First PC Mod (P180)

[Seith]

Well this is my first real mod. I have put cold cathodes etc in my case but thats just not doing it these days. So I have started my first mod and finished my second design. I thought I might make a thread here and get a few opinions on my design. My theme is black and orange with a touch of chrome =]

So far I have painted the inside of my PC.

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/689/1004968qy7.jpg

Now my design:

Double Post sorry.

I have come up with a new design for the panels.
I am still thinking about the front panel and the top panel. I want to make them out of one piece of acrylic and not use the front door at all. Also the text will not be there.. Might ad some text later if I can think of a good slogan. And just for the people that didn't realize, I will be replacing all the panels with dark transparent acrylic.

FRONT

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4586/frontlk2.png

I was thinking about having face plates made out of the same acrylic for the buttons and CD Drive. The orange Circles on the front will just be a decal (Sticker) and I want to use chrome (Fake chrome..?) bolts to bolt the acrylic down. Then there is the issue with the lock..? I will lock it and throw away the key Nah but I will have it locked so no one thinks you can open it and throw a sticker (case badge..?) over the lock, simple. Now because I wanted the top and front one piece I will need a long piece of acrylic and it will have to be heated up and bent at 90 degrees (I will get a pro to do this).

SIDE

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8299/sidezk4.png

Just See through dark acrylic bolted on with bolts. Also only the one side will have the decal on.

TOP

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/5867/topyk3.png

Chrome 120mm fan grill to replace the "thing" thats on there now.

FULL THING

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/971/fullts2.png

Crappy picture but it does kind of give you an idea of what it will look like. Also it will have wheels I also plan on making the bolts line up perfectly when I do put it together to.

Comments, suggestions, ideas, money..? :P are welcome and suggested.

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Sorry if its in the wrong section =] I'm pretty sure it goes here.

[Luke122]

Welcome aboard! The paint inside the case looks really good, I wish I had done that to my 180.

Great ideas so far, looking forward to lots of pictures!
:D

-Luke

[Blebbz]

Wow i can imagine this one looking great. Is the Orange plexi though? I was just wondering because if you put the lights behind the plexi it would look awesome.
TIP: Try Sketchup :P

[.Maleficus.]

Looks sweet man! The P180 has the 3 layer side panels, no? I've never personally cut them, but I heard it can be a bitch. A few people on here have done it though, so before you start, you may want to ask around the best way. From what I gather it's steel > plastic > steel which is a strange config.

[Seith]

The side panels have 3 layers. The 2 outside layers should peel off (No cutting involved), I don't know what to expect from the middle layer but we shall soon find out. Anyway I have bought old P180 case panels and a the whole front section just in case I screw up =\ Will only cost me $40AUD pp :D

I tried that Sketchup program. It is actually a very nice program, and its free..!

So far all I have done is the front/top panel. I might make a full P180 case in there if I get bored over the weekend. Anyway here are some pics.

Note: The Acrylic will be alot darker.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9617/topeo2.png

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4917/11vt3.png

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8785/12ib0.png

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3209/13hy3.png

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/9171/railqm6.png

Also this little rail is very important. When the case is closed up it will make sure its all nice and flush with each other ^^

Also where the 90degree bend is, it will not be straight like that. It will have a small radius.

I might not even be able to have it all as once piece. After I have talked with a Professional I will let you know =]

[Blebbz]

I tried that Sketchup program. It is actually a very nice program, and its free..!



Very wise decision

[b4i7]

is the acrylic going to be opaque or see through? i would suggest leaving the aluminum sheeting on the outside of the P180...as i have modded one myself... the plastic layer has grooves in it....to the shape of that X you see on the inside of the panel

so if you are using a see through acrylic you will see that X shape

edit:

The side panels have 3 layers. The 2 outside layers should peel off (No cutting involved), I don't know what to expect from the middle layer but we shall soon find out.
i would suggest against just diving in and seeing what happens, because that can lead to the failing of a project, take some time, do some research ask questions and welcome to TBCS,everyone here is always very helpful and good luck with your case i really like P180 mods

[Seith]

Yeah I just bought a 2 warped side panels and the whole front section of a P180 so Just incase I do screw up I will know why and how not to do it next time. But yeah I will look into it. I will not be ordering the acrylic in for another ~3 weeks as I'm waiting on all my watercooling gear first.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I like your idea, those orange rings will look great with the black case. I will follow this. +subscribe

[b4i7]

maybe i just over looked it.... but why are you pulling the alu sheets off on the panels? why not paint them?

[Seith]

maybe i just over looked it.... but why are you pulling the alu sheets off on the panels? why not paint them?So you can see through them ;) I have just had a look through Tribaloverkill's thread and I want the exact same perspex he is using for my side panels. Planning on making the top and both side panels see through. The inside will be filled with orange UV gear as well as some orange lighting. I will make up a nice design in sketchup over the weekend which should show what I am planning a bit better.

The only reason I am doing this is because I want a P180 case like no other. I goto lans and 10% of people have them and its like.. ugh, they copied me :P

[b4i7]

yeah....i know what you mean there.. btw there are a fwe other p180 mods on this forum... mine is project hotrod

[Seith]

Ok I'm rather stuck. I have done cutting out the side panels.. I'm just waiting for the acrylic to arrive now.

I have worked out the top panel but I am clueless about the front panel.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5671/bbbit4.jpg

The front panel has 3 layers. you can remove the front and back layer easy but the middle layer has to be cut out. I want the front panel to match the rest. I want to use smoked acrylic. Now also, unlike the side panels I want the front to be completely flush with the frame. This would mean I would need to use some 1mm acrylic for the front.. My first thoughts were.. ugh this will break. I'm thinking about cutting out the whole thing so just the frame is left.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2842/ssssq5.jpg

Just remember after the mod is done there will be no reason to open to front door. CD drive will be stealthed and new buttons added. But how would I go about holding the plexi in place then..?

My last idea is to have 20mm from all the edges machined out so they are 1mm thick and then bolt it on but that will cost me a bit more $$

[liquid_fire]

I gotta tell ya, be your own 'pro' and bend the plexi. the only tools you need are a heatgun (or stovetop as a ghetto substitute) and a couple of boards. Take a look at my worklog for a couple tips (project 'not yet named'). There are a couple other people that bent plexi too.

good luck!