US Navy Chief Petty Officer Tribute

[firebirddna]

Hi, I am a US Navy Chief Petty Officer with 15 years of service. I have been looking at all kinds of tutorials and mods all over the net for a long time now. I decided to something myself. For a first timer, I will be doing something smallish and easy, nothing too fancy.

To start here is my donor case. Don't laugh. I have had this thing since about 1999. Haven't used it in years, its just a case. Says Pegasus on it.
Now, I don't have any new parts to go inside, so I think for this I will focus on just the outside. Mainly the sides.
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6976/zi60354.th.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/zi60354.jpg/)
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5425/zi60351.th.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/zi60351.jpg/)
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5856/zi60359.th.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/zi60359.jpg/)

Ok, so the idea then is this:
on the one side, as there is an outline for a rounded square just inside the edge
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6976/zi60354.th.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/zi60354.jpg/)
might be a little hard to see, but I can cut that out and insert an etched/engraved sheet of plexi.
The image I want to use is this one:
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1884/skullandswords.th.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/skullandswords.jpg/)
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4660/zi60353.th.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/zi60353.jpg/)
this one of the front, lower half anyway, yes that is an actually floppy drive, I want to make look like diamond plate, with the words 'Deckplate leader' most likely 'Deckplate' on one side, 'leader' on the other side.
Thats what we call it.

On the top of the case, I want to use this, our new recruiting slogan:
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/6668/newrecruitinglogo.png (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/newrecruitinglogo.png/)

For the other side, I haven't decided whether to do it as plexi, or to create a cutout in the metal, using this:
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9609/shilohcpo.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/shilohcpo.jpg/)
and this:
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6905/logonavy.th.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/logonavy.jpg/)

I have my Dremel, and I bought a #107 engraving bit, as well as some plexi.
So i need to get some work done.
Be back later with an update on how it goes.
Thanks for looking.
Moderator guys, I hope I did this right. The pics look a little small though.

[firebirddna]

Small update just a little while later.
Disassembly.
Various pics showing the pieces. Turns out, this case had a removable mobo tray, the CPU socket said AMD Socket 462, anybody know what that was?
The blue surround on the front came off rather easy.
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/807/zi60378.th.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/zi60378.jpg/)
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5201/zi60377.th.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/i/zi60377.jpg/)
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/4306/zi60376.th.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/zi60376.jpg/)
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4985/zi60375.th.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/i/zi60375.jpg/)
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3018/zi60374.th.jpg (http://img514.imageshack.us/i/zi60374.jpg/)
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5856/zi60359.th.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/zi60359.jpg/)
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2561/zi60363.th.jpg (http://img692.imageshack.us/i/zi60363.jpg/)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7351/zi60364.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/i/zi60364.jpg/)
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7601/zi60370.th.jpg (http://img524.imageshack.us/i/zi60370.jpg/)
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/1964/zi60371.th.jpg (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/zi60371.jpg/)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/3869/zi60372.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/zi60372.jpg/)
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2884/zi60373.th.jpg (http://img508.imageshack.us/i/zi60373.jpg/)

Thanks for looking. its late, so off to bed with me.

[firebirddna]

If I had the cash to get new innards, i'm torn between Intel and AMD.
Intel
Gigabyte GA-X58-UD3R
Twin PNY GTX 260
Corsair 950TX PSU
Intel Core i7-920
Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3 RAM
Seagate Barracuda 7200 500GB internal HDD
I already have 2 dvd-rw's

AMD
Gigabyte GA-MA790XT UD4P
Twin XFX Radeon 5770
Phenom II X4 945 125w
same memory, PSU and HDD as above

of course all of those materials are priced over $1k, so i got to live without.
My current system as listed in the profile is actually a HP Firebird 802. Again, don't laugh. I actually enjoy it. it plays Crysis and Crysis Warhead well on very high, and its nice and quiet. Looks great actually.
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/817/zi60384.th.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/zi60384.jpg/)

[msmrx57]

Welcome to TBCS. Nothing wrong with your system if it gets the job done. I'll be watching to see what you do with this. Good luck. :up:

[Airbozo]

Welcome Chief!

I am also ex navy.

Good luck on the project!

[firebirddna]

I am in process of working out a deal with a local waterjet cutting place for the case sides and then some designs out of plexi. I'll let you know how that comes out. If its too expensive I may just have to do it myself.
Also here is a bit of a mockup with image.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9568/imga0237.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/imga0237.jpg/)
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/8717/imga0233.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/i/imga0233.jpg/)
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/250/imga0228.th.jpg (http://img695.imageshack.us/i/imga0228.jpg/)
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4500/imga0229.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/i/imga0229.jpg/)

Thanks for looking.

[x88x]

Looks like a good start, welcome to TBCS! Did you give up on the designs for the second side?


the CPU socket said AMD Socket 462, anybody know what that was?

More commonly called 'Socket A', that was used by AMD Athlon, Athlon XP, and Duron chips.

[nevermind1534]

I have some new CPUs (still in the package) for that socket, so let me know if you want one ('Ill let them go for a somewhat low price).

[firebirddna]

x88x, I didn't give up on the second side. I'm still going to put something else on there besides the wording.
Thanks for looking.

[SgtM]

Welcome aboard, Chief!

