Imperium

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Banner_2.png

From the lost journal of Anton Sokolov, head of the Academy of Natural Philosophy and Royal Physician to then Lord Regent Hiram Burrows:


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_1.png (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~6.JPG)




It's time to mod again!! I've decided to make a mod based on the Bethesda game Dishonored. I loved the game overall but its visual style is what sold me. I've not seen another game that looked like it. The setting, the colors, the texturing, all genius. I will try to capture some of that same feel in this mod.

I'll be taking the finished product to QuakeCon in Dallas in July to show it off and enter it in their case modding competition also. With paint, component relocation, lighting, a large rigid-tubing water loop and a couple of motorized surprises in the plans, I need to get started!

I am normally a scratch builder. In fact, this will be only my second attempt to modify an existing case, the first being the very first thing I did after learning of the case modding phenomenon. Needless to say, that turned out... poorly. Looking back, the Ultra Microfly was perhaps not the best choice for a first-time modder. I will not make that same mistake again.

This mod will be made using the Cooler Master HAF Stacker case with an additional 915R unit, making the overall piece 37 inches high. Plenty of room for whatever I need to put in there. <fingers crossed>

I hope you'll join me and Sokolov as we create his masterwork: Imperium.

First off, a thanks to my sponsors:


http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh219/daddyforever2/DTLogo_zpsc87ffb12.png (http://www.decryptedtech.com)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Coolermaster_logo_2.png (http://www.coolermaster.com)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Deepcool_logo.jpg (http://www.deepcoolglobal.com/index.shtml)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/KHX.png


Since this isn't a worklog without some modding, let's strip this case!


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Gorgeous huge chunk of black goodness!



http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~6.JPG)

LOOK at all that space!! A whole family of Microflies could live in there!



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But really, who needs twelve drive bays?? In fact, who needs any?



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Don't need all those cables or that lower 5 1/4" bay either.


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Not going to need those front panels either. The stripped-down skeleton that will be Imperium.



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Easily broken into 3 more manageable modules for now.


Lots to do, updates to come. Thanks for following along!

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Journal.png

Ok, I got a little actual modding done tonight! When I decided on this case, I looked it over and figured out what I could with most of it right away. One part that had me stumped for a while was that huge blank right-side panel:


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That's a LOT of blank space. At first I thought I would mount a radiator there, but I wanted to be able to remove the panel for access if needed. I started looking for a large heatsink to put on there, something large enough to cover the whole panel, as it would give that industrial look I wanted. Turns out while such things exists they are cost-prohibitive.

Then I remembered the Scythe Himuro. Awesome-looking all-aluminum hard drive enclosure that's designed to look like (and possibly function as) a large heatsink. I already owned two of them in fact, but they had been "treated" for use in a previous mod and were unusable in this project. They've been out of circulation for a while, but I managed to find three of them brand new for $100 total.


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~3.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~7.JPG)

They are fantastic pieces of hardware, some of my favorites. They're held together with six 3mm screws each and designed to mount with rubber blocks in a 5 1/4" bay. Open them up:


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The previous project I used these on was made of wood, so to mount them I drilled holes inside the enclosures, countersunk so the screws would sit below the hard drive and put threaded inserts into the side panel. That worked fine but obviously not on a metal panel. I don't like using nuts and bolts if I can help it, and I didn't want to drill these enclosures. Plus, the vanes run horizontally on one side and vertically on the other, and they just look a lot better with the vertical side out. That side is the one without the screw holes.

Since I wanted them facing with the screw holes in, I spent a long time measuring, marking, measuring again, then measuring my measurements before drilling 18 holes in that side panel.


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I didn't want any slop or wiggle room on the bolts so I used the smallest numbered drill bit I could and still get the screws through the holes. Of course, that left zero room for error. But measuring my measured measurements paid off in the end.


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They turned out pretty damned well if I do say so myself. :) Sure looks a lot better than that big empty side panel!

Problem now was wiring. I had to make holes in the panel large enough to get power and data cables through. After getting out my trusty Dremel (and by that I mean the tool I bought eight years ago to cut some drywall with and have used maybe four times since) and making a huge mess and lots of noise, and then "cleaning up" the edges with a file and again the Dremel, I was reminded why I normally work with wood.


