BloodMoon

[Dgephri]

I have been posting at some other forums for a while, but thought I would see what all the gang here thought of it.

So, here is my work so far, starting from the beginning, and pasting from my other log:

I heard about a new SFF case on the way, and started reading up on it: Qmicra by PCDesignLab.com (http://www.pcdesignlab.com).

I really just liked the internal layout, the shape of the case, and the cooling design.

They decided to sell some standalone cases to forum members, and I got on the list. It's due via UPS on Friday 5/12.

Given the newer, free-er version of Sketchup, I got to work:

My first draft, using the website dimensions, and some guessing--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Qmicra-model1.jpg

My second draft, after I selected Black exterior with Red hardware--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Qmicra-model-revision-black.jpg

I then added red plexi to my crescent/sword motif--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Qmicra-black-sword.jpg

That seemed a little flat, and I was Googling some Crescent/Moon/Blood/Sword stuff and I came across the idea of the Blood Moon: NASA on the Eclipse in 2004 (http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/13oct_lunareclipse.htm)

So, after playing around for, oh, 10 hours or so (had to learn how to make spheres with the "follow me" tool), I changed to this--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/BloodMoon-stage1.jpg

The larger Spheroid represents the earth, and will be blue plexi, 6" across, etched and frosted to look like the planet.

The smaller Spheroid represents the moon, 1/4 the size of the earth, and will be clear plexi, etched and cratered too look right.

The V shape is the refracted solar light that makes the moon look reddish.

I don't know if I will do the top one yet: it makes the case look like a warp drive, or engine of some kind...I don't know why my brain thinks that.

Comments?

Not a true worklog as of today, but upon arrival Friday I will be confirming internal dimensions and location for the Xflow ProII radiator and the other necessary bits.

Here it is with some materials refinement--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/BloodMoon-05092006.jpg

The drives are only there to show the spacing that the actual case has.

Trust me, there won't be a floppy!

I will probably only have one Optical: a Plextor 716SATA. I know how to stealth those easily.

This will likely have an Matrix Orbital MX6 put in it.

On the top, I might do a "non-window" etch like on that AVP case: etch directly into the black anodized case to show the silver base metal. Some cool font for "BloodMoon" or such.

There will be some other techy mods that I can't show in Sketchup that will bring up the "ooooh, ahhhh" factor. :)

Let's just say it will have some lighting elements from both my Lubic Zen-Feng case (FiberOptic) AND my Loch Ness Case (side lighting etch in acrylic).

Revised and showing the Right side location of the XFlow ProII rad:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/BloodMoon-rightside.jpg

They don't make a red MX6, but I can get acetate films like I did on my G15 keyboard and I will test to see how the green PLED is altered.

Edit: 5/10/06 10:20am--getting confirmation of my dome specs...OUCH $37ea + shipping from Canada. Custom, 1/4 flange, one 6" diameter in blue clear acrylic 3/16" thick, and one 1.5" diameter in clear. At least I know they are attainable.

2:30pm--revised graphics with lettering--kind of tough but with EleFont and Sketchup, and some careful intersections, I like it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/BloodMoonText.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/BloodMoon-05102006.jpg

woot, UPS arrives today!

Edit 3pm---schhhhhweeeeeeeettt!
Check it out:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/shipping01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/shipping02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/shipping03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/shipping04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/shipping05.jpg

NOTE: here you can see the reset button came loose during shipment, a later pic shows it was not damaged, just floppy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/shipping06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/shipping07.jpg

Now out of the package:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped05.jpg

Well, work continues.

(more to come)--work is farther along, and I will paste more.

[Dgephri]

(continued)

It's fine, just pushed it back into the clips:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped07.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped08.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped09.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/unwrapped11.jpg

mmmm.


I have been spending hours and hours and hours making my own, untra precise Sketchup model based on the case that I finally have in front of me.

good learning experience too...not easy to make meshes!

Have a look:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Qmicra-precision-front.jpg

Just the front panelS so far. There is a 3/16" thick clear panel over a 1/8 thick metal panel, with the drive surround laid over the top.

Each is a separate component that I can import, edit on its own, and then lay over the rest of the components. Tedius, but nice to have it so precise for reference. It should mean, when I'm done, that I will be able to cut with a great deal of certainty about the interior hardware locations. ;)

well, last night I went searching for red anodized stuff for BloodMoon.

Found SVC had more all together than going to four different sites.

