Lanbox Lite Window

[diluzio91]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28294695@N02/4239761496/So a little backstory, for my first build i got a lanbox lite case (without windows) and used it, and it was ok. the lack of cable management and lack of windows drove me absolutely insane, so it went in the back of the closet for many many months. After a while i stumbled across some modding sites, including tbcs, and got an idea of adding a window to the case and a mesh basket next to the PSU for additional cables to be stored in. So here is about half way into my project, sorry for the late start... Also, this is my first mod, so be gentle... Pictures to come as soon as i figure out how :D

The window Design that i cut out.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0316.jpg


http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0318.jpg

If you aren't familiar with the Lanbox Lite cases, they are fully modular, so i had to paint all the individual pieces as well
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0320.jpg
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0322.jpg

This is my first attempt working with plexi, i accidently chipped off a corner, but decided to run with it because the window that i cut out hides it nicely. also cut the fan hole with a 76 mm hole saw.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0323.jpg
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0324.jpg

I also fitted the fans, for the right fan (the one that will blow air into the GPU) i mounted it at a 45 degree turn (so it looks like a diamond instead of a square) because the holes on the case were being evil while i was trying to drill where i needed to drill.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0327.jpg
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0329.jpg
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0328.jpg

[Trace]

photobucket.com and then use http://photobucketlinkhere

[diluzio91]

thanks a ton! the pictures are up now, the primer got pretty scuffed up while we were cutting the hole in the right side for the fan.

[Loki]

It'll be a nice window :)
I can se some accidental lumps in your painting work... Advice: allways paint with a sponge ready, just in case you spray too much paint, you can absorb it!

[Couch3ater]

Hahaha, good advice Loki. Wish I had heard it before I took my first shot at spraying a case. >_< Went less then well.

On Topic:

Like the window design. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[billygoat333]

there's always sandpaper too! :)

[Couch3ater]

there's always sandpaper too!

Lol, very true. But in the event that he, like the rest of us, is extremely lazy... Hahaha

[Loki]

Wish I had heard it before I took my first shot at spraying a case.

And how do you think I learned that trick? XD

[Couch3ater]

Hahaha, well, I imagine it was a long, tedious process of trial and error. That, or you just got aggravated and decided that sanding it would be fun. Hahaha, I know that's what I would do.

[diluzio91]

Hahaha, well, I imagine it was a long, tedious process of trial and error. That, or you just got aggravated and decided that sanding it would be fun. Hahaha, I know that's what I would do.

thats why god created belt sanders, its going to be a while before i will feel safe painting this (its too damn cold for the paint to dry) again, but i might go a little crazy with the sand paper. It'll be a while before i get an update out again tho, mainly because i finally got the last of the parts for my gaming PC (for now). :)

Specs are
Amd 7580 BBE 2.8 (oc'd to 3.01)
patriot viper 1066 ram 2x2gb
Seagate 320 7200.__.12 (will be getting a second when $$ permits for raid 0)
EVGA nvidia 9800 gt GPU 600 mhz
2 Samsung DVD RW drives, 1 ide 1 sata
Gigabyte MATX Mobo
Scythe (ace?) fan controller
Zalman 7000 series cooler (idk the number off the top of my head and the box is in the attic)
Rosewill 550 Watt PSU
CoolerMaster Elite 310 case (blue)
3 LED fans
Cold Caths
Razer Diamondback Mouse
OCZ alchemy Keyboard
Asus Hi Rez 19in monitor
Vizio 19in TV (for 2nd monitor/xbox 360, i live in a dorm so its a nice size for everything)
Logitech 2.1 30 amp Speakers

I might post pictures when i have time if you guys want to see, i went a little crazy with the cable management on it

[diluzio91]

Oh jeez, i almost forgot, any tips on painting this stuff? for some reason the paint wants to flake and scrape really easily, also i have these tiny little bumps, not run marks, that keep appearing on the corners and i cant figure out what they are for the life of me...

[Remy]

I'm sure some will have similar or better advice, but you definitely want to make sure you're priming your pieces. I usually add 2 - 3 coats of primer and wet sand it. This helps make the primer ultra smooth when you apply your color.

Be sure to wet sand between your color coats as well. The higher the grit, the smoother the paint will become (I'd use at least 1000 grit wet sandable paper). This will also remove the grit you're finding.

After wet sanding the color, you could add some clear coat for a nice glossy finish, also wet sanding between those coats as well. If you're going for ultra shiny and reflective, polish your paint job with some rubbing compound from the local auto parts store.