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These holes are plenty big enough for my cabling and completely burr free, but they are *ugly*. They have to be covered up.

I found a pretty thick block of some good cherry on a shelf and cut it into three blocks:


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A little time on the router and I had three wooden covers for the cables:


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They need to be easy to remove but sturdy also. I keep all kinds of magnets around because... well, because they're magnets. Who doesn't love magnets?? Anyway, I had enough of these really strong coin magnets to put two in each cover. Perfect!


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Finished job for the night.


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Those covers will be shaped and dressed up later, complete with a cast-iron finish and rivets. You'll never know there's any wood there.

That's it for tonight, waiting on an order from Solarbotics for the next stage, hopefully it will get here soon.

Thanks for watching!

[msmrx57]

Looking good! :up: I have the feeling I'm going to like this one A LOT!

[blueonblack]

Looking good! :up: I have the feeling I'm going to like this one A LOT!

Thanks! It's a huge project but it's pretty well planned out so far. My biggest issue is paint. I have to find the formula to make everything on it (metal, wood, acrylic) look the same and look like cast iron. I'm sure I can figure it out but I need some warm weather to experiment.

Thankfully I'm planning to get assembly done first since there are so many things that have to be made to fit each other. Once everything it together, I'll tear it all apart, paint everything, put it back together, fill the water loop and flip the switch.

If the modding gods are smiling that will be no later than early June, so I have time to fix any problems and get the software tweaked for the con.

What do I sacrifice to the modding gods?

[msmrx57]

Thanks! It's a huge project but it's pretty well planned out so far. My biggest issue is paint. I have to find the formula to make everything on it (metal, wood, acrylic) look the same and look like cast iron. I'm sure I can figure it out but I need some warm weather to experiment.

Rust-oleum has a paint "specialty textured plastic" that needs no primer even for plastic. It has a very fine texture and is a flat black like classic wrought iron. I'd suggest trying that or stove black with a good primer.

[blueonblack]

Rust-oleum has a paint "specialty textured plastic" that needs no primer even for plastic. It has a very fine texture and is a flat black like classic wrought iron. I'd suggest trying that or stove black with a good primer.

Thanks, I'll see what it does!

[TheMainMan]

The fact that you've moved the hard drives outside the case makes me really excited to see all the stuff you're going to put inside it!

[Boddaker]

Nice work on the cable covers. And the magnets are a nice alternative to drilling more holes for mounting screws. :up:

[blueonblack]

The fact that you've moved the hard drives outside the case makes me really excited to see all the stuff you're going to put inside it!

Yeah, that whole thing turned out great. Made the side panel look great *and* cleared up space for cool stuff inside. :)


Nice work on the cable covers. And the magnets are a nice alternative to drilling more holes for mounting screws. :up:

Thanks! I really didn't want to drill more holes, plus they're easy to pull off to unplug the cables when I want to remove the side panel. Now I just have to dress them up to fit the rest of the theme.

[Stonerboy779]

I should have seen this coming, its going to be good.

[d_stilgar]

HAF Stacker, I'm drooling.

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_3.png


All right time for some old-school modding! Ever since this project came to mind I'd wanted something in it to really draw the eye, and nothing does that like motion. I wanted something that reflected the industrial theme of the build, and something that would stand out from the norm. I think I got it done.

Parts first. Below is a DC gearmotor purchased from solarbotics.com. Those guys have got all kinds of cool stuff like this. The gearbox in this one is a 228:1 ratio so it produces plenty of torque even at low voltages. It starts spinning at 3 volts, turning a leisurely 12 RPM, and goes up to 47 RPM at 9 volts. The perfect range for this piece of the puzzle.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~4.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~5.JPG)


The shaft has two flats on it, designed to turn one of several wheels they also offer. I opted for a small version with no tread or band on it:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~4.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~5.JPG)


With no treads or belts on the wheel I needed a different way to transfer the motor's motion. Enter Lego Technic!

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I love these things. These are actually left over from the same project that I had planned to use those hard drive enclosures for. Still sorry to see that one stillborn, but aspects of it are finding their way to this one.

