Project Stealthlow

[Waynio]

Stealth merged with flow = Stealthlow = Project Stealthlow :)
Because it's going to be quiet & powerful with a great air flow layout.

Finally got the magic ingredients :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/Newbits001.jpg

Funds
I sold a pile of my things to fund much of this project, so new system components for the finished project too :), won't be for a while so I need to get saving, had a couple of extra things to sell thanks to everyone involved at bit-tech & Dennis publishing for the magazine spread on Project Air Cube, highly appreciated, those parts helped me buy a 12 inch disc sander which will get a lot of usage in my modding & covered the cost of the fans for this project & a little extra towards the components which I'll buy later :thumb:, I went crazy & bought a GTX 580 though but I can enjoy that in between working on this & logging, awesome card btw runs metro 2033 @ 1080p dx11 max settings smoothly & runs GTA IV excellent with awesome settings, 2 very demanding games out of the ones I have.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlowComponents01.jpg

These are the fans I'll be using, the 80mm & 140mm are for replacements on my enermax galaxy 1kw & the 120mm ones are for the case.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlowComponents02.jpg

Sleeving, this is a first attempt at doing a quality sleeving job, wanted to buy a psu & sleeving but couldn't afford both after splashing out on the GTX 580 so was split between buying a Corsair 850w 100% modular psu & MDPC sleeving from Nils, I opted for the sleeving ;) all black because I'm a beginer in this area of modding so wasn't sure how much I'd need so this first attempt should let me know what's needed for future cases. I'll be replacing the fans & sleeving my aging but trusty enermax galaxy 1kw psu & possibly give it a paint job too.

Layout
HDD air tunnel push/pull/pull out the back.
PSU fan facing down with vents that catch the excess air from the HDD fans.
A bombardment of low flowing air coming from the front & bottom of the motherboard.
Colour undecided until I figure out what hardware is going in, waiting to see next gen CPU's up next from Intel but I'm keen to see what the new AMD cpu will be too.

Updates
Had the materials sat in my room for about 2 weeks now but been busy tweaking the design & making a solid game plan for the project so I know exactly what I'm doing when I go to the garage, every other time I've done a case I spent heaps of time in the garage just pondering on what to do, not this time, being far more organised about it & will keep the work area clean after every session ;).

Idea
It all started with me wanting to remake my first scratch build which was based on the Lian-Li x2000 & was awfully planned & shoddily done as I was learning metal work & construction from scratch so was a thoroughly half arsed effort & was put together very fast but I definitely learnt a good bit from it so this remake has evolved massively imo I started doodling silly concepts & quickly came to the conclusion unconventional pc case shapes often equal wasted space or cramped space compared to a square type form like most cases although some people are doing a fine job of proving otherwise :thumb:, so I ended up making a curved front/top while keeping all the rest square, so this is my first go at a slightly unconventional shape to break out of the square box mode & to keep it so I learn something new on each case :).

These were the first models that were presentable :hehe:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0000.png


Size & planning
The final design is definitely a tall case, 77.6mm taller than the Lian-Li PC-X2000F but it will be good for maintenance & cable management & have an excellent fan layout.

During each update I'll paint the aluminium pieces as being cut-out in grey & once the particular pieces have been completed I'll paint it blue like this, keeps it really well organised like a check list but more in depth & easier to know what stage I'm at on the project.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0001.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0002.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0003.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0004.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0005.png

Also every piece has got to be done 100% perfectly accurate to my sketchup model for all this to work so no 2nd tries on this project, gulp :D, ordered just enough materials, bad idea maybe, extra challenge definitely. But have planned heavily on the stages of the case so it should be pretty straight forward other than the acrylic curve, I haven't even done a simple acrylic bend before so if I'm careful & lucky I'll manage it, got a heat gun & a range of hard tubes so if I clamp them down good in key spots I should manage it ok I think, if not plan b to the rescue :D.

Almost every single bit will be DIY like my others, I've looked into anodising & no I'm not DIY'ing that, way to hazardous for my liking especially for big panels :eek:. It's possible I'll paint or powder coat but I would like to get it all anodised ideally.

So since my last post on the concept I added structure supports, case feet, grills, mobo mounting holes, expansion card mounting holes, the slot piece for holding the HDD's in place & added simple vents for it to get the ambient air & also worked out a plan b in advance for if I fail or don't like the middle curved acrylic piece.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0006a.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0006b.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0007a.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0007b.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0007c.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0008.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0009.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0010.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0011.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0012.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0013.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0014.png

Had to scrap the full length acrylic piece as I was out by 11mm once I figured out how to accurately measure the curve, the bottom area will be easier to do, stronger frame, better looking & more functional like this.

Anyway, I've officially started :), a tiny bit but still it's on.

First cuts & they went very nicely, I left about 1mm for error which I'll need to file & sand down to the exact spec, I really put the reciprocating air saw to the challenge by starting on the thickest sheet of 4mm, it took a while & was pretty deafening but got the base level & a few of the bits for the HDD cage mounts done, would have done much more but didn't get any sleep last night so went to make a coffee for a quick break & while I was doing that it hit me how totally shattered I am so need a rest else I'd probably mess up if I continued :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0015.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0016.jpg

Looking forward to a fresh day after a good sleep to get stuck in on the other panels :), just cutting out what is needed to do the bottom level & the hdd slot stand & cages & fan mounts to start with, then I can focus on the tricky part above.

Sorry about the huge splurge of text, hopefully I won't need to type too much on the updates & you can all just check the progress out with very brief details of how or what or why I done things like I do.

06-feb-2011 got sponsored for feet from Bill Owen :banana:.
http://www.mnpctech.com/CaseModStore.jpg (http://www.mnpctech.com)

[Waynio]

Wow Converted the 1000x1000x3mm & 500x250x3mm sheet to the sizes I need them at so they are ready for the detail adding to them :up:, don't know how long it took to mark up correctly but it took much longer than cutting it all & I'm glad I bought a good few sharpies, with the cold it was making them useless pretty fast, should be able to do all the rest of the marking indoors with the sheets being smaller, this is what's left of the sheets.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0021.jpg

Before the cut-up.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0018.jpg

Started cutting (point of no return :D).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0019.jpg

Here's the pieces ready for details.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0020.jpg

And to think I was never going to use this tool, it seriously kicks booty :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0017.jpg

And here's the status of what's done & needs to be done, grey indicates cut to size & bits that are done will eventually be painted blue, seems a good way to tell what percentage it's complete :up:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0022.png

[Waynio]

Got all the marking up done yesterday :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0027.jpg

Another bit I was slightly worried about was cutting the acrylic, worried if the saw cracks it so tested it out on a small

corner first & it did the job fine at a lower pressure :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0023.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0024.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0025.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0026.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0028.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0029.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0030.jpg

Cut the pci/IO pieces & the hdd fan holders to size.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0031.jpg

I coloured the cut to size bits for the acrylic white on the checklist.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0032.png

Tomorrow I'll hopefully put the disc sander to use & get the aluminium & acrylic slimmed down to the precise sizes needed, then they will be ready for marking up again for details :D.

[Waynio]

yea it is. have fun with that one :whistler:

:) So glad I bought a disc sander :banana:.

Woooo, package from Nils Germany & with his funky personalised drawings on, awesome :D, can't say I know another shop that does anything like this ;).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0033a.jpg

Anyway molex pin removal tool, crimping tool & nice stack of fan/atx pins which came with the crimp tool, 9 sata power through, 6 sata power ends, 150 pre-cut heat shrink, sata heat shrink, 2 lots of each sized cable management clips, 40 metres of small sleeving, 10 metres of sata sleeving & an example of a good crimp.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0033b.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0033c.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0033e.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0033f.jpg

Just gutted I didn't order a 1 metre sample of all the other colours, something I really should have done D'oh, he did put a sample of grey & red though :).

All of this won't be used for quite a while yet but it's here & ready for when I get to the sleeving stage of the mod which will be near the end of the mod.

Here is the disc sander :D, super awesome tool.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0034.jpg

Here is the mess it created after slimming down all the acrylic & aluminium pieces to the precise size :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0035.jpg

And here is the aluminium & acrylic to perfect size ready for adding details but still need to polish the edges of the acrylic :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0036.jpg

Also ran the unigine heaven benchmark 2.1 with the GTX 580 & wow it really out performed the 5870's in crossfire which I just switched from, I knew it would be good though after trying out metro 2033 with it being able to run maxed with dx11 & physx & was very playable, the 580 is not as long as the 5870 also, really amazing GPU honestly if the 480 was this good at launch I wouldn't have bothered with the 5870, not seen temps go higher than 70c & it runs quieter too, brilliant GPU & I'm enjoying Two Worlds 2 at the moment in-between the project & logging, the game looks & plays amazing :D.
Here are the Heaven results, ran it default 1080p no tessellation, default, default extreme tessellation, default extreme tessellation + 8AA & it performs awesome & all this was run on a p45 motherboard with q9650 @ 4ghz & 8gb ddr2 @900mhz so with even better system specs should perform even better.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0037a.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0037b.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0037c.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0037d.png

Up next, polish the edges of the acrylic arrrrrrgh lol.

[Waynio]

You could always make steel toe covers for those trainers...we are modders, after all. ;)

LOL :up:.

Here's pictures of the edges after cutting & using the disc sander.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0038.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0039.jpg

Couple of action shots while I was doing the 240 grit, I found switching between these 2 grip styles kept my hands functional for longer.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0040.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0041.jpg

And the mess & result from many hours on 240 grit.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0042.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0043.jpg

Then did 600 grit, then 1200, could go & do the 2000 & polish but feel there is no need, now all thats left to do with these pieces is when I get the new drill press cut fan holes in all the big pieces, sand inside the hole & start sticking them all together with the clear acrylic adhesive, then that's all the hdd fan holders made, I'm going with light, dark, light, dark, light

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0044.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0045.jpg

Holy sheet an entire day of wet sanding 6:30am to 6pm so I think I'll have no problem getting to sleep tonight, feel like I've been doing the twist dance all day lol :D.

[Waynio]

Good job man, that's a ton of work! But you will really notice the difference in the end, so it was worth while.
Thanks Brian & yeah it sure was but it's worth it :):up:.

I put the tensol 12 acrylic adhesive I bought to work, holy crap, nasty toxic fumes come from it, I was on the edge of not using it because it's so bad but made sure the front garage door & the other door was wide open & wrapped a thick towel around my face & got on with sticking the little pieces together, I used an art brush to apply it, my heart was beating way faster than normal & felt a little shaky (might have been because of the cold though), awful adhesive, I should have a quality respirator but they cost too much for one that offers genuine protection.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0043.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0044.jpg

And here they are stuck together.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0047.jpg

They are a bit wonky so I'll need to sand them all down to be level with each other, yay more sanding, also mucked up by filing down all the middle pieces instead of just the 3 for the fan wires :(, but luckily they won't be seen thanks to the flat bar which covers the bottom area phew :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0048.png

Just made a nasty discovery.
The 5mm sheets of acrylic are more like 4.9mm so all the fan holders are out by 0.5mm which is bad as the fan holders don't connect to each other now, so my only option is to sand down the bottom 3 fans by 0.5mm how s*** is that, so yeah this means anything I'm making with the 5mm sheet is not going to be correct thanks to the bad materials, the hdd fan holders is bad enough but I was going to make my own pci/io piece too, but might just about get away with 0.2mm error from the material, but holy sheet this isn't good :(, I can only guess they measure the materials with the protective backing :mad:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0049.jpg

Here is the new drill press with my hole cutter attached, I find it to be better & cleaner cutting than a hole saw :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0046.jpg

[Waynio]

I've never come across a piece of acrylic that actually was the size it's supposed to be. .25" sheets are more like .22" in reality, and yet they are sold as 1/4" lol.

Suppose 0.1mm out is very very good then :D:up:.

Update :banana:.

Razzed through doing the fan holes & sanded the fans down just enough so they fit in the holders, the fan holders still require a bit more work & then sticking them together, then the fans can slide in & out.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0050.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0051.jpg

[Waynio]

Update

A day just doesn't feel complete to me without making some progress & an update while creating something lol.

Decided to change the hdd cages a little for more air flow & this will make it less work too ;).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0052.png

Cut out & marked the extra hdd cage piece I messed up the other day from the new sheet of 3mm aluminium, so I have some spare if anything else goes wrong on the smaller parts, still only have 1 shot at the mobo tray & side panels though so I'll have to be extremely careful doing those :).

Woke up too late in the day to be using noisy tools but had a very long 14 hours sleep so I'll be up all night & all tomorrow so I'll try to get the hdd cages, hdd stand & fan holders completed tomorrow but can do some drilling as that's not noisy.

So here is the hdd cage pieces ready for drilling.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0053.jpg

And drilled, still need to use this nice stepless cone drill bit so I can get a nicely rounded ends & so I can use the reciprocating saw on it, then file & sand.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0054.jpg

And a quick test of the hdd mount holes, had to let them acclimatize to the warmer room, condensation aplenty :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0055.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0056.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0057.jpg

Also with my brain not freezing up in the garage & being well rested I've had a chance to figure out how I'll make the multi layer curved front/top pieces & in theory it works excellent & is pretty simple to be honest so that's 1 less thing to be concerned about ;), I think the bulk of the hard work will be making the side panels.

[Waynio]

looking very good. cant wait to see more

Thanks mate :):up:.

The supercharge from the long sleep wore off by the time I was able to get busy today but still got a bit more done today, took just over 3 hours to do these.

And thought why not do a step by step picture update for a change.

Piece ready for drilling with big enough drill bit to let the saw inside.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0058.jpg

Start & end points in.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0059.jpg

Clamp & cut.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0060.jpg

The finished cut with selection of files.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0061.jpg

After the coarse file.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0062.jpg

After medium file.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0063.jpg

After round file.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0064.jpg

After rough sanding unwanted marks off.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0065.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0066.jpg

Another test fit.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0067.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0068.jpg

Not sure if the reciprocating saw needs a new blade or because it was a hard piece to clamp properly but the cuts took ages & left a nasty mark on the pieces so I used the disc sander to level it all off so they just need wet sanding now.

[Waynio]

Sheesh, very insignificant update here considering the time spent on it today :facepalm:.

Took all day to sand the hdd cage bits.
I have learnt not to use the reciprocating saw without good masking tape on to protect the surface & never to use the disc sander on surfaces, edges are fine but definitely not surfaces, creates way too much work & as you can see on the piece at the top it left quite a big scrape, I did wet sand them but when I cleaned all the crap off the water must have had a bad reaction with the aluminium & left blotchy stains so I dry sanded them with 240 grit.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0069.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0070.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0071.jpg

I'm not happy with these to call them finished so I'll have to put another day into these pieces, all the inside edges are good though so at least I did something good on it today lol :).

[Waynio]

Actually I just put them together & they don't look as bad as I thought they were lol, sure they could use a little more sanding especially the one with the scar from the disc sander but yeah, not as bad as I first thought :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0072.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0073.jpg

[Waynio]

LOL :banana:, I don't know why but I felt like doing a little more so I cut all the rest of the bars for the lower part to rough size so they just need sanding down to precise size, then drilling & tapping, wanted to use the disc sander but was a tad too loud for 10pm :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0075.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0074.jpg

[Waynio]

The mounting hole on the side of the HDD is tapped and will hold that bolt just fine. Who's gonna know?:whistler:
:D, yeah they are fine, but the base plate is seperate from the side plates so need to mount an angle piece to join the 2, I've got a solution now though, it came straight after posting lol, typical :facepalm:.


I've never had any problems with tapping aluminum as long as I lubricate the tap with some engine oil.
It's always been a thing I've dreaded as it's always been a hit & miss task for me, I think I have it completely sorted now though :santa:.

Not an update, but a nice break through for me.

LOL, I just got an idea for drilling & tapping straight after saying I was going to have a little break.

I have used a cordless power drill before for doing some tapping but some how forgot about the success it was if done carefully, I also realised when using the drill press I didn't have the drill bit in far enough for it to drill exactly where I want.

So I thought I'd have a little practice/test with my usual 10/10 test to make sure something works :D, this time I made it 11/11 & they all came out absolutely perfect, so no need for a time out woo hoo :D, was really thinking I'm screwed when it comes to drilling even on a drill press, d'oh :facepalm:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0076.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0077.jpg

Only downside to this is now I can drill precisely where I want so none of this 0.5mm out annoyance I've been getting because of the drill bit not hitting the bullseye, so yeah I might remake the 4 hdd pieces, luckily the bases are spot on but the holes for the hdd mounts only just connect & is a struggle getting them to work right so I may re do these pieces, shame but I want perfection on all the function of this build :devcool:.

[Waynio]

I tried doing these simple angle connections 3 times now & still not happy with the results & 1 more muck up & I'll run out of spare angle bar, I think it's the low grade of the aluminium sheet, when I tapped the bars which is a high grade quality the taps were perfect & strong, not so with the sheet So I'm going to skip trying to tap them again & use adhesive, I'll be sure to run some strength tests before I do though ;). I'll buy the adhesive tomorrow along with materials for making some jigs.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0078.jpg

It kind of looks fairly acceptable but really it's gotta be better than how it is, a big part of the design is easy maintenance & if kept like this it could be a slight PITA maintenance :P.

Also came across a sweet way of painting aluminium in Darth Beavis's new lan rig which I'll be doing & keep the metal visible like anodising & it's simply candy paint straight onto the aluminium & clear coated so this is what I'll be doing for finishing & can do a good colour coordination this way too.

[Waynio]

What if you ran the screws the other way (ie, tapping the angle bar) or used rivets?
I've thought about doing that & probably will :up: but not rivets, wouldn't work.


Looking good!

As a former journeyman machinist I may have a tip for drilling and tapping for you.:think:

If you are not using a "center drill" before drilling the holes then make your mark and punch them so a regular drill bit will follow the mark.

Make sure you are using the correct drill size for the tap. Not just something close.

You can use a cordless drill to tap the holes but set the clutch at a low number to keep from breaking the tap off.

Also, try to use a 3 fluted tap instead of a 4 fluted one. The less flutes you have the stronger the tap. There are also "spiral" taps that are awesome but you may want to use them with a drill press to insure they go straight in.

Hope this helps.:glasses:

Thanks BS :up: I looked into getting a center drill but I'm really put off ordering bits with christmas delivery being very unreliable, I do use the correct drill size for the tap, for the m3 tap I'm using I drill a 2.5mm hole & is spot on, I really should get myself a good machine tap bit but again christmas delivery being unreliable unless I can pick express delivery which the ones on ebay are not making available :facepalm:.

I found for drilling & hitting the bullseye putting the drill bit as far in as I can & it doesn't bend to the side when contacting the aluminium so can drill spot on now so as long as I mark up completely accurate then it's good so I must pay more attention to my marking :glasses:.

LOL I did a mock put together to remind myself it is progressing dispite the hold up on a couple of simple pieces :D, the corner square bars aren't to precise size just yet, was like making a tower of cards :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0079.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0080.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0081.png

[Waynio]

OK I stayed up all night so I could make some progress & managed to make some woo hoo :D.

Filed a bevel on each of the fan holder pieces that come into contact with the fan blades because of having to slim the fan frames down by 0.5mm, these pieces still need a good bit of filing & sanding on them, then sticking together.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0083.jpg

Then slimmed down all the bars to precise size & done another mock fit.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0084.jpg

Then added the angle bars to the 2nd hdd cage so the hdd cages have turned out quite acceptable to be honest.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0085.jpg

Marked up the bottom panel & 2nd panel for fixing the square bars to the 2nd panel, but first I tried doing the tapping with power drill thinking I've done it before & was ok, well the tap snapped first try lol, had to cut another piece & get it to precise size, switched to doing the tapping manual & very careful, did ok for 2 of them, then another one snapped, cheap taps, then another, then went to try a new tap & found it was the wrong pitch size so the screws didn't screw all the way in properly lol, so I'm left with a 2 legged panel until I can get a new tap which I just ordered a few, cheap taps again because they were the only ebay seller that offered express delivery, it's the only sure way to get deliveries on ebay at this time of year.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0086.jpg

The ones I tapped successfully are very good, solid & perfectly in place wooooo :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0087.jpg

So not much done but any progress is progress + I'll have my sleep pattern fixed after today even if it is temporary :).

[Waynio]

this is quality fabrication :) this is the stuff that i love

Thanks mate, glad you like :banana:.

Got the fan holder pieces all stuck together & is a very very strong bond & since they are all together now I decided I'm going to make it so I can slip any standard 120mm fan in these holders as originally intended, none of this sanding down a fan frame nonsense, imagine the hassle of a simple fan change lol, also they all need a hefty sanding session to make them all blend together, unsure if I'll go for a polished finish or frosted finish.

Also I took over my desk fan to waft the nasty fumes well away from me this time, only problem with using a fan in below 0c temperatures is my hands were getting frozen lol, but thats way better than feeling awful from fumes :up:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0088.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0089.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0090.jpg

I'm thinking enermax apolish fans would look amazing in these holders especially if I frost the edges & would also serve as the power light so if I use a vandal switch which is highly likely because I just really like them :D I could use the LED bit as hdd activity, not bothering with reset switches anymore & for power light I'll just use case lighting from now & onwards :).

My bro would like some quiet case fans so I think I'll give him the 3 sanded fans for christmas hehe :santa:.

[Waynio]

Awesome, the new taps came today & I didn't waste no time turning the 2 legged plate into the foundation base, so that's the first & second level fully attached & 2 of the square bars for the hdd platform, this is really starting to feel like good progress.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0092.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0093.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0094.jpg

Done a couple of dummy fixes to show the hdd cages how they will be once fixed & with the front/top flat bars & front low piece loosely fitted, just couldn't be bothered doing more in the freeze today I'd end up naturally getting a cold :P.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0095.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0096.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0097.jpg

Think I'll finish these off tomorrow.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0089.jpg

[Waynio]

Ahhh, got past a fiddly time consuming bit, the hdd cage mount clamps & still managing to avoid adhesives completely except for the acrylic adhesive, all the metal work so far has been countersunk bolts & tapping :), finished this bit at 11pm & was a rather chilly -5c.

What you are seeing is 4mm sheet, then 19mm square bar, hdd cages inbetween slim 3mm pieces & another 3mm piece on top that overlaps the hdd cage base & meets up with the angle bar of the cage, it's such a good fit that I might leave the extra clamp I was going to make for the front & back of the cages as it takes a little force to make the cages slide out.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0098.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0099.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0100.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0101.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0102.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0103.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0104.jpg

[Waynio]

:( I'm a bit down, the fan holders just aren't gonna happen, the thickness of the sheet was 4.9mm not 5mm & I never knew until after I made the holders that cast acrylic sheet varies in thickness, this made the slot for the fans shrink by 0.5mm I tried filing & finger sanding to make the gap bigger but failed making a dogs dinner out of it so no striped lit up parts now, I sure don't fancy spending another £50 to replace the acrylic & rebuild, I'd sooner put that towards a scroll saw so I'm gonna time out & think about an alternative, actually I'm really disappointed with acrylic now after finding this fact out the hard way, sure it's fine for single layered tasks but for layered stuff that requires absolute precision it really isn't good if you don't know about this lack of precision in the material, however if you know about the varying thickness & plan according to that fact then it's not all bad & workable so I'll know for the next encounter I have with acrylic, also I messed up by not making jigs for while I stuck the holders together so they became rather wonky & required heaps of sanding to blend them seamlessly, done the sanding on 1 of them but wasn't happy with the result, they were supposed to be perfect fit & like I said, dogs dinner lol, so it's time to forget about the first big hicup & focus on an alternative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPWaQKuqENU

I wrote this a few hours ago, was tired & hungry, since had a meal, awesome far better alternative ideas already brewing :yellow_green: :D so there will be a surprise in this log after all :D, I might let the silly season pass through until I get started back up though & enjoy a bit of that GTX 580 goodness while it's still a beast ;), so over & out until January :bunny:.

[Waynio]

i love this project

+ vento weighs close to 15 kilos

Thanks mate is that with or without hardware? :eek::D, I don't believe I seen the end of that log, it was a cool project :).

:yellow_green::yellow::yellow_green:
Was about to post a why I can't fix it splurge of text & thought damnit I aint quitting on it yet lol, just checked what 5mm acrylic I have left over & only just have enough to remake the 1 I really messed up, the other 2 only got a light mess up so I got the 2 ready made ones put them in a tuppa ware box perfect fit & poured boiling water on them & put a lid on it & left for 5 min & simply hoped it would loosen the adhesive a little & it did, had to use a very thin blade to slowly force them open & finally got all the pieces for the 2 holders seperated so I have a lucky 2nd chance to do these holders correct with jigs which I will definately make this time ;)

Here is the redesigned fan holder which accounts for the 4.9mm pieces so with this they should work perfect.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0105.png

Did a loose fit together with a side & back panel to see what it looks like for the overall height.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0106.jpg

[Waynio]

Very little done but made the basic form of the extra hdd cage clamps, just need to shape the flat bars now & trim any excess material away from the stand & the hdd cages for it to work 100% correct.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0107.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0108.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0109.jpg

[Waynio]

Merry Christmas to you as well. and scroll saws rock :D

Cheers mate :up:, not tried it out yet but most certainly will soon enough :D.

Woooo hoooooooo produced an update in the freezing cold :D.

Had to re do the optical flat mounts as I did it so the optical were sticking out by 3mm by accident (I'm blaming the cold :wacky:)

So got all the bottom storage bits done, :) hmmm maybe not, still need to shape the flat bar clamps.

I'll work on getting it all cleaned up & brushed nicely later, just focusing on getting the basic form first, that is definitely it until I get the jig materials & on the 3rd jan I'm painting the house so that might take a few days.

Anyway it feels good to have made a little more progress :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0110.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0111.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0112.jpg

[Waynio]

this is looking brilliant. i really wanna steal this hahah

+vento was never completed. will be eventually

LOL Tanks mate :D:up: is it in a usable state though?.

Here's a picture to show the clearance between the fan holders & the optical.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0113.jpg

And here is rough concept of the jig I'll make for doing the bending, this is with a slightly adjusted curve at the top so it will duct the air out better.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0115.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0114.png

For the poles I'll be chopping up broom sticks lol :D.

[Waynio]

The wheels of progress are slowly starting to turn again :), got the jig materials & cut the 2 main panels to size & have an accurate model made for a guide for the jig, I'll mark up with the rest of today & get them made tomorrow.
I was recomended to get dowel poles but for ones of decent thickness it would have cost too much just for a jig so stuck with original plan of broom stick handles :D, they are 28mm thick & cost £2 per 1200mm pole & got 3 of them, I'll get 4 poles out of each one.
The panels are 18mm chip board, why get quality wood to be wasted on a jig?.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0116.png

[Waynio]

Brought the new year in with the bending jig :yellow_green::banana::yellow_green: all the best for 2011 everyone :up:.


http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0117.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0118.jpg

[Waynio]

Yaaaay got past the worst of the man flu so only got lots of mucus now lol.

