Log in

View Full Version : Sneak Peak! Digital Overload '10 or Bust!


NightrainSrt4
10-05-2009, 06:36 PM
A new mod that I have been working on. Doesn't look like much now, and I'm going for a more back to the basics type mod. No CAD, no waterjet, just me and my dremel, drill, and handtools.

The Victim: Compaq SR1830NX case
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8573/img1186t.jpg

Current:
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1165/img2046r.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4509/img2047q.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8617/img2048gw.jpg

I literally just cut the window, and did so very quickly as to not disturb my apartment neighbors. I have yet to touch it with a file, and by the looks of it, I've got a few hours of shaping ahead of me.

The wire grills are being ditched, and were just placeholders to get my fan holes drilled. Right now the plan is to make a full front grill/cd cover out of aluminum, along with one for the top. The bolts are all placeholders as well.

The hard drive rack is already completed, just not bolted in for these pictures. It is a lian-li 3 drive rack that was spare from my Rocketfish.

Filing, Paint, and Aluminum on the horizon!
Luke122
10-05-2009, 06:37 PM
Awesome start!
SXRguyinMA
10-05-2009, 10:04 PM
lookin good! thats the same case I'm using for monster lol
NightrainSrt4
10-05-2009, 10:57 PM
Almost, the side panels were different. What I wouldn't give to have the nice side panel that was on yours. Mine had those 3 funky mesh indents, pretty much forcing me to make my window larger than I desired. I am happy with what I came up with so far for it though. I spent days trying to figure out what I wanted and how to go about getting there with that funky panel design.

Thanks for the support guys. I might make a worklog down the line here, but my other mods have failed under the pressure of a worklog, so I probably will take my time and quick-log it at the end. =P
slaveofconvention
10-05-2009, 11:07 PM
Ah log it up so we can hassle you - otherwise you take away half the fun!!!

Seriously tho, I love these de-brand a branded PC mods - best of luck to ya!
Bopher
10-06-2009, 12:55 AM
That model is almost the same case as my file server except it has a card reader in the front.
mDust
10-07-2009, 01:45 AM
That's a nice clean window cut for a dremel. I recently bought an off-brand dremel and tried to cut through my aluminum case to route some water hoses...long story short, I pulled out some tin snips part way through and got the job done easier, quieter, faster, and surprising neater than what the rotary tool was doing. I'm not a fan of them, but it looks like you showed that tool who was boss.

We're all watching you...no pressure though! :D
x88x
10-07-2009, 11:36 AM
@mDust: Rotary tools can be incredibly useful, and produce really good results. I would highly recommend getting some more practice using yours (though if you're cutting metal they're gonna be loud..not much you can do to get around that..). As with any tool, make sure you're using the right attachment for the job, and after that it just comes down to technique.
NightrainSrt4
10-07-2009, 12:30 PM
No, that window is horrible, but perhaps the pictures don't show it. I literally hand sketched the lines and dremeled as fast as I could, with no care for straightness or anything. I only had a little bit of light left, AND I had to get the noise done as quickly as possible.

I've got soooo much filing ahead of me it makes me cringe. I hate even posting it in its current form, but my brother was NAGGING me for pics so I figured I'd post them for you all as well, as much as I hated its current form.

If it doesn't come out the way I'd like it, I've got a plan B anyway, which was another slab of aluminum on the panel and making the window the way I wanted through that. The aluminum would match the front and top.
mDust
10-08-2009, 03:56 AM
Rotary tools can be incredibly useful...As with any tool, make sure you're using the right attachment for the jobI'm sure they can be, but for any window cut I'd prefer a jigsaw hands down. I think it's much better suited to such a task than any dremel attachment ever will be. I think the dremel is more useful for a million other things.

No, that window is horrible...I hate even posting it in its current formHaha, relax! It isn't finished yet; I'm sure everyone is aware of this. I've seen worse things on this site, some that even caused second-hand embarrassment...other than having to file it a bit, there isn't anything bad about it so far.
NightrainSrt4
10-08-2009, 02:27 PM
Some more pics. Worked on filing and sanding the side window today. Could use some more work in some spots, but it is hard to tell. I really need a coat of primer on it, because the angle of the filing is making the silver areas larger/smaller in different spots, giving the appearance that some spots aren't lined up/even, yet when I try and ignore that illusion they seem pretty well on.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3998/img2060p.jpg

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/2893/img2061.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8833/img2062e.jpg

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7269/img2063.jpg
x88x
10-08-2009, 02:44 PM
Looks nice. A massive improvement over the original :D
Luke122
10-08-2009, 02:55 PM
That side panel is beautiful! Great work!
billygoat333
10-09-2009, 07:27 AM
i'm really liking this start. gonna be sweet when done! :)