So how to mount that fantastic Lego gear onto my motor? Drill, tap and screws!

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That took care of transferring the motion to the subject, but the things I had in mind to turn weren't made for this. (This is why we're modders.) I had to put bearings in the ends for them to spin on, but they didn't have anywhere to put them. A friend of mind just bought himself a CNC mill and has been dying to use it, and since I do not own a tool that will cut or drill them without rendering them liquid I took him up on it. (I never knew these things were made of adamantium.)

After some time setting up we managed to bore a 5/8" hole in the ends of each one:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~3.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~4.JPG)


So now the bearings will fit inside the shafts but I still have to get the Lego gears to center on the bearings. Here are the bearings I'm working with:

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These Technic gears are driven by a cross-shaped shaft that presses into the center. Here's one compared to my bearings:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~3.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~4.JPG)


Not gonna work. Thankfully we modders are nothing if not resourceful. I took two pieces of plastic water line of different sizes:

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The smaller is a perfect press fit inside the larger one:

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And the combination makes a perfect bushing for the axle to press into the bearing:

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That took care of the idler end of the shafts. As they spin, they will spin around the axles, which will be staionary. Now on to the drive end, where the power will be applied.

Thankfully my drive gears are the same diameter as the flange at the end of the shaft:

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I also needed to build a housing for the bearings to turn in, something that was rigid and spaced properly for the bearings and a place to mount the motor. This whole assembly will be going in the upper 915 section of the case, with a windowed side panel. I did leave the 5 1/4" bay there because I'm putting a fan controller up top also. I needed to free up as much room as I could thought, and my fan controller is very shallow.

This bay is too big:

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Thankfully it comes out easily.

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Added a couple of boards to give it some stiffness and chopped it up!

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Much better!!

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/27~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/27~1.JPG)


So I had plenty of room now. I chopped up some old oak boards I had and made parallel mounts for the shafts and the motor, mounted those to a sheet of 3/16" plywood and mounted the whole assembly inside the upper case.

Obviously the wood and the drive apparatus will be hidden in the end product, I'll build some faux cast iron boxes around them and that drive bay, but the overall project came out great!

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Aaaaaaaaaand the requisite Youtube video:

Ei1uPQji1ro

Perfect!! The motor is hooked to a fan controller now to experiment with speed but I think it will end up being around 30.

Disclaimer: I mentioned one of my friends used his CNC mill to help me with the portion of the project and that's true. I also have a couple of intricate pieces being laser-cut right now. I will however keep the professional high-end machinery to an absolute minimum on this build. Everything I can do myself I will.

Thanks again, let me know what you think of the camshafts. Remember, the wood will be hidden and they will be behind a window lit with red LEDs.

[msmrx57]

:shoed: Droooooool Freakin' AWESOME!!!!!!!!

[TheMainMan]

First thing that came to mind would be hooking them up to CPU usage, the harder your CPU worked the closer to 9V they would get. They look pretty sweet as is, lights and a window will just be epic!

[blueonblack]

First thing that came to mind would be hooking them up to CPU usage, the harder your CPU worked the closer to 9V they would get.

Interesting idea, but the response time is WAY too slow for any kind of real-time difference. I have been thinking of another indicator like that, but not sure it will work. If it does you'll see it in there. If it doesn't I'll never mention it again. :)


They look pretty sweet as is, lights and a window will just be epic!


:shoed: Droooooool Freakin' AWESOME!!!!!!!!

And thank you both!

[blueonblack]

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Well, I've gotten some more work done on this thing but the section I'm working on now is detailed and very slow-going, so no work updates today, but I've seen a lot of people with updates to their worklogs showing off their water-cooling parts. I love to look at that stuff as much as the next guy and I finally got all of mine in, so I thought I'd follow suit. Here's what I've got in mind for this thing:


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Pumps: Phobya DC12-400 (x2)



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Radiators: Koolance 360 copper high-flow (x2). I chose these for their low fin count (11 fpi) and for the straight ports. Those will work perfectly for their mounting position.


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I was surprised to find these with the radiators. I'd never seen a mounting setup like this and I love it!



