Mobbing0pfer
08-19-2009, 10:19 PM
Hey folks,
After several months of admiring a lot of custom computer cases on the internet I finally made the decision to build my own. I will be using an Antec 300, that has served me well the past year. As I started just out of pure boredom I didn't really plan out a design. At first my intention was just to put in a window. So I grabbed a rotary tool at my local hardware store, a nice Dremel 400 XPR. I also got an extra pack of cutting discs; I knew I'd need them :lick:
So let me introduce you to my working place:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4016/dscf4177.jpg
My protection gear, a pair of MotoX gloves and a ski goggle:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8207/dscf4178.jpg
And my new Dremel:
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/24/dscf4179c.jpg
So were ready to go :banana:
The overall cutting of the window was done fast, no major problems.
But filing the edges straight was a pain in the a**.
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6572/dscf4170o.jpg
I had big problems getting the corners nice and round, but I used a little trick that came in handy, maybe it can help you with any of your builds:
I was lucky enough to find a nice wooden pole exactly the diameter of the circle I used to making the round corners. Now simply wrap some sanding paper around it and fasten the whole thing, and you've made yourself a perfect tool for getting round edges.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4916/dscf4183.jpg
Unluckily the masking tape came off while cutting the window and sparks damaged the Paint.
From then on the idea was born to make this a real project and not just medicine against boredom. So the whole system was going to need a new paint job, more about that later.
I did a little quick and dirty hard-drive stealthing...
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/650/dscf4171.jpg
...and then went back to the chassis. I needed some holes for cable management, so I made some 8)
The cables are basically going to come from the PSU, go behind the motherboard tray and come back to the MB from behind the HDD bay (or their specific cut holes, duh:neutral: :)) The 12V 8-pin connector for the motherboard will just come through the cooler mounting hole.
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2231/dscf4172ptv.jpg
A little close-up (well, not THAT close :D), to show the build quality.
I'm actually pretty satisfied, I did some minor scratches to the metal, but that will be treated later.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4726/dscf4173.jpg
For better showing of the PSU inside that case I'll flip it upside down, so that you can read the sticker through the window. Due to cooling needs I cut a hole in the bottom. To not endanger the stability of the case I didn't just cut it all up, but left some of the material there.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3702/dscf4168t.jpg
After all cutting I could think of was done it was time for PAINTING :D
I chopped the whole case up and dropped it off at a local sandblasting company. Should be done by Friday.
For the paint job I was thinking of something simple, just black 'n' white.
I want to paint the interior gloss white, together with the front mesh and the back of the case and make the side, top and floor panels non gloss black.
I don't know if I should mix the colors more or leave them separated.
As an example the back of the case;
Mixed: main panel in white, I/O panel, pci slot covers and PSU black.
Separated: everything mentioned above in white.
One option would make it look sleek and professional and the other would draw more attention to details and other stuff, make it "wilder".
Any comments and tips are appreciated.
After several months of admiring a lot of custom computer cases on the internet I finally made the decision to build my own. I will be using an Antec 300, that has served me well the past year. As I started just out of pure boredom I didn't really plan out a design. At first my intention was just to put in a window. So I grabbed a rotary tool at my local hardware store, a nice Dremel 400 XPR. I also got an extra pack of cutting discs; I knew I'd need them :lick:
So let me introduce you to my working place:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4016/dscf4177.jpg
My protection gear, a pair of MotoX gloves and a ski goggle:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8207/dscf4178.jpg
And my new Dremel:
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/24/dscf4179c.jpg
So were ready to go :banana:
The overall cutting of the window was done fast, no major problems.
But filing the edges straight was a pain in the a**.
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6572/dscf4170o.jpg
I had big problems getting the corners nice and round, but I used a little trick that came in handy, maybe it can help you with any of your builds:
I was lucky enough to find a nice wooden pole exactly the diameter of the circle I used to making the round corners. Now simply wrap some sanding paper around it and fasten the whole thing, and you've made yourself a perfect tool for getting round edges.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4916/dscf4183.jpg
Unluckily the masking tape came off while cutting the window and sparks damaged the Paint.
From then on the idea was born to make this a real project and not just medicine against boredom. So the whole system was going to need a new paint job, more about that later.
I did a little quick and dirty hard-drive stealthing...
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/650/dscf4171.jpg
...and then went back to the chassis. I needed some holes for cable management, so I made some 8)
The cables are basically going to come from the PSU, go behind the motherboard tray and come back to the MB from behind the HDD bay (or their specific cut holes, duh:neutral: :)) The 12V 8-pin connector for the motherboard will just come through the cooler mounting hole.
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2231/dscf4172ptv.jpg
A little close-up (well, not THAT close :D), to show the build quality.
I'm actually pretty satisfied, I did some minor scratches to the metal, but that will be treated later.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4726/dscf4173.jpg
For better showing of the PSU inside that case I'll flip it upside down, so that you can read the sticker through the window. Due to cooling needs I cut a hole in the bottom. To not endanger the stability of the case I didn't just cut it all up, but left some of the material there.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3702/dscf4168t.jpg
After all cutting I could think of was done it was time for PAINTING :D
I chopped the whole case up and dropped it off at a local sandblasting company. Should be done by Friday.
For the paint job I was thinking of something simple, just black 'n' white.
I want to paint the interior gloss white, together with the front mesh and the back of the case and make the side, top and floor panels non gloss black.
I don't know if I should mix the colors more or leave them separated.
As an example the back of the case;
Mixed: main panel in white, I/O panel, pci slot covers and PSU black.
Separated: everything mentioned above in white.
One option would make it look sleek and professional and the other would draw more attention to details and other stuff, make it "wilder".
Any comments and tips are appreciated.