Marked the acrylic to re-make the failed fan holder, then cut & this time I decided to use the jigsaw, went very well, I remember the first time I tried cutting thinish materials with the jigsaw & I never knew of the essential concept of clamping down a work piece very well before trying to cut so now I do & it went perfectly fine, it's a very cheapo jigsaw too so was pleasantly surprised with the clean cuts :), then I used the disc sander to get perfect edges, then used the hole cutter to add the holes.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0119.jpg

Now then, I put the milling bit to use, first I changed the drill speed to max & all I did was get the work base to the height I wanted to cut at & clamped a piece of wood so I could slide the acrylic pieces through slowly, do this for all 3 pieces adjusting the clamp as I go, did 2 cutting stages for all pieces, now standard 120mm fans can slide in & out without modification.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0120.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0121.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0122.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0123.jpg

I found I'll need to make all the thin sticks of acrylic a little thinner to match the edges, then I'm good to start making jigs for these fan holders, then I should have perfect fan holders as I originally intended :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0124.jpg

Here is a picture of the flanged nut rivets experiment that I milled just enough depth for them to sit flush, when I ordered the 8mm milling bit I had other nut rivets in mind so to use these how I want to I should buy the correct size mill bit so it looks correct.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0125.jpg

[Waynio]

Jig for the pieces with holes, 2 seperate layers to save space.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0126.jpg

The stick bunches.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0127.jpg

Hiccup of adhesive bonding the pieces to the chip board, D'oh.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0128.jpg
Had to line up a piece of wood on the floor & whack away with a mallet to release them, the stick bunches stayed intact but messy :D.

Did a quick dry fit trying out all 3 holders.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0129.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0130.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0131.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0132.jpg

Sanded down all the chip board & whilst I was at it I blended the stick bars together to make them seamless.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0133.jpg

Then combined them all how I wanted them about an hour ago by sticking them together, so need to let them set & cure for a few hours at least, the day is still young so I might be able to wet sand them all later in the evening for a perfect finish so another update today is possible, it'll take a fair bit of wet sanding though :thumb:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0134.jpg

[Waynio]

Did a few hours wet sanding then called it quits @ midnight, I'll finish them off tomorrow, got 1 of them close to perfect though so far, the one with the fan in :), they all only had a simple wipe down with tissue, once they are to a standard I can't fault I'll wash them properly & call them complete ;).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0135.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0136.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0137.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0138.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0139.jpg

[Waynio]

:) Got all the system parts ordered now & should have them on Monday, the spec will be.

Corsair Pro Gold AX850 PSU
ASUS P8P67 Pro Intel P67
I5 2500K
Prolimatech Megahalems Black
4GB OCZ Platinum 1600mhz 6,8,6,18

I've got these fan holders extremely smooth all over now but still parts here & there aren't seamless, truly is a monstrously tedious part of the mod, don't know if I can take another day of trying to make them seamless lol, anyway I won't bore you all with any more pictures of these until I get the apollish fans lit up inside them, the original goal was just to get them all perfectly aligned which I achieved but then the goal turned into trying to make them seamless so rather than waste more time on these I want to see what they look like lit up before I do any more on them which means :) upper level time, hope it goes smoothly & no major hiccups :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0140.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0141.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0142.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0143.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0144.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0145.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0146.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0147.jpg

[Waynio]

Alright, I tried out the bending jig on some spare flat bar, used 3 clamps to hold it in place, thought it might snap & give me a mighty slap in the face lol, I think the way to make it so it doesn't spring back so much will be to use a piece of wood & a mallet to whack the bar against the jig bit by bit, then it might keep the form I'm after, simply way too much tension in the bar which would make it lose form massively to do it any other way, but yeah it seems a faily simple process :), the hard part is making the bar the correct length, but I can get around that by cutting the bar with 50mm longer than I think I need & then cut it down to exact size needed :):up:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0148.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0149.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0150.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0151.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0152.jpg

[Waynio]

I got the form but not sure if I'll let it pass & take up Attila's tip about getting a roller or Kojak's awesome offer of rolling it for me :banana:, if I go with the roller I'll need to make a new jig also so I can take the curve from the roller & align the curve correctly, but I could keep on doing all the rest while I save up, I really shouldn't be spending any more for a bit so the roller might have to wait a couple of months before I can spend any more on it, undecided.
Heres what I managed through over bending, just not sure the acrylic piece will match for a flush finish :think: but I could remake the jig so it does match :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0153.jpg

[Waynio]

And here it is with both bars to perfect form woo hoo :D, just needs fixing to the base & the back panel & then I have my template for the mobo tray & side panels :D.
Used a big stew pan to perfect the curve :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0154.jpg

[Waynio]

LOL sitting around watching TV made me vegetate a little so I'm not in the mood for modding today but got the new parts :banana:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0155.jpg

[Waynio]

Grrr as I was a little worried about the light doesn't spread through the stick bars so the only way to do this right would be to plug some diy LED's in the base on both sides, but this could make for some extra nice effect :):up:.
Here it is with the LED strip draped around them.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0157.jpg

And here with just the fans.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0156.jpg

I suppose with the motherboard having bits of a nice blue I could use blue LED's the stick bits might look really nice too in a 2 tone :).

These fans are silent too BTW :up:.

[Waynio]

Bad news or typical news lol.

I'm gutted I chose to give asus a last chance, years later & same old asus, honestly every single asus board I have bought has been a PITA, should have waited a little longer to raise the money & bought the p67-ud7, all asus is good for is wasting my time & stressing me out, honestly I'd be happy to pay double for a product that works so I take that back about gigabyte out pricing themselves lol I guess their price is very well justified.

Obviously there are many who don't have issues with asus but me I have been very unlucky with every single asus board I ever owned, I'm going to try & get a refund to put towards a gigabyte p67-ud7 I haven't got time for asus BS & waiting for a stable properly functioning bios.

Switched my socket 775 back in play until I have the gigabyte board which won't be for a while :(.

Cold boot & restart issues btw so freaking annoying utterly temperamental on how it works, wasted an evening & all night so I declare asus as total garbage.

Not sure if I should bother wasting more time trying to get it working :?.

[Waynio]

The store I bought the asus board from confirmed it as being dead so I wasn't wrong :banana: so got it switched for the msi p67a-gd65 & it is awesome :up:.

I'm not certain but I think intel advise not to go above 1.5v on the ram & think I found out why, when I did put my ram up to 1.6v it also increased the cpu volts from 1.17v to 2.05v

My ram is 2x2gb ocz platinum 1600mhz 6,8,6,24 1.65v so not rated for these new sandy bridge rigs & I'm running it as 1600mhz 7,8,7,24 1.6v but holy sheet this memory wipes the floor with my previous 900mhz ddr2 big time more than double fast & with good low latency too.

I'm yet to overclock this rig, just been getting things sorted before I go there but I'd be really happy to achieve 4.5ghz on this & with the temps I'm getting on this I see no reason not to get to 4.5 or higher :).

Ran some bench marks with my overclocked q9650 & ddr2 so when I've benched this new rig on stock settings & overclocked I'll post my findings comparing the 2 :).

I'm super impressed with the msi board being rock solid & for having a reset cmos switch that totally works the second it's pressed so now I see gigabyte & msi in the same light, heck msi might be my new favourite as it had 2 extra sata ports & the cost was good & affordable which is a nice bonus so while msi are probably under selling themselves while their name rises to greatness, gigabyte is ramping up the price because of it's already situated good rep I think the winner of these new boards is msi in the premium low end :up: and asus pffft :(:facepalm:.

[Waynio]

Got the needed bits to carry on so can start back up whenever which will probably be tomorrow :up:.
Helicoil kit, helicoil removal tool, 100 m3 helicoils for 3mm material, hex driver since it's the 2mm size I always use, aluminium case feet which I'll heavily mod, m8 countersunk high tensile bolts, m3 countersunk bolts & m3 button head bolts.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0158.jpg

[Waynio]

Project is alive again :banana:.

Here's the helicoil set minus the 3.2mm drill bit, very glad I tried them out, all you do with these is drill the hole, tap it, use the question mark shape tool to put the helicoil on (it has a slit & the helicoil has a stick out bit) & you place it in the hole & turn until it sits in the thread by 0.5mm or 1mm, then you pull it out & then push in the hole with the blunt tool & shake out the bit from the helicoil & woo hoo you have a very good reliable thread :up:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0159.jpg

I put helicoils in all the corner bars, top & bottom so they are solid now.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0160.jpg

Back panel fixed onto the base.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0161.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0162.jpg

This is how I did it instead of messing with the drill press I used the cordless drill, clamped it in place measured & marked, did a spot drill, then a 2mm drill, then the 3.2mm drill for the helicoils so it was perfectly placed ;).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0163.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0164.jpg

The front optical/fan plate clicks in place (nice fit) & holds without bolts but it will be bolted up.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0165.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0166.jpg

Didn't take pictures of my attempts but started off wasting a couple of hours trying to use the disc sander, getting toasty throw it in cold water at least a hundred times D'oh, then switched to the air finger belt sander, was taking too long, then went on to vice & files & if I'd have started off with vice & files I'd have probably got them both made lol, but spent too much time on them for today so I'll do them tomorrow, anyway nice progress making up for down time I think :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0167.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0168.jpg

Ah & the wood piece is to keep the back panel straight, some how it is slightly curved but will be fine once the motherboard tray is made & installed :up:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0169.jpg

[Waynio]

OK set out to at least make the curve bar connectors & get the curve bars fixed to the rear panel today & done it :).

It was hell to make the connectors from the 19mm square bar & didn't truly fancy using the acrylic bar so luckily I had some 6mm by 25mm flat bar that I bought when making the stack unit that never got used & turned out to be perfect for making the connectors with so with them only being 6mm thick they wasn't to thick or to thin for putting helicoils in, thought I'd need to put 2 bolts on each curve bar but 1 on each was good enough, if I'd have known that I'd have put the bolt in the middle, oh well.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0170.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0171.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0172.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0173.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0174.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0175.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0176.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0177.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0178.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0179.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0180.jpg

So with this done now I'll be able use the fixed curve for making the templates for the side panels, motherboard tray & bending jig for the acrylic :).

[Waynio]

The curved bars added a little unsquareness as expected so I need to get it squished a tiny bit so it's in perfect square form so I can get the accurate curve line for the motherboard tray, this bit really needs doing to keep the squareness of the case, so really I need to make a jig for a jig for a jig lol, I'll have it sussed & done soon, I could simplify this part but it would be a gamble for it being perfect so I'll go for the j4aj4aj :D, had to take a break to have a think of a solution & the day is still young so I'll get started on it in a mo ;).

[Waynio]

Looking great. Good luck with that j^3. :P

Thanks 88 :):up:.

OK :) here is the jig to keep the case in correct position so I can mark the motherboard tray panel.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0181.jpg

Here it is in the jig.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0182.jpg

The rest of the 4mm sheet.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0183.jpg

Cut to required size & this picture shows how much the curve bars are pushing it quite unsquare hence the need for the jig :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0184.jpg

Lined it up which was quite fiddly to get in the exact spot but got there & marked the curve.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0185.jpg

Jigsaw time :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0186.jpg

Cut done.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0187.jpg

Filed down to precise size using a rough half circle file, then a medium, then soft & forgot to file the bit at the top out where the connector pieces are so went back & filed it out.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0188.jpg

Woo hoo, motherboard tray panel ready for mounting which I'll try & get done tomorrow :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0189.jpg

[Waynio]

Well got about 4 hours in today so not bad but nothing like the days when I'm up at 6am & put a solid 8 to 12 hours in :).

The jig can hold in the case upright lol but put a plank of chipboard for a little extra support, spent most of the time lining up the mobo tray with the curve bars so it doesn't need forcing in so started marking the areas that need shaving down a bit shaving bit by bit off & re marking over & over about 10 or more times until it naturally slid in, so got the mobo side of the case nice & square now even without it properly fixed in place with angle bars, but the other side is unsquare by a little but that will be fine once the side panels are made ;), when taken out of the jig the mobo tray stays in place which says it is doing it's job of keeping it square like in the jig :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0190.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0191.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0192.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0193.jpg

So once I got that done I started on the side panels, they were already to rough size needed but needed straightening by filing away, so marked a perfectly straight line to file down to & got busy, my right forearm is like popeye's now lol :D, the next pic shows the side panels filed to size with 2x 3mm flatbars also & it's nice & ready to get them marked up, cut & filed & the 2nd pic shows how it's to precise size :), actually when I think about it I could make it so the side panels click into place rather than use bolts but either way They will need a little handle of some sort on them so I can remove them :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0194.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0195.jpg

I'm leaving the acrylic curve piece until I have the metal work ready so I can make an accurate as possible curve ;).

[Waynio]

Only got 2 hours in today, the natural alarm clock did nothing this time lol.

Left panel cut to rough shape.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0196.jpg

Right panel cut to rough shape.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0197.jpg

All 3 panels but the side panels only got filed to a rough form of what they need to be so I'll be filing to exact shape tomorrow as I got kicked out of the garage so my dad can get some excercise lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0198.jpg

[Waynio]

Ooooh. Nice. :D

:) I'm feeling great with all this progress each day :up:, it's like spring has come early :banana:.

:D Already happy I got up early, filed both panels to fit perfectly, basically I only needed to get 1 of them spot on & then align it on top of the other & mark around it, then file away so they are both the exact same shape so now I'm going to go draw the simplish window design & maybe get them done today :), came over to the house so I could do the measuring & drawing in the warmth & thought why not post where it's at after a few hours :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0199.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0200.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0201.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0202.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0203.jpg

[Waynio]

Whoops or flipadeedoodar or colourful language flowing :D, the curves are different to the sketchup model, I knew this but some how forgot I was going semi freestyle with the curve related bits & just using the sketchup as a reference, well here's what went wrong, I drew the window cutout I wanted to do which was correct, but I added the borders seperating the top & bottom wrong so the 2nd level will be seen through the bottom windows, already weighed up the cost for another big 3mm sheet & a word similar to sheet springs to mind mostly because I had it near half done before I tried it out on the case :facepalm:, damnit chin up & just order the sheet. Gutted because if I held off on putting all the holes in for the jigsaw I'd have been ok, shame but sheet happens :facepalm:.

No worrys, I'll just have to order a new sheet & at least I can quickly shape it back to the needed form, but damn it was starting to look cool :D.

Here it was in progress & when I put the panel on loose I seen it & insta face palmed lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0204.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0205.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0206.jpg

OK until I put the jigsaw start holes without checking the panel, what a crapper.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0207.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0208.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0209.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0210.jpg

Something good has come from it though, I can handle the jigsaw a heck of a lot better now :).

So pretty major hiccup but I'll get it fixed asap, just a shame but I can get to work on the connector pieces while waiting for the new panel & just use the failed panel as a template.

[Waynio]

Okey dokey I extended the length of the upper windows by properly measuring & marking & shortened the length of the lower windows, these should be spot on how I want them now, I'm using this faulty piece as a crash test panel so I get it totally spot on & will make doing the other 2 quite easy, anyway got the rest of the cutouts done today, only spent about an hour today, tomorrow I'll cut all the lower windows out & get all the the windows filed down to exact pattern then I could make 1 of the panels & wait for the sheet to come & with me posting these pics I'll cut back on pictures of the same process when I'm doing it for the finished pieces :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0211.jpg

This picture shows clearly where I mucked up :facepalm:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0212.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0213.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0214.jpg

Nearly all of the aluminium looks quite a mess by now but I'll be cleaning it all up & then doing a brush on it all so don't think it will be this rough looking when complete ;).

[Waynio]

And one template ready for the new sheet, 1st picture shows straight after all the jigsaw work, 2nd shows after some filing & also shows how it's perfect size & shape for either side :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0215.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0216.jpg

[Waynio]

Got some supports added for the mobo tray, still needs securing to the curve bars & I think I'll wait until it's anodised to do those as rather than adding more holes to the curves I'll use a super strong metal adhesive & bolt the mobo tray & side panels into the pieces I stick in.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0217.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0218.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0219.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0220.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0221.jpg

[Waynio]

I started really late today but luckily I seem to be able to do the more technical mounting stuff better & faster late in the day & it's all quiet work so I took another step forward by getting the angle bars mounted for the side panels.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0222.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0223.jpg

Also I've been looking for alternative ways to colour aluminium without painting or anodising & found alcohol ink, anyone ever tried it, I've ordered 1 bottle of black & 1 blue to test out on some scrap, apparently it comes off if handled regular but to prevent this you can brush a sealer onto it so ordered some matt sealer too, can't wait to try it out, also it is dirt cheap so if it turns out ok then that's a heck of a break through when it comes to finishing for me, reason I'm looking for alternative colouring is I'm having great difficulty finding info on how to mask the mounting holes for if I get everything anodised as the helicoils would be damaged without masking but I suppose I could change all the bolt sizes to m3.5 or m4 if I have no luck in finding out how to properly mask the holes.

[Waynio]

Found what I'll need for masking the helicoiled holes, they are like ear plugs but made from silicone specially designed for the job :).

Been going at a good pace but I think I'll pass on making a physical update today & let my energy build back up :D, I got the replacement sheet of aluminium ready & waiting but I ordered some better jigsaw blades so hoping they come tomorrow, if not then I might just get started on the final side panels, I should be starting with the fretsaw really to get the pci/io piece made but I'll probably get around to that in less than a week :).

I have however thought up a much better looking & way of mounting the fans around the mobo, was going to keep it secret though until I've managed to make at least 1 of them, it's a sweet idea in my head so hopefully it'll work as I imagine it would ;), ordered 3/16 inch round bar for these.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0224.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0225.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0226.png

Also the aluminium case feet I ordered & planned on modding them, I've scrapped that idea because they take m8 bolts & I got some m8 countersunk bolts & they are way too big & blompy so decided to order some 2 inch round bar & I'm going to make them myself :D sorry Bill for using a rough design of yours hope your ok with that :redface: I do plan on adding some forms of detail on it too so it's not just plain, I have a plan of using the drill press like a lathe with long full threaded bolt & nuts lol should be interesting, I have my doubts about this one but it's worth giving a try :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0227.png

[Waynio]

Ugh, my energy & concentration levels peak at the wrong time of day, think it stems back to when I excercised every single day for a few years late in the evening so naturally the best time for modding is evening onwards which is bad if I have any noisy stuff to do so I'm finding it very difficult to progress at the moment, don't want to be going at this with my head not being 100% else I'd probably muck up.

I tested the alcohol ink out though, had trouble applying it nicely with cotton wool, so tried a brush, then tried a sponge but I think some kind of feather would apply it pretty well, but I have an airbrush which I think I should try out with this stuff as I wasn't able to get consistent application, anyway the below pics show the ink applied with sponge & the final 2 pictures show it with a fresh spray of clear lacquer so I'll see what it looks like tomorrow, there are loads of bits on the surface though so it's far from optimal lol.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228a.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228b.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228c.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228d.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228e.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228f.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228g.jpg

[Waynio]

:) About the black ink, someone said it looked copper, someone said brown lol it's supposed to be black :D, anyway the black turned out pretty naff, 1 of the blues turned out half decent though but I'll stick to the anodising with the case ;), even tried the ink out in my air brush, it gave a much better finish but I'd need quite a bit of the ink to do the whole case so figure a nice solid protective anodising job would be best.

Here they are once the clear had dried.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228h.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228i.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0228j.jpg

Not got my tripod handy.

[Waynio]

get creative and anodize it yourself! :D

http://www.rapidfirepaintball.ca/Anodizing.htm

:D To be honest I'd really love to but anodising is something I'd need to have someone who knows the whole process teach me lol, I couldn't read up info & try doing it myself, too dangerous & I'd have no idea where to get the chemicals :D.
Looks like a lot of good info on the link though :):up:.
Also where the heck would I get an 800mm long by 500mm deep tupperware box lol :D.

I really like doing everything myself so when the time comes for finishing maybe I should just practice my air brush skills from zero to ok :D.

[Waynio]

:D So I want to make the case feet now since I got the 2 inch round bar, I really should have got it cut to size as it took me from 8pm to 1:30am just to get them to size, flat & square wow that was sooo tough & thought I'd never get them simply to size & square lol, was all nice & quiet work though so didn't matter ;).

Here is the case feet choices I've set for myself & still think the ones modelled on mnpctech look the best lol but I might get a last minute idea like with the fan mounts, suppose I could keep them as they are & add simple grooves into them :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229a.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229b.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229c.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229d.png

Here is the 2 inch bar next to a 3/4 inch square bar & the daunting task ahead of cutting it straight & to required size, it's by far the thickest stuff I've ever cut through.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0230.jpg

Would have used the mitre saw but I find it difficult to clamp in place properly if it's a short length like this 125mm piece which is only just enough for 4 feet :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0231.jpg

So I took it to the vice, with it being so thick I put a mark about every 15mm & just used the hacksaw to get the saw line twisting the bar around bit by bit & carrying on until I cut all the way through, if I'd have gone straight though from 1 angle it would have been way off & the end result of the first 1 was spot on, however one of the others came out at 23mm instead of 25mm so had to file them all down to the same length, oh how I wish I had a chop saw lol would have been done in a few minutes, anyway got them all to the required same size & square flatness.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0232.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0233.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0234.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0235.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0236.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0237.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0238.jpg

Woooooo :D almost ready for the drill press lathe trick, just need to drill the bolt hole for mounting it in the drill press.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0239.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0240.jpg

Sooo just hope I don't balls the next stages up :D.

[Waynio]

That ink looks Awesome! can you post a more detailed process of how you got it to look like that? I want to color my next project made from aluminum, and dont want to play with sulfuric acid in my apartment...

It is a lot better than I expected it to be :up: & it is sooo cheap, plenty of colours, I like the way I can still see the brushed aluminium underneath it, I bought the silly applicator that goes with these inks but the applicator is garbage as the so called felt patches are actually cotton wool & leave bits of the cotton wool on the piece, could have bought 3 extra colours for the price of it too :facepalm: so I tried out a normal house paint brush which left it all too streaky, then I got the results shown by gently using a sponge to brush it on, just takes a few drops of the stuff & it dries extremely fast like less than a minute, then did an abuse test to see how well it stays & if it's on a part that will be handled regularly it will rub off so it needs a sealer so I'm going to get some matt sealer for it & give it maybe 2 coats, just need to find the right applicator to get it applied nicely then I think good things could come from it & it opens up creativity massively for anyone who is ok with art.

I'll do a mini interval post when I have another go at applying it with step by step picture guide :up:.

[Waynio]

Been messing to try & design my own feet.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229e.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229f.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229g.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229h.png

Also just used my new jigsaw blades & wow they cut miles faster, got the new side panel cut & filed to size in about half an hour, was easier than cutting cardboard with scissors lol :D.

[Waynio]

Sorry about all the feet talk lol but just designed another but with an inclusion of LED's.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0229i.jpg

[Waynio]

Ugh marked the feet very precisely to get the center & done the spot drills but when I was drilling with the 2.5mm bit it snapped & the bit that is in is unreachable & it's truly peeing in the wind to try drilling it out, so only got 3 feet now :redface:, soo I think I'll leave making my own case feet until I get a lathe which would be over a year away, I know the lines don't look right in my marking but they were just a rough guide of an inch, I used my digital calipers to mark the center, anyway the feet I'll forget about for now & get to work on the rest of it.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0241.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0242.jpg

There is possibly some news on feet but I'll leave it for now :).

So I turned my attention to cutting out the windows for the side panels, would have got all the jigsaw work done today but on the last 2 windows the blade kept falling out as soon as it touched the aluminium, it fell out about 40 times before it even got to cut 1mm, was driving me mad especially with it just being 2 small windows so called it a day lol :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0243.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0244.jpg

[Waynio]

congrats!


Way to go on the sponsorship!:banana:

If you still want to salvage those feet to use for another project, try one of these (http://homerepair.about.com/od/interiorhomerepair/ss/screw_extractor.htm). They work well and any place that sells tools should have them.

The case is looking good. Where did you get that ink from?

Thanks guys :):up:.
Will a screw extractor remove a snapped off drill bit :facepalm: nonetheless I should get some of those as I've had screws lose their socket before & it's hell to get them out :D.
The ink I wouldn't know where to get it in the US but try googling alcohol ink, afaik it's scrap book background colouring lol :D I was really clutching at straws to find a way to colour the aluminium but so it keeps the grain like how anodising would, it didn't survive a simple nail scratch though even with 1 coat of clear on so I think for it to work well it would need a clear primer coat, then the ink, then clear lacquer but I can only find clear primer in the US :facepalm:, in the UK I can find clear primer but only for plastic or wood, I'll try a few more things before I give up on the ink & if any degree of success I'll post how it went :up:.

[Waynio]

Probably, but you'll probably need a carbide-tipped drill bit to make the initial hole in the bit.

:think: Maybe my spot drill bit could do that :up:.

Got the rest of the windows cut out & mounted the side panels to the bottom corner bars today (they both still need to be filed smooth & to the guide lines) but on 1 side the helicoils aren't working as they should so before things get anodised I'll need to fix this by either drilling the helicoils out all the way through the corner bars & then putting longer helicoils in or drilling holes for m4 helicoils & bolts, the side panels are essential to function spot on, sure I could relocate them but then there will be un-needed holes & I don't want that similar thing happened with my first scratch build & won't let that happen again :D, I'll try longer helicoils first but I won't be able to buy them until next week.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0245.jpg

[Waynio]

Was up early so got started on filing the left side panel & wow was I seriously wrong about it being a half hour to an hour task :D :facepalm: started at 6:30 am had the filing done by 10:30 am, only had a 5 minute break, the satinising mops came the other day & thought I'd clean up the freshly filed panel with the coarse grit one & wow I really like it, possibly even enough to not get it anodised but thats my initial reaction to how good it looks anyway :D, also used the satinising mop on the curve bars.

Fixed the 2 iffy helicoils on the right side, managed to remove them & tap it again & put new ones in & it's good now :D.

Did what I planned on doing by doing the brush flow the same as the shape ;).

Currently taking a little break to post this update, then I'll watch a show then get back to doing the right panel, need a good hour break after all that filing.

So here is the coarse satinising mop on my drill & a scrap piece for testing.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0246.jpg

Heres the another test piece after the brush.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0247.jpg

Heres the left panel after all the filing.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0248.jpg

After the satinising.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0249.jpg

Closer look.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0250.jpg

Back on the case with both curve bars brushed too.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0251.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0252.jpg

Hopefully if I can stand it I'll get the other panel done today :).

[Waynio]

Wow, that's quite a difference. I'm picturing that with the blue colour and I think that would be a really stunning look. Great work and congrats on the sponsor!

Thanks MainMan :), I still need to find a good way to apply the ink if I go with that, the sample pieces I done with a coat of clear on was able to scratch it off with my nail quite easily so probably need a clear primer for extra grip, I give up with the black ink, just can't get it looking good even with the airbrush it has hints of purple :facepalm: but there is hope in the colours next time I'll try a few coats of clear :up:.

OK don't know what driven me but I filed the other panel & brushed it so that must have been about 8 or 9 hours today filing so have sore finger tips lol, still needs a good bit of work like sanding the edges so they are perfectly smooth looking & need to get rid of some scratches which the alu already had when I received it but it's going well, also I thought I fixed the right side panels helicoils but no they are still iffy so best thing to do is remove the helicoils & use m4 helicoils & bolts, shame as the left sides helicoils are perfectly fine so I must have drilled the right side badly creating too much space.