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Reservoir: Alphacool Cape Corp Bullseye Pro. I love the fisheye lens on this reservoir.



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CPU block: XSPC Raystorm.



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VGA block: Koolance GPU-210. I love the multi-port option on this block. I'll have a lot of tubing to run and bends to make, the flexibility will be good to have.



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Chipset blocks: Alphacool HF 14 Smart Motion universal blocks.



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RAM block: Alphacool D-RAM cooler X4. Yes, I know cooling RAM does no good at all, but I figured why stop?



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VRM block: Koolance MVR-100. The board I'm using is now in Rev 4 and the most common complaint is overheating VRMs so I knew I had to cool them. I couldn't find a block to fit them so I ordered this Koolance with the interchangeable heat plates and a plate that was too big and cut it down. (Which explains the bare copper in all that shiny nickel goodness.)



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Miscellaneous bits and pieces, including a drain valve with a straight rotary fitting (so I can position the handle however it looks best after installation), a couple of Alphacool T fittings (one for the bottom for the drain and one for the top for a fill/bleed port), and a Monsoon silver bullet anti-microbial plug.



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Bitspower visual flow indicator.



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And tying it all together, 28 Primochill Revolver fittings. I had initially bought the chain gun fittings but they turned out to be WAY too big. Honestly I think these probably fit the spirit of the build better anyway. More importantly, they fit the smallest blocks I have, though there is ZERO room to spare. When you tighten the second fitting you can actually feel the knurling rubbing on the first one:


I'll be using Primochill 1/2" OD rigid acrylic tubing for the whole thing, and with all of the bends I'm going to have to make I decided to invest in the Monsoon Hardline Pro mandrel kit. This set is an awesome buy at $40!


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http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/22~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/22~3.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/23~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/23~1.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/24~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/24~3.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/25~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/25~3.JPG)


That should just about do it. Anyone with any input, comments or ideas on this loop don't hesitate to jump in here. The system is pretty basic, I'll be cooling a Phenom II 1100T, a single Gigabyte HD6950 and the onboard components mentioned. Honestly, I think this setup will be way more than I need, even with very low-speed fans but if anyone with more experience in larger loops like this knows something I don't PLEASE let me know before I bend all this tubing!

Thanks!

[Stonerboy779]

This is going to be amazing cannot wait to see the cooling come together. Not that I am really surprised but had no idea monsoon made such a cool product

[blueonblack]

Assuming you mean that mandrel set, yes it is awesome. It's even set up so you can use it to bend your tubing in two axes. Check out their video on Youtube to see exactly what you can do with it. There's a lot of engineering there.

[Stonerboy779]

I saw the bids the performances pcs put up. There is even cutting boxes silicon inserts so tubes keep their shape and adjustable rollers to measure every dimension and of course there are different mandrel sizes. All up it is really well thought out by monsoon and a must for anyone wanting precise and easy acrylic hardlines

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_5.png

I got some work done over the last couple of days and I got a new sponsor! Thanks to Cooler Master for their support!

I see a lot of worklogs that manage to convey the process of the work without a lot of dialogue. It's a skill, and when it's done right I like it. I'm going to try to do more of that here and see how it works out.

Today's update is on the completion of the cover for the video card I'll be using. Lots to show so here we go:

The card in question is a Gigabyte HD6950, here it is stock and through its watercooling transformation:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Original.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Original~0.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~7.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~8.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/15~5.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/15~6.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/16~4.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/16~5.JPG)


So the card is ready, but I didn't want to look at it in the finished piece. I decided to hide it in a cover in keeping with the theme:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~6.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~7.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~8.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~9.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~8.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~9.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~8.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~9.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~8.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~9.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~7.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~8.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~8.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~9.JPG)


And the finished product:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/19~4.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/19~5.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/18~4.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/18~5.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/20~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/20~3.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/21~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/21~3.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/22~4.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/22~5.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/23~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/23~3.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/24~4.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/24~5.JPG)


The copper tube and elbows are for the power to the card, they will run straight through the floor of this center section so none of the cabling should be visible. The other hole in the front of the cover is for the water line coming out of the block. That's going to be an interesting line to bend.

Any comments welcome, thanks for watching!

[TheMainMan]

Love the fuse and holder on the end! Also, great way to hide the cables which is one of the hardest things to do on a GPU in my opinion.

[msmrx57]

:stupid: That cover is simply AWESOME!!! Have you thought about doing the same thing as the cable and using flexible tubing for that particular line?

[blueonblack]

Love the fuse and holder on the end! Also, great way to hide the cables which is one of the hardest things to do on a GPU in my opinion.

Thanks! And yes, GPU power is a cable-hiding nightmare, especially on cards like this with the power on the leading edge instead of the back end.

I'm still considering the tubing. I had planned to paint it black like the cover, with some tiny rivet heads around the perimeter of the elbows at the joints to give it that cast iron look, but I'm not so sure now that I see the copper. I don't want that to be the only copper inside it though, I think that would really stand out poorly.

Planning proceeds. :)



:stupid: That cover is simply AWESOME!!! Have you thought about doing the same thing as the cable and using flexible tubing for that particular line?

And thanks also. Not sure where exactly you're thinking about using flexible tubing here, can you clarify?

[msmrx57]

Not sure where exactly you're thinking about using flexible tubing here, can you clarify?

I was just thinking use vinyl/silicone (not really familiar with what water cooling tubing is made from) and run it through another copper elbow like the power leads.

Out of curiosity are the copper elbows attached as a support at all or just wiring conduit?

[OvRiDe]

I don't want that to be the only copper inside it though, I think that would really stand out poorly

I like the copper. I don't think it would stand out as much as integrate. The wiring on the top is copper, the fuse holder on the end is copper, and (if its not a trick of the lighting) the fuse is copper. If you think its too bright you could weather it some. Maybe hit it with some sand paper to give it more of a worn/patina look. Then age it a bit by rubbing on some black paint and then wiping it off so it gets in all the grooves and corners.

Check out Adam Savage talking about weathering his T-800 Terminator.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKflhTrRh2k

He starts talking about the weathering @~4:56 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aKflhTrRh2k#t=296)<-You can click this number to jump straight to it in another window.

Anywho.. its looking great, can't wait to see the next installment!

[blueonblack]

I was just thinking use vinyl/silicone (not really familiar with what water cooling tubing is made from) and run it through another copper elbow like the power leads.

Now I see where you're going, thanks. I am really hoping to be able to hardline the whole loop, but if flexible line is called for you're right, that's probably where it would be and that's a good way to hide it.


Out of curiosity are the copper elbows attached as a support at all or just wiring conduit?

The elbows have a short little stub sticking out, just longer than the thickness of the acrylic sides of the cover, and stick through holes in the side. They do act as a support to keep that heavy sucker from sagging.


I like the copper. I don't think it would stand out as much as integrate.

I like it too, and it does integrate well with this particular piece of the puzzle. I'm more concerned with it standing out in relation to the whole. There is no other copper planned in the build anywhere. Then again, I haven't gotten to routing all of the wiring in this thing either. There may be a need for more copper conduit in other places. If that's the case it can stay.


Anywho.. its looking great, can't wait to see the next installment!

Thank you sir. Working on the face of the thing now, that is turning out to be quite task but I think I finally have it figured out. May have an update on that next weekend.

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_6.png

I finally got the face of the machine finished. I've always liked the edges of the stock panels, but the mesh and the shape of the center portion didn't go well with the theme. The setting for Dishonored has always been about sharp angles and flat planes. The train cars, the machinery, everything mechanical is built like this. And all of it is flat black iron.

At first I just pulled the stock fronts off of the case and set them aside. That gave me a really nice square flat frame to work with. I had always planned to make a new face out of cast acrylic sheet, but I couldn't figure out how to do the edges so they looked right. I finally just ended up cutting the edges off of the original fronts and using them to trim out the edges. There's been a lot of progress made but today's update is largely about the finish. I was able to take glossy cell cast acrylic sheet (and the ABS plastic sides from the original fronts) and make them into a reasonable facsimile of wrought iron sheet.

Check out the pictures and please give me an honest opinion. This is the plan for the overall appearance of the project. I'm even going to paint the water blocks to match once I'm sure it's right.

Thanks to all!

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~8.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~9.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~13.JPG)

[Stonerboy779]

So subtle, elegant and dark, I like it :)

If this as you are saying it is the overall look and feel of the project then I am a massive fan.

[blueonblack]

So subtle, elegant and dark...

That sir is the best thing I could have heard. Nailed it. :)

I'm afraid the lighting will have a negative effect on the subtlety, but I'm going to go with as dark a red as I can get, and probably spotlights as opposed to all-around lighting. We'll see.

Regardless, thanks for the compliment, that's *exactly* what I was going for.

[licenseless]

I... I think .... I think I love you

[blueonblack]

I... I think .... I think I love you

Awwwwwwww! ;)

[blueonblack]

I forgot to give a big thanks to TLHarrell for the planetary gears and the letter I on the front, those were laser-cut for me on his machine. Thanks!!

[Stonerboy779]

Spotlighting would probably be amazing because this really doesn't need much lighting it would distract to much.

I would suggest dollhouse lighting like this.

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=251048730494

Or this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dollhouse-miniature-Wall-Fixture-lamp-light-12-volt-electric-New-/251048728725?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a73ab9895

[blueonblack]

Dollhouse lighting, wow. That's a very interesting idea, I'll look into it.

Up until now I had pictured a couple of short dim CCFLs (dimmed by some mechanical means like window tinting film) for overall light and then a couple of these for the high points like the video card cover and the camshafts:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/modmytoys/spotlight-rd_04.jpg

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72_1114&products_id=34752

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_7.png (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_7_large.png)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_7-2.png (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_7-2_Large.png)

Been a while since I updated the worklog, but work continues. Life seems to get in the way of the things we want to do sometimes. Made a lot of progress since then though, lots to add here on this update!

One of my favorite things in Dishonored was the Heart. When I first saw Corvo holding it and saw it light up inside and the gears start turning when I turned toward a Rune I was just amazed. How awesome. I wanted to include some kind of element like that in this build but wasn't sure how to pull it off. I decided to integrate a piece of another mod that never came to fruition.

Some of you here at TBCS may remember project Clockwork and both of its unfinished worklogs. I'm glad to see it as a donor here. In that previous project I had planned on making everything really rusty and neglected. It had a lot of mechanical aspects to it also. I picked up this awesome little gear clock on Amazon:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~17.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~16.JPG)

With a lot of patience and practice I learned a faux rust paint technique, tore it apart and gave it the neglected look I wanted.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~13.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~12.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~15.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~14.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~15.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~14.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~15.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~14.JPG)

Even the inside up close looked pretty good when I was done.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~13.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~12.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~11.JPG)

In that project it was supposed to protrude out the top of the case and turn with a motor.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~13.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~12.JPG)

But the project was stillborn so it's been laying in one of my mod closets ever since. I decided to put it to use here. I kept the upper drive bays intact in the case just for this purpose, and when I made the face I put a porthole there with a 5-inch convex clock lens I found on Ebay also. I finally got this second motion element done over the weekend. I got it mounted in place and decided that the rust I'd worked so hard on was a HUGE clash with the clean iron paint I'd used to that point, so I took it out and gave it a coat of dark bronze. I left some of the rust but it looks a lot newer now. It contrasts with the iron but I don't think it clashes like it did rusty.

Once I had it in place I didn't want to see the ugly drive bay through the window so I made an acrylic cover for it and painted it in the same iron style.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~16.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~15.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~17.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~16.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~17.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~16.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~17.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~16.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~17.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~16.JPG)

It doesn't show very well here because of the light, but the finished version will be lit from inside the box with red LED strips. I tried to simulate the backlighting in the video with a flashlight, clearly failing miserably.

QtKLuYZqNPI

In the end I think it will make an excellent addition to the project.

I was also able to finish off both of the radiators. I had them painted and mounted on the outside of the side panels but I decided that I really didn't like the look of the bare mounting holes. I didn't want to put grills on it so I found a way to cover the holes that stays with the style to some extent.

