Smitten
11-30-2005, 01:24 PM
that's right folks. everyone seems to have a theme when it comes to modding (helps to know what you're doing with it) so i've decided to use the Othanc Tower (better known as Isangard) from LoTR.
what i've thought of so far: it's not going to be exact, just similar. i was thinking of making an actual model of the tower, but as it has a cross pattern design (one per cardinal heading) and to keep it from looking squat due to space issues, mine will simply be rectangular. i also want to make it upgradable, so have thought of a couple ideas to maintain this.
so far, i've hacked up two old cases i had laying about and stacked them. making each case only as wide as a motherboard (since i need at least that much), its starting out as 2/3 case depth, 2 cases high. this is simply the inner framing that the aesthetics will be adhered to (being same as the Othanc tower; vertical ridges, window slits, balcony here and there, talon-like spikes). also, with the need to get to the guts of this baby, i've decided to go with the push-click (got me what they're really called) doors. the seam of the doors (one top, one bottom) will reside under a horizontal lip to conceal it. for the vertical edges i most likely will have to use the full side, having the tower corners be the edges.
the whole tower will taper slightly from bottom to top (as does the original tower) and will sport a stairway and door at the front. plan is to have airflow go from direct top down through the framing via a fan porthole in the cross-section and out said door (this way, as it'll sit on the floor, dust won't be introduced as readily as it would intaking close to the floor).
my main rig now is watercooled and i may keep with the watercooling idea with this one as well. if so, the radiator will be cooled at the cross-section mounted in the lower frame. the reservoir will also be located in the lower frame.
as for lights, thinking LEDs in certain windows (but dont want it lighting up like a blackrock christmas tree :p ).
huff huff, there's the gist of it. now my biggest question/idea i'm tossing around is what to make the outer shell, i.e. the tower walls, out of. i'm at a total loss as to pull this off and make it at least somewhat lightweight. is there a material that is thick, about 1in, and easily carvable yet lightweight? i've actually been thinking something like cedar, as it's very lightweight, somewhat durable, can be carved easily, and is price conscious. after getting it carved i could then seal it in acrylic to keep it from being damaged and paint it from there.
please offer thoughts/guidance/criticism/inquires as they are all much needed. see you when the dust clears! ;)
PS: if this takes off well, as i hope, i'll start a worklog and have pics and such 8)
what i've thought of so far: it's not going to be exact, just similar. i was thinking of making an actual model of the tower, but as it has a cross pattern design (one per cardinal heading) and to keep it from looking squat due to space issues, mine will simply be rectangular. i also want to make it upgradable, so have thought of a couple ideas to maintain this.
so far, i've hacked up two old cases i had laying about and stacked them. making each case only as wide as a motherboard (since i need at least that much), its starting out as 2/3 case depth, 2 cases high. this is simply the inner framing that the aesthetics will be adhered to (being same as the Othanc tower; vertical ridges, window slits, balcony here and there, talon-like spikes). also, with the need to get to the guts of this baby, i've decided to go with the push-click (got me what they're really called) doors. the seam of the doors (one top, one bottom) will reside under a horizontal lip to conceal it. for the vertical edges i most likely will have to use the full side, having the tower corners be the edges.
the whole tower will taper slightly from bottom to top (as does the original tower) and will sport a stairway and door at the front. plan is to have airflow go from direct top down through the framing via a fan porthole in the cross-section and out said door (this way, as it'll sit on the floor, dust won't be introduced as readily as it would intaking close to the floor).
my main rig now is watercooled and i may keep with the watercooling idea with this one as well. if so, the radiator will be cooled at the cross-section mounted in the lower frame. the reservoir will also be located in the lower frame.
as for lights, thinking LEDs in certain windows (but dont want it lighting up like a blackrock christmas tree :p ).
huff huff, there's the gist of it. now my biggest question/idea i'm tossing around is what to make the outer shell, i.e. the tower walls, out of. i'm at a total loss as to pull this off and make it at least somewhat lightweight. is there a material that is thick, about 1in, and easily carvable yet lightweight? i've actually been thinking something like cedar, as it's very lightweight, somewhat durable, can be carved easily, and is price conscious. after getting it carved i could then seal it in acrylic to keep it from being damaged and paint it from there.
please offer thoughts/guidance/criticism/inquires as they are all much needed. see you when the dust clears! ;)
PS: if this takes off well, as i hope, i'll start a worklog and have pics and such 8)