Bunch of pics of the pieces for today, couldn't help myself & took quite a few :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0253.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0254.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0255.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0256.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0257.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0258.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0259.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0260.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0261.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0262.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0263.jpg

[Waynio]

Holy sheet I've developed a muscle in my forearm I never knew existed & it aches a lot, filing total for yesterday & today rounds up to about 17 hours, gahhh I feel like a zombie.

The brass thread inserts are meant for acyrlic but I must have miss drilled the bottom right side holes for the helicoils so were not a good tight fit so I used a 4mm drill bit for the brass inserts, placed them in the hole.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0264.jpg

Hammer time :D

Put masking tape over it to keep it in place & whacked it in with a hammer, then fine tuned the whacking with a small hammer so it was in flush, good stuff :D, seems I clipped the back panel & it made the right panel not go on correct so whacked the excess off with a chisel & it goes on fine now.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0265.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0266.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0267.jpg

Fan mount bars.

Cut the main 6 bars to required size & was only gonna do these 6 & the other optional 2 or 4 tomorrow but done the lot today.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0268.jpg

Many hours of this.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0269.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0270.jpg

Test fit
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0271.jpg

Panels on with an extra bolt near the top back of the side panels & the front 2 fan mounts, top fan mount & bottom fan mount filing done.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0272.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0273.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0274.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0275.jpg

[Waynio]

Knowing people are following the log & commenting really does give me that bit more drive to keep moving forward, without the comments from people I'd still be doing slack efforts lol so thanks for that :up: & last but not least thanks to every other modder who do amazing projects who have inspired me to do better :):up:.

I marked up the mobo panel for the fan mounts & where the pci/io piece will go during the night but need to make the pci/io piece before I can mark the mobo mounting holes so I'll work on that tomorrow, had a crazy long sleep waking up at 2 pm yesterday after the filing so I count that as 2 days worth of sleep :D, I should have been up all day too which should mean a decent update by the end of today but I nodded off the sleep so wrecks the acceptable noise time levels so tomorrow it is :up:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0276.jpg

LOL I can't figure out why I didn't draw the pci/io lines on the materials when I drew the mobo tray layout last night as it's taken near 3 hours & it's ready for taking to the garage to be cut out which with it being near 8 pm I'll leave until tomorrow now but a little more rest won't hurt :D.

This was inspired by an aluminium billet pci/io piece I seen a while ago here on bit-tech but the guys price was I think nearly 200 euros (about the cost of the aluminium on this project), I was in love with it but the price ended that lol so I decided to make my own solid pci/io piece by making layers, the theory is spot on, just hope it turns out the same :) taken precise measurements from a lian-li piece, made the sketchup model & now it's time to make it.

I'll be using 2x 5mm acrylic sheets, 2x 2mm aluminium sheets & 1x 1mm sheet to make a 15mm thick piece, only the 2mm inside sheet will have slots, all the rest will be plain cut out area, always wanted to make my own & figure this will be the easiest way to do it compared to bending a sheet of alu.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0277.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0278.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0279.jpg

[Waynio]

This was going to be an update earlier but got cracking on with an alternative so it wasn't a wasted day :up:.

LOL didn't go to plan :facepalm: the metal work did but the 5mm acrylic pieces didn't it's just soo brittle so came back in to get my thoughts together & as usual came up with an alternative which is all aluminium & if that fails then I could always go with a pci/io piece from another case & admit defeat on making my own but I'll give it another try but yeah that means loads of marking up again which takes a while to do right.

So the new plan is 5 3mm pieces bolted together, got 1 done & checked the IO cover from my last mobo & it won't go in easily because of it being 3mm instead of 1mm thick so to fix that all I need to do is give it a bevel on the last piece so the notches of the IO cover can click on.

Anyway the marking up will be nice & fast actually as I have 1 of the pieces made & it's spot on so it'll make a good template even for the 1 with the slots so back to it I go :D included the failed acrylic pieces for a laugh, the 1st 1 when drilling ripped a corner off & the 2nd 1 was going ok & cut out the IO piece but the reciprocating saw melted the cuts so wouldn't fall out & with already being frustrated with the 1st piece I whacked it out & it ripped it in half lol.

Hopefully I'll have some more pieces done by the end of the day, especially the 1 with the slots.

Started off positive.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0278-1.jpg

Metal work went well.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0279-1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0280.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0281.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0282.jpg

Hmmmm acrylic pieces :lol:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0283.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0284.jpg

Last try but this time all alu :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0285.png

Alright, got the needed pieces marked up in about 15 minutes thanks to the piece I already made, time to cut these out & even with getting them done as fast as possible it took 4 hours to cut all these & they require a lot of filing, I'll just have to remember it'll be worth it lol.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0286.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0287.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0288.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0289.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0290.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0291.jpg

Yeah they look rough as I don't know what but that will change after heaps of filing :D.

[Waynio]

Started at 9:15 PM, finished 4:40 AM lol, managed to keep the noise quiet by clamping heavily & holding the pieces so they don't make any vibration or high pitch noise, then came in & cleaned the kitchen, made a coffee & started putting this together while parking my rear, ahhhhh :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0292.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0293.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0294.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0295.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0296.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0297.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0298.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0299.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0300.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0301.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0302.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0303.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0304.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0305.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0306.jpg

They still require some more work but nothing major :).

[Waynio]

Rolling on again :).

Today I thought why not just make the pci/io jig for while I drill 2.5mm holes for fixing the plates together & used some 2.5mm nuts & bolts while I file them so they blend together better, inside work is done on the 4 plates while the slotted plate needs finishing & the exterior needs the same inside treatment to look good, but yeah I'm liking how they are turning out & the 2.5mm holes are ready to be tapped for m3 bolts :up:.

Think it took about 2 to 3 hours this.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0307.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0308.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0309.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0310.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0311.jpg

Also while I was getting busy doing this & came back over to see if the bolts had come they have :) so I have the 15mm m3 countersunk bolts & the m6 countersunk bolts for the case feet (wanted to replace the standard bolts for countersunk ones) but thinking about it I might go with the easy option of using the stock bolts, undecided :think:.

[Waynio]

I tried, I failed at making my own wish it were billet pci/io piece lol bleep happens, 1 of the bolts snapped in half & is stuck in the piece & the hole is countersunk so can't hide that & can't accept such a big imperfection so I drilled a spare pci/io piece off an old case & I'll go with that now, 2 things I'm gutted about: 1 the amount of time ultimately wasted on making this part. 2: it was starting to turn out awesome.

Also the 15mm bolts I ordered were 13mm this is why I had to countersink deeper so they'd stretch the full length.

I know I could fix it by filling all the holes & using adhesive to stick them together but that's not a standard I'd be truly happy with so I'm gonna try to forget about it & use the standard piece.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0312.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0313.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0314.jpg

[Waynio]

I was premature about calling it a failure :banana:.

So here's what I done.

I did the rest of the bolts to hold the plates together & the failed 1 I ignored & did a new bolt very close to it, had to grind the bolt down so it was correct length, then started on the mounting holes for attaching the piece to the mobo tray & back panel, used wd-40 on all the drilling, tapping & then put helicoils in all the mounting holes, I left the expansion card holes alone as I'm thinking of making a clamp piece that holds all cards in place.

So I'm going to use body filler to cover all the countersunk bolt heads & to hide the failed hole & for getting the mounting holes aligned to the mobo panel & back panel I'll use my tried & tested cotton bud stick with a blob of paint on method lol it works perfectly so why not :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0315.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0316.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0317.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0318.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0319.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0320.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0321.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0322.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0323.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0324.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0325.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0326.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0327.jpg

[Waynio]

0.0
\_/

Whoa.

:D:up:

Ugh it's 1 of those days where I'm trying to do something but getting nowhere & just over thinking & was even considering going with a regular pci piece again so came back into the warmth to get my scatterbrain together lol :).

My good old method of using cotton bud tips wasn't possible (cotton bud sticks were too thick for the holes), that method was only good for rivets or fan holes so instead I put bolts in the mounting holes, filled the sockets up with paint & then pressed it against the mobo tray so it was perfectly to the edge & it worked perfect, but I found I'll need to do that for the back panel first as there is a tiny gap so yeah that means I have 3 unwanted holes but luckily they are hidden behind an angle bar :D:p.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0328.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0329.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0330.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0331.jpg

So time to rest, then go at it again tomorrow :).

[Waynio]

All but 3 of the holes lined up, the off 3 were only off by a smidge so I used my 3mm mill bit to expand the hole to where it was needed & it's nicely done :D.

My countersink bit is past it's best though & started making a bad job of countersinking so it's time to throw it away :( but I just ordered a new one so hopefully it will be here soon :).

Also with it being so well fixed to the back panel I believe I can get away with not attaching it to the mobo panel, it's all solid so no real need :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0332.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0333.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0334.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0335.jpg

[Waynio]

Looking great. That is such a nice design.

Since your countersink went dull you can also use a drill bit that is about twice the size of the hole. Just use it gently or by hand even.

Also, clean up that work area!! :)
Thanks BS :):up:, I've ordered a new countersink bit & yeah it's about time I cleaned & tidied the garage :D.


OK. I am now lurking (cough cough) this worklog.

Have I given you enough rep yet?
jk

*Apparently I have.
hehe Thanks AmEv :):up:.


Very nice indeed. As far as attaching it to the mobo if theres no flex in the mobo tray or back panel there's no reason at all. Most cases just aren't built this well. :D
LOL thanks msmrx57 :):up:.

:D A bit that I think every diy modder fears getting wrong when making the mobo mounts is done & correct so with me not being a drinker or anything I'll post a load of pics instead lol :D.

So, I put the case on it's side with the io shield in.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0336.jpg

Took my last pc & placed it in the case.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0337.jpg

Held it up enough to have the io bits fit inside the shield & drawn along the edge & with the edge being drawn I could remove the io shield.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0338.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0339.jpg

Then line the board up to the line & poke a marker through to get the exact mounting positions, then spot drilled, then drilled, then tried tapping but the tap fell straight through :(, so I either used the wrong drill bit or drilled it badly so I went back to the trusty brass inserts & made the hole 4mm & whacked them in :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0340.jpg

Then put the standoffs in.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0341.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0342.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0343.jpg

Tadaaa & wooooo hooooooo :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0344.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0345.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0346.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0347.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0348.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0349.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0350.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0351.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0352.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0353.jpg

Now all I need to do is drill & file the expansion slots in the mobo panel.

Also I pre-drilled the positions for the fan mount bars.

[Waynio]

Looks good! Part of scratch building that has kept me from trying is the mobo standoffs. You just made that seem a whole lot easier than I imagined!
Also, just wanted to make sure you're using a tiny bit of oil when drilling and countersinking. It's hard to believe the difference it makes.
Great job!

Thanks mate it can be overly complicated or simple & went the simple route :D.
Yeah I only just started using a lube when drilling, tapping & sinking & yeah it makes a big difference lol :up:.

Just got the countersink & counterbore bits but the counterbore wasn't what I was expecting (the pilot was the size I needed but the cutting bit was way too big) so that won't be used & the countersink bit is garbage & might need to remake the back panel, the sink it made is nowhere near as smooth as the ones I did with my other bit so need to get same type of countersink as my last which means sometime next week before more progress :( just hope I can get away with not needing to do a new back panel.

[Waynio]

Was going to leave the project alone for a few days after finding my new countersink bit was crap (it said it is for metal but I highly doubt this & knew I needed a new one, ordered the same type as my last & decided to do the slots for the expansion cards on the mobo tray.

I also have a solution for the badly done countersinks on the back, not massively ideal but it'll work :).

The upside down hdd cage, but since found a source for left angle sata cables but I'll just have to hope that 600mm is long enough, should be :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0354.png

Marked, drilled & started using a manual fretsaw to make the expansion slots.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0355.jpg

Just needs filing.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0356.jpg

Filed & brushed both sides of the mobo panel as it was looking pretty shabby & put back in the case.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0357.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0358.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0359.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0360.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0361.jpg

:)

[Waynio]

Had a real lazy day & just tested the pci expansion cards line up correct & phew they do :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0362.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0363.jpg

Now just need to make some kind of easy maintenance clamping piece for holding cards in place :think:.

[Waynio]

Here is my first idea for holding the expansion cards in place, it would be made from solid aluminium bar with brass inserts that are screwed in from the rear panel, a hefty amount of filing again though lol :D but the theory works for me & might even look ok :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0364.pnghttp://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0365.png

[Waynio]

LOL Tried that clamping block idea but couldn't seem to get the needed pressure on it while clamping, kind of a 3 or 4 handed job :D so then I tried using 6mm flat bars a piece above & below the expansion slots with a theaded insert in the ends which I have to admit is doable but might not look so good & it would still require a fiddly install which goes against the ease of use, so I ordered a lian-li part hehe, one of those toolless pci clamp things but thats just going in the spares box now but I might study it & make my own some time :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0366.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0367.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0368.jpg

The reason I didn't want to add the usual threaded holes is a 5 stack of alu wasn't the original plan so there could be issues with expanding & loss of form, maybe it would be possible to drill & tap it if held in a vice but I'm not sure it's a good idea.

I'd heartily recomend not making your own pci/io piece based on a standard one after this lol, at least I know this for sure now :D but then again this was my first time, making something fairly complex & the first time is always a bit of a nightmare when you only have a rough idea of what to do so if you do have a go at making your own be prepared for muckups :P.

Anyway I thought why the heck not just have a try at holding firm in the vice with a clamp, drilling, tapping, helicoils, now things didn't go correct with the pci/io mobo standoffs, I'd say I'm about 2mm away from where it should be but it all still works as it should so everythings ok :).

Nice technical markings ready & spot drilled lol :P.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0369.jpg

Tapping
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0370.jpg

Helicoils in & done :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0371.jpg

Ohhhhhh Shheeeeeeet :eek: but will be fixed up when I get around to doing the body filling ;).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0372.jpg

Works awesome but yeah some body filler work to get this piece spot on :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0373.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0374.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0375.jpg

And this shot shows how it's probably 2mm away from where it should be, oh well at least it all works as it should :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0376.jpg

[Waynio]

Got all the fan mount bars to the same sizes & made the notches so they are all the same & match up correct, spot drilled the mounting end, drilled, tapped, helicoiled. tried out, just need to add the fan mounting holes & countersinks as I intend to use regular black fan screws but still waiting for the countersink bit.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0377.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0378.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0379.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0380.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0381.jpg

I'll get the mounting holes ready for when the countersink bit gets here.

[Waynio]

Ok so as I said I some how miss drilled the front fan mount bars so had to fill them with body filler, done 1 filling a good thick cover then filed & sanded down, then done another light layer to get a perfect fill & sanded to 600 grit so is ready for painting, then installed them back in the case, put thin strips of scotch mounting tape on the corners of the fans & stuck on & took a bunch more pics, & there is 320mm space for expansion cards & my tripod needs fixing up as it's getting wonky.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0382.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0383.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0384.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0385.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0386.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0387.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0388.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0389.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0390.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0391.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0392.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0393.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0394.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0395.jpg

Whats up next, who knows that acrylic has to be done at some point & the psu vents & wire management holes need putting in but have no idea what I'll do next :D.

[Waynio]

Well, whatever it is, I'm looking forward to it. :D

:D Thanks 88 :):up:.

Ah I think it may be the right time to work out where to put wire pass through holes & a guide for how to lay the cables out, I'm not doing a load of single wire pass throughs as seen in some other neat cable jobs I'll instead make big enough holes for the connectors to get through & make a good fitting cover that untightens a little so I can lift it up whenever I need to change things, I also want to include a way to have a wire mess hidden but accessible & functional under the hdd cages as there is some space for extras there.

Is it possible to make diy sata cables or open them up to extend them, anyone know about this? I found left angle sata cables but might need to mod the length to get it just perfect.

[Waynio]

Well, on with the show flow! +r
:D Cheers AmEv :up:.


I saw a brief tutorial on modifying SATA cables a while ago...I'll see if I can find it again.
Thanks 88 :):up: I measured the furthest hdd position to the furthest sata port in the layout I want to do & it comes to 615mm so I should be fine with the left angle sata cables I ordered, also John on bit-tech pointed me in the direction of a tutorial for going diy on sata cables :).

Got all the filling work done on the pci piece which has presented yet another new thing, rounded edges where I done the filling lol so yep that means I'll have to dedicate a bit more time to making the rounded edges consistant for the slots, anyway it took 3 layers of filling before I got a finish I can live with so just need to round the edges & paint then this piece is completed.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0396.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0397.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0398.jpg

Showing it with the lian-li black vented pci brackets I bought & I feel this is going to look sweet once finished.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0399.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0400.jpg

[Waynio]

I still need to figure out if I'm going to add a regular rear fan as I remember slightly regretting adding one to the air cube with the cpu cooler being in push/pull config so I have a tough decision on whether I should add a fan or cut out a spawling grill from the pci area to the spot where there is usually a fan, tough call but there is always the fan just above the io spot which would probably do the job fine, I'll take a bit more time to decide :up:.

Pulling away to make the rounded edge I accidentally put in consistent.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0401.jpg

Cut a little piece of wood to use as a sanding block to make the task much better & easier.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0402.jpg

Made the edges 100% square & gave the edges that show a smoothed rounded edge, so now thank goodness this piece is ready for painting at last :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0403.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0404.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0405.jpg

I was thinking of body filling all the lines where the plates connect to each other but don't feel the need to be honest because a: it will consume another day & b: it might end up a mess but I suppose I could use a filler primer which would be much easier & probably better.

And apologies for posting updates the minute I finish for the day even with fairly insignificant updates, hope it's not boring or irritating anyone lol.

[Waynio]

Looking good. I can't wait to see it with paint!

As for filling the lines, personally I think I would leave them the way they are. I think they add to the overall aesthetic.



Bah! That's what worklogs are for! :D

Thanks 88 :):up: yeah I think I'll skip filling the lines, I think I came out with the boring comment because the pci piece took so long to complete & was starting to bore me lol :D.

New jigsaw in action & the LED light helps big time, much smoother jigsaw than any I used before & didn't even need to clamp up like usual, yep it's a gooden for £30 :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0406.jpg

PCI/IO cutout done.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0407.jpg

PCI piece Attached.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0408.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0409.jpg

Working on the 2nd level, never took any pics of the way I figured where the sata cables need to go through, this circle cutter scares the bleep outa me so I hide behind a big board in case it flys off :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0410.jpg

Took ages to cut it out but got there.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0411.jpg

Smoothed everything off & brushed both sides.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0412.jpg

Wire management holes & need to file a small section away from the optical angle bar.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0413.jpg

Only cut out the pci/io area on the back panel as I'm gonna ponda on what to do with the rest of it.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0414.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0415.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0416.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0417.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0418.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0419.jpg

Very hard to see it but the hole is in perfect alignment with the psu fan & will catch the excess air flow from the hdd fans.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0420.jpg

[Waynio]

Here is how I aligned the mounting holes for the psu, cotton bud sticks cut off ends, pressed into the mounting holes, put a blob of paint on & press against the back panel & pull away, spot drill, drill then countersink.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0421.jpg

There was 2 unwanted holes back from when I tried a clamping system for the pci cards so I used a custom circle hex graph to try & align it correct but failed on that & then failed on not using a small drill bit at first & instead used 1 that was a tad too big so silly me went & drilled big holes to remove the botched area then took a break cursing like a gooden & generally feeling down thinking I'd have to order a new sheet or an iffy repair lol, even considered cutting out the entire bad area & trying to fit another cut to precise size & fitting inside the bad area & filling the edge.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0422.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0423.jpg

Took a few hours to spot drill all these.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0424.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0425.jpg

Anyway similar thing happened when I was doing the back panel mesh on the air cube so thought screw it I'll give it a shot & the following was 100% freestyle :D but is to be continued tomorrow as it was getting a bit late.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0426.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0427.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0428.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0429.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0430.jpg

If after tomorrow I can't make it good I'll give in & get a new sheet.

[Waynio]

Here, I couldn't be bothered doing more than getting back to where I mucked up but I could just about be bothered to get a pic :) lol.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0431.jpg

[Waynio]

Started 6 am Friday, finished 8 pm had a few quick coffee breaks.

Days like today make me remember why I make my own cases, the past few days I've been questioning why am I bothering doing this lol & the answer is in the pictures, the first botch up panel was one of those where I don't know what to make of it & wondered if I could grow to like it but todays effort I knew immediately I'm glad to say wooooooo :yellow_green::D.

OK so I missed out on taking pictures with the custom circle hex pattern I downloaded, printed from http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/ but I cut to size & stuck down with cello tape & marked the centre of each circle which tested my patience over a few sessions through the night lol but whenever it got too much I just watched a show to break the monotony & when it was done I covered it in cello tape so it all stays down & left until 6 am.

Not sure how long the spot drilling took but it was quite a while, then drilled a 3.2mm bit & then used a 7mm bit, then got my bigger countersink bit & accidentally went too deep on the first one so did all the rest at the same depth & pretty fast I noticed it was a good accident for 2 reasons: 1 it adds a nice & easier way for the air to get through, 2 I think it looks pretty damn good.

The circle at the bottom I wasn't sure if I should go with a plain hole or do the mesh so I went with the mesh & had to just use a few 3.2mm holes for the ones closest to the edge of the wanted circle, not a bad result I think :).

Flipped the piece over & done slight countersinks on the exterior side, then used wd40 to get the tacky cello tape completely off & then used the satinising mop to minimise scratches & then went over it with a fine satinising mop, dusted down & installed back to the case & wow I love it when I impress myself & feels a fair while since I done that, so then enough blah blah & enjoy the pics :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0433.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0434.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0435.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0436.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0437.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0438.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0439.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0440.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0441.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0442.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0443.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0444.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0445.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0446.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0447.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0448.jpg

Awesome day :).

[Waynio]

So you want to keep the brushed metal look? That's easy!

Have it powder coated with clear. You can use clear powder coating over any raw metal. You can also add pearls, metal flake, etc. There must be someone around you that can do powder coating.

http://www.eastwood.com/hotcoat-powder-coating/powders/clear-powders.html

This video shows how you can polish something and then do some artwork using decals. They polished a bat and then added some color but for your case you would just get the metal brushed and then clean it and powder coat it clear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yBf-cPHs7o

There is also one other way -
If you have an automotive paint store go in and tell them what you are doing. They can show you some things. Ask them about using just the "toner". It's not clear but it comes in lots of colors. It's fairly transparent so you could keep the brushed look and spray a cool color over it and the brush markings still show through. Then you can clear coat that and it would look awesome.
:) Thanks for opening another option BS, I had no idea there was clear powder coating :D, had me looking around to find out what I'd need to setup a powder coating system & it's all fine except for making my own oven lol I could do that but it'd keep bumping up the cost of the build but on the other hand it could be a very good investment, I even came across candy powders not many colours though but still I only thought there was just solid colours for powder coating, thanks again for opening my eyes to an alternative +rep.


Actually, if YOU find out about one, let me know and I'll start to stock it at work - we regularly get people who want to clear bare metal and we just don't have a product designed for it.

We do have a waterclear plastic primer which is, effectively, a mild etch but I have no idea if it'd work at all on metal - I'm assuming it wont do jack as I'd assume any etch for metal would be acid based whereas any etch for plastic would be based on some kind of chemical reaction with the plastic.
Here is a few I found through a sleepless night of searching :D.

Universal Adhesion Promoter U-POL Aerosol Grip#4 (I've seen the price of this one vary from £8.50 to £17 :eek:)
http://www.autopaintsbrighton.co.uk/universal-adhesion-promoter-u-pol-aerosol-grip4-450ml-235-p.asp

VHT ADHESION PROMOTER (sounds like good stuff but is for very high temperatures but dunno if that matters tbh)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VHT-ADHESION-PROMOTER-SP440-/250673892499?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a5d540c93

Adhesion Promoter and Sealer
http://flowkochem.com/clear.php

Dupli-Color/11 oz. clear adhesion promoter
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Dupli-Color-11-oz-clear-adhesion-promoter?itemIdentifier=460112
http://www.amazon.com/ADHESION-PROMOTER-CLEAR-PRIMER-AERO/dp/B0007UAXJQ

Ideally I want to clear prime parts, then use candy paint & then a matt or satin lacquer, want to avoid gloss :), it's still possibly weeks away but it would be good to get it all sorted out so theres not any waiting, I'll be buying a spray gun too for doing the candy & clear coat.

[Waynio]

:) Update

Ok so I mounted the psu & mobo for figuring out where the cable holes will go.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0449.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0450.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0451.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0452.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0453.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0454.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0455.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0456.jpg

Drilled 10mm holes so I could get a square file in & make the holes, they look square & ugly but I have a plan for making them all very very neat but I'll save that for a later update.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0457.jpg

Then took the bottom panel off to add the feet & was going to measure & mark but there was markings left behind from the begining of the project woo hoo :D so I opted for the points on the corners so the bolts will overlap where the corner support bars are but I chose to use countersunk bolts instead of the ones that came with the feet as I wanted them out of the way, they were way too long so I grinded them down.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0458.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0459.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0460.jpg

Feet on :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0461.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0462.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0463.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0464.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0465.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0466.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0467.jpg

So I got the wire pass holes made, shortened the curve bar supports, expanded the optical angle bar so sata data & power cables will go through both now, cut to length a perfect length wire for the cpu power & atx power as a first step of the prep for sleeving, installed the feet Bill sponsored me with.

Doesn't feel like much progress for almost a full day but progress is progress :).

Thank you for sponsoring me Bill, the feet are awesome & the Modmen show is too :D.
http://www.mnpctech.3dpixelnet.com/picture_library/2010.mnpctech.banner.jpg (http://www.mnpctech.com/casemodstore.html)

[Waynio]

OK time for some MDPC sleeving :D.

Being new to a full on sleeving job, a quick google her a quick goolgle there & BAM.

How to remove an ATX plug
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=64632

Snipped the heatshrink, cable tie & sleeving off the corsair ax850 atx cable.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0468.jpg

Then went & gathered pliers, wire stripper, the crimping tool I got from MDPC in all it's matt black glory :D & my ridiculasly huge disposable lighter my bro bought me for christmas & isn't even half way used since christmas lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0469.jpg

Got a paper clip straightened out & tried using it but was too thick soooo, I took it to the garage, snipped it in half & grinded it so it was nice & thin.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0470.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0471.jpg

Tested it & it does the job of removing pins awesome, instead of pressing it against the ground I held it tight in the pliers to push it the extra needed amount, first attempt & it came out perfectly, so so much for this psu being difficult hehe :D, still though I'll need to dig out an exacto blade so I can heat it up to cut the sleeving well.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0472.jpg

Nils awesome trademark custom cartoon picture :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0473.jpg

40 metres of black sleeving for single wires & I think 10 metres of sata sleeving too, 150 pre-cut heatshrink pieces, a nice length of heatshrink, a pile of pins, a load of cable clip pieces of all the available sizes, enough sata power pass through pieces & a few sata power end pieces, that is all I think :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0474.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0475.jpg

I might only do the CPU cable & the ATX cable tonight but it's on :):up:.