So I got 4 red LED anodized 80mm fans
http://www.svc.com/salf-08-r.html

And four black grills
http://www.svc.com/fg001bk-22.html

And four black filters
http://www.svc.com/80mesh-blk.html

And a pair of red 4" CCFls
http://www.svc.com/clk4rd2.html

My idea is that the front grills will be backlit with the red LED fans with the filters glowing red with black frames. When off, the red anodized will contrast with the black grill and filter edges much like the case and hardware. I kind of want the inside to look like the outside.

I will update with the latest Sketchup precision later today, and I might start cutting this weekend.

got my fans and stuff in, those red anodized LED fans are pretty slick lookin'.

BTW, here is the latest of my Sketchup high precision model work.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Qmicra-precision-05192006.jpg

I spread all the parts out, make them individual components for later editing, and then test fit each together for alignment.

I can't take credit for the HDD, Optical, motherboard, GPU, or PSU models.

I just use them for reference on fit.

The AC120mm 9 fans are a bit odd but I might make a special bracket for them.

Here are some started shots of the lovely red anodized sunbeam LED 80mm fans. I was quite pleased and surprised at how sick they are. ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/frontfans01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/frontfans02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/frontgrill01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/backfans01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Case%20Stock/backgrill01.jpg

I should try to find some black fan screws, or make my black hex dome screws work. All that will come in time.

For now I have to keep digging in my back yard...my patio stones come in monday and I'm only halfway done digging out for the base! Kind of a pain to dig a 10X15' hole all evenly 6" deep. ;P

[Dgephri]

(continued)

Day 1--
6" round hole saw
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/marking01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/marking02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/holesaw01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/holesaw02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/testfit01.jpg

And the interior fit...a little sanding to really seat it perfectly, but that is pretty close!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/testfit02.jpg

I did the smaller bore for the Moon dome, but didn't take a picture of it yet.

And the "foot mod" I was planning, but didn't want to show anyone yet ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/foothole01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/footmark01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/footcut01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/footcut02.jpg

should make it quite a bit easier to take the Lid off and show the internals without taking the Feet off, just leaving them threaded out a bit.

What do you all think?

I just did a test reassemble to check on component visibility with the new openings:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/reassemble01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/reassemble02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/reassemble03.jpg

And the feet:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/footmod01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/footmod02.jpg

Just workin' like mad today--
the eclipse:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse08.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse09.jpg

That is about the first 2 pages of my log...so I will post up more later. Let me know what you think guys!

[Dgephri]

I really had to see the dome's size, scale, lettering layout, etc. Turn it around, rotate it, and such.

The case alone is over $350 and I could start my design before it even arrived.

And it was a great way to kill time :)

I wish I had Solidworks...seen how it works and that would just rock!

More of my work so far:
I forgot how tough marking stuff on a black metal would be!

I just clean up with some thinner and then a microfiber cloth to get the dust after cutting.

Update: decided to work on the red window between the two domes--
a quick trace gives me the shape
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse-window01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse-window02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse-window03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse-window04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse-window05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/eclipse-window06.jpg

have to buy new Radiosh--- needle files, I can't find my old set...so those corners will get cleaned up and painted black to hide the silver.

just a little update...drug out my two 4" red cathodes, and a blue Lazer LED to see what I thought of preliminary lighting:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/lighting01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/lighting02.jpg

obviously wiring will be done later, I recrimp and sleeve everything when I have decided on the final locations.

I think I need two 4" blue ccfls on the big dome like I have red over on the small dome.

After fiddling around to get the letters the same proportions, I printed my letters onto while full sheet label material (so its stick all over).

I prefer full sheet adhesive since it won't move while you work with your dremel.

I cut little marks through my sheet so I could see my centerline, and laid it down directly onto the shell of my Qmicra.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering02.jpg

Then I went around my first letter (I prefer to cut INSIDE the heavy black line) just to have a guide for my 1/16" carbide bit (actually meant for Grout removal, smallest I could find).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering03.jpg

I then went on to start the slow process of working my way through the metal, little by little.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering04.jpg

You can see on the backside just how narrow the cut is. I like to use nail files and such to finish the edges...this process leaves very little rough edge, and just a nice smoothing makes it look very finished.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering05.jpg

As I move around the edges of my first letter (B) the support I have for my hand, and the angle of my tool slightly changes how the cut is made.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering06.jpg

