New guy... oh and I work in a fab shop :)

[Jake2k]

Whats up everyone I've always liked modding but recently all my time has been tied up in photography. I use to mod Xboxs and I've always wanted to do a computer case. I just bought the parts to build my first computer so I figured this might be the perfect time to mod my first case!

I have absolutely no idea where to begin but I work in a fab shop on the press (http://www.accurpress.com/pabrakes.html) and I have access to a Mazak laser cutter (http://www.mazaklaser.com/superturbo_x_mkiii.html), wire EDM machine, a few CNC machines, lathe, drills, etc. and I'm in good with the welder haha.

So I have the tools and materials, I have some free time, now all I need is the inspiration and a bit of know how. So if anyone has any good general advice for me or maybe some links to any useful info I'd really appreciate it. As soon as I find out what I want to do with the case, which is a stock Compaq Presario, I'll start a worklog.

[knowledgegranted]

Hey Jake (I'm guessing that's your name),

Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you got a lot of useful tools on your hands, working at a fab shop. When your looking for inspiration, just look at the many great work logs there are in the forums here, that's how I usually get inspired to do my mods.

Modding computer cases is a lot like modding Xboxs, at least from my prospective. You got your heat sinks, windows, and electronics modding. It really isn't that different, it's just on a larger scale.

I hope to see your first worklog soon!!

[x88x]

Welcome! I'll be interested to see what you end up doing, with all that kit at your disposal. :twisted: I would kill for a shop like that.

[Jake2k]

Thanks guys, and I forgot to mention the sand blaster and lapping station :D . As for the case I'm liking the idea of using some mesh... or rather alot of mesh and I'm gonna try for a minimal style.

[d_stilgar]

Welcome to the forums! I'm really jealous of the tools you have to use. When looking for inspiration I try to thing of something either trendy (like an upcoming movie/game) or something timeless and classic (like a timeless movie (ET, Jurassic Park, Alien)) or a favorite series of games (zelda, halflife, mario) or a favorite sports team or car.

It will be best when you find something you are passionate about.

If you would rather not go with a theme, then choose a style and try to stick to it. Something like steampunk, or art deco, or industrial, or skulls. The theme doesn't even need to be named per se, but should have an aesthetic that is definable enough that if something isn't following that style it looks out of place.

Good luck I can't wait to see what you come up with!

[Jake2k]

Wow I just stumbled upon million-dollar-pc.com (http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/) and I do believe I has been inspired :D

[Spawn-Inc]

make some custom water blocks :)

[Jake2k]

I wish but the thickest copper bar we have is only .5" , were can you buy copper blocks anyway?

Well its a very slow work day today and it's Saturday overtime so the boss is no where to be found which means I have some time to do a little prep work to the case. Nothing major just triming some parts and maybe a little sandblasting.

I'm thinking about fabricating my own front/back panels so does anyone know of any build threads where someone has done that so I can get an idea of how its usually done. Thanks again!

[Spawn-Inc]

half an inch is all you would want, make the bottom from 1 plate then a top from another with a o ring in between. you would need to cut a channel for it as well.

[Jake2k]

hmm, are there certain things that need to be done for them to work right? I'm pretty sure we can bore the copper out into any kind of shape so this might be something to look into. Lets say I do make all my own water blocks, about how much would I have to spend on everything else? And another thing is my computer is far from a "top of the line" gaming machine so would water cooling be overkill?

[x88x]

would water cooling be overkill?

Pha! Ask not what is overkill, instead ask what you can kill..over...?? Ok, that sounded better in my head :P Anyways, point being that watercooling is only overkill if you think it is. And as many of us will tell you, overkill is very rarely a bad thing. :D

As to you question about the loop, if you fabbed all the block yourself, you would just need to get fittings (unless you fab those too), tubing, radiators, and a pump. A good pump will run you at least ~$50, the tubing depends on what tubing you get and how much you need, and the radiators can range anywhere from $30-$300, depending on how much cooling you want. Oh, and a reservoir, which will usually be under $50.

[Jake2k]

I might have to bring in some specs and photos of each part and see can fab up, I'm pretty sure we can do the blocks and I think we might even be able to make a res. But all of this is much further down the road, first I need to figure out what I'm gonna do to my case haha.

Oh and thanks for the info!

[knowledgegranted]

Sounds like you are having a great time thinking about all of this. Feel free to ask us any questions in the future.


for the copper, I buy mine from Storm copper supply. It kinda looks like a scam site, but I buy from them all the time.


http://www.stormcopper.com/

[Jake2k]

Got some pics of my case:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4358602520_29e57d9271.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4357856591_6569869836.jpg

Could I start a thread in the "Works in progress" area even if I don't really have a game plan yet?

EDIT: Forgot to mention that these pics are after I sand blasted the front and side panel.

[d_stilgar]

Could I start a thread in the "Works in progress" area even if I don't really have a game plan yet?


Absolutely. I've started some threads that never got finished. I don't think that will happen to you, but if you've done any work whatsoever then you have a work in progress.

[Jake2k]

Ok I just started the thread here. (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=280011#post280011)