Project: My very first mod ever

[modaholic]

Hey there ^_^.
So I decided the other day that I would try my first case mod ever. Now I know it is not going to be insanely amazing, but I am going to give it a effort for it to be. So I work at the Lake Oswego Computer Repair Center, Lake Oswego, Oregon and we get in a lot of computers that are to be scraped. Now I saw a cool mid-ATX tower case, that was white. I decided to take it home with me as a fun project. Soon I came up with an idea for a theme, something simple, something fun. The project is named "Black and Green".

The computer I am moving parts from is a eMachines "T3304" (not the greatest rig ever) that has a 100 Gig ATA Seagate HDD, 2.868Ghz AMD Athlon 3300+ (slightly overclocked), 1.5 Gigs of PC3200 DDR 400Mhz Corsair RAM, Audigy 2Zs soundcard (my addition), a 185 watt PSU (planing to upgrade to a 750 watt from rosewill).
Parts soon to be added in good time:

500gig HD 7200 rpm
EVGA 8800 GTS 512
750W Rosewill PSU
2 or 3x 120mm Antec 3 speed fans with blue L.E.D's.
Blue Halogen Rods for the bottom of the case.
Floppy slot fan speed controler/temperature moniter.
New heatsink (not sure what kind yet)

So that is what I have planned for the internals of the computer? I don't exactly know, but it will look cool! Theme is black and blue so that is what it will have, and most likely some other perks.


:) so I have a lot ahead of me, I know it is going to cost some coin so this may be a long or short term mod. STAY TUNED!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/BlackandBluecopy-1.png

[modaholic]

So this is what I started out with.

Case assembled
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Assembled1.png
Side Panels
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Sidepanels.png
Wires and crap
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Motherboardholderwires.png
Front cover (needs some serious modding)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Frontcover.png
And of course what it looks like bare.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Thebones.png

[modaholic]

Today as of Saturday the 26th I got some really good work in!
A new Paint job!!! :D
black of course.
I have not done spray paint so it was a good project.
I did it like this:

1. Sand down every thing first with 320 grit, then 500 grit, then 600 grit sandpaper.
2. wipe down parts with damp paper towel to get loose particulate.
3. purchased paint, for this I used 2 cans of Krylon ultra-flat, 1 can of Krylon Primer, and half a can of Krylon Enamel.
4. I did these coats, 1 coat enamel, 2 coats of ultra-flat black, and one coat black enamel.
5. I was surprised with the results that I got :eek: it was awesome!

[modaholic]

here is the result

Bare Chassis
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0045.jpg
Fan cover 1
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0050.jpg
Side Panels
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0047.jpg
Front
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0046.jpg
All Together now!
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0049.jpg

[modaholic]

so then I got all excited and put stuff in it to see what it would look like. It looks pretty good ^_^.
I also did my first modification. Normally the fan holder would be on the bottom front of the case. What I did was move it to the CD/DVD drive rack and mount it there. Init is a 90 mm Antec three speed silent fan.

here is what the case looks like with my stuff and fans in place looks like!

Side with light.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0065.jpg
Small fans
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_00607.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0059.jpg
case closed...lol
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0067.jpg
and in the dark (little blurry)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0075.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0071.jpg

[modaholic]

STAY TUNED!

Will have more stuff to do soon! I get my paycheck on sunday!
TO FRY's!!!!! (or newegg depending on what I wanna buy :D)

[modaholic]

last night I decided to add a 5-card reader, only the thing was it installed into a floppy drive slot and not into a CD-Drive slot. Oh well!:twisted:, So I took a old cover that fit the measurements of the front panel, and used a dremel to cut a hole in it for proper dimensions of the 5-card reader. Then I used hot glue to bond the 5-card reader to the panel cover. Then hooked it up to front cover and also hot-glued it into place. Then I plugged it into the motherboard, then voila. A 5-card reader in a place where it was not supposed be. :banana:

[modaholic]

So I found out that I have a little 60 mm fan grid on the rear of the case.
Also that the little verticle grid is long enough for some other fans or possibly L.E.D.'s so I figure, buy new PSU today or sometime from now till next monday, along with the proper fans, and Halogen tubes/L.E.D.'s. I like making cases look glowy it's fun!:D,

I am also looking for ways to make a side panel, I have a dremel, a jig saw, and a drill with a lot of bits. What should I use, or maybe should I take it to a custom cutting shop and have them make a nice hole for the side panel? What should I do?:?