[Waynio]

For heating the heatshrink, I would highly recommend picking up a heatgun (or a hair dryer would work too) instead of using the lighter. With a lighter you run a much higher risk of heating the tubing too much or even catching it on fire, plus you're limited in the range of movement that you can use it it. IE, only underneath or maybe to the side of the tubing, whereas with a heatgun you can attack it from any angle, and you can be much more precise in the amount of heat you convey. Plus, the heatgun will force the air into any little nooks and crannies and between wires, getting into those tight spots that you just can't reach with a lighter.

Luckily I have the option of both :), it's just that with the sleeving pack it said best results with a lighter by sweeping it past carefully, but it may have said that for those without a heatgun.
I have used a heatgun for a light bit of sleeving & it burnt the sleeving but then again I wasn't using the correct size heatshrink :facepalm: anyway I brought the heatgun over also so I can find out which works best, thanks for mentioning though 88 :):up:.

[Waynio]

This lot took me ages to sort out, the place I bought my molex cable & fan cable mixed them together & they were a nightmare to untangle.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0476.jpg

My first 2 ok crimps.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0477.jpg

My first 2 wires done, but I'll be taking these out to re do them, so I'll use the rest of the atx crimp pins to get my technique perfect, but I had to make a new order for a pile of female crimp pins & a tiny bit more sleeving & some nice black fan headers, so yeah the sleeving is back on hold for the time being, at least I'll be good & ready to go at it like I know what I'm doing when it gets here :) & yes I now realise the heat shrink should only be showing a little which is why I'll re do these to get it perfect :up:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0478.jpg

The lighter worked out best for me, tried the heat gun but it was blowing the heat shrink around too much lol whereas the lighter worked perfectly :up:.

[Waynio]

OK now I feel the pain on my finger tips but moreso blisters from clenching the pliers lol but thats mostly because of the DIY pin remover I'm using (a grinded flat piece of a paper clip & using pliers to drive it through) lmao :D, hopefully I never laughed at anyone when they mentioned it is painful because now it's time for them to say haa haaaa :P if I ever did :D, think I just did in my mind :D, anyway I'm glad to say I'm not creating any waste since last night & I have a trick up my sleeve for getting any of the heatshrinks that aren't the same, a razer to finish them off ;), but they are very close but I'll leave it to you lot to judge :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0479.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0480.jpg

LOL I keep nodding off to sleep, I better jump on my bed :D.

[Waynio]

Haha I couldn't resist waiting for the crimp pins & used the final 8 female pins for an extension lol.

I took the pictures first under my daylight bulb & then with a shade covering the shine & it gives a dramatically different look, looks blingy under direct light & like awesome shoe laces without :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0481.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0482.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0483.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0484.jpg

So thats the CPU & ATX cable done :).

[Waynio]

Ahaa just when I thought I'd run out of things to sleeve with the bits I have I thought I'd make a start on the sata power cables, next up is fan sleeving I used nothing but the scrap stuff I have for doing these so I reclaimed all the black wire & put all of it to use & I'll be able to finish these off easily with the waste sleeving & still have plenty for shortish sleeving jobs, I'm now quite confident I'll be able to sleeve everything :).

Only got 1 WIP pic of this bit & it's pretty dark.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0485.jpg

Couldn't take this any further as I need the female crimp pins.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0486.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0487.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0488.jpg

Plus I already have the left angle sata cables & they are sata 3 :).

[Waynio]

Got the package from Nils & from KustomPC but they ran out of black molex wire & spade connectors for the vandal switches so thats on back order.

Just need to find the bunch of ac ryan molex pass through adaptors I have laying around somewhere but in fear of not being able to find them I made an order from America (performance-pcs) as that was the only place I know that sells them now which is odd as they are awesome molex pass through plugs, I chose the ceapest delivery option so might take some time for them to arrive.

The 9 fan splitter cable is perfect for what I have planned with it & it looks to me like it uses MDPC sleeving too which really surprised me.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0489.jpg

This shot shows the fan splitter next to MDPC sleeving, I'd say it's the same stuff but for taking a wider load.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0490.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0495.jpg

A few of the sample pieces I have & the red seems to glow :D I'm already looking forward to doing a multi coloured sleeving job some time in the future :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0491.jpg

Load of female ATX crimp pins & fan crimp pins :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0492.jpg

Load of fan plugs.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0493.jpg

Lian-Li wire kit as I'm sick of not having printed mobo headers for my switches lol & also a psu tester which will be very handy for testing fans/lights but I got this one for using on the stack unit to replace the paper clip I use on it :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0494.jpg

And here is a shot of a very rough idea of what I'll be doing with the fan splitter.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0496.jpg

So back I go to finish all the sleeving if possible & I won't do another update on the sleeving until it's complete :D.

[Waynio]

Wow that was a needed change of modding :D.

I found the sata power pass through holes weren't quite big enough so had to make them bigger, also not pictured here I added 2 10mm countersunk pass through holes for fans close to the corner & also made a mount for an ssd aligned to do another sata power cable that powers the ssd & optical, the cable for that will be extremely short :D, still need to mod the angle & square bar in the bottom to allow fan cables to go underneath the hdd cages.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0497.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0498.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0499.jpg

The ssd mount is just a small piece of 10mm flat bar that mounts the ssd & a 20mm flat bar that connects to the 10mm one & screws into the panel by 1 bolt, nice & simple :).

Also made the mobo panel power pass through holes bigger since I'm using extenders for those.

So now I can continue with the sleeving honestly can't wait until I complete the sleeving :D.

[Waynio]

Nice SSD mount. I love the simplicity. :up:

Thanks 88 :):up:.

Just finished all the sata power cables :) & got some pics of it all including the floating ssd :D been doing very well at using up the waste sleeving, sorry about the poor quality pics but I'll make up for that when it's all completed ;).

Oh yeah & so much for no more updates until I finish the sleeving, I'm in a habit of updating as I make progress :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0500.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0501.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0502.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0503.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0504.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0505.jpg

[Waynio]

OK Partial update lol

This shows why I went & had a go at making the sleeved ATX extender become the main ATX cable, it was silly long lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0506.jpg

Tested out crimping onto 2 wires & to be honest it went fine.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0507.jpg

And was also able to plug it with sleeving in the socket.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0508.jpg

Snipped all the ends off the extender end I didn't need.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0509.jpg

Started on making the 4 dual wires, I used wire strippers near the end of the wire to create an opening where I could join a 2nd wire.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0510.jpg

2nd Wire tristed around nice & tight & knotted.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0511.jpg

Cut the pre sized heatshrinks in half & applied over the wire.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0512.jpg

Covered it completely.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0513.jpg

And here with sleeving & heatshrink on & crimped ready for installing to the corsair cable & to merge the custom cable to the thoroughly awkward corsair dual socket.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0514.jpg

Then the rest well....

I need a new replacement corsair AX850 ATX cable as I took the wires out of the wrong end & yes I didn't just take 1 out, I took 12 out without realising I was focusing on the wrong end so I don't know where the heck to put the new wires so I emailed corsair explaining my situation & hopefully they'll help me out on this & soon, I don't expect it for free but I just hope they can help.

[Waynio]

An awesome chap on another forum made a diagram of where the wires go on this AX850 psu & shared it with me so saved me having to wait for corsair to help out which was a huge relief :).

Well I completely ran out of heat shrink after completing the main ATX cable d'oh so yeah to keep the sleeving of a consistant quality I had to make an order just for heat shrink :( but at least this time I will be able to dedicate a good chunk of the week to getting started on the windows :), I'd expect any future efforts for doing a sleeving job I'll only need to do the 1 order :D.

Here is the atx cable :), not as neat as an extender as wires cross all over the thing with it having 3 ends but I'll have no clutter around the psu now ;).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0515.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0516.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0517.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0518.jpg

[Waynio]

I got back to the fabrication side of things since I can't do any more sleeving until I get the extra heatshrink :) & wow I really thought this would take a bit longer to do but I breezed through all the windows in a few hours & only a few of them needed a tiny bit of filing to fit in lol but it looks like the alu needs giving a nice finish again & the edges of the acrylic still need sanding so they are nice & smooth which should keep me busy for tomorrow :D.

Of course I'd love to rip the protective backing off to show it off good but I want to keep it all perfect for when the time is right :D.

So I thought about reducing the scuffs the jigsaw leaves by covering the base of it with masking tape, it worked :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0519.jpg

Here is the 1000mm x 500mm x 3mm light tint acrylic ready marked, was nice & simple to do, just plonked the side panels on & traced around the holes.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0520.jpg

First panel done.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0521.jpg

Both panels done.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0522.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0523.jpg

At this rate if I go & buy a bunch of clamps this week some time I could do the acrylic curve this week also but I still need to add sata data pass through holes on the motherboard tray.

[Waynio]

Here is a sample of the light tint acrylic stuck to the 2mm clear acrylic, can't say I'm impressed really but maybe it would look better than bolts especially if I only used a faint blob on the edges of the ends of the windows, other option would be to make sure it all gets an even coat of the adhesive so it's all uniform.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0527.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0528.jpg

[Waynio]

Well I'm very eager to get these windows stuck but I'm gonna have to wait for the glue syringes to arrive so I can apply it better, dunking something in the glue & trying to apply it is just not gonna happen as it leaves a trail of adhesive & makes applying it a nightmare lol so instead took a few more pics of the side panel & 1 piece peeled back a bit as a teaser lol :D & it's in the best lighting possible broad daylight.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0529.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0530.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0531.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0532.jpg

Hopefully I'll be able to continue really soon :crossed:.

Nearly forgot to add the following.
Going off the testing I just done though I'll go with applying a tiny blob of the adhesive to both ends & the middle to fix the windows to a 1 piece clear acrylic internal panel that bolts on from the outside, it will give a slight imperfection to the windows but it'll look better than bolts I think :).

[Waynio]

I went & cut the dark tint to go with original plan of alternating the tints I also had to mount the 2mm clear acrylic pieces to the other side before I could stick the windows to it & had to bolt it down in quite a few spots so the tinted windows would stay flush.

Yeah so the function part is spot on but cosmetically if viewed from some perspectives & with the right lighting it looks bad but found under the good lighting in my room it looks pretty sweet.

Enjoy the pics for now though :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0534.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0535.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0536.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0537.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0538.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0539.jpg

This shot really shows how bad looking the blobs are.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0540.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0541.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0542.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0543.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0544.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0545.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0546.jpg

One panel partially done but requires some good thinking to hide the adhesive messes :D.

And up next the right panel.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0547.jpg

Suggestions welcome, not sure if I should re attempt doing these windows with a different fixing technique, I have thought about adding trim but wow I'll need to ponder on designs that will compliment the original design which will be hard but doable I think, could even prompt me to try something a little arty but it would have to be quite subtle to look right :D.

[Waynio]

One last look at the case before I do the new panel & windows, the new alu sheet came today.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0548.jpg

Got the ATX, CPU, PCI-X, Sata power cables complete & my index finger is partially numb with grasping the pliers soooo hard lol, hopefully feeling will return & it's only temporary :eek::D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0549.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0550.jpg

And tested all cables ;).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0551.jpg

Still got Molex cables & fan cables to sleeve but they should be far far far easier going on my hands lol :D.

I sent corsair the email to jackflash & ramguy on the 24-Mar about me knackering the main ATX cable when trying to sleeve it, even mentioning I'm willing to pay for it since it was me who screwed up the cable lol then I joined their forum after googling about corsair support & seeing quite a few people waiting forever, made a new thread just to get in the picture of how it works, a moderator said they don't reply but instead just send out the replacement cables as soon as they are available, anyway I got an email on the 28th saying they don't have any at the moment but as soon as they have they'll get 1 sent out :), the next day I got another email saying thanks for contacting corsair customer support please allow 1-2 business days for process :).

Today it arrived in the post :D awesome, thats good going since it had to ship from America :) but an awesome chap on another forum made diagrams of where the wires go before starting doing his so I had it fixed well before the replacement cable came lol but nontheless corsair came though :).

So I guess people who have been waiting a really long time either didn't communicate too well with them or contacted the wrong email or it got lost in post, for me they were very good & I wouldn't need to think twice about buying more corsair stuff, good service & I'd expect even better if your in the US :) so I give corsair 2 thumbs up :).

Here is the new cable not that it's needed now though.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0552.jpg

[Waynio]

holy wow this thing has progressed since the last time I saw it!! I absolutely love this case!! very cool.

Thanks a lot billygoat333 :):up:.

Ah you will all just have to take my word for it that I've completed the alu work on the new side panel & for the first time ever I modded out in the garden & wow it was a really nice change, had a bit to clean up but was worth it, so much nicer modding out in the open with the sun out, hopefully it will be nice the next day or 2 so I can carry on modding outside :).

Got the sheet marked, cut, all the windows cut out, mounting holes added, filed & sanded all the inside & outside edges & brushed both sides, you have all seen this process before lol, this time I didn't even clamp the panel down while cutting so was able to complete the cutting a lot faster than usual & was just as accurate.

Tomorrow if I can find the time I'll start on cutting the 5mm acrylic windows

Ah who am I kidding I just had to go & take a picture even though you've all seen this many times, not got my tripod at hand though, making this case has been a little like playing braid lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0553.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0554.jpg

And here is the window pieces from my last effort, taken this morning so had the tripod at hand.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0555.jpg

[Waynio]

Hahahaha, delightfully nerdy statement. :D

The new window/side panel looks great.

Really made sense to me to put that in there :D thanks 88 :).

Would have got all the 5mm windows cut to size today but something came up so had to pack up, anyway got back onto it in the evening & with my new love of modding under a nice blue sky :D I carried on until it got dark, the spotlight on the jigsaw is so awesome :up: all of the windows for the left panel are cut to size, I'm doing it so I can decide which would be best for the tint so could go all light tint or all dark tint or do it all any combination, still need to add the steps on the ends but that shouldn't take long as long as I can come up with a speedy & accurate way to do it.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0556.jpg

I'll try to get the right panel windows all cut to size in the morning :).

[Waynio]

Ok so I got all the windows cut to size, had a few experimental hiccups on trying to add the 3mm steps so decided to try using the 10mm milling bit in the drill press again, I clamped a 2mm thick straight piece of acrylic in the right spot & just run them accross to take 3mm off for the steps, got them done nice & quick, it's a bit edgy doing this so need extremely firm grip to do it right, there is 1 piece that was a total fail on the left panel & 1 or 2 other windows that could do with a re-make but all in all not bad :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0557.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0558.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0559.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0560.jpg

I'll get the failed window re made & if I have enough spare I'll re-make the 2 that could be better :).

[Waynio]

Here are a few of the windows with the drill press milled stepped edges lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0561.jpg

In this shot you might be able to see the 2 imperfect windows, from top to bottom or right to left, the 2nd & 3rd upper windows I milled about 2mm off where I should have so these 2 will be replaced before I call this case complete :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0562.jpg

The rest of these pics I did outside as a little sunshine was peeking throuh the clouds, it was windy though & where I originally placed them they both got slammed on the ground so I planted them in the soil up against the fence :D, no damage was done, just a little dirt that'll blow off :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0563.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0564.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0565.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0566.jpg

The surface of the alu could use a re brushing again lol :).

[Waynio]

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0567.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0568.jpg

Finally got to the diy store to get dowel rods & a bunch of clamps yaaay :D.

So now the 2 I have already added to this bunch makes 10 clamps so can go & make the curved acrylic piece when I'm ready now :).

The B3 rev motherboard came today too :).

[Waynio]

This is what the rods are for, something solid to bend the acrylic against :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0569.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0570.jpg

Made a start, mounted, drilled & tapped an angle bar for the acrylic to attach to for the bottom end, if I get chance tomorrow I'll finish off placing the cut down rods, cut a long thin strip of acrylic, bend it against it to find out precisely how long it needs to be & to see how good a curve I can do, then cut the acrylic piece & get it fixed on :D.

Now I'd better switch over the motherboards :).

[Waynio]

Coming along beautifully. Great work. :D:up:

Thanks 88 :).

Laying the case down was the easiest way to place the rods but needed a bit of weight to stop it falling off the work top.

Took hours to get it so I could use the clamps.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0571.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0572.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0573.jpg

First time I some how introduced a couple of cracks to the sheet so used it as a practice piece to see what I've gotten myself into lol.

Second time all was going ok but was just another learning bit lol.

Third & last time as I don't have any more of this length acrylic to try again went well kind of lol so I'm going to try & use the majority of the window & I think I'll have to come up with a different solution, maybe a mix of window & little part of my backup plan, if I didn't add the extra lip curve I'd have done it easily but man that extra curve lip made it really really difficult lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0574.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0575.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0576.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0577.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0578.jpg
To be continued :D.

To be honest I'm kinda happy I went wrong lol allows me to come up with an addition to make it better than just a window :D, now I need to brew up a nice addition, already got an idea storm whirling together in my head hehe :).

[Waynio]

Hmmm, interested to see what you decide to do with that front.. :think:

Came to the conclusion I can still do the window but to keep it in place all along the curve I'll have to use 1mm sheet alu overlapping the seams & vent areas I'll do my mesh thing on 3mm pieces of alu & an internal piece that lets the outside 1mm sheet fix so the acrylic & meshes are fixed in place nicely, this allows for some nice features that are hard to do to a high standard so the low standard will be hidden :D.

Here is a seriously rough idea of what I'll do :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0579.jpg

I might think up something better, we'll see.

[Waynio]

Interesting...well, I'll say one thing. I sure am glad you fab better than you draw. :P

:D Never been good at drawing with a mouse lol, the hand drawing I tried on paper is far better :D.

But I'm not quite ready to quit trying for a full window, Sniiipe dog on bit-tech mentioned trying freehand bending which made the cogs start turning with something John said about using gravity for easier bending so I've ordered enough for 6 attempts, overkill I know lol but if I get it right on the first attempt then it's just a pile of extra materials for something else :).

So the new approach will be to fix the window to the top of the lip then go freehand bending to get it past the top curve, then take the window off, put the rods back in, fix the window back on, heat it & let gravity get it to the desired shape :), 1 curve is easy, multi curve makes it trickier.

[Waynio]

OK so while waiting for the new materials & me having 2 msi p67a-gd65's at hand because of the switcharoo I was able to mark up presiecly where the sata holes should be, also to my horror the 24 pin was way further down than my other mobo lol so had to extend the hole, I will definitely need to make the 24 pin pass through hole tidiers now lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0580.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0581.jpg

Used a 7mm drill bit to poke holes through all the sata passthroughs & got busy filing, took ages as I had to use tiny files which take ages to get through normal thickness, the mobo panel is 4mm thick lol, the file jumped out now & again & I heavily scratched the surface, I then sanded all the inside edges, then used satinising mops :D was able to get rid of the scratches & re brush both sides of the panel & this time I put masking tape on both sides since this panel is complete now to preserve the nice finish for when it all gets put back together ;).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0582.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0583.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0584.jpg

Actually I might need to put an extra hole in this panel for the power button cable & might decide to add an extra power cable pass hole so it isn't too cramped to get wires through :).

[Waynio]

Seven attempts at doing the double curve piece & this was the best out of the lot but is not to the standard I wanted I have enough acrylic for 2 more attempts but struggling to see the point in trying again so I'm taking a break from the project to see if I can think up a good alterative, best way to get this double curve piece done would be to have it thermo formed but I don't know how to get the precise curve line accross to a place that does this & even then I'd need to add the mounting holes & knowing my luck I'd shatter it lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0585.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0586.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0588.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0589.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0590.jpg

So it's time out while I come up with a good alternative, could be overnight, could be a week or more.

[Waynio]

wootz wootz! The big window is in!

If it would have worked out well I'd have been jumping around shouting woo hoo :D but just can't get it to a good standard :neutral:.

Here I go again I felt quite optimistic starting off lol.

Here is a few of the 0.7mm alu sheet I had spare & the metal shears I used to trim the mounting holes away & then cut what I need to size.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0591.jpg

Clamping the cut to size alu sheets to the case to do the top curve.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0592.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0593.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0594.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0595.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0596.jpg

Top curve done.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0597.jpg

Start of the main curve with added alu sheets to the rest of the length which is where it all goes wrong.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0598.jpg

A vision of how it could be with alu sheet.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0599.jpg

Gotta laugh & forget but not to forget trying to do this diy again, 1 curve doable, maybe even 2 curves or more but not if they are to be flush to an existing curve & they all curve the opposite ways :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0600.jpg

Ok I know when I can't win lol, I knew this was going to be the most challenging part of the build & a good learn by doing part of it :D, after 10 attempts I'm calling it quits on the double curve window, what I learnt on trying to do this bit was never try doing double curve in different directions by diy lol, best way to get this done is like others said a big oven & jig or get it thermo formed to perfection by a plastics place well at least for 3mm & above acrylic.

I was either able to do the top curve or the big curve very well but not both on the same piece lol so it's back to the drawing board with what to do, could do a big sprawling alu grill or simple bars or both as bars will introduce even more strength, it could loose a bit of the nice look but sometimes that isn't a bad thing if it improves the structure & if I put enough creative effort into the bars then they could make a nice feature.

Up next? well I have to come up with a nice design that compliments what's already done, I'll get there ;):thumb:.

Actually ideas are in place for a 1mm acrylic sheet for the window with tinting film added + a 1mm full mesh panel + a 1mm pattern panel + nicely shaped tabs to keep everything flush, Just need to draw the fitting design :).

[Waynio]

Took me many hours today to get all the alu sheets in place & got an extra set of hands from my dad else I wouldn't have been able to clamp it all up right (alu sheets on both sides sandwiching the acrylic to make a hot plate effect with the heat gun), the top left mount snapped though lol but carried on to see if it this method works since it's all clamped up, I'll never know for sure since the mount broke but I think if done with long continuous alu sheets it very well could work & nicely but wowzers it really is a true pita to set up lol, maybe if I'd have thought about this method earlier I'd have got it done to a good standard, anyway the alternative is a go go now so I'll get the 1mm polycarbonate sheet ordered & get to work on finalising the designs for the 1mm alu panels :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0601.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0602.jpg
No warpage, couple of slight high/low points but if done with full length alu panels I think it is doable but not putting out more money for acrylic, like said I just wish I'd have thought about this method before when I had a good bit spare, oh well on with plan b :D.

Here is a couple of shots of the sata holes on the mobo panel in good lighting to get this log back on a bright note, so much effort & no progress, but knowledge gained lol :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0603.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0604.jpg

[Waynio]

I sent a quote request to a plastics shop that has cnc & thermo forming capabilities for prices for the size of piece I need forming & that I want a little cnc doing on it & just worked up a design for the vents & a little extra stealthlow text worked in there :D & a silly doodle I did in sketchup which isn't a cut out but a 1mm sunken bit for painting that I worked in there last minute :D, the vents are of the side panel pattern mirrored, this is easily the best of the 4 I designed so won't show the others, I totally doubt the grin will be put in if this happens lol but the rest will if the price is reasonable & they are able to do the design exactly to my spec :up:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0605.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0606.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0607.png

This design may have more added to it as it's fresh out of the mind :).

To get the precise curve line I'd just trace around the case & send them the example of what I need :).

[Waynio]

Truly sorry to hear about your mum.

Ah sorry for sharing that grim news but thanks TMM I deleted it out of the post as I probably will most of this bit later on if I'm not too drunk after the wake & wow I'll get drunk real easy with me not being a drinker any more, nearly posted about it a while ago when she was told a couple days left but left it out & carried on modding & visiting, guess it's with me being really dedicated to completing this project asap why I mentioned it, once I complete this project I'll get my fitness right back up as I've replaced excercise with modding since November last year & really see modding as a great use of excess energy unlike feeling like a gerbal on a wheel, I had side bellys before starting this mod & now they are virtually gone with all the elbow polish I've been putting in lol :D I want a rowing machine that can generate enough electricity to power my gaming pc, now that would make awesome sense to get some exercise, must invent it some how :D.

I've never seen a dead body before yet alone watch someone take their last breaths, I would say she went out peaceful & she did appear to do so but about 1 minute before she went her eyes opened up looking alert & focused but straight ahead for about 30 seconds, kinda disturbed me a little then they closed & not long after nothing not exactly a good memory to remember of her but doubt I'll ever forget it, I like to think she seen a crazy looking tour guide that appears scary at first but is actually an incredibly nice being that guides you to the next stage :) either that or just like a nice infinitely long peaceful sleep free of thought.

But please anyone else try & forget about me mentioning it, was a mistake sharing the news, I feel better just keeping the project going, I guess I've been wanting to let some kind of emotion out for the past 5 weeks, but I think I'm lucky I got to 33 really with both parents so got to know them well.

So back to the project log, keep the face or not lol :D & what do you think of the vents if I go CNC, a first for me :D but thought why the heck not since I'd be getting it thermo formed & they do CNC also.

[Waynio]

I think that the vents would break up the vast expanse of plastic well. Having just the text would seem out of place without some design around it in my opinion. As long as the price is right, I say go for it.

Yeah I think your right mate, just need to see what kind of price they say for the 156mm x roughly 750mm piece.

Just seen the funeral though & got back from the wake & I am soooooooo utterly mashed I was getting given tripple shots of whisky & was knocking them back & had countless pints of guiness all day & I very rarely drink, tomorrow is gonna be a naaassstyyy hangover I think, I feel like garbage already should have stuck with good old coffee for the wonderful level headedness, it's amazing I'm capable of typing this really right now.

[Waynio]

Sorry to hear about your mom. She sounds like she was a great person. Like I say; mourn the death, but celebrate the life. :) Sounds like you've got that well covered. ;)

The new panel looks good too. It's a shame you have to resort to getting someone else to fab it though, just because everything else in this case you've done 100% from stock materials to finish.

Thanks 88 :):up: lol can't believe how wasted I got yesterday :D luckily no hangover though just felt a tiny bit rough, sorted now though :).

Yeah thats right about it'd be a shame to go to a pro to get it done but as I thought the cost has scared me away from the idea :D.

Just got the price quote from the plastics shop.

Price for moulding tool £67.20 vat included
Price for each piece £43.20 vat included
Delivery £14.40 vat included

So for 1 piece say will be £124.80 & I think this is without vents being put in & to have a spare window it would be £168.

Soooo, 4 more clamps £24 -- a new sheet of acrylic for 3 more attempts £15 = £39 diy leaving more than enough change for a diy powder coating setup.

Or

2440mm x 1220mm x 25mm mdf sheet £25 which I'm unsure of how I'd get it here unless I can get b&q to cut it into smaller pieces for easy transport, cutout the shape of curve 7 times, jam them together, put the sheet of acrylic on a flat surface, use a secondary heat gun (dual wielding :D) to get the whole sheet easily formable, then some how move the really softened acrylic to the shaped jig & use the trimmed away jigs as a pressing tool & this should do a perfect thermo form diy for a little more than the clamping method.

Either way DIY window is definitely back in the house :D.