[Remy]

To prevent the running paint, be sure to use fluid strokes that go from side-to-side. Begin and finish your spray pattern off the object, releasing the button at the end of each pass. Start the spray off the object, pass over the object, and release the button once you've passed completely over the object you're painting.

Also remember that you do not have to paint the entire piece all at once. Use several thin coats instead of one thick coat. Use an even side-to-side motion with each pass overlapping the previous pass.

Lastly, make sure to leave at least 6 inches of space between the nozzle of your spray can and the piece you're painting.

[diluzio91]

Quick update. My girlfriend and I got all the internals wetsanded, and the Cover for the Case as well. The front and the main box to go, She is also letting me use her basement for painting, i will post picture updates for this as soon as i have the first coat of primer on everything. Ive also decided the final color scheme for this build. It will be Gloss black on the outside, and matte black on the inside, all the modular pieces will also be in the matte finish, and the lighting will all be purple, as its going to be the HTPC for my girlfriend.

[billygoat333]

sounds sweet. :) good luck with the paint! may the force be with you.

[Couch3ater]

O.o

I totally wish I could con my girlfriend into helping me wet sand. She'd prolly be all like, "NUUUU! NO CAN RUIN MANICURE!" Hahaha. (Pedicure? Female input? Hahaha)

Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I love purple, so I'm sure it'll be sweet.

[diluzio91]

O.o

I totally wish I could con my girlfriend into helping me wet sand. She'd prolly be all like, "NUUUU! NO CAN RUIN MANICURE!" Hahaha. (Pedicure? Female input? Hahaha)

Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I love purple, so I'm sure it'll be sweet.

F*** you!

- the girlfriend.
:D:lick:

[Couch3ater]

Hahaha, that wasn't directed at her. That was about my girlfriend. I was merely complementing that you're lucky you have a girlfriend that will help you sand and stuff. Hahaha, suppose I better leave it at that. MY girlfriend just gasped. Hahaha

[slaveofconvention]

Two tips to add - after you've wet-sanded between coats of primer and colour, use a scotchbrite pad to put a load of tiny scratches (a key) in the finish - it'll help the next coat attach itself properly. The second is don't use the cheapest paint you can find - there's no need to buy the most expensive but really cheap stuff is usually cheap because there's a lot less paint and a lot more thinners in it - it'll cover really badly and all the extra thinner can cause reactions which will leave blisters and bumps in the paint.

[diluzio91]

As requested heres a picture of the helpful wetsanding girlfriend =))

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0017.jpg

Also, here is the design that i want to put on the top of the case. NOTE this is not my painting. Im trying to do it in photoshop so i can print it onto a water transfer or make a stencil or something. it will be done in bright purple high gloss paint. The final outcome will be roughly 8 in by 10 inches... wish me luck with the shopping!


http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/purrpl.jpg

[Couch3ater]

Hahaha, good luck with the shopping. If you need a hand, I'd be more than happy to help. Me and Photoshop get along fairly well. And as for the wet sanding girlfriend, she should totally hang out with my girlfriend... And show her how to wet sand. Hahaha

[diluzio91]

Quick update. After 2 hours of mucking around with Photoshop and finding out that the badge for the top of the case didnt look like i wanted it to i went old school on the design's ass and busted out the pencil and paper. After 30 min of sketching i came up with this

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0360.jpg

I like that it turned out a little more angular, now i just need to figure out put it on the top of the case, (everything will be purple with black backgrounds) Ill take any suggestions

I also have an official name for the Mod now, its named Purple Heart, so i don't know if i can change the name ex post facto, but thats what i want to call it at least :)

[diluzio91]

HOLY NECRO POST BATMAN!

So its finally spring break, meaning its finally warm and sunny enough to paint. this mod is back on track!

So, after a quick run to menards i picked up some bondo, a round file, and more sand paper. Can you guess whats going to happen?

Thats right! im filling the little holes in!!

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0467.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0466.jpg

This means lots of sanding later... but i think it will be worth it in the end.

Next, remember the botched face plate?

Ta Da!

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0465.jpg

much better. :D

The botched top

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0464.jpg

Fixed!! 8)

The interior pieces.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0463.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0462.jpg

Repainted... I love the flat black... it looks awesome on the interior part.

More to come tomorrow!

[Loki]

Holy necrosis!!! LOL Great to see that you keep going on this project!!

[diluzio91]

So i went to check on my bondo... and its still wet after 24 hours... did i screw up?