[Fuganater]

First off, looks good so far. Next I would look into doing it yourself. If you feel comfy with your jigsaw you should be able to put a side panel in with ease. You can either buy a panel kit or just buy plexi and get screws. If this is your first mod I would probably suggest getting a kit. You can get all shapes and sizes, so look around at different online stores and you'll find one with the shape you want. Any more questions ask away :D

-Fuga

[modaholic]

First off, looks good so far. Next I would look into doing it yourself. If you feel comfy with your jigsaw you should be able to put a side panel in with ease. You can either buy a panel kit or just buy plexi and get screws. If this is your first mod I would probably suggest getting a kit. You can get all shapes and sizes, so look around at different online stores and you'll find one with the shape you want. Any more questions ask away :D

-Fuga

well, actually I feel more at ease with a dremel :D, and kits? I didn't know they made kits. I am on my highschool's robotics team (I am a junior) and we dealt with a lot of Polycarbonate, plexi, and some acryillic. I have heard that all three work for side panels, but which one would work best? Also which one would stay the most clean and scratchless? Thanks for the pointer ^_^

[Fuganater]

If you check out this page at Performance-PCs (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=132) you can see all the different window kits you can get. This is just one site (that I use) where you can find these.

With a kit you get an exact cut plexi piece. If you do it your self you just have to be careful but you can do whatever your crazy head desires. Totally a personal choice.

-Fuga

[modaholic]

If you check out this page at Performance-PCs (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=132) you can see all the different window kits you can get. This is just one site (that I use) where you can find these.

With a kit you get an exact cut plexi piece. If you do it your self you just have to be careful but you can do whatever your crazy head desires. Totally a personal choice.

-Fuga

I do like exact. That is nice, I like the blue stuff :D. Although, the dimensions that I am cutting the window at, I am not completely sure. I'll take a look at it :up:.How hard do you think it would be if I were to get the right dimension of plexi, then afterwards, cut a rounded hole in the plexi and install some metal mesh and a 120 mm fan?

[Fuganater]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. BUT when you cut pelxi, it must be exact. Use a hole saw to cut the hole. I just posted how I did it to mine in my worklog. You can miss cut metal and get away with it a little. Plexi you just cant. I would recommend putting a grill on it as well if you mess up a bit. You can always use that to cover your mistakes. :D

[modaholic]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. BUT when you cut pelxi, it must be exact. Use a hole saw to cut the hole. I just posted how I did it to mine in my worklog. You can miss cut metal and get away with it a little. Plexi you just cant. I would recommend putting a grill on it as well if you mess up a bit. You can always use that to cover your mistakes. :D

cool ^_^, lol right now I am actually debating with myself if I should go with green instead of blue for the theme, because blue is so common, not to mention I could throw in some biohazard type stuff :D, like fan grids and what not. Because I have not really put any un-do-able mods yet. what do you think?

[B1Gtime]

I would stealth the Dvd burners(or what ever they are, cant tell from pic).

Fan grills are nice.

[modaholic]

I would stealth the Dvd burners(or what ever they are, cant tell from pic).

Fan grills are nice.

Yeah, thats my next project :banana:, that should be fun ^_^.
Thank you! :D

[modaholic]

GOOD NEWS!!!!
I cut the hole in the side panel today!

This bieng my first time cutting metal with a dremel I was very pleased with my effort!:banana::banana::banana::D

So.....

First I prepped...
yes Monster Assault is neccesary! lol

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Prep2.jpg

Then I did the cut! (which took 2 hours but, hey I didn't want to rush!)

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/TheCUT.jpg

Then I refined the edges, sanded them down with a dremel head, then filed it down the good old fashioned way! Then Voila! One Side panel!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Product.jpg

I am so pumped! Can't wait till I get some plexi!