[Waynio]

Yeah mdf is the way I'll go, it's totally possible to get the oven style with heat guns I tested it out on a piece & was able to bend it any way I wanted with ease, ideally though I'll need to put something on the edges of the mdf to keep it from marking the acrylic so possibly tin foil completely smoothed out, I'd also need to put some kind of guide lines in place so it goes precisely & straight.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0608.png

[Waynio]

Revised clamping jig with excess length on both ends :) & for a precautionary backup plan if needed I'm getting some polycarbonate too which is tougher & more formable, when I go at it next time I'm getting it done at last :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0609.png

So just ordered more tinted acrylic & a sheet of polycarbonate, no idea when I'll receive it with all the bank holiday madness at the moment.

The plan is to heat the sheet up on a flat surface so it's droopy, then place it on the bending jig & clamp it down & let it cool, I'll put guide lines so I put it on straight, I'll have to put something on the edges of the mdf so it doesn't mark the acrylic, tips on what to put on the edge of the mdf anyone?.

Still though I'm not 100% sure an mdf jig is necessary, if I bought 4 more clamps & used full length sheets of aluminium I think I could get a perfect result, it came very close when I did my last try & it also had no warping, I do think I'd benefit from using 2 heat guns also.

[Waynio]

Been a while since a real update but the project hasn't died yet lol :D.

There are many ways to fill the middle void but for the time being I want to focus on doing what I originally intended.

Here we go again :D sort of.

First I cut the 1mm sheet alu into an inner piece & outer piece, the scrap left over from the 2 cuts I clamped to the curve & put the motherboard tray in place so I could see exactly where the bottom end should be & to mark where the vents should be, I left about 10mm over for the bottom end of the acrylic.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0613.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0614.jpg

Then I got side tracked with cleaning off all the red marker on the right side panels inside edges, started off using wet&dry strips but was taking forever so painted the edges with wd40 & it came off nice & easy :).

I got the top mount block cut outs done with the internal alu sheet & had to unbolt 1 side of the curve bar so I could get this 1 piece alu sheet in place, if only this was the design lol would be an absolute breeze to just cut a grill pattern into this, oh well I chose the difficult route & I'm sticking with it :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0615.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0616.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0617.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0618.jpg

Anyway I got the clamping pieces ready for tomorrow so might have a solid update of good progress then & if not tomorrow then day after :D.

[Waynio]

Oh yeah this will do me, at freaking last hehe :D.

Window cut to size & vents & top mounting holes added
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0619.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0620.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0621.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0622.jpg

Top little curve beginning, it was soooo difficult setting up this curving procedure with it just being me, but if I'd have been able to get a hand off someone it could have been done a lot easier, instead I had an ultra fiddly time & often had to use my head or chin to tighten the clamps lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0623.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0624.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0625.jpg

Setting up for the big curve.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0626.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0627.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0628.jpg

Crazy clampage :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0629.jpg

It didn't take a solid form of what I was aiming for but once mounted to the bottom mounts & a few added tabs in key spots it should be good.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0630.jpg

And I wrapped it up for the day since it hit midnight lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0631.jpg

Still though I'll need to make some 3mm alu tabs inside & out to hold it flush to the bars & with the top mounting holes being so close to the edge I'd be wise to use washers too & I have done better top curves but this one isn't too bad but if it bothers me enough I might do what some have suggested & combine 2 winning pieces & do something to hide the fact it's 2 separate parts :D.

[Waynio]

I've had a good relax after that & been thinking about how to make the tabs look like a good feature of the mod & other bits of the mod & I've blown the rest of the money from the motherboard switchover refund, could be a few weeks before I get to assemble it all, could be sooner, depends on how things go, I'm going to start getting quotes for anodising tomorrow but have no idea on how to enquire about it to be honest with there being many different pieces, sizes, thicknesses & a couple of different spec of alu, I still need to remove the steel helicoils & brass inserts but I'm not worried about that, it'll get done soon enough & I'll have an alternative ready for once it's been anodised, also gonna have to get the case feet anodised but don't know if they already are or not.

I've ordered some copper so I'll be changing from doing anodised blue internals to anodised copper internals to keep with the colours, was semi split between polished alu or polished copper & copper won as copper & black just looks awesome together :D, got it with the refund from the replacement b3 revision motherboard, I was gonna use the money for a few upcoming games but to be honest I doubt I'd play them until this mod is done so put it into the mod & I'll buy the games once I get this up & running, was gonna get the witcher 2, fable 3 & possibly brink but I think I'll get to see how they do in the reviews now.

The real copper I'm adding is.

DIY mesh for the vents on the window to fill the shape of the big vents I made.

10mm copper tabs that go 15mm over the acrylic & 15mm over the alu bars above & under & nicely rounded & about every 90mm along the full length of the case, even to the bottom so it looks right. Where the vents on the window are they will possibly get full length tabs, all the tabs will be polished & given a protective coat.

:) And the bottom front alu panel 1mm thick exterior panel brushed anodised black with some cut out details with a 2mm thick copper panel with diy mesh & the optical stealthed with 3mm copper piece, sure that isn't exactly stealthed but it should look good :D.

And since I ended up using body filler on the internal fan bars I'm redoing them in copper with properly aligned mounting holes :D so that's my refund gone :D.

--------


Parts getting anodised black
Side panels, curve bars, back panel, external bottom front panel, Bottom panel, a few pieces on the hdd platform.

Parts getting anodised copper colour
Mobo tray, 2nd level, hdd cages.

Parts getting painted either copper or black
Fixing bars, pci/io piece, optical drive.

Parts that will actually be copper
All front meshes, all the holding tabs & all the fan bars.

[Waynio]

Sanded the pci/io piece & primed it, I bought some copper paint to cover it - Toyota Copper metallic & Vauxhall Bright Copper metallic so hopefully between the 2 I can make it look somewhere near the look of copper, was either this or black & since the back panel is going to be black I'd have a go at copper paint, how I left it last night I really wasn't sure about it but I think it turned out pretty good :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0632.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0633.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0634.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0635.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0636.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0637.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0638.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0639.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0640.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0641.jpg

The copper came yesterday :D & wow it weighs a lot compared to aluminium (never worked with it before:)), on the sheet copper though the place sent correct sizes for 2 of the pieces but what should have been a 200x200x2 piece was the same as the other 150x100 sheets so just ordered another sheet & sorted it with the ebayer to refund the difference with free postage.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0642.jpg

Printed out the layout for the cut-outs & drill marks & cut the patterns out & stuck them on with cello tape :D lol it worked though :up: I also pre drilled the curve bars, I'll still need to file slots out of the motherboard tray to take the underside tabs.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0643.jpg

Here is all the tabs & the optical tray cover to a basic cut done on the power fretsaw :D I got it out & messed around with it & wow, wish I did sooner lol :facepalm: it will change the way I mod quite a bit in future mods :up:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0644.jpg

Test fit of the 2 full length tabs.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0645.jpg

All of them with perfectly flat edges & rounded corners.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0646.jpg

And a finishing shot for this session of the copper pieces with the pci/io piece :), for the tabs I still need to do the underside ones in aluminium & polish the copper & aluminium then the tabs are done, also got to make the copper vents where the vents in the acrylic is, might be tricky as they'll have to be a very good fit & perfect faint curve but it's copper & it's easy to shape when hot as I accidentally found out :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0647.jpg

I didn't get around to phoning the anodising place but will do on Monday :crossed: they'll do it for me :).

[Waynio]

Aluminium underside tabs.

Printed same template & stuck with cello tape, spot drilled, drilled, tapped, cut, put helicoils in & got all the edges straight & gave them all a bevelled edge & mounted to the case, need 2 people to put the window in so left that out for the time being :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0648.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0649.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0650.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0651.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0652.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0653.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0654.jpg

They still need sanding & polishing & 1 of the full length copper bars or aluminium bars need re doing as 1 of them doesn't line up 100%.

[Waynio]

Got the window installed so I could find the precise line I need to cut & also marked up on the right curve bar for the notches on the mobo tray that need filing down a little, I found 1 of the front fan mount bars was extremely close to the tabs so when I make the fan mount bars out of copper I'll need to file a tiny bit off so it fits without touching the tabs.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0655.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0656.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0657.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0658.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0659.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0660.jpg

A random bunch of pictures with todays effort completed, 1 of the full length tabs is missing it's internal aluminium tab as I'm waiting for helicoils but wooooo I'm happy with todays progress :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0661.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0662.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0663.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0664.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0665.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0666.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0667.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0668.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0669.jpg

Things to do in order.
Remake the fan mount bars from copper.
Make the copper mesh pieces for the front vents.
Make a 1mm thick aluminium bottom front cover.
Make a 2mm thick copper bottom front cover.
File some notches in the bottom hdd cage platform bars for fan cables to pass underneath.
Extend the fan cables & sleeve them.
Install some cable clip tidiers.
Polish the curve bars & tabs.
Brush all panels 1 last time lol.
Take the sandy bridge gear out of air cube, clean it up & install into Stealthlow & jump around like an idiot shouting wooooooooooooo :D.
Take some good pictures :).

[Waynio]

Hi all, I got a suggestion from voigts on bit-tech to use full length strips instead of frankenstein type tabs, it left me in a pickle for a bit as I knew he was right lol so I've since ordered the copper sheet but it could be up to about the 4th of June before I get it, so theres the upcoming change which will delay this a little :).

Sleep pattern fixed I hope :D & took some pictures in better light.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0670.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0671.jpg

Designed & printed & marked the shape of the vents on 4 individual pieces because each 1 will be very slightly different.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0672.jpg

Stuck them down to the 3mm copper sheet with cello tape, I'd do a lot better if I used adhesive spray but don't have any & couldn't be bothered with waiting for a delivery or going out to get some lol :D anyway got it spot drilled & drilled, I was going to use a 4mm drill bit but it was really blunt & getting nothing done so went to the 3.5mm bit.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0673.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0674.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0675.jpg

Then took it to the fretsaw & this was a point where I wish I went & got some spray adhesive so had to be really careful I wasn't going inside the cut line, I really must buy some spray adhesive before I do the other 3, it would make it a lot easier.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0676.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0677.jpg

Cleaned off all the cello tape.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0678.jpg

Got the big stew pan which I partly used for curving the main curve bars & heated up the copper piece a lot & then clamped it at 3 points to make it curved.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0679.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0680.jpg

It was curved a bit too much so had to carefully whack it with a mallet on a solid metal piece so used the vice & with the shape not being exact with it not being stuck down properly I had to take it back & forth to the disc sander shaving bit by bit off until it plonked into the vent hole & here is the first 1 done wooooo :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0681.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0682.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0683.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0684.jpg

[Waynio]

:up:

:)

Got my head straight with some good much needed rest & got the other 3 vent meshes made today, mucked up on 1 of them somehow so re-made the 1 I mucked up :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0685.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0686.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0687.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0688.jpg

Up next cut, bend & drill the mounting holes in the copper full length tabs.

[Waynio]

Ok so this is why I like the little tabs, they are highly functional & show the fact that the window is flush to the alu curve bars which in itself is pretty cool :) but also it makes taking the window out or the bottom panel out incredibly easy with only needing to untighten the tabs a tiny bit to flip them up or down which releases the panels, also no excess forces.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0689.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0690.jpg

Anyway on to making the full lengths strip tabs, here is 2 25mm strips cut with the jigsaw.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0691.jpg

Also before moving on I put the mounting bar back in for holding the bottom of the window in place as it bulged out a tiny bit & I didn't like that & was scared stupid of wrecking the window while drilling & countersunk the mounting holes lol, it went fine thank goodness :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0692.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0693.jpg

So the actual bending of the copper strips was soooo much more difficult than I anticipated & done heaps of different methods to get the curves I was after but as usual the top curve was a PITA :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0694.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0695.jpg

This is the first thing I really don't like with the copper strip tabs, with it being 3mm thick (I should have chosen 2mm) I think it's tougher than the aluminium as it's pulling the alu curve out by a good 2mm on the top curve, not good.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0696.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0697.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0698.jpg

I placed the left side vent meshes in for a glipse of how it might look :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0699.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0700.jpg

I don't like it as much as the tabs but even though it cost extra to get this copper piece I'm kinda glad I did even if it was just to put the idea into practice to see if I like it or not, sometimes you just know straight away if you like something or not & this is 1 of those things I don't like, doesn't look as good to me & it's a massive hassle with installation & that was without having the window & vent meshes in, so yep I'll be going back to my original tabs & I'll straighten out these copper strips & put them aside for other projects.

So up next is taking measurements of the bottom optical tray, eject button & vent location & designing it & making it :).

[Waynio]

Got the alu curve bar fixed back in shape after the copper ripping it out of shape, it also ripped the helicoil out & knackered the thread for the helicoil so called for drilling the mounting hole with a 4.5mm bit & whacking a brass thread insert in place but it's sorted now, phew :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0701.jpg

Run a little test on countersinking the mesh holes like I did on the back panel, 1 side deep countersinks, the other tiny countersinks, bit iffy with the holes close to the edge as shown but I do quite like this effect :) what do you guys think.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0702.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0703.jpg

Also smoothed off all the tabs by brushing them & they are to a nice colour now, the next stage for these is to polish them.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0704.jpg

Anyway I'm back to where I were the other day but with cleaned up tabs & cleaned up curve bars.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0706.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0707.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0708.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0709.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0710.jpg

So now I need to get the optical drive mounted back in the case so I can take measurements for the bottom front panel design :up:.

[Waynio]

Looking awesome! I like it with the tabs better as well, I can't quite put my finger on it but it just "works". The vent panels are a nice look.
Think what Gtek said earlier about not adding too much was very correct :), guess it was just too much copper, thanks mate :):up:.


you know what... that copper look has just grown on me man... THAT IS NICE!!!
Thank you licenseless :):up:.


I like the two tone effect as well. It's not just nice, it's great!
:redface: Thanks mate :):up:.

Took the measurements of the locations of the eject button, optical tray & where the front vent should be, then designed it & went to work on it, still need to re-make the alu panel as I carelessly turned the piece while being distracted by something :D so cut it in a wrong spot accidentally, also need to do the diy mesh on the copper panel but got a few shots while there was a touch of blue sky & it really was just a touch :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0711.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0712.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0713.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0714.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0715.jpg

[Waynio]

/drool

Hehe Cheers Blibbax :D:up:.

Re-made the front alu piece & brushed it & laid a mesh template down on the copper piece & spot drilled, drilled with a 3.5mm bit & then a 7mm bit & then countersink madness :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0716.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0717.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0718.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0719.jpg

[Waynio]

Nearly had a disaster for my power drill, jigsaw & fretsaw as I forgot about a spot in the garage that leaks when raining heavy, the jigsaw & power drill escaped the water but the fretsaw was covered in it & it also lost it's ability to tighten up the blade properly before this so I took it all apart to dry it all off & to see why I can't tighten it, figured as much the thread had worn away & I've barely used it but didn't let it put me off using it & wooooo I love using it for complex cuts, really really nice, but want to get a better one as I could only use the pin less blades a couple of times, it has a really crappy method for using pin less but it's fine for pinned blades so I'll stay with that until I can afford a new better one :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0720.jpg
:D I got the feeling whenever there was too much copper built up in an area it didn't quite make me smile or it did & then I'd be saying to myself it needs something else so I set about designing a different alu panel to break it up a little & man am I glad I did :D, been a while since I've cut something nice like this & it's got me hooked on the fretsaw :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0721.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0722.jpg

But was all out of 0.7mm alu so had to use 1mm, the copper sheet for the mesh panel is 2.25mm so the 0.7mm made it a perfect flush fit so think I'll have to either sand the copper panel down 0.3mm across the whole face of it or just give a faint bevel on the alu panel.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0723.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0724.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0725.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0726.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0727.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0728.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0729.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0730.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0731.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0732.jpg

I think this piece might have come about from the moral boost from comments so thanks everyone :):up: & keep em coming :D.

I'm going to add something different in place of the stretched copper tabs also :):up:.

[Waynio]

if you ask me... this is much nicer and goes with the flow of the case than the copper tabs (and i know it was just used to clamp stuff down but it still looked better)

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0694.jpg

thats just my opinion man... but keep up the good work
Not given up on the idea, seemed to have gathered some motivation after doing that bottom panel :).


If you could combine both (with arches in the copper to support removal........


But MAN THAT THING IS HUGE!
That is another alternative :), I think it'll look pretty normal once the hardware goes in :).


^^^^ I agree
Seems a popular choice then :D, it was voigts who suggested it he has a good eye for quality :).

I'm trying to think of a way to implement the copper curve bars but I found it was too much copper & it didn't look right to me, plus it messed up the form of the aluminium curve, fixed it now but it'll require a good bit more work on them to make them a perfect fit without it adding excess force to the main structure, I'm considering using the drill press & the milling bit I have to route a 10mm channel 1mm deep to place aluminium in there & so the mounts go through the alu, I'm not certain but I think it'll look much better than big plain copper bars.

Another alternative but requires a purchase of 1.2mm copper sheet is to do a pyramid step type form so a 25mm copper bar, then a aluminium one then a copper bar & the middle 1 being the mounting one.

Heres a concept of both.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0733.png

I was going to make an alternative for the tabs that stretch across the case but everyone saying do those :D so came up with a couple of alternatives that I think would look better, so let me know what you think, cheers :).

[Waynio]

Well rested & back on form, shame my tools aren't :facepalm: decided to give the copper bars another shot but with a strip of alu in the middle like in the concept pics I shown earlier, got 1 of the copper strips straightened back out.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0733.png

Here I am getting the centre of the copper bar aligned with alu flat bars clamped in place to stop it moving around, I did clamp extra bars on top to hold it in place properly vertically too but it made it so the copper couldn't slide through :neutral:, anyway it all went wrong because of the crappy drill table moving up or the chuck letting the mill bit move down & ended up milling all the way through the flipping piece grrrr, think I'll accept I can't mill good with a drill press now :wacky:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0734.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0735.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0736.jpg

The main problem is getting the correct depth when doing this, takes ages to set the depth & for it to stay there, I tightened it all up good & proper but still just wasn't enough, mills are way too expensive for me so next best in line is a router.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0737.jpg

But I can safely say the full length copper pieces will not happen on this, I tried with what I've got & failed so I'll keep working on tabs & reserve the copper for something else.

Just taking a quick time out to post this, then I'm getting back onto it :D.

[Waynio]

under neath the clamps on the exit side of the path for the copper... place another piece of metal above that so that the copper has to ride underneath it like a bridge to hold the copper in place so it doesnt want to flex up causing it to rise and drill all the way threw...

basically make a guide... so you have two pieces of metal giving it the path and two more pieces of metal going perpendicular to those two pieces forcing the copper down.... does that make since...

and keep it lubed baby yeah hahahaahaha

hehe :D, Yeah makes sense mate :up: but it wasn't that that caused it to go deep, it was either the drill platform moved to a different higher height which is doubtful so I'll rule that possibility out, I'd say it was the milling bit came down a bit causing it to cut deeper, it went too far along to make this piece usable & the copper is too expensive to be wasting like that, so I'm not sure I'll bother with copper strips, not got deep enough pockets lol, was ok with the acrylic as it wasn't expensive but the copper :eek::D.

I'll find a solution to make it good though :):up:.

Didn't get to do any more on it today, garage got taken over :D, but was sunny again so took a couple extra pictures :D, also flipped the copper mesh around & think it's more fitting with tiny countersinks so matches the other front vents better, so will need to make a new eject button hole.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0738.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0739.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0740.jpg

[Waynio]

Gonna have to drill & bung a thread insert into the clamping piece inside the fretsaw, it will not tighten up so the blade is very slack so it's only any good for thin or soft materials & even then can pop out quite easy so I'll need to find out the thread size so I can maybe even make my own, the blade keeps popping out when cutting thicker metal, so irritating.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0741.jpg

Made a few tabs out of 5mm acrylic but prefer the copper so wasn't able to make a few with the fretsaw & my hacksaw died a bit ago which just leaves the jigsaw or manual fretsaw as an option lol grrr, manual fretsaw the blades keep breaking very easily (I must just lack technique on using it like any new tool) just not as good as a powered one for me, with the powered one I could effortlessly cut how I wanted on the line & I just can't with a manual one without a heap of practice.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0742.jpg

Finally got around to re-painting the pci/io piece with the far better copper spray :D & think that's the best news in this update lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0743.jpg

And here is the vent meshes showing what it looks like with the small copper tabs & acrylic tabs but while I don't prefer the look of the full stretch tabs I just can't ignore they do what's needed which is to keep the panels at the same level all along the full length, they will be re-made so they haven't got the un-needed extra countersunk hole, might even thin them down in the middle so they don't stand out as much.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0744.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0745.jpg

There is however another way to keep it so the window is held in place nicely & that would be to add a couple more tabs just below the vents but it would put the spacing out a bit.

Or even JB weld the internal tabs in place & just go & do full length tabs so it's easier to install & remove a full length tab.

I'm getting way too indecisive about what I'm doing regarding the tabs, it's just not fun modding, would have probably completed this by now if I chose to pass on the full length strips.

I'm sure the sudden increase of heat isn't helping neither, I tend to mod best in the cold, keeps me more alert & not slouchy, been 1 of those days where I'm lingering in the garage thinking what on earth should I do :think:.

[Waynio]

Had a thought & it might be a good one or bad :D, since seeing JB weld getting used a bit lately, I wonder if it's possible & what would happen if I layered strips of 1mm alu & 1mm copper on top of each other if it would stay firm when removing the main curve bars & avoiding the need to use bolts, could give it a very clean look or it could just fall apart when removed, I just don't know, there is a bit of force in the window & the curve bars which is a part of what keeps it all strong so layering up while it's in this form maybe it could make it keep the form when removed, either that or the adhesive on the stuck on bits would just crack & pop off lol & I'd be gutted :D I'd put a strip of 1mm alu on the inside too.

I do think if the adhesive is up to the challenge it could work well but could use a little feedback if you think it could do it, I checked out with google to see how strong it is compared to welding & some say it's about 30% of the strength of the material while welding is just as strong & the 30% is only when the material is prepped properly, I wouldn't be able to smother it on neither, wouldn't want it to squeeze out making a mess so just enough to let it get stuck well, I'm thinking for the top layer it would be a minimal strip of the adhesive to stop it making a mess.

If that was to work well I'd be able to remove the whole lot as 1 piece by unbolting at the top rear & bottom front, but that would be putting a lot of faith into the strength of the adhesive though.

What do you guys think? is JB weld good enough for this?.

[Waynio]

Thinking a good strong silicone might be the solution for mounting the strips :).

PCI/IO in better copper paint, plastikote brilliant metallic copper, not a perfect match but not far off at all :) & as you can see got a bunch of bolt heads painted in the process of protecting the threads :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0746.jpg

With it installed back into the case & some close ups.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0747.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0748.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0749.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0750.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0751.jpg

Now, time to work on the hdd cage platform fan wire stash pass through gaps & the little copper bar in the picture is for the optical tray :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0752.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0753.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0754.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0755.jpg

Took a break to get something to eat & get the log up to speed :) after posting this I’ll get back to a big filing session :D.

And thought it looked pretty cool on it's side so took a couple extra pictures lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0756.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0757.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0758.jpg

[Waynio]

You can likely take much of the spring out of the acrylic by heating it up to about 270-300F/132-149C (acrylic temp, not gun temp) with a heat gun while it's clamped in place. I'd start on the low side of that temp range and work your way up to avoid any drooping or bubbles. Start at the bottom and heat back and forth as you work your way to the top. Might take a few passes. When it cools it should be that shape permanently. You might be able to take those solid bars out after that.:)

Thanks for the tip mate but I feel the spring in the acrylic should work well with the alu curve bars since there is a slightly similar spring in them when released, I'll have to run some tests on adhesives & silicones before I go for it with mounting some 1mm sheet strips for the tabs but if I'm not satisfied with it I'll just use countersunk bolts :). I think the strips should hold all of it in place really well so the stretched copper tabs are temporary :).

Continued until 01:20 AM :D so I'll have to get a router for future mods it was a silly amount of filing to be done & didn't have my thinking cap on as I should have drilled it a bit to make it a little easier lol.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0759.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0760.jpg

Wow for something so simple sure took a lot of energy to do lol, sweat pouring off me too so had to get a cold one :D which made doing it less dull :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0761.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0762.jpg

So now the cartoon mouse holes are done for the fan cables so I can work on the extending & then sleeving of the fans while I wait for a couple more things to arrive for a couple of extra touches, super close to the finish now I think :) also used the disc sander to shave a bit off the hdd slide mounts so the cages go in & out a little easier :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0764.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0765.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0766.jpg

All back together :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0767.jpg

Not sure if I mentioned it earlier but I ordered a 1mm sheet of copper for doing the full legth tabs :up: + ordered a mirror polished stainless steel sheet, just enough to cover the 2nd level for less than a tenner woo hoo :D.

[Waynio]

Since I'm gonna be waiting for the extra material I started thinking about how the alu fan mount bars needed body filler to fix the miss drilled holes & knew they needed painting, don't really want any paint in this other than the pci/io piece so started coming up with alternatives & this seemed a good design, the idea was to use 2 for each fan & the slot would close up with a bolt & the 2nd half area had a helicoil installed to clamp the fan secure & then mount to the mobo panel.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0768.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0769.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0770.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0771.jpg

But didn't work out, my filing wasn't quite good enough to get a perfect 5mm slot to where I wanted it, so the slot that the corners of the fans went into had about 1.5mm space, tried using washers but it just wasn't good looking enough, was either a poor idea or just bad filing lol.

But decided to cut 1 of the sides of the slot off & just use a lock nut on the other side, it was solid & perfect when installed in the case in all fan mount locations, so it only needs the 1 bit to fix each fan to the case, doesn't matter what orientation it is it's that strong :) but the front fans are a little too close to the window for my liking now so wouldn't work too well with the vents so I'll have to come up with a use for the unneeded holes & make new ones but only for the 2 front fans, the rest are ok :) but all the spare holes will have a good use, got some nice ideas brewing ;).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0772.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0773.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0774.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0775.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0776.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0777.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0778.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0779.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0780.jpg

This first 1 I'll consider as a prototype test piece & I'll make nicer ones for the final version now that I know how they need to be, I especially like the way it looks like the fans are just floating when viewed from some angles :) but it really is great on how solidly in place they are when installed :up:.

Next update will be either getting 4 of these made or fan cable extending & sleeving, I'll try to combine the 2 so could be a few days until the next.

[Blibbax]

A question on cooling.

This is what you want to happen:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow1.png

But because you've got the intake fan not directly against its vents, and those vents aren't directly lined up, I think you might end up with a loop around the intake fan.

And because this will result in negative pressure inside the case, and you have a perforated rear, I think you might end up with a loop around the exhaust too.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow2.png

Between those two effects, you'd end up with very little airflow across the components. What say you?

(Not trying to pick holes here, just trying to be helpful :))

[licenseless]

A question on cooling.

This is what you want to happen:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow1.png

But because you've got the intake fan not directly against its vents, and those vents aren't directly lined up, I think you might end up with a loop around the intake fan.

And because this will result in negative pressure inside the case, and you have a perforated rear, I think you might end up with a loop around the exhaust too.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow2.png

Between those two effects, you'd end up with very little airflow across the components. What say you?

(Not trying to pick holes here, just trying to be helpful :))

Best way to test this is grab a cigar and hot box the case then turn the fans on... Bit of a wind tunnel test...

You should give it a shot and see how it does

[Waynio]

Firstly sorry for taking forever to reply :D.


A question on cooling.

This is what you want to happen:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow1.png

But because you've got the intake fan not directly against its vents, and those vents aren't directly lined up, I think you might end up with a loop around the intake fan.

And because this will result in negative pressure inside the case, and you have a perforated rear, I think you might end up with a loop around the exhaust too.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow2.png

Between those two effects, you'd end up with very little airflow across the components. What say you?

(Not trying to pick holes here, just trying to be helpful :))
:) Thanks for raising the question, got me thinking about it :D I don't know if it could go round in circles like that but it is a bit too close to the front panel which could make it a little noisier, but I am itching to find out now :D.


Best way to test this is grab a cigar and hot box the case then turn the fans on... Bit of a wind tunnel test...

You should give it a shot and see how it does
Yeah good method :).


Another method you could try is placing a piece of tissue over the intakes at the front and the lower section of exhaust at the back, to see whether the tissue is blown, sucked or not really acted on at all.
Sounds a better method but might do both :D.


yeah but then there is no reason to smoke a cigar... hahahahahah


i found that tracking the smoke visually helps to isolate problem areas... and since his case has a clear side he can see exactly what its doing...
Yeah both are good ways of indicating air flow so I'll try both :up:.

Yeah the flow is close to that except there is a fan below the mobo tray, 1 at the top angled, there will be 2 in push pull on the cpu cooler which will be fairly close to the rear panel so should all be nicely guided out, the front fans are very close to the front but I could move them more into the case by say 10mm & if I do move them that little bit I have some 3mm copper rod that I have a nice idea for to make usage of the vacant old fan mount holes :).

But yeah guys, I'll run some tests before I call it complete :), got vibration tests to do & sound tests & flow test & yes the flow test will be first in line ;) but expect it to be fine & will only put smoke to it if necessary :D I did look around the net though for a cheap tiny smoke machine type gadget but for a proper aerodynamics type 1 they are flipping expensive lol so yeah what licenseless said a cigar would be good & cheap but stinky for this :D.

Hey all :) I've not been slacking just stepped out of mod world for a mo to do a lot of contemplating & research as I come into a little money & intend to use it well :D plus I'm down on a couple of tools, sure I could do it the hard way & have a crazy hefty filing session & be flat out knackered for a few days but that doesn't help me go to the garage with a smile so can't be arsed to be honest lol, scroll saw made me a little bit lazy :D.

INCOMING BLAH ALERT SKIP PAST IF CAN'T BE BOTHERED, off on a ramble again hehe :D.

---SKIP THIS BIT IF NOT INTERESTED, IT'S MOSTLY ABOUT ME GETTING A LITTLE MONEY OUT OF THE BLUE & ME THINKING OF WHAT TO DO WITH IT BUT A PREMIUM SCROLL SAW & OTHER TOOLS ARE HIGHLY TEMPTING---
Sorry for the shouting caps :D

Been a little bit pickled the past week doing loads of research on what to spend some money on which is why I've not been posting & done very little modding.

Nearly a week ago I got news I was getting given a little money & it threw me right off course with this project as I totally wasn't expecting anything & I've been drooling over some things for a long time that were just out of reach cost wise until now & started window net shopping like crazy & looking into forums & just about everywhere to get clued up on things, it's £1000 & I usually have to save up for quite a while to raise that amount but all the same I don't want to blow it on meaningless crap.

Invest in some nice new tools which will get used each year or maybe twice a year or more if I do any bits for other people for pc cases or other, got my eye on a premium scroll saw that has a massive 762mm throat with easy change blades & no vibration (this scroll saw is an epic tool for cutting & would be capable of doing some amazingly detailed large work which could have handled doing the side panels & back panel of Stealthlow nicely with wickedly detailed patterns if I wanted :D) a better full height drill press & a router & other bits & bobs & maybe more materials to make another case, sure seems the most fun & longer life span :D.

Or a DSLR camera & save the rest, I checked out heaps of reviews to see how good I could get with the money & came to the conclusion that a canon eos 550d with normal lens & possibly a cheaper macro lens & ok tripod would be a pretty good choice but this would swallow up the money leaving me with a great camera set but same old budget tools some being nice & reliable & some very much not, I'd say my main reliable tools is my hand power drill, jigsaw, disc sander, bench grinder & files could possibly get the good camera & the premium scroll saw but would be flat broke on the little but nice windfall.

I think this bit falls into the meaningless crap section lol, sure it's awesome tech gear right now but it will be very out dated pretty fast.
The upcoming Samsung 27" 1080p 120hz monitor with built in 3d vision even though I only want this monitor for it's size & refresh rate & picture colour quality, the 120gb corsair ssd I've been drooling over since I found out about it lol & could buy a couple of ok tools with the rest but no premium scroll saw but this would be a bit like burning money really spending it all on tech that would soon outdate lol where with a excellent scroll saw I'll still be making things with it in 10 years if I'm still healthy, think it's a life time tool if looked after.

Holiday but I see that just as much a waste of dough as going on a bender lol :D even though I'm about 17 years overdue a break from Manchester so it would probably do me a lot of good but can definitely think of better uses for the money than that, in my minds eye that flipping awesome scroll saw is floating at the top of the list very clearly.

I think the tools option is the wisest & most productive although I'll not be able to capture my mods in super nice quality pictures, so instead just as good as they currently are which actually mustn't be as bad as I thought since the shots I took were accepted for publication on Air Cube in Custom PC so that was a really nice vote of confidence from all the awesome people at bit-tech & Custom PC :D, I look at some others with really nice photography either pro or near pro standard & it would be nice to match that so yeah I'm a bit frustrated on what to go for lol, I also know dslr cameras can get to really ridiculas prices but I guess those types of cameras are serious pro cameras or simply people with too much money :D in fact some prices look very very scary to me in DSLR land lol.

Computer tech moves on fast so isn't such a priority with me not being able to afford a yearly full upgrade & a high quality scroll saw to me would be better than a laser cutter but without the engraving perk, I doubt I could get both the scroll saw & camera with a G but wow I can already vision some of the stuff I could make with a scroll saw like that & it's superior to Stealthlow, I've had a little taste of what a low end scroll saw can do & I'm definitely hooked on how much better it is for cutting than any other tool I've used :D I've found how bad they are at the low end & was busy looking for anything bad being said about the particular scroll saw & couldn't find anything negative about it only nothing but how seriously good it is & read heaps from all over the internet for a couple of days, same with the camera.

Milling aluminium with a router which all points in the direction of DO NOT TRY TO ROUTE ALUMINIUM but seen others do it here so I'm a bit puzzled on that one, apparently it's extremely dangerous & can see why after seeing how fast those things spin, I came across some that said they use a speed tweaker type gadget to slow it down more than the lowest speed by default or there are palm routers that seem good but quite fiddly in setting up, think I prefer the less hassle plunge routers or could be wrong on this & the palm type would be the way to go for me on this.

---END OF BLAH BLAH :D--- & ultimately I think my mind is already made up about getting the scroll saw :hehe:.

Oh & update time but it's a tiny one & I did this a good few days ago, been highly distracted since & still need a new hack saw to make the fan holders lol so I've hit a slow patch again because of potential new options available.

Had to do this 20mm strip of copper with the jigsaw so had to clamp it up as good as possible with a 10mm gap in the work bench, cutting thin sheet metal is a reminder why I used to not like using a jigsaw as it mangles the metal up very easily, so having tried a scroll saw even though it was for a short time I can easily say that's the way to go for thin sheet metal, & that cheap scroll saw I bought had the shortest life span of any tool I ever used, my own fault though really, should have looked up some tensioning videos lol but nonetheless it was a bad scroll saw as I couldn't properly use pin less blades on it.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0781.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0782.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0783.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0784.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0785.jpg

It was a bit of a struggle cutting a 20mm strip of 1mm copper with an overpowering jigsaw so I'm dreading doing a 10mm strip of 1mm alu with the jigsaw lol pretty sure it would mangle it up bad, this is another piece the super duper scroll saw could manage no sweat, not even sure why I'm holding out on ordering it but I seem to be but only because it's rather expensive, since my 2nd case I've enjoyed putting detailed fret work into panels but only during the past couple of months realised how awesome scroll saws actually are.

[Waynio]

I've got awesome scroll saw imprinted on my mind after considering all the great possibilities of things I could make :D I'll go for that & try to make the most out of the kodak easyshare z950 for a while longer :D.

Heres a little bit on the scroll saw I'm looking at :) :up:.

Basic stats, few pictures & test cutting video of Excalibur EX-30 Scroll Saw £530 :eek:.

The video was of the 21" version which is the same machine but just less throat depth & £40 difference.
bUC7wutR3A4

• Arm tilts 45° left and right, tilting the blade, not the table keeping the table level for better control & more accurate work

• 762mm Throat capacity

• 50mm Cutting thickness capacity

• Large 358 x 825mm table surface

• Quick blade changes with finger operated blade clamps, no tools required

• Easy access speed and tension controls

• Organized blade storage on base

• Onboard dust blower

• Can use 150mm lengths of 1/4" bandsaw blade, ideal for cutting thicker materials.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/950007_inset1_xl.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/950007_inset3_xl.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/950007_xl.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/t_drooling_homer_2141-261x300.gif

Only trouble I see if I got this beast of a tool is I'm not sure I could call modding a hobby or an obsession or even just a passion :think: :D I suppose some have hobbys that cost a lot to support & even compared to fishing enthusiasts this would be cheap I guess lol or some buy expensive clothes I buy no frills :D yeah, many ways to look at it that help rationalise the purchase :D & it should last a very long time if I look after it well which I will :up:.

[Waynio]

how well does that thing work with metal... cause if i can get something like that to do some nice cuts on aluminum and thin steel... that would be AWESOME!!!

Well I used a low end scroll saw with fine metal fret blades & managed to cut 1mm sheet alu without warpage & with ease & same with 3mm alu & copper, cut up some 5mm acrylic too but seemed whatever I had to cut through it it could manage no worries :up: the nice thing about it is it only needs a very tiny hole drilling in spots on the panel to do some really detailed internal cuts, with a scroll saw but with that kind of throat depth I could have easily done the back & side panels on this case with so little effort compared to how I did it :D.

But still I was going to order it like today or tomorrow but I think I'll leave it until I've completed this case & got more relaxed & if I still really want to go for it then I will :).

[Waynio]

Wow I actually went through with purchasing the scroll saw lol, thought long & hard about if I'd put it to good enough use & feel quite comfortable that I will but it did feel crazy spending that much on a tool.

My dad & bro think I'm crazy for buying a tool like that unless I was making money from it lol but I can't look at it like that but if I get good enough where I could make some good stuff for others I'd probably be up for it eventually but I'll let my project logs show of what I can do with it :) there are many many many things I could make once I get up to speed on good scroll work.

Might even re-make the bottom front panel as I cut that with a knackered scroll saw when the blade was extremely loose & was the bulkier pinned bladed type.

It could come this week or early next week, it weighs about 50kg :eek:.

[Waynio]

A few random sneaky peek pictures of the scroll saw with Stealthlow next to it for size comparison :D there was a wood blade already in but not properly fixed into the bottom holder, so with the case lay down the throat is as deep as the height of the case :eek::banana: wow I'll be able to do some good stuff with this.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/1-1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/2-1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/3-1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/4.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/5-1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/6-1.jpg

And this shot shows how it is bolted to a plank of wood
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/7-1.jpg

Here is the first design for a table for it.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/8.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/9.png

Here is the 2nd nice & cheap one :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/10-1.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/11-1.png

I won't be making a table for it until I get Stealthlow completed ;).

[Waynio]

Holy huge scroll saw dude!! I bought one of the tabletop ones like 2 years ago for $20 at a flee market. Best purchase ever! But this one is at least 3x bigger.

:D It is crazily huge lol, I had a small normal one but I didn't use it correct & it wouldn't take pin less blades very well had a really weak method of placing the pin less ones.

Since starting modding I've tried a few different cutting tools but when I had a short go on a scroll saw once I figured how to do it I was hooked :D & just realised how much potential for a lot of my ideas that I won't be as limited now when designing, always designed around whatever my building capabilities are or think I could manage doing bits, so this will really open some nice new possibilities, won't be for a while before I do another but I'll be experimenting with some ideas & making a few other things so if it's things of modding interest which it probably will :D I'll post in the appropriate section of the forum :).

[Waynio]

First DSLR camera play :D Canon EOS 1000D with Sigma 70mm f2.8 EX DG MACRO, came today but the tripod didn't turn up but I just couldn't hold back from having a play with it :D.

Did all these without a tripod, still waiting for it, the extra weight of the heavier camera & lens really helps keep it steady though & managed to do these :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera1.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera2.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera3.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera4.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera5.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera6.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera7.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera8.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera9.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera10.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera11.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera12.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera13.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera14.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera15.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera16.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera17.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera18.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera19.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera20.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera21.jpg
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/NewCamera22.jpg

First impressions after a pretty decent play with it, it's flipping amazing :D macro close ups nice & easy, longer distance image quality really nice, shooting my pc case in crystal clear quality though takes a bit of effort as I can't take the picture close to it for a full view of the case I have to step back about 3 metres, maybe a little more but overall this lens is sweet but you may see less of the full case except for the odd occasion or the final shoot :).

[Waynio]

someone was having fun with the camera settings.

and you could scroll saw a cow in half with that thing man... wth LOL
:D Yeah, thought it was a good idea to familiarize myself with it before taking progress shots :) & yeah it's a silly big scroll saw but had a first go on it earlier & I love it :D so nice & easy changing blades & no vibrations at all on slow speed which is what I'll mostly be using for metal & acrylic :up:.

Got the scroll saw temporarily set up & ready for action in the cellar at long last, still ned to make a custom table for it's permanent usage & the tripod arrived today so took a bunch of pictures of the case :) & I think I'll manage to keep this lens as a primary lens :D, finally started to resize the pictures for easier uploading but I'll keep the original raw full res images backed up.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0786.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0787.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0788.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0789.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0790.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0791.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0792.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0793.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0794.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0795.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0796.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0797.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0798.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0799.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0800.jpg

In extreme close up this shows why I was considering flipping it to the other side :D quite a few of the countersinking went very un-smooth.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0801.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0802.jpg

Also I seemed to have got up to speed on taking shots without the need of taking multiple shots so that little practice play the other day really helped :).

Tomorrow I start on the full length clamp strips :).

[Waynio]

Back in action :)

Got all the strips cut to size on the new scroll saw these are 1 metre strips, 25mm x 1mm alu, 20mm x 1mm copper, 10mm x 1mm alu, just need to add bevels on all the edges.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0803.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0804.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0805.jpg

[Waynio]

NICE!!!!!!
:):up:

Here is an alternative grill I designed & made today, the copper mess is sorted now I flipped it over & countersunk deep but did it on a slight angle & they all went nice & smooth, got a tip from PabloFunky & he meant something else but it worked lol :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0806.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0807.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0808.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0809.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0810.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0811.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0812.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0813.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0814.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0815.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0816.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0817.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0818.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0819.jpg

Soooo glad to get this moving again :).

[Waynio]

Wow, just had an epic session to make up for my bro hogging the garage :D so just carried on until 3:30 AM lol rather than running back & forth to the house I had a couple of beers :) & would have gone all night if I needed to to get these strips done :D.

I need to get an extra memory card for my kodak or an alternative lens that can take pics at a closer range, the kodak has enough room for 6 or 7 pictures with it's internal memory.

Anyway, the good stuff :D I straightened the strips & marked all the edges so I know they get a perfect bevel.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/000_0017.jpg

Gave them all a bevel.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/000_0018.jpg

Then took all the rough stuff off with a file as it was quicker & then gave a good sanding with 240 grit & then brushed them & also brushed the front panel.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/000_0019.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/000_0020.jpg

Here I just used clamps to hold the strips in place while I drilled the mounting holes, just 1 at the top & 1 at the bottom & tapped the alu curve bar & added helicoils.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/000_0021.jpg

Before I called it a day I decided to add the extra holes on the copper front panel mesh so there were no blank spots behind the grill but on my last hole the drill whacked the panel right out of shape & it was double clamped tightly so not sure why this happened, but it was still hot from all the drilling & countersinking so I whacked away with a mallet against the flat piece on the vice, got it to a straightened out form but man it was way out of shape, thought I'd definitely need to redo it :eeek:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/000_0023.jpg

By the way thank you voigts for suggesting full length tab strips, they are awesome & thanks to everyone else for keep on reminding me they were the way to go :D.

Need 4 hands for installing the copper curved vents so left them out for this shoot & the strip tabs still need trimming down on both ends & the internal tabs need shortening a bit but that is a tiny task compared to what I just done :).

And wow I forgot to name the pictures lol.

Now onto the good shots or as good as can be when it's the middle of the night :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0105_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0106_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0107_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0112_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0113_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0116_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0117_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0118_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0119_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0120_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0122_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0124_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0125_1.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/IMG_0126_1.jpg

Hmmm the front panel caught a few scratches which I'll sort out & the strips will need re brushing because of the clamps.

[Waynio]

This build just got even better!

Those strips were exactly what it needed. It looks so smooth and clean now. I just can't believe what a difference it made. I like it before but now I LOVE it.

Great job on this thing. Keep up the good work. :up:

:D Thanks mate, yeah I was trying to kid myself the tabs were better because of the difficulty I had with the 3mm thick copper but this solution works nicely without excess force pulling the curve out, yep glad I persisted :):up: I've uninstalled & installed the strips a few times already & they are even easier to install or remove with it only being 2 bolts but still I might although not for certain yet add a couple more bolts.

Thought I was in the clear with hiccups :facepalm:.

I'll try to keep this short but ended up going on & on & on like usual lol :).

The front copper mesh grill got more damaged than I thought when I drilled the final hole which is why it wouldn't sit flush to the acrylic, it bulges out by 1mm.

Tried whacking it into better shape at the time & then again today & seems nice & flat but not perfectly flat & it needs to be.

Decided I really like the copper mesh grill panel & going to alu for this front detail just would have been a come down for this, so ordered a 250x250mm x 2mm sheet & just in case I have more probs a 250x250mm x 1mm sheet so I can re-make it, but this time i'm going to go overkill with the clamping :D, thought I did before with 2 G clamps nice & tight but I guess not, really couldn't believe it when it completely deformed, really should have taken a picture, it was so twisted out of shape I instantly thought well that's that then :D but was using the kodak with it's internal memory with room for 6 or 7 shots.

I tried the original blank 3mm alu panel I made in the early stages of this project & it still fits perfect so at least the form of the case is still good, was getting worried it lost form some how :D.

I'll be a bit busy tomorrow but if I get chance & I'm up for it I'll get something done even if it's just finishing off the strips & then I'll have to use gloves so I don't get dirt or grease on them, the more the copper gets handled the duller it gets & the strips have already started showing clear dulling signs :eek:, so I ordered some brass lacquer for it to keep it's fresh look after I give it a re-brush & clean :).

The little copper vents are staying out of the build :D, they just don't look good after seeing them with the strips & they'd be quite restrictive for air flow so laters to them :D, I'll either leave the vents open or if I can think up something good enough I'll make something else but the edges got a good wet sanding so are near polished so theres a good chance I'll leave them as they are.

Just when I thought I was getting into some solid progress lol.

[Waynio]

Don't stress too bad.

It's just part of modding. If it was too easy then everyone could do it!

:) I was stuck in a very bad sleep pattern so been getting stressed a bit easier than normal, but got it straight again for the time being but once I've completed this case I'm gonna get myself back in good shape before I tackle another mod :D.

I knew going into this one it wouldn't be a walk in the park lol, the majority of it was though :) but the stuff that was difficult really was :D but yeah I think all the difficult stuff is complete & just needs tidying up & waiting for the new copper to arrive :up:.

Just got the metal lacquer & brush so just waiting on the bottom front copper sheet now :) :crossed: it'll come today.

I think if I was to make another one of these I'd forget about the top short opposing curve as that is what caused the higher difficulty & really I'd find it difficult to reproduce, usually once you've done something in a mod it's easier to do again but not that lol or if I did I'd use plain polycarbonate & put a tint film over it as it has more strength from cracking & is more flexible, acrylic can be a real pain to curve for some stuff :D.

[Waynio]

Hmmm, I started filing the excess edges off the ends of the strips & left side went fine, right side I got impatient filing 1 way & went both ways & with the 10mm x 1mm alu strips being uber flexible it pulled back & detatched from the case :( so was knackered, then I went & made another 10mm x 1mm strip & drilled in the same spots where the original had them & when I installed it it had a good bit of baggy flex so really not good, my disc sander seems like it's past it's best but I need to open it up to see what's wrong it spins well but it's making a ton of extra noise & vibrates heavily so needs opening & looking to see whats wrong, some of the case screws had come very loose so I'm guessing it's something similar inside the machine, hopefully it's fixable.

Only way I'll get these alu strips done now is if I use button head bolts as countersinking these extremely flexible strips just makes them even more so, so yeah I'll re-make the 10mm alu strips tomorrow & get them on with button head bolts for a better connection :).

Anyway heres some shots of the case with correct length strips & shortened internal tabs.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0840.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0841.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0842.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0843.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0844.jpg

And because it was doing my head in I needed to see it in a fuller form so re-brushed the left panel & put the side windows in too :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0845.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0846.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0847.jpg

The bottom front grill I'm using a tripple layer of alu until the copper arrives.

[Waynio]

Fixed the disc sander which is a relief :) & re-made both the slim strips & underneath the slim strips I added 4 extra bolts on each side to hold it all down nicer so the slim strips are held in with just 2 button head bolts so the bottom front panel is held in better also now :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0848.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0849.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0850.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0851.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0852.jpg

Back on track now I think after mucking up the other slim alu strips :) but I don't know what's going on with the copper delivery.

[Waynio]

Ok some pictures of where it's at with added stainless steel mirror polished 2nd floor installed & everything fits perfect incuding the ssd mount & made sure the psu is still mountable & is :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0853.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0854.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0855.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0856.jpg

I had a go at doing the optical tray cover but the blades I have aren't adequate to do what I wanted to do, they are great for sheet materials but I tried going through 12mm diameter copper rod & it just takes ages, did cut all the way through it though but also wanted to split the rod down the middle to use a half circle on the tray but yeah it would have overworked the scroll saw for such a small part so need different blades for that really, it's doable but would take hours & hours & don't fancy risking burning out the new saw :) it is possible to use bandsaw blades cut up for this scroll saw though so I'll do that for pieces like this & it should breeze through it & much thicker material :D.

[Waynio]

Got all the fan mount stubs made & installed, did 1 of them wrong so just re made it :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0857.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0858.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0859.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0860.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0861.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0862.jpg

So close to finished :banana:.

[Waynio]

Took a few pictures with some nice daylight & with the side panel off :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0863.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0864.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0865.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0866.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0867.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0868.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0869.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0870.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0871.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0872.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0873.jpg

Also the curved acrylic piece looks good on most shots & to the eye but some shots I took it shows how messed up the surface of the acrylic is so a question for you all, how do I get it restored to perfection? :).

And ordered a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS standard lens so I can take certain shots that I just can't with this macro lens, the macro lens really is awesome but also really need a normal lens so I don't have to be so far away from what I'm shooting & can't afford the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG I really wanted so went for the nice & cheap 1 but it's meant to be good image quality anyway just low build quality.

Also I said I had all I need to complete the case but that isn't true since I decided to do the fan wire work properly so I'm gonna have to wait for soldering gear & supplies to arrive but hopefully they won't take long to arrive (not ordered yet but it's the weekend so have chance to decide before buying), I could wire twist & heatshrink like I used to do which is probably as good as soldering but I dunno, what you guys think, get the soldering gear or twist & shrink? :D.

[Waynio]

Did a test run of the installed fans running & woo hoo no vibrations at all, 1 of the fans has a faint wobble but isn't causing any vibrations with them being solidly secured but it's all genuinely silent, I had to stick my head inside the case to be able to hear them running lol so it will definitely live up to it's stealth part of the name & the air flow goes as expected :up:, just hope it can cope with the overclock I have on it, it's only just above a faint breeze going through the case so should be ok just about, people think those Fractal Design Define R3 cases are quiet, I've built a rig for my bro with 1 & they aren't so quiet but this is silent as if it's a passively cooled rig so if anything is going to make any noise on this it will be the gtx 580 :) really can't believe how silent it is, if there were no spinning fans or lights you couldn't tell it was on :eek::up:.

Also done a little smoke test so I could see the flow working correct & it does although the bottom front fan is cutting it fine, ideally it needs pulling 10mm further into the case so it flows that little bit better, either that or add a seperator piece between the 2 front fans.

[Waynio]

A question on cooling.

This is what you want to happen:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow1.png

But because you've got the intake fan not directly against its vents, and those vents aren't directly lined up, I think you might end up with a loop around the intake fan.

And because this will result in negative pressure inside the case, and you have a perforated rear, I think you might end up with a loop around the exhaust too.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/blibba/ProjectStealthlow2.png

Between those two effects, you'd end up with very little airflow across the components. What say you?

(Not trying to pick holes here, just trying to be helpful :))

:D I had to dig out this post as I remembered you saying this & I finally got to the part where I found out for sure :up: & you was absolutely correct about the bottom front fan :D, at the time when you said it I really wasn't sure if the air could do that but yes it did, however all the rest works as it should thank goodness :D.

Sorted it out though by adding extra vent in front of that particular fan & it all works as planned now, quite nicely too :):up: I'll get a picture update on tomorrow when it's light :).

[Waynio]

So I found the acrylic cover prevented the lower fan from catching air properly, so I added extra ventage :D this introduced a bit more fine scratches but I found a solution for it & already ordered it so all the scratches will be removed & the acrylic will be restored back to perfect :up:.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0874.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0875.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0876.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0877.jpg

These last 2 shots I took in sniper position without tripod :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0878.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0879.jpg

And in case anyones wondering why the alu strips aren't perfectly in the middle they can move a little side to side so not a problem :D.

[Waynio]

LOL A good old winge about the corsair cables being crap & it forced me to do something with the 3mm copper rods :D but not entirely sure I'll stick with this although it immediately tidied the wires up nicely but the dark tint makes it hide almost completely so either I'm on to something ok with the copper spiral rods that needs more work or I should just go with the MDPCX cable clips :D.

The black wire I bought was useless & snaps easy when tightened so couldn't do what I intended with the copper wire supports so did spirals instead :).

Also I wouldn't mind making a right angle ATX power connector to keep the wires out of the way from the front fan (I seen such a technique done by Chiller :) so it's possible).

Before the copper.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0880.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0881.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0882.jpg

Copper installed to tidy up.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0883.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0884.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0885.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0886.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0887.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0888.jpg

Thoughts? possibly on to an ok thing with the copper rod or not :D.

[Waynio]

The copper looks good.

1 question: What is the fan above the PSU doing? Its not pulling or pushing anything. It looks to be less than an inch away from a solid piece...
That's just for making sure all the heat gets guided upwards & outwards so theres no heat pockets :D an extra measure possibly not needed but it does aid in doing whats intended, I did a similar thing in air cube but on that it helped keep temps down a bit more but it was probably going at 1 of the mobo sensors lol :D thanks mate :).


Copper wire management looks really good, kinda like watercooling anti-kink coils.
Thanks mate, the overall feedback suggests it's quite good so I'll persist in making it a bit better still :).

Thanks guys :up:.

The acrylic scratch removal bits came today, it's novus 3 heavy scratch remover which I shouldn't need to use, 2 fine scratch remover which I'll use, 1 plastic clean & shine & a couple of 5 packs of 100% cotton fine polishing cloths.

Also the standard 18-55mm canon IS lens came today & give it a few shots to do, here they are :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0889.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0890.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0891.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0892.jpg

Not bad, not nearly as good as the sigma lens & feels like a toy but not bad picture quality, much better than my dads older lenses so I'll be happy with that & it's not an expensive lens so I'll be happy to use this in the workshop also so much better being able to be much closer to what I'm shooting was quite a mistake not getting a zoom macro lens as my main lens (I'll still take care of it as if it was an expensive one though) :).

[Waynio]

Just got all upper level fans installed & it's still silent but also with the push/pull fans the flow is rather good so the overclock should be perfectly fine :D so now I have all the fans ready to properly start on needed cable lengths & get the wire work done on them.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0893.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0894.jpg

I also ordered 5 ATX right angle pieces from America (they are white though so I'll have to colour them) & thought I could double 2 of them up so it points to the other side of the mobo tray so will keep the airflow completely clear :).

[Waynio]

Attila on bit-tech threw me an idea on how to make this case a good few notches higher in the appearence part but I just can't do it because of the way I designed it to be, these pictures are to show why, it boils down to there not being enough space between the tower heatsink & side panel & the mesh on the back, but I could add internal covering for below the heatsink but it might not look right so I think I'll pass & save something like that for another case.

Took a few shots to show why it would be a nightmare to make internal casing without causing a problem for air flow, the case width is designed perfectly for large tower heatsink & generous space on the other side for wires so there is only about 5mm gap between cooler & side panel.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0895.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0896.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0897.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0898.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0899.jpg

And here is the result of some elbow polish & the scratch remover stuff, this is on a I think 10 to 15mm piece of acrylic & dark tint so it shows the scratches really well, I roughed it up a bit with 240 grit & had to use all 3 solutions of the novus system, #2 just didn't cut it so used #3 then #2 then #1 & believe it will be much easier to apply on bigger pieces.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0900.jpg

[Waynio]

Just to show how bad the scratches got on the main window, I'll update later when I can get a good photo of it restored (thought I got it fully done but was still some scratches there so had to get back onto it lol went over the whole piece on both sides just to be sure from 240 grit wet sanding to 2000 & then a few hours hand polishing until it's as close as possible to perfect condition) & in the meantime I'll do the fan wires & I've said that I don't know how many times now, it's just so much fun wire work lol :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0901.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0902.png

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0903.png

[Waynio]

Ok so I didn't get it quite right & all because I skipped a grit, d'oh I did 240 grit then skipped 600 because it wasn't around & went straight to 1200 & then 2000, it all seemed ok so went on to the scratch removal liquids, it seemed perfect until I seen it in broad daylight which helped it show many many many ultra fine scratches especially when I took some macro shots so next I'll wet sand starting at 600 grit & work back to 2000 & then get the polishing done right this time, should be doing the fan wires now but got to get this piece sorted before I move on :D.

Random shot :D
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0905.jpg

Before
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0904.jpg

After
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0906.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0907.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0908.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0909.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0910.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0911.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0912.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0913.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0914.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0915.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0916.jpg

Sorry about the continued mass of photos but I did take a few nice ones & showing how it looks in different light, without daylight reflecting direct onto the bad areas you can't tell theres anything wrong so I could cheat it if I wanted :D but I'm gonna get it back to it's original condition, next bunch will be of the main window sorted & fans extended & sleeved or I won't post any more updates until they are done :D.

[Waynio]

Looking good dude. I really really like the copper cable magement.
Thanks mate, I've been told that's a technique they use for shaping bonsai trees :D.

Heres the freshly fully wet sanded window & new RAM I put in my rig to replace the ocz 4GB 1600mhz 7,8,7,20 I was expecting a drop in performance with going for kingston hyper x 8GB 1600mhz 9,9,9,27 but did before & after memory benches & they are just as good :) took these 2 without a tripod also but they are part of the progress so got to leave them in.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0916b.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0916a.jpg

OK I'm in the middle of doing the fan wires right now & having a little break from it so thought I'd up the photos of the window I took earlier in the day, all these photos are showing it in the worst possible lighting which would highlight any scratches so when daylight isn't on it like this it looks pristine & to be honest not far from it in this raw daylight but to get it in truly pristine form it would take I'd guess at least 14 solid hours of arm killing fun so I'll settle for this :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0917.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0918.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0919.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0920.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0921.jpg

Also put the warped copper panel back in, it needs some work to get it 100% flat which I'll have a go at tomorrow, it's also 2mm too short for the spot it's in & I do have an extra 2mm copper sheet which I could make a new one if I need to & I don't have to do a hole mesh I could do a complimenting pattern for the front alu piece in the same style as the clamp strips.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0922.jpg

[Waynio]

Finally got the very boring bit done :D extending the fan wires & sleeving them.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0923.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0924.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0925.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0926.jpg

Glad that's done with :).

[Waynio]

Fan mod time :banana: if I don't like these enough once I get them done right I have designed my own frames for if I feel like doing them :D.

These need bending better, I measured the enermax pieces & made a template, cut them all out on the scroll saw, took them to the disc sander, then brush finished them, then looked around for an ideal sized round hard object to bend it around.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0927.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0928.jpg

I'll need to make a mould to get it perfect & have plenty of spare scrap wood to do this :).

[Waynio]

That definitely ranks up there as one of my favourite fan mods of all time. So cool and so perfect for this build! +rep
:banana: Thank you mate :):up:.


Not sure what you ended up doing, but I'd just do the twist & shrink since it works, it'll be easier to swap out fans in the future, and either way it needs to be wrapped in heatshrink.

I honestly wasn't a fan of the spiraled copper cable tie idea at first but it's growing on me. It would especially look good if each spiral was identical and the ends were hidden from view behind the wires.

The easiest way to photograph scratches in the acrylic would be to shine a bright light (such as a single LED) into the edge. Any scratches will illuminate.

And those fans are awesome. Did you have to cut out the middle section or was the fan modular? I ask because of those plastic tabs. Any pics of the fan mid-mod?

Awesomely, awesome work so far on this whole build!
Yeah I twisted, taped, shrunk & sleeved :) works really well for me. The spirals I'm still experimenting on what to do, I have a bunch of black MDPC cable clips but it's just not challenging :D so I might make some copper ones with the leftovers from these fan pieces :):up:.

I'll remember to take photos of the process when I get to work on the others mate, they are modular, the brushed aluminium enermax pieces inside them come as 2 half circles, honestly though that scroll saw makes modding so much better really glad I went for it :).

Cheers mate :):up:.


I think the fan mod is awesome. Looks perfect from your pics.
Thanks Fuganater, I have a pile more photos of it in it's proper form now I've got a sollution for geting the half circles done right so here we go :).

Woo hoo I found the perfect bending aid for getting these replacement pieces done, my masking tape with a perfect fitting tin of paint placed inside :D just wrap around it & squeeze & then a tiny bit of hand bending & got it to 99% perfect, I thought I made them 1mm too long but no they are just very fiddly to put inside the clips so now I know I can make it work I'll take these out & get all the other copper pieces bent properly & then if needed give them another brushing & then brush some metal lacquer on them to stop them from tarnishing :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0929.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0930.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0931.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0932.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0933.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0934.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0935.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0936.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0937.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0938.jpg

The strips go in in 2 pieces just like the enermax ones, it's a modular fan :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0939.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0940.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0941.jpg

[Waynio]

Got the fan copper pieces & the fan mount stumps brushed with the coarse mop & then brushed metal lacquer on them so they can be handled now without easily adding finger prints :) & got them all installed.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0942.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0943.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0944.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0945.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0946.jpg

[Waynio]

Looks much better now. But you know what stands out? That awful blue GPU fan cover.

Hehe thanks mate, but don't worry that's my spare 9800gtx & the motherboard & TRUE cooler are spare parts also :D.

I got an invite to the International German Casemod Championship (DCMM) so I have until the 3rd of August to make my mind up if I go, I'd love to but I'm not a keen traveller & I'm ever so slightly agoraphobic, I'm ok going about in the UK but flights & everything else I don't know & not being able to have a smoke while travelling, only German I know is how to count & to introduce myself & say hello etc :facepalm: I'd need drugging & carting off to get there like B.A aint getting on no plain foo lol :D hopefully I'll be able to kick myself up the bum to get over there :).

[Waynio]

that looks SICK!!

:D Thanks mate :up: they work out nice & cheap also with me doing them myself :D like less than £10 for all 6 fans :).

This is what turned out to be perfect for getting the curves done on the copper rims, a fresh roll of cello tape with a tin of paint stuffed in the middle & just wrap the copper around it & then manually bend the ends a tiny bit, then flip over & spread it out a tiny bit & then they fit nicely :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0947.jpg

Took it all apart ready for brushing, there are quite a few parts that need a fresh brushing & some parts that still have markings on & parts that haven't been brushed yet so it's time to get every little bit brushed & lacquered although the curve bars & motherboard tray will have to wait a little longer as I still need to make & add copper cable clips & a power button :D I had to opt for a 16mm one, just wasn't quite enough space for a 19mm one where I wanted it because of the strip clamps, I have thought about grinding part of the switch bevel away so it fits but undecided on that & the motherboard tray needs the psu wire pass through hole making a little bigger so more wires can cram through :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0948.jpg

The nice thing about the metal lacquer is it doesn't leve a gloss finish if only using 1 coat but adds a nice protective layer, on a sample piece I did 1 coat & less than 3 hours later I handled it & left no finger prints or smudge marks, well none that were visible anyway & it really takes some hard rubbing to get it off so it's really good stuff :).

But whatever the case I'll still need to wait for the right angle ATX plugs before I can finish this, the dylon general purpose black dye came today so I'm all set to get this complete once the ATX plugs come.

Oh :D can't forget about the front bottom copper panel, waiting for the range of scroll saw blades so I can cut the 2mm copper more easy on a bevel, the jewelers blades struggle cutting anything above 1.5mm so cutting 2mm copper on an angle just isn't a good idea it would take forever & would waste quite a few blades, the bandsaw blade came today though so should be able to see how well it copes with a range of thicker materials, I'm expecting it to be as good as a hacksaw but with more ease of precision so I'm a bit excited to find out how well it does :D.

Oh BTW I found I can buy a decent milling cross table at a good price & a rotating table, so I'm gonna be saving up so I can buy both & a good pillar drill, then I'd be able to make quite a few awesome things :).

[Waynio]

Brushing the small copper pieces with metal lacquer left me with an impression it was easy to do without hiccups, some spots it looks nasty especially under certain light but I'll rub all the bad spots out & do a fresh brush of lacquer to get it so it looks nice all over.

Glad I had a few extra things to do to the motherboard tray really as I rounded the square holes on all the main pass throughs & the hdd pass throughs & looks much nicer now, didn't need to change the optical ssd pass through as it's out of sight & works perfect, oh & added a 16mm vandal power switch which only just fit :) silver with white ring & finally I drilled 5 or 6 holes & put helicoils in so I could use the MDPC cable clips if I can't be bothered with making copper ones :D.

On with the photos :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0949.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0950.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0960.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0961.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0965.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0966.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0967.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0968.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0969.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0970.jpg

And for shots like this is why I wanted a different lens, just couldn't get these shots with the fixed focal macro lens.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0971.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0972.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0975.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0976.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0977.jpg

Wow that was a load of shots but hopefully good viewing with the building up part lol.

[Waynio]

Added extra precaution for opening the fan frame, someone broke one & I didn't cover how to do it thought it was self explanitory but maybe not.

I've not been project logging properly lately with changing my camera which is too nice to be in a dusty environment & the tripod is huge & I have limited work space so it all just gets in the way of what I'm doing so to log better I'd be best getting an extra memory card & compact tripod & use my kodak for workshop stuff & save the nice one for out of the workshop, in the winter I hardly took my camera over to the garage as it was sub zero temps & I doubt that's good for the camera, my mp3 sometimes crashes it gets that cold :D.

Ok excuses out of the way & I'll do this to fill at least 1 blank since everyone seems to like this fan mod & 1 so far is even willing to pay for them, I won't be selling any, I've better things to do, I probably would sell these but have no idea on nice fair pricing for the buyer & for me I'd feel wrong for charging something to make it worth my while & I'd be stupid to do them for virtually free so here is a guide I just made so anyone who either hasn't got the tools or experience you could go get them cnc'd like many modders these days :D, it's good to share knowledge, keeps modding evolving rather than keeping the how's to yourself :).



Custom rims tut for enermax modular type fans :) (revised).


So you need a good strong pointy pin :D

Carefully unclip all 4 main connectors.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0992.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0993.jpg

The carefully unclip the centre holding clips, the rest don't need it as they don't hold as much force.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0994.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0995.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0996.jpg

And do the same for the ones on the other half of the fan, you have to unclip on both sides of the half circle & then they just fall out :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0997.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0998.jpg

There, shouldn't have anyone breaking their fans while doing this now.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0999.jpg

These fans have loads of potential for sweet customisation especially if you can go with CNC as you could add your own cool cut patterns or logo.

The strips come in 2 half circles & measure 182mm x 18.5mm x 1mm I flattened 1 out & kept 1 in good form as an example for this tut.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0978.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0979.jpg

The cello tape I used was 90mm diameter & think it works better than just a hard object as it allows you to squeeze it to a further form, this setup virtually makes a perfect form for the 120mm fans although with raw material it requires a little extra forming which you can do with strong fingers & a hard surface.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0980.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0981.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0982.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0983.jpg

With a raw material it's likely it will need a little extra curving & this works for me.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0984.jpg

It also seems to matter where you place the half circles, the enermax ones have a bunch of slots that help it stay in place so if your using a flat material it can be tricky to get both in correctly, they shouldn't be overlapping each other at all & they need to be in every single slot on the bottom & top or the fan blades won't spin because of the slots being bent towards the blades.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0985.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0986.jpg

Once everything is aligned well you can carefully press the connectors down into place & make sure it's fully closed & that's it, you have a cooler looking fan providing you cut & formed the rim to exact spec :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0987.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0988.jpg

Modding this fan has opened up loads of awesome ideas for me which I hope to do some time if I can get the right tools.

I took the stickers off the psu :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0989.jpg

And got the fans back in there.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0990.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow0991.jpg

[Waynio]

Beautiful.
Thanks mate & congrats with getting engaged :):up:.


What he said. Beautiful mod and your camera does a damn good job of showing it.
Thanks mate yeah I felt my skills have grown enough to justify getting a nicer camera :D well that & getting a bit of unexpected money which was blown on the camera, lens, tripod & an incredible scroll saw :):up:.

Which is why I added modder 4 life in my custom title :D the price of the scroll saw for it to be justified I need to make a load of awesome things lol :D.

[Waynio]

Ya I hear ya. I'm going to get a macro lens soon. Just need to get the $500 first.
I searched & researched heaps before going for mine, it's a truly awesome lens but I overlooked 1 pretty big detail, zoom :facepalm: lol :D.

The right angle ATX plugs & scroll saw blades came on Saturday :banana:.

But, looks like the right angle ATX plugs are for soldering to the motherboard with both ends being male :facepalm: I aint soldering anything on the motherboard lol so those 5 bits are heading straight to the random bits box probably never to be used, probably :D.

So I've ordered a male & female ATX plug & I'll make a custom extender that wraps around to the rear of the mobo panel so it doesn't obstruct air flow, this isn't a bad thing really as I'll be able to make the 24 pin cable go in the shape of the curve with the extra slack I'll gain from this.

I started out on the front bottom copper panel & was my first go at cutting on an angle with the scroll saw, quite difficult really as it turns a 2mm sheet into 4 or 5mm & it catches easier so got through quite a few blades & I had to press a lot of force downwards to stop it jumping around (wasn't that bad all the time but I'd say 50/50 so just did piece by piece spreading it out over the day & finally got the rough cut done, now it needs a good sanding session on the bevelled edges to get rid of any jaggies, things have moved forward that bit more :D.

The metal lacquer I had some trouble with, the first time I lacquered it all it left some drips & some blobs, I stripped those areas down, re-brushed & re-lacquered & all is mostly fine except the right side panel where the brush finish got messed up & the top right area doesn't go in form with the rest so I'm thinking of stripping all the lacquer off, re-brushing & re-lacquering, PITA but needs doing really if I want it as my best effort, I'll just have to be more careful when I lacquer it next.Also since the perfection thing has got a grip of me I'm going to try to mill drill some of the side panel windows a little more because some aren't quite flush to the alu & it's irritating me whenever I look at it & see a glare from the windows that are sunk in by 1mm or less :D.

Got some nice shots though with the morning light, enjoy :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1000.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1002.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1003.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1004.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1005.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1009.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1010.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1011.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1012.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1016.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1017.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1018.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1019.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1020.jpg

More soon :).

[Waynio]

Looking GREAT!!! :banana: I love the copper on the lower panel now. However it looks to me like there are a few spots where the final filing/sanding might be a bit of PITA. :think: But you perfectionism is paying off in how nice this is turning out.
Thanks mate :) oh it took a while to get it to a better form, to be honest if I had the extra bit of patience I could probably get all the cut marks out of the copper but arrrrrrgh pulling a thin strip of 240 grit paper back & forth thousands of times really tests a persons patience lol :D.


Just keeps getting better and better.
Thanks mate :):up:.

Slithered bits off the front bottom copper panel with the scroll saw & then smoothed off the copper panel by pulling strips of 240 grit paper back & forth to get most of the cut marks out & then brushed & lacquered, took quite a bunch of hours but worth it.

And also fixed something that has been irritating me every time I see it, not every side panel window fit flush so I took the offending pieces out & took them to the drill press with milling bit, it's a pain to set up for the depth & it's a bit of a nightmare controlling the piece I run through but managed it just fine :D & now I have 100% flush windows :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1021.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1022.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1023.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1024.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1025.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1026.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1027.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1028.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1029.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1030.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1031.jpg

[Waynio]

Just got a couple of ATX plugs & some other bits so I can make an extender & a really short 1 just so it doesn't interfere with the air flow from the front fans & I'll be able to have the wires go in the shape of the curve with the extra slack :).

:D I just finished designing, printing, sticking, cutting & forming the copper P clips, the big clips are P clips, the smaller ones it wasn't possible to do them nicely because of the thickness of the copper so they are a slightly different version of the P clips, was the only way to make them in a nice way & the copper sheet I ordered I got lucky with the off cut as it was mirror polished on both sides so was pleasantly surprised :D, only cost me £7 with delivery, I said I'd make enough for 3 of the fan pieces for someone on another forum & he wants them brush finished so I might use the ones I made from this mirror copper & send him the ones I already made :D depends if I like the look of them when installed :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1032.jpg

Also I've got around to thinking about lighting & decided I could make the bottom section fan holders better since my marking method has drastically improved compared to when I started this project I print the designs now & stick them on the material so it's far quicker & more accurate to my design than marking manually & I have the scroll saw now & just ordered a drum sander that is usable on the drill press & can use any sand paper on it so could take it to 2000 grit without a ton of effort :D, there was a couple of things I didn't like with the fan holders, after I stuck them together I continued wet sanding them to get a perfectly seamless finish on them but it went wrong & some gunk worked it's way into the seams so when viewed from an angle it didn't look so good especially with light in there & didn't like the fact I had to drill mill some of the holders down a bit & even then the fans were too tight (so tight I cut myself when pushing a fan back out of the holder).

So I'll re-make them but for the depth of the fans I'll use 9 x 3mm sticks of acrylic instead of 5 x 5mm with a luminous orange stick in the middle, the apollish fans don't add any light to the stick areas so it opens a way to light them differently & I'll be making them function as the hdd activity LED :D so should be a sweet little feature & got all the bits I ordered except for the drum sander :).

Making them again should take no longer than 2 good sessions or even 1.

And the other lighting thing I've thought about is RGB LED strips, 1 600mm strip for each curve bar & possibly 1 300mm for underneath the case, it will have a remote control for selecting whatever colour I want & could turn it off when I want so can't wait to get that to put in but can't afford it just yet :D, anyway only a few steps away from complete :up:.

[Waynio]

gorgeous...

Thanks diluzio :), like the sig quote & so true :D.

Going back in time to re-do the fan holders :D.

Just finished cutting the acrylic for re-making the fan holders so thats near 60 sticks & 15 fan hole pieces waiting to be sanded, the scroll saw really likes cutting acrylic, the disc sander & drum sander will make pretty quick work of finishing the edges :D the orange is called lava orange & looks like a neon light, these will be in the middle of the stick pieces with a white LED behind them so should create a great effect amongst the black & white colours in the bottom section, the stick sections don't catch any light from the apollish fans so allows for something nice, I will run a test before I stick them though to make sure it is good :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1033.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1034.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1035.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1036.jpg

I started very late so only got this far so I'll do the sanding later & see if I have material for making a really accurate jig for sticking parts together, has to be a perfect jig & something placing inside the jig to prevent the bits from sticking to the jig so I don't have to do further sanding after sticking.

[Waynio]

Sanded to 2000 grit & to get them perfect I'll have my first go at flame polishing.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1037.jpg

Loosely stacked.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1038.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1039.jpg

[Waynio]

I tried out a polishing mop on the bench grinder so see how it turns the acrylic pieces I wet sanded with 2000 grit which took 2 hours for 6 pieces, they turned out awesome within a couple of light passes but the other pieces turned out quite crap really & wow I can't be arsed wet sanding the other 9 fan hole pieces & then the 54 stick pieces so yeah I'll just frost them all, far easier option & still a good option really, but wow the polished ones really did turn out excellent but it's just too much work, it would either be 24 hours or even 48 hours to do :wacky: it would be possible for me to do it but I'd need quite a few beers to make it less monotonous :D I rarely drink but I've found a couple of beers lets me just get stuck in without thinking much about how many more to do :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1040.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1041.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1042.jpg

[Waynio]

Heres all the pieces 2000 grit wet sanded, polished, cleaned & ready for putting together with dots of tensol 12 acrylic adhesive.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1043.jpg

All stuck together & I need a break, I feel wasted :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1044.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1045.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1046.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1047.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1048.jpg

[Waynio]

Got the clamp bars cut, shaped, drilled, sanded, brushed & lacquered & also cut the copper rod pieces to size which will be for handles to help taking the clamps out, power sanded edges flat, bunged them in the drill press :D & shaped the ends with files (only had about 3 to 4 mm to play with so couldn't get fancy :() drilled, tapped & placed helicoils inside them, brushed them & then brushed metal lacquer on them too :D turned out be pretty nice I think :) I found when brushing metal lacquer on it's best to use a heat gun on the lowest setting to speed up the initial drying which seems to stop blobs or runs forming anywhere on it :).

These clamp bars aren't even necessary :lol: the hdd cages are a good tight fit but I already added the clamp supports in waaaay earlier in the project so thought I'd make them anyway lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1049.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1050.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1051.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1052.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1053.jpg

Attila is the one who inspired me to turn plain bars into something nicer :).

[Waynio]

that's so sweet

Thanks mate :):up:.

Getting the lighting done right on those stick bars in the fan holders is proving a bit of a challenge :D, the apolish fans give off awesome light but don't touch the stick bars so I had to come up with a way to light those parts well enough to have a similar effect to holding it up to broad daylight.

I tried an LED placed directly underneath the sticks & only lights up the orange bar & a tiny bit of the dual tint pieces but lights up excellent on the top end, I also tried sanding the edges of the LED's flat which didn't help neither, I also tried countersinking the LED hole so it would make the light brighter & wider but didn't make a difference, so had ideas of frosting just the stick bars internally or using light tape or el tape stuck to the frame of the fans to give a consistant glow but light tape is fragile & expensive, I even tried a laminating sheet which looks frosted when it hasnt been used this helped a bit but still not what I was aiming for, so my latest idea is to make a block of opal frosted acrylic & bung an LED inside it & have it replace a 5mm portion of the stick bars hoping it will create an awesome spread of light to act like it does when held up to daylight but even with that I think I'd be best to frost the insides of the stick bars so it works excellent I made the acrylic too clear by polishing it :D, this light block idea won't be seen because of the clamp bars so should work nicely.

At the moment I'm waiting for deliveries for molex pins & the opal frosted acrylic so could be Tuesday or later before I get to try it out.

[Waynio]

I had a good look at the led strips on the apollish fans & they look really thin like around 1mm so was going mad trying to find where I'd get them to add around the exterior so I could join the connector to the fans, Tealc on OCUK was very very helpful about the led strips & I now have the solution for lighting these holders perfectly, after thinking about the fact I'll probably have to file a bit out of the middle of the holders to make space for the strips I thought why the heck not go for the brighter ones :D, another thing I held the RGB strip underneath the holders & I'd say the orange acyrlic is highly UV reactive so I ordered UV ones :D so with all this figured out now I've got the bottom of the case bolted back on as I won't need to mod the hdd platform, phew :D, so can work on other things now while waiting, also if the light is too bright I could slip some laminating sheet inside to diffuse it a bit :).

[Waynio]

Somebody get miniature, sanitized plungers.
I need my eyes pushed back in.

:D Cheers AmEv :):up:. I can finally resume now I have the parts I ordered :banana:.

Been ages or so it seems since I done anything & got the needed bits to continue now hopefully to the end of this project.

So continuing with working on the fan holder lighting :) this is with a UV LED strip inside the acrylic with about 8 sheets of laminating sheet in front of the strip, the strip needs it's waterproof cover removing so they take up less space & the holders will need some of the center of the bars filing down a little so here is a rough idea of what it will look like & the outer alternating tint pieces will be white LED from the fans :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1054.jpg

I intend to get stuck back into this properly tomorrow & make up for that long wait on the order :).

[Waynio]

:) I finally got the modding feeling back, better late than never :D & actually grabbed my nice camera & tripod so I could get this back to being a log rather than what it was turning into as a show & tell :D.