I have to consider when my center part will be free so I cut on the other edges to prevent putting weight on the most delicate section the letter.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering07.jpg

Here is another look at the backside. The cut track is only about 1-2mm at its widest.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering08.jpg

This is tedious work, but I already have one goof that I will have to adjust the shape of a letter. :x

By moving very slowly, in areas about 3/8-1/2" at a time, I can control the cutting path precisely. I much prefer to file a little longer in finish than to scrap the whole top of my very expensive case. :)

My first whole letter, cut!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering09.jpg

[Dgephri]

Working some more this morning, got two more letters done:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering10.jpg

And a look at the inside:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering11.jpg

Then, I stopped off at the local pharmacy's manicure section for some of these:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/nailfiles01.jpg

Which I find are very useful in detail filing, and they are a whole lot smaller and cheaper than regular files. :)

got the whole first word done, and some of the filing started on the B and the L.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering13.jpg

been doing some more filing, and to judge how well I was doing, I needed to take my printed letter mask off.

Ick, that adhesive only comes clean with citrus cleaner THEN paint thinner.

so here you can see it after clean up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering14.jpg

note the tool skips on the top of the B curve, and different part of the Os.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering16.jpg

so I took a Sharpie PAINT marker, and just rubbed a little bit of black onto those little areas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering17.jpg

Up close you can still see the slight depression from the tool, but I'm not sure if I can really "fix" that. :(

These letters are about 80% of the way there IMO, some more smoothing to do, and small parts of the two Os aren't quite enough alike for my tastes.

Each cut is a bit better than the previous one, and my slow, tedious technique is paying off in needing only small files, taking a millimeter or so off at the most, and having the shapes well done instead of a lot of hard filing on the delicate section.

When totally complete, the silver filed edges will be covered in black paint too. Should make them appear VERY round when the only edge will be the light from below in red plastic.


I just couldn't resist cutting up the red acrylic to do a lighting test:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering-lights01.jpg

not quite the result I had hoped for...but if I frosted the window (tested using a folded paper towel to simulate):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/toplettering-lights02.jpg

[Dgephri]

The lighting has really been bothering me:
stripping tubes out of ccfls proved risky at best-a waste of 2 4" tubes.
so I went and fetched some 5mm 30mA red water clear LEDs and a handful of red diffuse 3mm just in case.

My idea is that making a mirror box (like my lightpump in Lubic Zen-Feng) should reflect the light, even it out, and keep it from washing the whole case in red light. I think I will add a layer of frosted white to even it out more.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led07.jpg

It's only 3/8" thick in total (using the score and break method was time comsuming) and covers the entire area that the letters on top occupy.

It has to clear the PSU and drive cage, and it will be attached directly to the shell so when I hinge it the whole thing comes up as one object.

the results (before the white acrylic):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/led08.jpg

Much better IMO, and I think it will do the job nicely. Some black vinyl dye for the back to make it look stealthy from the inside, and Voila!

found a handly LED strober at frozecpu.com
http://www.frozencpu.com/lit-134.html?id=6HEKbRD7

currently talking with the source manuf. on how to adapt it to control 12V LED rails.

Problem with my fan selection on the Radiator:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radclearance01.jpg

the AC fans are 1.5" thick instead of the 1" standard on 120mm. I might have to revert to otherwise normal low rpm fan.

I am thinking about a way to shave a bit off, but need to make a test bracket to be sure.

assembled the NV-7800 onto a gpu from another card...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/earth-02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/earth-01.jpg


and the fit problem with the waterblock:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/nv-7800-01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/nv-7800-02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/nv-7800-03.jpg

[Dgephri]

alrighty, here is another batch:

worked on my idea for new handles on my Qmicra

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/handlerevision.jpg

I wanted more clearance to actually USE them as handles...

here is the first one before little files
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/newhandle03.jpg

after little files
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/newhandle04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/newhandle05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/newhandle06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/newhandle07.jpg

it locks down tight enought to pick up the case (with mobo, GPU, DVD, and RAM) without rotating out of place!!! :))) Me likey.

I will eventually get them anodized red along with the PSU tray, radiator brackets, etc.

today...I mount the radiator! Just HAVE to be sure it will fit.

:)

Stopped and got some strips of 20Ga aluminum sheet, 1.5" wide at a local hardware store.