[firebirddna]

hi, not much to post now. i took a few images of the results of my cutting holes in the case. you can see that those holes suck. I have lots of filing to do to get them straight and rounded off. I am waiting for some fans to come in. My first thought was to take my skull and swords image, cut out the letters individually and then attach them to the pleixglas window. after my experience with just cutting those holes, I decided it wasn't going to be worth it. I would need lots of time and patience, of which I really don't have. so i figured i would do the next best thing and have the image cut out of vinyl which I can then apply to the window. The guy at FedEx Office, formerly Kinkos/FedEx, told me that one of my images, the Navy logo was a copyright thing and he couldn't do it. My skull and swords image was in the wrong format so I will have to go back again later.
I did get a royal blue and rich yellow spray paint for the colors. thats all for now. thanks.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2803/zi60395.th.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/zi60395.jpg/)
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7591/zi60394.th.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/zi60394.jpg/)
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2199/zi60393.th.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/zi60393.jpg/)
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2348/zi60392.th.jpg (http://img141.imageshack.us/i/zi60392.jpg/)
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5246/zi60391.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/zi60391.jpg/)

[x88x]

Holes look good so far. I recommend a large rasp file..also a large rather finer file. Good ones'll probably run you about $10 a piece, but they are definitely worth it. Plus, they'll last forever (seriously; my dad has some that he still uses that are probably about 30-40 years old).

OOC, which image did the guy say was copyrighted? (I assume still one of these?)
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9609/shilohcpo.jpghttp://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6905/logonavy.th.jpg

If he said the US Navy Seal was copyrighted, that is incorrect. According to our benevolent overlords at Wikipedia, the Seal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_Department_of_the_Navy_Seal.svg ) is public domain, but you do have to request permission to use it. I see no reason why they would turn you down.

The policy for use of the Navy seal and emblem is contained in SECNAV Instr 5030.4 and SECNAV Instr 5030.6. The seal design was approved by the President of the United States by Executive Order 10736 dated October 23, 1957. Request for use of the Navy emblem should be submitted in writing to Defense Printing Service, ATTN: DPSMO, 8725 John Kingman Rd Suite 3239, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6220. The telephone number is (703) 767-4218.

[firebirddna]

@x88x, wow, thats some nice research. The first one in your post, is actually taken from my last ships crest and modified with the anchors across it.
so either I ask for permission or think of something else. I think i will ask for permission. Thanks a lot!

[firebirddna]

oh and I ordered some materials, blue and yellow vinyl, diamondplate vinyl and some u channel molding, blue and yellow spray paint as well as some 3M tape to hold the window in. We wear yellow shirts and blue shorts to PT in, so I will go yellow on top and blue on bottom, half and half throughout the case.diamond plate on one side. you get the picture.
thanks.

[SgtM]

Sounds like excellent plans, Chief. Things are looking great so far.

OT, but I used to live within spitting distance from Ft Belvoir. I had to go through it to get home from work.

[firebirddna]

I haven't posted in a while as I am waiting for some materials to come in. I did get fans that are prepped for paint and the top and side has holes cut and stripped waiting for paint.
In the first few pictures of my case, there are ones of the front cover. I am in need of some inspiration. My thought process is to fill in the floppy slot, as well as the bottom USB slot and relocate them. I want to remove the Pegasus badge and even that out. I was even considering making the bottom 2 drive slots solid only using the top ones. The blue removable piece there I want to reuse. I have ordered some decals to use including the US Navy seal that I want to go on the front. I've got issues with design.
My color scheme for this will be royal blue and yellow. I'm thinking of making the side with the skull image as half and half, yellow on top. the top of the case with the fans will be blue blades, yellow bodies and the metal blue. the other side will be the deckplate, but I don't know whether or not to use the vinyl on the entire side, or match it to the window size and the paint colors. I would like some ideas for the front cover if you don't mind.
Constructive criticism please!

[firebirddna]

Did a little bit of work today. got some painting started and realized I suck at it. I tried modifying the mouse and jacked it up. You'll see the yellow paint which didn't look good, so I opted to try the yellow vinyl. Never used the stuff before, its not too too bad. ok, yes it is. I will try again. The vinyl is pretty stretchy, but it doesn't like corners. Theres not a lot of room on the other side to fold it over either. I still have lots of work to do.
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/8003/zi60407.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/zi60407.jpg/)
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/7913/zi60406.th.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/zi60406.jpg/)
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8128/zi60405.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/i/zi60405.jpg/)
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/5435/zi60404.th.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/zi60404.jpg/)
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5909/zi60403.th.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/zi60403.jpg/)

the fans came out ok, and there is a keyboard in there. probably just going to leave it blue and not do anything else with it. the side and top is primed, need to sand it a bit and then it will be ready for some color.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4301/zi60400.th.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/zi60400.jpg/)
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/892/zi60399.th.jpg (http://img697.imageshack.us/i/zi60399.jpg/)
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/6985/zi60398.th.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/i/zi60398.jpg/)
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4984/zi60397.th.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/zi60397.jpg/)

constructive criticism anyone?

[msmrx57]

Use a hair dryer or heat gun when working with the vinyl to help with the curves. As far as painting goes, practice, practice, practice. I rermember my first attempts at painting, and not fondly. Nice start though. :up: