ExtraBlue

[ervand]

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3811/introextrabluecopyvn5.png

ExtraBlue...

This is my second computer mod project. In fact it is my first full mod project, because in my last project (Eluminator) I've only moded the side cover.

This time I am planing on working with the whole case. I am going to drill huge holes in it =) I am going to cut it and make big openings =) I am going to paint the whole thing =) I am going to work with lighting and electricity (which I never did before, so I am going to need help on it) =)

I am calling this project ExtraBlue. I am totally satisfied with the name, because I like to call things for what they are. This project I am going to use a lot of blue colors. Including the blue lighting, blue acrylic, and blue paint. I am also going to use some metallic color for selected parts and details.

I hope it sounds fun...

This introduction image that you see on top is a picture that I made of one of the fans that is going to be used. I love taking cool picture, I think this one came out extremely cool. I took it when I was trying the lighting and the fan out. It was sitting on my carpet in the darkness. I am choosing this picture as my project introduction.

The whole project is going to contain several mods.
(some of this mods will be familiar and pretty common, but I'll try to add my unique taste to it)

My checklist (I'll always edit it):

[complete] - Making a Turbine out of 120mm fan + Painting it (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showpost.php?p=175769&postcount=4)
[didn't start yet] - Fan wires mod
[in process] - Preparing front case cover for a Turbine Fan
[didn't start yet] - Making a window in a case side cover
[didn't start yet] - Making a design and etching the window
[didn't start yet] - Electrical (airflow, light) control on a side window
[didn't start yet] - Making small handles in the back of the case
[didn't start yet] - Making large handles on top of the case
[didn't start yet] - Painting the whole case

Thanks for you time and I will start updating this topic with pictures as I go.
_________________________________________________

I am very new to computer modding. In this bottom section I am going to post links to my questions about this and that. I'll have a lot of questions since I am planing to work on a somewhat big project and I am counting on your help!:

[solved] 1. Disassemble the fan/ Painting the fan (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13472)
[need your help] 2. Increasing fan speed (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=174780#post174780)

[SgtM]

Sounds very cool. Blue is my favorite color, and that is a very cool pic of that fan.

[p0Pe]

nice picture of the fan yeah.... now lets see some real skill:P

[ervand]

Making a Turbine out of 120mm fan + Painting it

My first check mark on my agenda.

Here we go.

I went to a local art store (Michael's) and bought these cones.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1074/sn201476sm0.jpg

I chose one and marked it where the cut is going to be, then I used my little saw to cut it off.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7233/sn201372ie7.jpg

Left some space to use a file in order to make it perfect.
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5483/sn201376de7.jpg

and here is my newborn baby.
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/263/sn201398co8.jpg

That's a second coat of my prime color (still wet).
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8432/sn201400oi4.jpg

That's a second or even third coat of my final (metallic) color.
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/6972/sn201458cl6.jpg

Now... I am disassembling the fan in order to paint it too. I am using a painter's masking tape in order to cover up thing that I don't want to be painted.
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2903/sn201475eq6.jpg

Prime color
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1410/dsc00025ne4.jpg

Metallic color (fully dry)
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/93/dsc00069zp7.jpg

Now I am putting all three parts together and get my turbine
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3893/dsc00073ik7.jpg

Some of these picture will be bad quality, because I am using my cellphone to take pictures sometimes. Here is the top view.
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7596/dsc00075lc6.jpg

Now that this is ready I am putting other parts, that I prepared for this thing, together:
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/5509/dsc00079if8.jpg

Neon lighting, clear fan, modded fan =
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8844/sn201559qv0.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/9749/sn201560wj4.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7734/dsc00077bf5.jpg

So far so good. My goal isn't clear to most of you guys, because only I can know what the final result will be like. I am happy that it is all clear to me and I am on track, because it is coming out just the way I expected it.

I hope you like it so far!
There will be updates.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I must say that looks very good, fantastic work.

[chaksq]

Cool stuff man, it's all in the details really. I like the way the fan is turning out.

[Luke122]

Does the cone part rotate with the fan? If so, that's pretty impressive that you managed to cut it straight enough/balanced enough to rotate smoothly. :D

Another thing you could look into is "phase plugs" for speakers. Not cheap, but definitely have the bullet profile for a turbine. :D

[ervand]

Yes, the cone rotates with the fan of course, since it is on it. I was making a couple of slides with a file then scotch taping it to the fan and manually spinning it to make it perfect. My luck was that the cone by itself was pretty straight, so the main thing was to do a straight line of a cut with a marker. Everything else is just extra.

Yeah, the phase plugs would look nice, but I knew that I am going to paint the whole thing + it needs to be longer then the phase plug, because it is going to stick out from... from.... from what is a concept in my head for now =)

Working on it...