[modaholic]

what do you think?!

[Fuganater]

Very nice dude. make sure its as straight as you can get it. Its the fist thing people will notice when they look at your mod. Keep going :D

[modaholic]

Yeah, I spent about two hours making the straight cuts and the rounded edges, and then I spent an hour making sure that everything is perfectly smooth and super straight! :D. I can't wait till I can get a window kit or a nice piece of Plexi. There is a local place where I can get plexi called "Tap Plastics". Pretty good prices, Thats where I also got the polycarbonate for our schools robot for robotics team.

[Drum Thumper]

If your local shop is the same as the e-tailer, then yes, they are good.

And that window looks great man, every time I see you worklog header I'm reminded of the Van Hagar tune of the same name lol. I think that might be a sign that either this mod is destined for greatness or I listen to too much Van Halen.

[modaholic]

If your local shop is the same as the e-tailer, then yes, they are good.

And that window looks great man, every time I see you worklog header I'm reminded of the Van Hagar tune of the same name lol. I think that might be a sign that either this mod is destined for greatness or I listen to too much Van Halen.

XD maybe it's both, van halen is amazing! But that reminds me, I have decided that since there is to much blue in the world of case mods, I have decided to go with green and black! So I need to make a new banner.

what is the e-tailer? My local shop? I do my work in my garage xD.

[Fuganater]

"E-tailer" stands for the online stores. You can usually get stuff cheaper online than in a store. hehe little FYI for ya :D

[modaholic]

oh! Lol, yeah I knew that. I just don't like to wait :p, I can be a bit impatient when it comes to stuff being shipped via mail.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I haven't looked at this for a while, nice progress,keep it up.

[blueonblack]

Just wanted to add a note about cutting holes in plexi. Personally I didn't have a BIT of luck cutting them with hole saws. May have been the saws I was using, who knows? I did have very good results with this:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Adjustable-Circle-Cutter/G8964

I'm sure Grizzly is not the only place to get them. I did most of mine on a drill press, but did cut a single 120mm hole for the back panel in 1/4" cast acrylic with a hand-held drill. Very pleased with the results, just have to be sure the teeth are turned the right way so as not to leave a beveled edge where you want a straight one.

Either way, cut SLOWLY.

For cutting anything smaller than 2 inches, I have to recommend a Forstner bit:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40062

These things are like magic in acrylic (Plexiglass), they cut fine shavings and leave a smooth-walled hole. Excellent for smaller work.

(Nice work thus far, by the way, +rep)
________
Star Craft Replays (http://screplays.com/)

[modaholic]

Just wanted to add a note about cutting holes in plexi. Personally I didn't have a BIT of luck cutting them with hole saws. May have been the saws I was using, who knows? I did have very good results with this:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Adjustable-Circle-Cutter/G8964

I'm sure Grizzly is not the only place to get them. I did most of mine on a drill press, but did cut a single 120mm hole for the back panel in 1/4" cast acrylic with a hand-held drill. Very pleased with the results, just have to be sure the teeth are turned the right way so as not to leave a beveled edge where you want a straight one.

Either way, cut SLOWLY.

For cutting anything smaller than 2 inches, I have to recommend a Forstner bit:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40062

These things are like magic in acrylic (Plexiglass), they cut fine shavings and leave a smooth-walled hole. Excellent for smaller work.

(Nice work thus far, by the way, +rep)

:D Thanks for the tip, will keep those tools in mind!

[modaholic]

Sooo. Instead of using Plexi-glass or Acrylic, I went with something that is a little more sturdy and scratch resistant, while still having amazing transparency. I went with a nice sheet of Poly-Carbonate. :)

I went to fry's to get some fans..
2X Antec 3-Speed 80mm Green L.E.D's
and
1X Antec 3-speed 120mm (not green L.E.D. because I was being hasty and forgot to look at the description, and not the color of the package)

Then I went to Home Depot and picked up

Cable Management wrap
A Poly-Carbonate Sheet
Some Dremel Heads (always nice to have ^_^)
and a few other things that I needed.