Some measuring, some bending, some folding, some dremel work, some drilling, and some E-6000 adhesive gives us this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radmount01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radmount02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radmount03.jpg

those ugly cuts will actually be UNDER the motherboard, but I will probably cover them with red acrylic anyway.

it's light, a little flexible, and holds it nicely. The only thing is the tubing has to cut through the 3/5" bay, but I'm not gonna use it anyway. Maybe some switches for my special LED controller....hmmm.

I thought I would snap some closeups to show just how tight the overall fit is should anyone else want to cram watercooling gear into a Qmicra:

I figure the TDX will sit with the barbs perpendicular to the radiator
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/watercoolingclearance01.jpg

the tubes will run like in my Loch Ness case shown here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Loch%20Ness%20Mod/watercooling-1.jpg

Here you can see how close the fans sit over the RAM. I know the whole fan won't sit over the radiator, but my guess is the cooling loss will be negligable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/watercoolingclearance02.jpg

This shows how closely those Radiator brackets sit to the rear 80mm fan...I might actually lay a thread of adhesive on the fan to further brace it from rubbing and hold the Rad in place better.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/watercoolingclearance03.jpg

This is the Rad barb end and I will have to cut an opening through the Floppy/Matrix Orbital section of the drive cage. Works out fine because I want my DVD drive above the MO anyway. The drive stealth works out a particular way if I do that. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/watercoolingclearance04.jpg

Lastly, this is the clearance on the threaded rod of the NV-7800 waterblock meeting the Asus Northbridge cooler...not sure what the clearance on my GX2 will be, but I will work something out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/watercoolingclearance05.jpg

[Dgephri]

and more:

my GX2 arrived today!! All perfectly sealed (all 8 clear tabs were closed). $500 from a guy at [H]...can't wait to get it installed.

pics---
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/covershot.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/gutsshot.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/gpushot.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/installedshot01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/installedshot02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/installedshot03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/installedshot04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/hardware/installedshot05.jpg

Pretty much to date except for some pics not uploaded yet. I have spent another 5 or 6 hours filing all the top letters from start to finish...I'm up to the "d" so far, only the Moon letters left.

I will post up fresh pictures tomorrow! Enjoy. :)

[Dgephri]

got some more work done over the weekend.

Probably about 8 hours of small size filing, up to the "d" now:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/filedclean01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/filedclean02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/filedclean03.jpg

This only leaves the "Moon" letters.

I also fiddled with getting the fan put on my Radiator, and I knew the RAM was too high, so I did this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/fanclearance01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/fanclearance02.jpg

[Dgephri]

decided I had better make sure that LED blinky thingy from Frozencpul.com worked.

The guys who make it http://www.topshelflabs.com/ were kind enough to recommend how to make it control a 12V load. 103Transistor, and 470 Ohm resistor and their diagram gave me this on my breadboard:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/circuitry01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/circuitry02.jpg

and it works! Just as predicted.

Some movies:
6Mg of just the lightbox (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/?action=view&current=MOV00989.flv)
11+Mg of the lightbox under the lettering (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/?action=view&current=MOV00990.flv)

[Dgephri]

another actual work update :)

I decided to drag out my blue dome, and "etch the planet" today.

Some printing, some sizing, and my normal trick of using full sheet adhesive clear...I traced out the continents and lakes onto the inside of my dome:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/Earthdome01.jpgthe whole thing

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/Earthdome02.jpgMexico down to Peru?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/earthdome03.jpglooking down on the Great Lakes area.

I might touch up some spots to make it more "earthy" but...

[Dgephri]

Here go with some more weekend work:

Was out at DD Friday, picked up my DDC Pump, my CPU block with generic top (I like the shiny this time) and rushed home to work on it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/CPU01.jpg
Had to dremel the bolts short enough for my Radiator and fans to clear it...it might look like the fans won't fit, but they will. I have a few tricks left!

And the MooneY Dome:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/MoonDome01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/MoonDome02.jpg
It's not done yet. I will put some obvious crater shapes in the right places to be geographically accurate and make it more MooneY. ;)

And the lettering filing is about 95% done so I took the white sheet off and cleaned up to have a look at the result:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/letteringfinal01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/letteringfinal02.jpg

Next stage is to try painting my 120mm fans to match the anodized red 80mm I have. More coming.

[Dgephri]

more work done tonight! Little stuff, soldering, plugs, wires, etc.

