufacturers, Antec and Thermaltake are not that difficult to attain.

I had planned on building two of these toasters for a client who has an upscale interior decorating firm. His standards, like mine (and, I suspect, yours), are as they should be; high. Uncompromising. I had this box out of the shipping carton for a good two minutes, 90 seconds of which were debating with myself whether or not I could peddle it. Answer: No and still be able to maintain a reputation for quality work. Even with all the Kiwi in the world, you can’t put a spit shine on a cow flop.

Final word: it’s too flimsy to be a good door stop, too poorly finished to be kept in plain sight, and too many sharp edges/corners to have it sitting where little kids might be tempted to touch it. Add to that, other reviewers comments about the cooling, power supply, and general agreement that it’s as strong as tissue paper and your decision should be an easy one to make.

I’m kicking myself for having bought it. I’m supposed to know better. I hope that my loss is your gain.