[Trace]

Most likely not enough catalyst. (The stuff in the tube.) Bondo should be hard ~30 minutes

[diluzio91]

how do i fix it? lol

[slaveofconvention]

Scrape it out, sand it off, re-key the surface and start over.....

By the way - if you're using bondo to fill holes in sheet metal, you'll need to attach something like a sheet of metal to the back of the holes, otherwise, as soon as there's any flex to the metal the little circles of bondo will pop out and you'll end up with holes there again.

[diluzio91]

So, due to much awaited suspense (and me forgetting my camera for a few days) here is the long awaited update.

I started by scraping (thats right... scraping... i didnt realise the catalyst was paste... i thought it was the red soupy liquid on top, hence the issue) all the old bondo off the case.

after sanding, here is the result!

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0488.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0484.jpg
I smoothed off the edge of that curve, and when painted all those holes will disapear... thank goodness

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0487.jpg

Here you can see my attempt to cover up an earlier mounting for the rear fan, it worked pretty well, and the new fan holes are spot on (thanks to a friends drill press :D)

Now, remember, at the beginning, when dinosaurs roamed the forums, i said i would be adding some cable management to this box. well, here it is!
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0481.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0482.jpg

dosnt look like much, but when its sanded and painted and hidden in the back, doing it's job, it'll do juuust fine.

Tomorrow is the big day for this case, all that will be left is the painting of the case... here you can see everything on the main case is sanded, cleaned and ready for primer in the morning.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0489.jpg

After tomorrow this mod will be almost completed, with the exception of the fans, which havnt arrived yet.

[Trace]

:up: Looking good

[diluzio91]

i dont know if i can do this (correct me if im wrong) but whoever sees my big mistake first on this case installation ill give a +rep for the keen eye. lol... i was to lazy to fix it by the time i saw it. :D

so i lied... This wont be the last post, because im waiting for my paycheck to get my 4in uv caths for lighting... but here is a few new pics!

Everything installed in the mobo tray... looking nice after a good dusting.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0495.jpg

Lovely audio card and video card. lol

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0496.jpg

All the guts installed in the bottom half of the case... the open HDD is just for looks. notice the massive amount of cabling crammed behind the hdd cage...

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0497.jpg

dvd cage installed

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0498.jpg

on the side that wont be seen... messy messy messy...
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0500.jpg
side view.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0501.jpg

Its purple... i promise

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0503.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0506.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0507.jpg

[x88x]

Looks good. Those sure are tiny cases. :D

As for your mistake, it took me a while to notice, but looks like you forgot to install the MBB backplate.

[diluzio91]

haha... nice catch!

[diluzio91]

but its a damn tiny case....im not looking forwards to swapping the gpu fan off the mobo onto the zalman... but it has to be done.... ill procrastinate until the caths get here though. :twisted:

[diluzio91]

Alright. Final Post! :banana: Thanks go out to SXRguyinMA for hooking me up with some cheap cold caths!

Here its easy to see the bondo work on the side where i sealed up the holes around the fan, i love the effect that came out of it.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0544.jpg

Front panel, its not as blaringly bright as it looks, but its perfect and easy to see

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0529.jpg

The important part... the window! which was the whole point of the mod! :D
In all its glory. The black sleeving hides most of the cables inside and trust me, behind the GPU its a real rats nest...

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0510.jpg

The top... im saddened that the PSU fan is still blue... but ill survive (for now...) but you can no longer see the silver of the PSU bracket... mainly because the bracket is now matte black like every other part of the interior.

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz302/diluzio91/IMG_0530.jpg

Overall im really happy with this case, and sadly im already planning my next mod... Temps are actually better than they were in my CM310 case (same system) and the direct inflow into the graphics cooler makes the gpu run lower. The SSF is nice and fits well into my desk area... Hope i made this worklog enjoyable for anyone who read it!

[Waynio]

Looks great :up:, but what happened to the heart with wings, looked a great design to have on it, would make a great window cut out project :), I might have a go at that design some day :D +rep.

[diluzio91]

Looks great :up:, but what happened to the heart with wings, looked a great design to have on it, would make a great window cut out project :), I might have a go at that design some day :D +rep.

I was going to use it, but I'm going to be saving it for another mod down the road, I felt that painting it on wouldn't have the desired effect, and the top can't really have a window. When my gf wants a desktop and has a study you guys will see it come to life. This guy will be retired to a htpc when I build blue storm.:whistler: