Project Industry

[richmond]

Well i figured it was about time for me to get back onto the modding wagon with yall so here it goes. I'll skip the explanation and move right into the progress that I have made so far.

Started my brainstorming on my actual surface to see what kind of space I had to work with.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47444d1190835772-project_industry-p1020211.jpg
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47445d1190835772-project_industry-p1020212.jpg

After a lot of thought i decided I wanted to go this route and give the case a 'run down' kind of look. Very much like you would see in the industrial field.

So I started by cutting the window and fabricating the frame around it. (no pics of cutting window)
then all that needed to be done was to rivet the frame in place and you end up with this...
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47443d1190835772-project_industry-p1020224.jpg
I preped the surface under and around the frame for paint, and since everything will all be painted the same color, I don't have to worry about any of that right now. Next on the to do list will be to install the voltage and amperage gauges as located in my first drawing. I'm waiting on the parts but I will keep everyone updated on the progress.

Any questions or comments are welcomed. Also I am always open to any suggestions so feel free to share them.

[richmond]

I made some more progress yesterday, got the other panel started by cutting its window, fabricating its frame, and riveting it into place.

I Started by drawing my window exactly where I wanted it, cut it out, and spent well over an hour getting the damn thing to square up using my new set of files. Here is the final product on the cut. ( I think it turned out nice)
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47469d1191141756-project_industry-p1020226.jpg

Next I fabricated the frame out of 1/8in acrylic. Lined it up, cut it out, and again spent a good amount of time making sure everything was square before moving on. I've found that putting time into the little things is what makes a project really stand out. No cutting corners for me this time. Here is the frame after sanding and priming.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47470d1191141756-project_industry-p1020227.jpg

Then all I had left to do was mark out where my rivets should be and put the frame into place.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47471d1191141756-project_industry-p1020235.jpg
Both windows will actually be black Plexiglases, therefor you won't be able to see in the case. However I was considering placing white LEDs behind the window hooked to a toggle switch so the internals of the PC will be viewable if desired.

Still waiting on the gauges to arrive, looks like I will be waiting until Monday.
Here is a picture of them, look in first post for info on their placement.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47472d1191142617-project_industry-6e69_1.jpg
Yeah these are going to fit very nicely with the theme I am trying to reach. However I am still unaware if these gauges are actually going to be functional or if they even work at all. But as of now it is my intention to get both the voltage and the amperage readings on the side.
Thats all I have for now, thanks for viewing. As always, comments are welcomed.

[richmond]

I will have no need for the 2nd CD drive and the floppy drive and I want to keep the case looking as simple as possible, so I needed to close them off. I started by cutting a piece to fit the drives. This doesn't have to be perfect by any means, this just serves as a flat surface to use, and the bondo will take care of the rest.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47496d1191212821-project_industry-p1020237.jpg
I used tape on the back side of the plexi to hold it in place while I worked.
Next comes the fun part. Bondo! A good rule of thumb when using bondo is remember that when using it, you will want to sand off about 90% of everything that you apply. So don't use more then you need.
Not long after you start you end up with this... I used 150 grit paper at first and moved to 250 grit after the extra was gone.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47497d1191212821-project_industry-p1020238.jpg
Blah looks like crap right? Well with some sand paper and some patients its easy. With most of the excess removed I needed to fill some low spots so I used some spot filler.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47498d1191210295-project_industry-p1020239.jpg

A quick sanding and not to long after I applied a coat of primer filler to see what my final results will look like.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47499d1191210295-project_industry-p1020241.jpg
I will still need to do some cleanup around the CD drive itself, but the 2nd CD drive and floppy are now gone, and its impossible to see that they were ever there.
Eventually the CD drive will have the same riveted frame that you see around both windows.
I'm still undecided on stealthing the drive behind some plexi, but its a thought.

I'm happy with the results today but will have to do a little light sanding before paint...
Look for another update tomorrow. (the gauges should be here in the morning )

[richmond]

Have some time for an early morning update. Not many pictures but a lot of progress.

The first thing I had to do was to cut a new frame for around the side window. Drill the holes for the rivets and rivet it into place. This process took about 30 mins total this time because i thought of a new way to make straight cuts with the dremel.

Second I had to cut the smaller sized hole for the amperage gauge I will be using, as well as drill and rivet that frame into place. Lastly was a light coat of primer/filler to give me a clean surface to work on and see any imperfections. I will have to wait on the paint because the new switches I ordered will be on this panel, they have yet to arrive and I don't want to be drilling on anything thats already been painted.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47603d1192106929-project_industry-p1020267.jpg

I'm considering adding another four rivets to the window frame to give it the more industrial look, but am still unsure. Any opinions would be nice.

[richmond]

Well i didn't get the pic on the other panel so I decided to do a little photoshop to the picture i already had to let you all see the look im going for.
This is just a quick color check to see what the final product might look like. I'm not really sure how to do a distressed look with photoshop so use your imagination
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47609d1192164777-project_industry-p102026777_copy.jpg

Well I am officially ready for paint. Besides hooking setting up the stealth drive and putting in the final plexi (will have to do after paint) the external panels are finished.