When I got home, it was straight to work.
Here is what I got.

So I used a Disc Cutting head for my dremel to cut out the pieces. I then used a stronger disc to very carefully cut out the hole which I would be installing the fan onto. Afterwards cutting the Polycarbonate to shape, I then made the screw holes for the fan. Washed it off,Put Gorilla Glue in between the Polycarbonate and the side panel; clamped it down and put weights on it. Then Let it sit over night, then put the fan on. ^_^

Before....
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0132.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0133.jpg

And After....:D
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0134.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0135.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0136.jpg

Then on the Case!
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0141.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/Glow.png
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/DSC_0145.jpg

Yes I realise I take way to many pictures for my own, but it is soooo much fun!

Yes I do plan on doing new coats of paint when I am finished!!!

[Fuganater]

Very nice job so far. You got the best fans ever :D I use them in all of my cases. One thing you can do is put them all on HI and they still are very quiet. Don't worry about taking alot of pics. My worklog is full of em :D

[Xtrykr]

Hey! Great job! Surprised this is your first mod, its turning out real well!

[modaholic]

@ Fuganater: I know, I love these fans; in my opinion they are better (not to mention cheaper) Than the SilenX Fans. And the fact that they come with a 4-pin Molex adapter for some extra juice. ^_^.

@ Xtrykr: Thanks! Appreciate the props. :)

[Fuganater]

I deff recommend you look in to sleeving. Here (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=32_206) is what I got. It is so easy to use and look very nice in the case. And don't forget to get shrink tubing.

[modaholic]

I wish I could use shrink tubing on my PSU Cables but the thing is; the are not modular and I have absolutely no idea as to how I would get the shrink wrap over that monsterly Motherboard connector. (-___-;). I might just do some practice on Cable Zen and hide the cables so they won't be seen ^_^.

[J-Roc]

If you dont want to get a removal tool for the 24pin connector you can get that spiral sleeving in an asortment of colours.

[Fuganater]

I have the tool you need in my worklog. Its a Molex Pin Extractor. You should look at the local hardware store. If they don't have it, its only like 7 bucks at Radio Shack.

[modaholic]

Thanks for the tips ^_^. However I think I will go with the wrap sleeving. besides, I am going to get a new PSU soon, because the one I have right now is an embarrassing 185W power supply from bestec. I plan on getting one that is at about 650W so I can expand my system.

[modaholic]

HOLY HELL IT'S BEEN A WHILE!!!!!!!!!!!
O.o
well reasons being:
no job,
lack of travel,
me being lazy.

Well I have finally completed it, but because the SD card got thrown away via parents by accident I have no compensation for my work log which totally sucks. T.T
However I will say what it is that has been done.

1. New PSU (520 from Corsair), another HD (ATA 500gig WD), More RAM (1 more GB DDR PC3200 Kingston)
2. Lights!!!!!! 2 black light rods for the mod.
3. Fan grid for the 120 on the side panel (because my cat won't stay away from the case xD) which I painted black
4. Bolted the polycarbonate pane to the panel.
5. Made a worn effect on the nuts and bolts
6. Sleeved the PSU cables.

So yeah, I finally did it! My first mod xDDDDD

I'll post the pics in a sec!

[modaholic]

Sooooo, here are the pics for my finally finished mod!!!! :banana::banana::banana:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/P1000371.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/P1000372.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/P1000373.jpg
oooooh, artsy ^^
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/P1000374.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/P1000376.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w317/gaiawhore666/blacknblue/P1000377.jpg

FINALLY FINISHED!!!! WOOO!:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

[The boy 4rm oz]

That turned out well mate. Nice work. +rep

[DonT-FeaR]

nice work mate

[modaholic]

:] thanks.

[nailz]

Agreed, this is pretty sweet for a first mod! Grats!

[modaholic]

Thanks :D I can't wait for my next one, I'm actually going to have a sick system in it. The victim case will be the Cosmos S from cooler master. I need to theme the mod though, I'm not completely sure what it will be, but I know it will be a fun project. x3