Needed to get the LEDs for the Domes set up so I tore up a Blue LaserLED and a Red LaserLED.

I had to decide how I was going to attach them to the inside of the Shell around the Domes:

little aluminum spacers, some clear adhesive, a couple clamps--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDbrackets01.jpg

Black 1" plastic strips, cut and then traced out to shape right up against the dome edge--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDbrackets02.jpg

Each of 3 LED are curing in clamps to point at the edge of the dome.

And the little LED controller I bought from FrozenCPU.com, made by Topshelflabs.com.

I needed to take out the DIP switch since I want the control on the front of the case--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDpulser01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDpulser02.jpg

And then I had to convert it to 12V load instead of 5V load, along with connectors (the guys at topshelflabs helped me with transistor and resistor codes)--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDpulser03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDpulser04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDpulser05.jpg

It will likely get stuck on a piece of red acrylic, and mounted somewhere. Then I will take the 4 micro toggles (SPST) and mount them somewhere easy for control. It has 8 or 10 different pattens, and two speeds for the LEDs to pulse or flash.

[Dgephri]

did some more glue work to finalize my LED bracket for the Earthdome:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDbracket01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDbracket02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDbracket03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDbracket04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/LEDbracket05.jpg


The end result:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/earthdomeLED02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/EarthdomeLED01.jpg

ooooh, aahhhhh, bluuuuuuuuuuuuuu. ;)

[Dgephri]

a person at another forums suggested I should diffuse the LEDs more...I thought it would weaken the etch response due to the curve of the dome.

I was wrong.

compare to now:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/EarthdomeLED03.jpg

Much more even IMO.

[Dgephri]

finally!!!

my GX2 waterblock:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/GX2WB-01.jpg

hmm, need some vertical changes in the PSU-Drive tray don't I?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/GX2WB-02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/GX2WB-03.jpg

I can finally move on to my wiring now. I think I will sleeve the water lines if I can find RED sleeving, not that pinky-looking stuff.

BTW, that is the waterblock from the Webpage photos #1 off them mill...going to have some DD guys sign it just for kicks.

[Dgephri]

well, nearing a time when I can almost see it done!

Didn't get around to any wiring this week.

However, I did get my Radiator grill done up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radgrill01.jpg gutter screen like I used on Lubic

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radgrill02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radgrill03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/radgrill04.jpg

And then I did up a preliminary routing on my water lines:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/tubing01.jpg
No floppy drives for me...the switches for my LED controller will go here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/tubing02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/tubing03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/tubing04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/tubing05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/tubing06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Watercooling/tubing07.jpg

[Dgephri]

thx all, it does get cramped.

what tedium! wiring, painting, tubing, more wiring, more sanding, more polishing, repainting, etc.

I have been puttering around on the less exciting parts of getting ready to power on:

ATX header at the PSU end--
stock
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/ATX-01.jpg

on with the dremel for a lower profile
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/ATX-02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/ATX-03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/ATX-04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/ATX-05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/ATX-06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/ATX-07.jpg

some wires I am trimming
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/wiring-01.jpg

with no colors, I had to use my handy Sharpie to tell me which is which
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/wiring-02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/wiring-03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/wiring-04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/wiring-05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/wiring-06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/wiring/wiring-07.jpg

And my new idea for lighting the BloodMoon letters
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/newlettering-01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/newlettering-02.jpg

don't think I have ever heard or, or seen etching quite like it...I will give clues on how I did it later on...

[Dgephri]

the marks are the film still on the face of the workpiece, the etch is on the back.

Some connectors (like the ones on the X2 PSU) are hard to come by for matching the plugs. I have motherboard pin types (.1") and fan header types, and molex types, and 90 degree molex connectors, but the SATA connectors and 12V ATX are a little harder to come by.

That cable section won't be seen, I chose the middle of the cable specifically due to location on the interior. You would need a steerable fiber optic scope to see that when I finish. :P

When I finish the new etching, I will show the entire technique...the dremel just uses a very very tiny ball shaped tip. And lots of patience.

PS-3 weeks till completion (PDXLAN) so, yes, work will speed up! And thanks for the stars!

Here you go:
I didn't save the "WordArt" file that I squished and shaped the letters with originally, but I wanted to trace along my letters precisely.

Onto Mirror plexi, in reverse, on the silver side. Etching the "outside" surface doesn't reflect the LEDs nearly as well, so I knew I needed to etch the inside.

This is all driven by the fact that I only have 3/8" depth under the letters to the top of the PSU and DVD drive to build my lightbox, hence the previous construction with the mirror 1/8" and the LEDs.

Why I didn't think of this before, I have no idea.

So...

I took my existing lettering, my fat sharpie, and turned it inside out:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-01.jpg

That left me with:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-02.jpg

then I took my dremel with a very tiny tip:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-04.jpg

And very carefully, traced the outside most edge of my sharpie path to outline the lettering:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-03.jpg

To get this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-05.jpg

Still has the full protective film on the pretty side, I just etch the silver layer off the back side.

Mostly lit up by dropping into my previous lightbox:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-06.jpg

a little closer:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-07.jpg

And placed behind my metal lettering to show the outline effect:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/trace-etch-08.jpg

I will move the LEDs, cover the edges, and then stick it to the inside of the metal lettering for the final result.

I might fill in the etch to make the lettering more solid, or frost some of the front to make the lighting more even. Not sure yet.

[Dgephri]

did some more menial work last night, settup up my wire guides (had to order 4 more packages this morning):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/wireguides01.jpg

And then I put my DVD drive in to locate the stealth panel for the face:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/faceplate-01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/faceplate-02.jpg

And got to work on the detail shape of the toggle opening:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/switches-01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/Dremelwork/switches-02.jpg

I almost went Hex shaped to match the nuts on the Toggles, but that would have proven a little hard to make an perfect as I would like.

I will shape all 4 square, then get my Micrometer out to check trueness.

[Dgephri]

Now that I think about it, I am just going to tease you with short summarized text updates only!

Wednesday night: soldered on fan leads, tested out run lengths, picked up more wire guide, prepped for sleeving.

Thurdsday night: sleeving fans, shrink tubing, fitting sleeved wires into guides, picked up a bunch of goodies at NWCA (tee hee, you ain't seen a G15 like I am going to make!), and deciding final paths on all power lines. Photos taken in progress, but alas, you won't see those for 3 more weeks...

second G-15 disassembled- kind of surprised I remembered well enough, took about 10 minutes
Red LEDs soldered in, but 5k MCDs reds on order anyway
something special for the LCD tested and works!
something special for the USB cable tested and works!
something special for the exterior in the works
paint in process--2-3 days for color coat and curing
reassembly round about Wednesday

[Dgephri]

Saturday-Sunday-Monday:
Not a lot of work done, taking a Holiday from my modding...sort of--

Painted deck of G-15 (ooh, shiny!)
G-15 cable mod-done, only need some clear shrink tubing
G-15 lighting mod-seems like it will fit, tonight is dremel work to cut the holes
G-15 display mod-failed! trying change out the ribbon cable (straight vs. angled) didn't work. Kind of expected, but I wasted a free display so I'm not too sad.
G-15 LCD red film trick used on existing LCD--done.
Case is polished (2000grit) cleaned (tack cloth and microfiber) and masked (mobo mounts, PCI edges, tray mounts, etc.) and ready for paint.
What paint you ask? (rubbing hands in evil glee)

[Dgephri]

a little teaser during final assembly:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/fandecal01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/frontface01.jpg

The full centerfold will have to wait. :)

right now, windows is defragging, the GX2 is running at 750-580 which is the "optimal" chosen by the driver...I will push it further soon.

GX2 temp is at 36C idle!! Woot for DangerDen GX2 Block #1 (yes, actually the first one they made).

[Dgephri]

everybody is hammering me for not posting (other forums too :) )

So here is ONE more teaser, it's really coming together, very nearly done.

Yes, it's fuzzy, no, there is no flash, but there is red paint there, and the shell is almost done, and the wiring is completed, and the Mouse is installed, and the G-15 just needs a little TLC before it's 100%.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/faceplateteaser.jpg

[Dgephri]

I just about forgot to make my second case handle Doh!

So I pounded the sucker out tonight (bench vise and rubber mallet). Turned out pretty dang close to the first one, kind of surprised.

Files, tapped, and fit onto the Qmicra. I just have let the adhesive on the Eclipse window cure, and I am ready to assemble for the final time. :)

The work list completed:
dome openings cut
eclipse opening cut
top lettering cut
radiator openings cut
LOTS of filing on the above
2000 and 2500 grit sanding on all exterior surfaces prep for Red and Clear coat
Painting Red and Clear coats
Fitting watercooling wiring preliminary layout
Trimming PCIe, SATA, Floppy, and fan cables for electronics layout
Sleeving visible wiring, and mounting wire guides
change out blue LEDs in Radiator fans to red LEDs
solder Power, LED, Reset and HDD LED connections since the crimp ons are (sorry PCDLab) kind of sucky :)
trim and solder internal USB for the Matrix Orbital PLED device
paint Matrix Orbital faceplate and DVD shell
put casters on (I like it, makes it very easy to move around the desk for stuff)
wire TopShelfLabs LED controller and toggle switches for faceplate
make LED holders for the Dome lighting, and wire for power
etch Earth and Lunar geography onto Domes
some Tubing stuff
disassemble and paint Logitech Revolution Mouse
disassemble and mod Logitech G-15 keyboard (wiring, paint, other stuff)
TAP plastics cut DVD stealth plate in Red Acrylic w/bevels
tubing, watercooling layout, t-line location, radiator placement and brackets, fan adhesion, fan grills, fan labels (for center sticker)
make new side handles from barstock, drill, tap, file, and fit for grip
program Matrix with clever sayings and Eclipse countdowns
hardware stuff
software stuff
games, drivers, updates, patches, and controllers
find out 7950GX2 isn't working up to spec :(
other little things that I haven't shown you yet :)

Two more days!!!!

[Dgephri]

here you go gang:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalwiring01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalwiring02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalwiring03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalwiring04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finaletch01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finaletch02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/foiltape01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/foiltape02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/foiltape03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/foiltape03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalretractor01.jpg

there is the first batch

[Dgephri]

and some more:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalUSB01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalusb02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalusb03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalusb04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalusb05.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalusb06.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalusb07.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalUSB08.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalLED01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalLED02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalLED03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalpaintmask01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalpaintmask02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalpaintmask03.jpg

more later

[Dgephri]

thanks guys.
and now, on to more:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15LED01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15LED02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15LED03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15LED04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15LED05.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15LED06.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15LED05-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15paint01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15paint02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15paint03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15lockLED01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalLED03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalmousepaint01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalmousepaint02.jpg

[Dgephri]

actually it's just the inner part of the LED snake light, that you will see in the next batch. ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/G-15-day-and-night.gif

[Dgephri]

yah, my google came up with tons of reference to the ESIII game. I was going for the astronomic phenom, but I considered pulling some game references too.

More pics:
one of the key touches was to customize the tubing unlike anything I had seen before, so I measured, cut, did a dry install for length, and then made a rig to hold it--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/tubingpaint01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/tubingpaint02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/tubingpaint03.jpg
Voila! Metallic Red tubing.

I also prepped the rest of the case for a clear red coat by sanding with 2000 and 2500 grit on the anodized black aluminum to give it a nice smooth surface--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/casepaint01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/casepaint02.jpg

and then I could move on to installation--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/installation01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/installation02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/installation03.jpg

I also prepped up some replacement labels for all the fans--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/fandisks01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/fandisks02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/fandisks03.jpg

and then continued with my installation since getting at those parts again is nigh-impossible without draining the entire system--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/installation04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/installation05.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalretractor02.jpg

more to come, back to uploading stuff.

[Dgephri]

More:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalfaceplate01.jpg
nice flash view to show the red reaction to off-axis lighting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/radiatorgrill05.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/radiatorgrill06.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/radiatorgrill07.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/radiatorgrill08.jpg
installing the Radiator grills, just using little globs of clear silicone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalfaceplate02.jpg
a low light shot of the front...it really looks dead black until the light hits it strongly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalradiatorfans02.jpg
Rad fans with the lights out...it only glows when you look directly into the radiator fins.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalhardware01.jpg
side behind the Globes with the XFi sliding in next to the GX2, hold my Tline in place nicely.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15switch01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15switch02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15switch03.jpg
final work on the Switch for the LED snake lights...a little solder, a little black paint, and fini!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalg15ELcable01.jpg
final glue in for the EL wire USB cable. I will have to redo this since I stupidly forgot to unplug it from the PC and the metal USB-A end got torqued too hard. Simple to resolder after I take the G15 apart again (only about the 12th time now :) ).

And now...the assembly shots themselves:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/Qmicra-Two-Tone.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/shelldark01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/sidedark01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/isolight01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/sidelight01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/letteringdark01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/letteringclose01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/G-15-day-and-night.gif