So the fan holders & this different way of lighting them simply required the stick bars to be thinner there was no other way & thought I might get away with just filing a little bit out of the bars but nope lol I need them to be 5mm thinner so the 24 sheets of laminating material which comes in at 2mm needed & the 3mm LED strips, I only placed 3 tiny dots of the acrylic adhesive on to hold them together this time but even that really welds them together but a nice razor & hammer can carefully separate them, was a bit of a gamble but it was worth it to get these spot on.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1055.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1056.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1057.jpg

Cut & peeled all the water proof material off the 3 LED strips.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1058.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1059.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1060.jpg

Filed the corners down on the top of the fans.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1061.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1062.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1062a.jpg

A clear demonstration of how these stick pieces will be lit up, sticks, diffusion, LED strip.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1063.jpg

24 layers of laminating sheet.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1064.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1065.jpg

Creates this :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1054.jpg

Measuring & works out at a needed slimming of 5mm so now I need to make all the 12mm stick bars become 7mm.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1066.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1067.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1068.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1069.jpg

Lapped the lot so they are perfectly flat & even & I'll continue getting these to precise size tomorrow :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1071.jpg

[Waynio]

Everything antiqued after grinding down the 12mm sticks to 7.3mm.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1072.jpg

And the fun begins oh yeah, this is them after the disc sander.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1073.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1074.jpg

After 160 grit going 1 way, length ways so they will polish up better.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1075.jpg

240
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1076.jpg

600
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1077.jpg

Sure wouldn't be able to do all these hours & be able to slightly smile without my trusty mp3 jukebox :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1078.jpg

1200
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1079.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1080.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1081.jpg

2000
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1082.jpg

Polishing.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1083.jpg

Result :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1084.jpg

After cleaning them all up I started sticking them back together.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1085.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1086.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1087.jpg

Copper ? clips, that's right not P clips but ? clips lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1088.jpg

Anyway once the revised fan holders have cured that's the last time consuming bit, then it's just the optical tray & eject button & a tiny bit of wire work for a molex cable & the power switch, then the final touch install the lighting & get the copper ? clips :D installed & then route all the wires tidy, then I think it's done & time for the final photo shoot can't wait so I'll get it completed ASAP :D.

[Waynio]

Installed the optical drive to gauge what depth is needed for the tray cover = 5mm :) & same for the eject button but an extra piece on top so it's pushable so decided on a 3mm piece of alu & a mix of 2mm copper & 2mm alu for a tray cover, figured I should power it up to make sure the tray can eject :D it couldn't but only needed a tiny bit of filing to let it work which required me to tweak my design a little again.

OK the good stuff :D.

I pre brushed the panels & then masked them up because some of the pieces would be impossible to brush once they are cut (many tiny pieces), then printed, cut up & stuck my designs on with prit stick :D it really works excellent, far nicer more accurate & faster method than marking manually saves me many hours so I'll do this all the time now, putting this student version of sketchup to good use :).

So here's the scraps from what I done.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1089.jpg

And here you can see fan label covers for front & back, a plate I did for the psu side where the label used to be, eject button bits, optical tray cover which needs a little filing so the middle fits inside the copper one & lastly the ssd cover with yin yang alu/copper placed inside the circle :) I didn't think I'd get much use out of the scroll saw for the rest of this project but I guess I couldn't resist :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1090.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1091.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1092.jpg

The ssd cover was going to be mirror polished stainless steel but I gave up trying to cut it well so tried polishing some alu sheet but wasn't anywhere near as good as the steel so brushed it instead & I'll paint that piece matt black (has to be a different look to the alu/copper & black should be sweet :D could get some brass but then I'd end up adding brass trim bits all over the place also :D), bear in mind the bits you can see here are the rough ugly side :D the nice side should pretty sweet :).

[Waynio]

:D No cats or dogs for this log, just this little curious guy sat watching with all the shiny stuff about :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1093.jpg

Got the stainless steel cut, I ended up using 1 of the band saw sections in the scroll saw which changed a half hour job into a minute :) & this is after a coat of metal lacquer on all these bits.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1094.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1095.jpg

The corsair force 3 120GB which I bought the other day, need some double sided tape though to make it semi permanent & it still fits in the case :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1096.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1097.jpg

Optical eject button made with 5mm opal frosted acrylic which I'm kinda hoping will catch optical activity light & create a slight glow around the 2mm copper top.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1098.jpg

Replacement for the psu sticker.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1099.jpg

Covers for the labels on the backs of the fans.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1100.jpg

Pattern covers for the front of the fans.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1101.jpg

Optical tray cover & friends :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1102.jpg

Randoms :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1103.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1104.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1105.jpg

List of things to do in order of which I'll tackle first :) on the final steps woooooo I could dance like a freak with or without music :D.

Work out exactly where I want the cables to be & add extra mounting holes to mobo panel
molex cable
Fix led strips cables from molex to a fan adaptor or to work with the fan cable = half done
Lay gap filling material next to all faint gaps where there will be light.
Make a block that helps keep the light control box stay in place next to psu.
Fix light strips to curve bars.
Install hardware :).

Get a pile of junk food & beer & get that 30lbs back or not I'm liking the extra energy levels I have with that gone :D.

[Waynio]

Ejecting working correctly :) had a tiny bit more filing to be done.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1106.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1108.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1107.jpg

[Waynio]

This is looking amazing! Are you going to do anything to keep the copper shiny, like a clearcoat?
Thanks mate :) yeah I've been brushing a coat of metal lacquer on it all & it's prevented me needing to re-brush it over & over :D I lost count how many times I had to re-brush it :D so the metal lacquer really helps keep it nice & clean & most importantly will prevent the copper from tarnishing :).


Looks awesome bud. Things are going very well for you.
Cheers Fuganater :) it's good that you brought up about MOTM over on bit-tech as when Antony sees people bring it up he usually sorts something out, I'll put a word in also for an extra nudge :D.


Looking awesome!!!! Love the detail work on those fans. :up:
:D Cheers msmrx57 :up: I nearly added more but had to say to myself no, no more lol :D.

Last fabrication update I think :D depends on how the sata data cables are if they need a clamp piece adding to keep them tidy or not.

So I added all the required mounting holes to the mobo tray to support the cable holders.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1109.jpg

I also decided to make a cable clamp holder also, I added the mounting holes for this before making the part & took the cable to be clamped & took measurements off it with the digital callipers & got to it on sketchup to design & print the needed piece complete with cut/bend lines & excess length so it could be trimmed down & rounded, couldn't be bothered setting up my basic bending brake & just did a quick setup with plywood & the vice & manual pressing which is easily doable when material isn't very wide.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1110.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1111.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1112.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1113.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1114.jpg

Held the piece where I wanted the piece to be & marked where the mounting holes are & then drilled the holes in the new piece, needed an accurate drilling with me not being able to clamp this down so the drill press came in handy as it sometimes does :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1115.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1116.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1117.jpg

All done for this piece & all the mounting holes & that's all for the fabrication of this project, now it's just the power/hdd activity switch wiring & a molex cable & installing the lighting :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1118.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1119.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1120.jpg

So might not have completed the project yet thanks to me using the wrong adhesive for quite a few parts & having to re-stick them with epoxy resin but all the challenging stuff & slightly challenging stuff is done I'd say :D. Hmmm actually I have a mass of cabling to pretty up :D:facepalm: & it has to be done with windows being on both sides :D it's the sata data cables I'm unsure about looking tidy but if they are a nightmare I could make a couple of clamps like I did for the 24 pin extension.

[Waynio]

You seen that braided copper/aluminum sleeving they make for automotive racing?

could look sweet in that computer.





http://www.wirecare.com/images/thumbnails/MYN0.50GL.jpg

They even have chrome, gold, metallic and color changing (cystal pearl) finishes.

http://www.wirecare.com/Braided-sleeving.asp
Cheers Twigs I added to favorites for possible future projects :) I just don't fancy pulling cables apart again :D I don't enjoy doing sleeving at all :D.

I did a test run of the cabling & it doesn't look so bad until the sata data cables come into play so I will make something to keep the data cables either hidden or clamped in place.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1121.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1122.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1123.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1124.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1125.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1126.jpg

[Waynio]

List of things to do in order of which I'll tackle first :) on the final final steps now.


Make extra clamp for the lower part of the 24 pin cable to hold it closer to the mobo panel & stop it bulging out.

Make a set of clamps & casing to hold or hide the sata data cable mess & let the modding community decide which is best :D unless I come up with a sweet cover that doesn't need feedback on :D.

The LED strips in the fan holders I need to change the molex to a fan adaptor or to work with the fan cable = half done

Lay gap filling material next to all faint gaps where there will be light.

Fix light strips to curve bars.

Do night & day photo shoots of it up & running which will rely on weather as I want to do them outside :).

[Waynio]

Freshly thought of, designed, printed & cut pieces for the sata data cable casing, now it's time to bend them :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1127.jpg

[Waynio]

Wooo hooo got the epoxy resin, I went for 1 I've used before & has proven it's worth (araldite rapid steel) since there was no JB weld at B&Q lol I almost bought a tube of liquid metal but I figured with such a huge amount of adhesive for only £3 more than the araldite which you get a tiny amount in comparison I figured it wouldn't be as good.

Anyway on with this sata data cable case update, it's a mix of 2mm alu as a 5mm strip with extra ears with mount holes in to attach to the mobo panel which goes from near the bottom of the 2nd level to just below the 8 holes I made for the pass trough's so it bolts on when all the cables are plugged into the mobo & 1mm alu & 1mm copper bent to make a nice cover to hide the horrors of the sata cables :D had to get my bending brake out for these though for the 5mm ends was too much for the weak ply wood & had to use the brake in a conventional & unconventional way to get all the right bends.

Here's what it all looked like after thinking, designing, printing, sticking & cutting & before bending.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1127.jpg

All laid out waiting to be stuck.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1128.jpg

A kind of half arsed jig :D it was the middle piece that cut me, simple basic piece like that compared to all the other bits & that cuts me lol :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1129.jpg

Couple more shots of the pieces.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1130.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1131.jpg

And the extra copper details that I nearly put on the fans but scrapped the idea, they look kinda nice on this piece but undecided if I'll stick them on or not, if I do I'll cut some alu pieces to place on the copper bits too :) kinda looks like some kind of marzipan :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1132.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1133.jpg

By the time I finished placing the last couple of pieces with adhesive it had already started setting so had to remove the last 2 & clean off the partly dried adhesive & re stick them.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1134.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1135.jpg

Once things had set after 10 minutes I went all around the piece with a razor blade to take off any excess adhesive & took a few shots, it takes about 8 hours for it to fully cure.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1136.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1137.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1138.jpg

Up next for this is to very carefully brush it as 1 piece & then lacquer it :).

[Waynio]

Updated the mobo bios to the latest & got all other latest updates ready for a switch over yesterday, then got started at around 8 PM putting hardware in & getting the cable work done & installing win 7 & finally got it running, fully up to date & fully optimized & made a ghost image, took all night to do it all but I'm now typing from Stealthlow right now :D & woooooooo it's really nice & quiet & looks really good running, I took a good few photos of it during the night while I was putting all the hardware inside so I'll get them up in a mo ;), the noisiest part is the GPU, the RGB power cable though I'll need to get a new one, I was slimming it down so I could slip it underneath the hdd platform & I believe I cut an internal cable on it so need a new one so I haven't put the side panels on yet since it needs that last thing sorting but won't be able to get it until next Wednesday, other than that though it's all done & I can finally get stuck into a good game :D:up:.

Still a night with lights & day photo shoot to do on this also :).

[Waynio]

Righty oh then :D.

All done except for the RGB lighting which will have to wait, (knackered the power cable for it) but I can finally relax knowing that's the final bit, everything molex or fan related cables is nicely stashed underneath the hdd's :D so with the mass of wires going through the small mouse holes I had to make them bigger because of the switches for the lights on the fans so this pile of shots in bad lighting will be the last picture update until I get the RGB lighting sorted & then I'll put some effort into the photos at day & night, so I'm gonna get the weight back on & enjoy some good games until I can resume this, been feeling starved of some good gaming :D.

32 photos so might have to do 2 posts in at least 2 forums I post at.

Like this under both hdd cages :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1139.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1140.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1141.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1142.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1143.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1144.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1145.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1146.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1147.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1148.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1149.jpg

Old
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1150.jpg

New
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1151.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1152.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1153.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1154.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1155.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1156.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1157.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1158.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1159.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1160.jpg

In use finally :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1161.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1162.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1163.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1164.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1165.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1166.jpg

I love the unique light the fan holders project :).
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1167.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1168.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1169.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1170.jpg

So, a little wait for the new RGB light power cable & then final shots, these are just to show it's now in use, mostly crappy shots I know but it's 99.9% complete now yaaaaaay I keep getting random big grins knowing it's in use now :hehe::D.

When I walk into my room I can't even hear it & it's sat right next to my monitor so it's awesomely quiet, just the gpu that I can hear & that is with the side panels off :), :D time I got around to completing alice madness returns at last :D but I'll have to start from the begining again since I'm on a new os install on the super duper corsair force 3 120GB or the Yin Yang 120GB as I'll call it, here is a quick bench I did on the reads, veeeerrrrrry niiiiiiiice :D:banana:.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/stealthlowtemps.png

Oh yeah the temps are better than air cube to my amazement, was expecting warmer temps but it out does the air cube by a few celcius which had much more air flow but this I really thought about the flow on how to make it work best & I'd call this my first perfect design :eek::D:banana:.

Forgot to weigh this beast so I'll weigh it when it's done ;).

[Waynio]

The more the side panels were off & it being right next to me the more I started disliking the lighting lol I think all the fan holders need are little covers for the tops to cut off the excess light but only in the slot for the fan where the bare led strips are, anyway I put the side panels on to get a better feel for it all & glad I did :D.

I actually thought the temps might be even better with the panels on because of the design but noted temps are about the same, not better not worse unless you consider 1 or 2c warmer as worse :D, I also had the iffy RGB strip working but I really couldn't figure out what I was doing right when I had it working so was completely hit & miss but should have no probs when the new cable comes, I took it to the scroll saw instead of grinding it slimmer on the disc sander (lesson learnt on that now :D) think I'll keep it set on orange light as it's closest to the copper & it also creates a very cool effect on the fan spinner pieces I made but I'll have the option to pick quite a nice bunch of colours or even have it slowly fade into all the different colours which is quite nice :) or switch them off if they get irritating, the apollish fans I enabled the rear 2 the front one is too bright & makes the front look wrong so this makes it look nice with just that one switched off.

I've also ordered white led strips to see if I prefer them in the fan holders, the uv is quite overwhelming to be honest & not really a part of the colours I had in mind but felt I should experiment so might end up with all white or uv or a mix of both, would have been nice to use RGB strips in them but the control box would be very difficult to hide to keep cables neat but I'm going to take apart the faulty one I have to see if I could make a slightly smaller box for it so it can fit under the hdd cages, if I can then maybe it will be RGB in the fan holder stick pieces :).

Took a few more pictures since I put the panels on, also disabled the mobo led's, got some nice shots 53 taken 21 shown.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1171.jpg

Glad I did this photoshoot as it's reminded me I need to place the windows better so they reflect everything correctly :redface::D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1172.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1173.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1174.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1175.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1176.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1177.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1178.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1179.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1180.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1181.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1182.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1183.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1184.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1185.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1186.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1187.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1188.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1189.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1190.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1191.jpg

Let me know if I'm over doing it with the photos, just it looked good when I put the panels on & couldn't resist :D.

I think I should make a big sturdy lazy susan with alu/copper marquetry for easy maintenance & better photos :D after making that optical tray & the yin yang 120 I know I can do metal marquetry with the scroll saw wooooo :D with 2mm upwards I can do it nicely, 1mm it's surprisingly more tricky probably because it cuts faster & easier. I like to do a side project after a big one to ease myself back to normal so I slow down the modding withdrawels by not having a sudden stop lol.

[Waynio]

I agree about the lighting. Deff need something inside there to show off all your good work.
Cheers Fuganater :up: it'll all be RGB lighting now so controllable colours :).


No such thing. ;)
:D Cheers mate :).

I took apart the RGB control box to see if I could make a more compact one for going underneath the hdd cages & I will be able to so it'll be RGB lighting all around this case :D system side, cable side & storage side :) so the 3 white & 3 uv led strips will go in the mod bits box for another time so now I have to design & make the new slim boxes. Already had 1 30cm RGB strip so just had to order 2 more & another control box (it lets you run 3 strips through it) so if I push myself I should be able to call this complete by the end of the week :crossed::D.

[Waynio]

Another hefty all night session of modding a trip to Blackpool & then back to modding :D I redesigned the sata hiding piece with a little reinforcement & extra length for a complete cover & 3mm extra space for depth & did my best to make sure all of the pieces are the same as each other but that sheet metal bender is difficult enough to line up 1 piece ready for bending so had to do 1 at a time which is why they lack perfection, anyway now I'll be able to have the cables fully extended & fold up excess length inside the piece & finished designing & making the new slightly slimmer RGB control box so up next is sleeving the visible parts of the sata cables then put these parts back to use again :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1192.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1193.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1194.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1195.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1196.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1197.jpg

I seem to be able to design in 2d quite ok now, wasn't too sure if I'd manage making a slimmer RGB control box but have & it's an awesome fit & just about the right size for the 19mm space underneath the hdd cages as the new box is just short of 19mm :D, the only reason the original box was too big is beause of them cramping the cable work so could have been a good bit slimmer but because of the bad cable work inside these things I had to make it longer but at least I can cram it under there now & have RGB lights in the storage section also :) I also placed a cut to size piece of 1mm foam board for under the pcb so it doesn't get any contact with the alu.

[Waynio]

awesome job on the power supply!

Cheers Fuganater I was pretty chuffed when I seen it fits together nicely & doesn't come apart without some force, honestly since I started printing & sticking my designs everything has been spot on & saves me so much time on prepping doing manual marking etc, I used to find marking pretty tedious & also making my designs sometimes a little inaccurate also, so glad I figured you can print your designs in sketchup, I bought a student license so I could use layout :D but I'm yet to figure out how to print anything bigger than A4 size.

The new sata cable hider is 260mm long with 4mm more depth also OMG I just hope it fits like the current one, that would be a total crapper if it isn't aligned the same but it should be :crossed::D & I've just realised if I get the sata data cables half sleeved & get this new cable hider installed I think all I need to do then is install the RGB lighting tomorrow & do the final photo shoots :D so I'll get onto doing the sata cables in 5 min :D.

[Waynio]

I decided to not sleeve the sata cables, would have been too bulky so even harder to manage but I installed the new bigger cable hider & wow if I made it even 1mm deeper the side panel wouldn't have gone on :eek::D so the cables are tucked up so it all looks neat now, I even made an end cap that I'll stick on the top, just need to brush it, lacquer it & then stick it on top.

Now I'm just waiting for the extra RGB stuff to come so I can complete this, should be here from 4pm to 5pm so should be able to complete it today & get the final photos up tomorrow evening providing there are no more problems :D.

[Waynio]

The phobya RGB strips are garbage :D I found out why 1 of the 60cm strips were working temperamentally & it had broke around the solder points, the other worked ok but on the cable side, 2 of the 30cm ones inside the fan holders worked but the 3rd didn't & couldn't figure out why so I've had enough of these garbage RGB strips from phobya & have ripped them out & thrown them aside never to be used or sold as they aren't good enough to sell IMO, can't believe how much time I've wasted with them, I only originally wanted subtle lighting anyway so I must have lost the plot a bit going fully & brightly lit up :D.

I have another idea that I should have done in the first place for lighting the stick bars on the fan holders, heaps cheaper & not a pile of clutter & awkward sized boxes to stash. Opal frosted acrylic, it lights up really well with a good single bright LED plugged into it so with the now empty 5mm gaps on each end of the fan holders I will place some of that inside & bung a normal LED inside each one & do some experimenting with some of my own lighting ideas (back to true modding yay :D), just wish I went this way originally, would have saved time & money.

So yeah completed photos not just yet sadly or is it sadly, means there is some good modding to come :D.

[Waynio]

Got an order in for frosted opal acrylic & chrome vinyl for experimenting & possible sweet solution to my lighting problem :D.

---------------

End of weekend quiet update without pictures :D.

Not been a wasted weekend really, covered the hard drive labels with copper foil tape, took the blue msi logos off the mobo, took the brand names & labels off the gpu & soundcard & scraped the green uv paint off the edge of the soundcard & then run a black marker over it :D.

So everything is done & waiting for me to get a lighting solution sorted now & then I believe I can call it completed :) I did start taking some pictures of the bottom section but the battery ran out so couldn't finish & get them on the pc, probably for best anyway, would be nice to make the next update the final photo shoots :).

[Waynio]

A few night photos & these were taken before I tried the new lighting I just finished doing the wire work on them, it's not for definite but I wired 4 led's to loosely sit on both sides of the holders which should provide a nice little boost of light for the stick bars so depends on if I like them or not if they stay final or not, for the main section I decided to just use 1 of the 30cm white led strips which I might lay some tinting film over if it's too bright so should have completed photos up real soon as it's just a matter of getting a mini flood of great finished photos which might take a couple of days to capture it as best as I can :D.

I found after taking the led strips & diffusing paper from the holders the 5mm gaps on both sides allowed a tiny bit of light from the fans & the plastic chrome looked nice but is hard to photograph perfect, taking good pictures of lighting is difficult to capture it as good as how the eye sees it but wow I think I've got far better at night shots :D.

I applied copper foil tape to where the hdd labels were, bought a big 300mm x 1000mm sheet, they look a lot better than what they did :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1198.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1199.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1200.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1201.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1202.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1203.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1204.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1205.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1206.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1207.jpg

Now I'll get onto installing all these freshly wired lights & then get onto doing the final photos :up:.

[Waynio]

:up: I like it.
Thanks Fuganater :):up:.


I SO want to see this case in person!
:D Thanks AmEv :up:.

Got to work on a photo finish outside, flipping english weather it started raining so had to rush it into the garage :D I have a load of black cloth though from when I did the photo-shoot on air cube so got a board of chipboard & threw the black cloth on it & pegged it up lifting & turning as I went but I started too late in the day as it started getting dark plus I totally forgot about the white foam mounting tape I resorted to using for the rgb strip on the cable side so another photo-shoot is definitely needed with that ugly white foam tape removed :D so this is the first photo-shoot of 2 or 3, probably 3 because of me not removing the white tape & 1 of the photo-shoots will be night shots.

On with the show :D.

This is final photo-shoot 1 of 2 or 3.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1208.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1209.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1246.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1247.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1248.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1249.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1250.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1251.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1252.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1253.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1254.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1255.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1256.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1257.jpg

This good? :D:banana:.

[Waynio]

This is one thing I love about this hobby.

I personally don't care for the overall design of this case. To be honest I didn't when I first saw it in the planning stages, but modding is all about making something your own and I wasn't about to talk down someone else's art.

Having said that, it doesn't in any way detract from the incredible workmanship demonstrated here. It's just absolutely beautiful work, obviously a labor of love, and the fit and finish are categorically awesome. You've taken a vision I saw during the design stage and made it a reality, and you've come a LONG way since Frankencase and Air Cube V1.

Positively inspiring finish, my friend. If the project I just started comes out as well as this I will be thrilled. You set the bar.


:banana:
:D Thanks again blue mate, appreciated & point me in the direction of your new mod I'm keen to see :D:up:.

Night shots & removed the white foam mounting tape :D.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1258.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1259.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1260.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1261.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1262.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1263.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1264.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1265.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1266.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1267.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1268.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1269.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1270.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1271.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1272.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1273.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1274.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1275.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1276.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1277.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1278.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1279.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1280.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1281.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1282.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1283.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1284.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1285.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1286.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1287.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1288.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1289.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1290.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1291.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1292.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1293.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1294.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1295.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1296.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1297.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1298.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1299.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1300.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1301.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1302.jpg

Ahhh night shots done :).

Specs are.
Corsair AX 850
MSI P67A-GD65 B3 rev
Intel I5-2500K @ 4.5ghz
Prolimatech Megahalems with push pull fans
Enermax T.B.Silence fans all modded
Enermax apollish white led
Nvidia GTX 580
Auzentech prelude x-fi
Corsair force series 3 120GB SSD
DVD optical drive
6 HDD
Temps are nice & noise is almost completely silent, just the 580 I can hear.

Dimensions
393mm deep
235mm wide
769mm high
26KG weight when fully loaded :eek::D

[Waynio]

Everyone, give this man +rep!

He deserves the Max Rep award! lol

lol Thanks AmEv :D.

Temps at 28c ambient, like I said good healthy temps considering how quiet it is, would be interesting to see how cool it runs with good CFM fans inside this :D.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/28cambienttemps.jpg

Now I'll go & do the final photo-shoot :).

[Waynio]

Final shots, my bro says pictures just aren't doing this justice.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1303.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1304.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1305.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1306.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1307.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1308.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1309.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1310.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1311.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1312.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1313.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1314.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1315.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1316.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1317.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1318.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1335.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1336.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1337.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1338.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1339.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1340.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1341.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1342.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1344.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1345.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1346.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1347.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1348.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1349.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1350.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1351.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1352.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1353.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1354.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1355.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1356.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1357.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1358.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1359.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1360.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1361.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1362.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1363.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1364.jpg

[Waynio]

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1365.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1366.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1367.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1368.jpg

Time for some gaming.

[Waynio]

Group photo I said I'd do :D just it isn't a good photo, there are quite a few things I need to make before starting another project & a small photo booth is 1 of them, tried taking a few more but they were no better than the ones I already posted.
http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1369.jpg

[Waynio]

Weather was too nice to ignore this week after the cloudy summer we had so got that final photo shoot in & here is a photo flood.

Did all these including the night shots in the garden I waited for sunset so had a small time to take a lot of good shots before it got too dark & I feel these shots represent it better took too many good shots so just put all the ones I like together 64 out of 170.

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1370.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1371.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1372.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1373.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1374.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1375.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1376.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1377.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1378.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1379.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1380.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1381.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1382.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1383.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1384.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1385.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1386.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1387.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1388.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1389.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1390.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1391.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1392.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1393.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1394.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1395.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1396.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1397.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1398.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1399.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1400.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1401.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1402.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1403.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1404.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1405.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1406.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1407.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1408.jpg

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http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1410.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1411.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1412.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1413.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1414.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1415.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1416.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1417.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1418.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1419.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1420.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1421.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1422.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1423.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1424.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1425.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1426.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1427.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1428.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1429.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1430.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1431.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1432.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1433.jpg

I'm satisfied with these now & so I can get working on a new design to start in the winter again lol.

[Waynio]

awesome outdoor shots mate.
Thanks Fuganater :) had to be done with the nice weather that the UK seemed to miss all summer & then it comes at the end of September just in time for a photoshoot lol :D.


Man, you have some skills! A lot of people have very artistic thoughts, but few can make it real! You, Sir, are one of those few!

I gotta admit though, I like your first mod the best. Reminds me of the old Chieftec full towers. Haha.
:D Cheers altec, could probably mod it into something good now actually :D, mostly gets used as a little shelving unit :D.


The progression in skills and outcomes of the mods is amazing. So awesome seeing someones first mods to the last. You really hit it out of the park with this one. Just beautiful.
Thank you NightrainSrt4, I'm very used to seeing other modders make awesome cases & it feels a bit odd now that I'm making good stuff now :D.

Got new night shots here, got a nudge from tb4o Jase & Ulysses so got my my lazy bum & got stuck in last night & then got a photo shoot done, enjoy :D.

Got the final bit done, an extra white led strip which I extended sleeved & put a 3 pin fan connector on the end so it could pass through to the cable stash section in the bottom & sleeved the led to dim it a lot & found facing it into the corner was best for a subtle light, enjoy these final revised night photos with correct lighting :).

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1434.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1435.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1436.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1437.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1438.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1439.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1440.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1441.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1442.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1443.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1444.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1445.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1446.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1447.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1448.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1449.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1450.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1451.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1452.jpg

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq59/waynio_2008/Project%20Stealthlow/ProjectStealthlow1453.jpg

Done :D