Here is the final product before paint.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47635d1192597236-project_industry-p1020315.jpg


Sorry this pic is a bit blurry, but heres the front panel with the stealth drive set in place and with the key power switch and all other switches in place. The lighter areas at the top are the bondo soaking up the primer coat.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47634d1192597236-project_industry-p1020316.jpg

Forgot to set the gauges in place for the pic but you get the idea. I added more rivets to the window frame.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47633d1192597236-project_industry-p1020317.jpg

All of the windows including the drive cover will be black plexi and will have to be installed after paint. I have been considering picking up an air brush for doing some of the distressing effects, but am still unsure. Planning on doing most of the paint by this weekend.
Thanks for viewing.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice start mate, I always wanted to try a mod like this but make it just look hell rusty. I like your idea, keep up the good work.
Welcome to TBCS!

EDIT:Instead of using a dark green I think you should use a khaki/tan colour, will look much more industrial. Also amber LED's/lights will suite this industrial mod perfectly.

[richmond]

Nice start mate, I always wanted to try a mod like this but make it just look hell rusty. I like your idea, keep up the good work.
Welcome to TBCS!

EDIT:Instead of using a dark green I think you should use a khaki/tan colour, will look much more industrial. Also amber LED's/lights will suite this industrial mod perfectly.

Thanks for the kind words. And I appreciate the suggestions on the colors but most of the painting has already been done, and the white LEDs are what are available to me at the moment. You should really try a project like this if it interests you, I am having a lot of fun working on it so far. And the best part about it is if you scratch something or something gets a little ding who cares? Its supposed to be that way! haha

A big update from work on Sunday.
I started by sanding and cleaning all panels of their primer coats and applied 4 coats of military green.
The process I used for paint was sand with 800 grit after each coat as well as cleaning and drying them all.

Here are 2 of the panels after the military green.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47749d1193216767-project_industry-p1020318.jpg
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47750d1193216767-project_industry-p1020320.jpg

I then moved on to the flat "industrial" green. 2 coats done 1 to go. (ran out of daylight)
Here is how they turned out.
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47752d1193216767-project_industry-p1020324.jpg
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47751d1193216767-project_industry-p1020323.jpg

And finally Here are all the panels back in place.
(Power key is just sitting in there, I will still have to drill a 1" hole for the end of the switch to fit in. I also just held up the stealth drive cover to give an added touch)
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47748d1193216767-project_industry-p1020331.jpg

I'm really lacking ideas for what could be done here so any advice or ideas would be very helpful.

Well besides getting the base coat of paint on I seem to have hit a small snag in my design. My original idea to use the voltage and amperage gauges may not be able to work unless I can figure out how I am going to be able to get the panels to slide in while the gauges are in place. Both gauges are about 1.5in deep and the side panels have to be set in and then slid forward to fit on correctly. Here lies the problem, when I try to set the right panel in place the gauges hit the frame and I am unable to make it fit.
I figure for this problem I have two options.
1. Remove the back parts of both gauges and just leave the glass and front internals. (both gauges would then be useless.... or
2. Change my design and maybe turn them into vents...

I'm really lacking ideas for what could be done here so any advice or ideas would be very helpful.


Oh, I almost forgot. I also installed the dangerden fillport! This thing is nice...
http://forums.pcapex.com/attachments/project_worklogs/47747d1193216767-project_industry-p1020333.jpg

Over the next few days I will finish the final coats and begin masking out my lettering and working on the distressing.
Thanks for viewing

[The boy 4rm oz]

The colour looks much brighter with the flash. Looks a lot better in the final few pictures. I like your idea with the gauges. The Danger Den fillports are great, I am using one in my current mod Project LEXA.

EDIT: While it is that colour have you ever thought of painting some yellow and black caution tape on the panels? Or some caution signs?
Example of tape:
http://www.quik-save.com/images/107_0798.JPG

[richmond]

The colour looks much brighter with the flash. Looks a lot better in the final few pictures. I like your idea with the gauges. The Danger Den fillports are great, I am using one in my current mod Project LEXA.

EDIT: While it is that colour have you ever thought of painting some yellow and black caution tape on the panels? Or some caution signs?
Example of tape:
http://www.quik-save.com/images/107_0798.JPG

LOL at the wild girls caution tape.
Yes there will be a caution strip on the front of the case underneath the CD drive as well as a caution sign.
I'm also considering some sort of flammable liquid warning by the fillport and an emergency protocol somewhere on the side. There is more but I will explain this more in depth later in the week.

Thank you for your post.

[The boy 4rm oz]

No problem mate. Yeah I like that wild girls caution tape, has a good mix of colours also (yellow, red and black).
How about these for liquid caution signs?:
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3234808/2/istockphoto_3234808_flammable_liquid_placard.jpg
http://www.safetecvision.co.uk/usrimages_small/WA85RP.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/david_charles_curran/safety/dangerous_when_wet.gif
I think the last sign suits the water cooling theme best. First one is good also.

[richmond]

That first one is the one I saw at work on Monday which gave me the idea.
I think it would look cool as either a dark yellow color or a dark red. I just don't want to over do it on the same colors. I'm in the process of making my final drawings and when I do I'll post em up and let you know.
Thanks for the links by the way.

[The boy 4rm oz]

No problem mate, glad I could help.