Grab Handles on an Armour......

[disfigured]

HI guys/gals. First post. Smooth running, clean looking forum, my compliments.

I'm doing a build with a Thermaltake Armour or an Aspire X-Navigator. I thank any of you who can take the time to chime in and give me help and/or answers.

Thermaltake Armour

All the reviews mention the weight, and how it's a cumbersome case. I've never modded a case accept out of a building neccesity, but I've been working with my hands for 22 years. I'm confident in my skill to do what I'm going to suggest. But that doesn't mean it's going to work well, or I'm going to forsee all the snags, like an experienced modder would.



Idea/Premise (I'm sure this has been done before):
Use two "drawpulls" or "Wirepulls" designed for kitchen draws and mount them out the top of the Thermaltake Armour. I'll have to cut the screws down so they don't bottom out before the pull tightens on the case. Maybe add a wide washer on the bottom for stiffness , possibly one on top too, or get a pull that widens at the base. Or, I'm thinking a peice of stiff metal to span the two holes placed on the underside will spread out the stress on the case top. Rear placement might be tricky but there are several drawpull widths. Well you get the idea..........

Couple questions:

1.Will the weight of the build inside this case and the weight of the case itself begin to (or immediately) deform the casetop if lugged around like this? Or even moved once?

2. Is this a stupid idea? Has it been done before, and failed ?

3. Crome, Black, or something else for the drawpull's finish? The choices are unlimited.

I've never seen the Armour in person, but did look at the Navigator today and have one question.

Aspire X-Navigator:

Straight Question:
Will the Creative X-Fi Platinum or Fatality drivebay mounted controller (I think they are identical) stop the Navigator's door from closing?

Thanks again, to anyone who can help a first time poster.

(really leaning towards the Armour ;) )

[jdbnsn]

As for the handles, if I understand you correctly, you want to install them on the top like a suitcase? I am not sure what "drawpulls" or "wirepulls" are exactly, but I don't see any problem with mounting them on the top. What you should do is feel the case when you get it and determine it's integrity. If for instance it is made of plastice that feels flimsy, you might want to consider drilling through the plastic and attaching you mounts to the metal frame on the inside, then "pretty up" the attachment on the outside depending on how it looks.
Regarding the soundblaster X-fi, I have this installed in my case which has a door on he front. The volume controls on the panel do stick out so the the door won't close, but it is easily fixed by loosening the mounting screws and sliding the control dash inward a little. I admit, it doesn't look quite as good as if it were flush with the cd drive, but hey, this is a modding lifestyle and there is plenty of room to modify the panel door so that it fits any ol' way you want it to.

[disfigured]

Thanks JD

JDbnsn wrote:
"As for the handles, if I understand you correctly, you want to install them on the top like a suitcase? I am not sure what "drawpulls" or "wirepulls" are exactly, but I don't see any problem with mounting them on the top."

Wire pulls or drawpulls look like this (http://www.eclectic-ware.com/Eclectic-ware/Amerock/amr-wire_pulls/amr-wirepulls1.JPG). I'm planning on putting two of them on the case. One the near the front and one near the back. Not inline with the length of the case, but 90degrees from the side of the case. Sort of like the handles on a crate.

JDbnsn wrote:
"What you should do is feel the case when you get it and determine it's integrity."

Your right. When I actually feel the case and can get a good look at it, it will tell alot. Here's a link to the case specs incase your not familar with it: Thermaltake Armour (http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Chassis/fulltower/armor/va8000bws.asp). I should have included them in my original post.

JDbnsn wrote:
"The volume controls on the panel do stick out so the the door won't close, but it is easily fixed by loosening the mounting screws and sliding the control dash inward a little."

I had a feeling that might be the case (no pun intended). My freind just built with the Thermaltake Tsunami (http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze4fnqp/index.htm) and the X-fi Controls won't let it's door close all the way and latch tight. It's not a big deal, and sliding it back just a bit doesn't look too bad. But it's an additional thing I don't want to have to deal with. Plus I'm leaning towards the Thermaltake Armour case, and was looking for a deciding factor to choose it. ;)

JDbnsn wrote:

"I admit, it doesn't look quite as good as if it were flush with the cd drive, but hey, this is a modding lifestyle and there is plenty of room to modify the panel door so that it fits any ol' way you want it to."

Maybe next case. I'm no modder (yet ;) ). The "handles" on this case are mostly a practical issue. Every independent reveiw on the Armour case, mentions it's bulkiness and weight. A lot even say "it's no L.A.N machine". Problem is I have a few freinds who get together every year at buisness location that has a T-1 for a private L.A.N party. Even for the yearly spring cleaning of my computer area, it would be nice to have an easier way of moving this behemoth around.

Thanks for your help JDbnsn