I'll take a minute to mention one of my sponsors here, Deepcool. They were kind enough to send me six of their US120R 120mm fans for the radiators and I have to say that I love them.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/31~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/31~3.JPG)

They're heavy, solid fans, and the whole black area is a dense rubber compound of some kind, just flexible enough to absorb vibrations but still serve as mounts on the corners. They are also some of the quietest fans I've used. Absolutely love them but the color isn't going to work . The three in the top section will be visible behind the camshafts so I had to paint them.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/29~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/29~3.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/30~2.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/30~3.JPG)

Once those were in place I finished off the new trim on the outer part of the radiators.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/32~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/32~1.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/33~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/33~1.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/34~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/34~1.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/35~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/35~1.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/37~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/37~2.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/40~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/40~1.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/39~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/39~1.JPG)

This finished off the top section!

All that's left there are lights, wiring and tubing and I can't do those until the thing is bolted together as a unit. Finished upper section pics:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~14.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/15~7.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~14.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~15.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~14.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~15.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~14.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~15.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~14.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~15.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~14.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~15.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~12.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~13.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~11.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~9.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~10.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~9.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~10.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~10.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~11.JPG)

Couple more bits of progress. I managed to snag a Sapphire 7970 card and will be using it instead of the 6950 that I had before. Problem was, I had designed and built the video card cover around that card. Thankfully I was able to successfully adapt the cover to the new card. I've decided due to time constraints not to water cool it, mounting it as is.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/45.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/45~1.JPG)

I showed the front intake fan earlier as part of the paint post but I didn't show what I did there. I cut down one of my favorite fans, a Noctua I've had for a long while, so it would stick out the front of the case. The end result was worth it!

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/44.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/44~0.JPG)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/47.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/47~0.JPG)

The fans on top of the upper section are Turbine Master fans from Cooler Master. I cut the wires and ripped out the magnets so these are not fans any more but what I like to call kinetic vent covers. The fans in the upper section are mounted in a push configuration so they intake through these fans. The plan was to have them spin very slowly with the intake air pressure. I even added a small crossflow fan to the back with a fan controller on it so I could regulate the interior pressure and control their speed that way.

The theory was sound, but something went wrong with the fans and I cannot get them to spin at the same speed no matter what I do. The radiator fans are hooked to the Lamptron fan controller and it only has low and high settings. On the low setting they don't even move and on the high setting they spin in a blur.

I've decided to call them turbo fans and move on. :banana:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/41~0.JPG (http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/41~1.JPG)

I also added a female 110 outlet and a switch to the rear of the bottom section just below the PSU. I'll get to the reason for that in the wiring update.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/48.JPG

That's all for today. Progress continues though. The bottom section is almost complete cosmetically, but it's largely a containment unit anyway. I've been working on the rear and lower panels in the main section, figuring out a way to make them more even and uniform, and deciding how I'm going to deal with those damned 24-pin and 8-pin power connectors and the SATA cables. More on that with the next update, then I can finally bolt the three sections together for good and start on the wiring and the lights. Then maybe I can finally start bending some tubing!

[smilinsniper]

This is coming along brilliantly can't wait for the next update :)

[biggoofy]

Love the old, worn out look of the gears that you did.

[blueonblack]

Love the old, worn out look of the gears that you did.

Thank you sir!

[blueonblack]

Ok, I love this project, I really do. It has a huge monolithic heavy iron feel that I wanted that I think goes along so well with the theme. Looking at it though (and especially photographing it) I'm starting to think "too much black".

I'm considering changing the color on some of the accents like the huge "I" and the gears at the bottom of the front plate, the Outsider symbol at the top, the reservoir trim ring, maybe even the rivet heads.

Any suggestions from the group on a color that might go well with all of this cast-iron black to break it up some but not throw off the overall heavy industrial feel?

[msmrx57]

Looking good! :up: I love the gears showing through. And glad to see a bit of Clockwork living on.



Ok, I love this project, I really do. It has a huge monolithic heavy iron feel that I wanted that I think goes along so well with the theme. Looking at it though (and especially photographing it) I'm starting to think "too much black".

I'm considering changing the color on some of the accents like the huge "I" and the gears at the bottom of the front plate, the Outsider symbol at the top, the reservoir trim ring, maybe even the rivet heads.

Any suggestions from the group on a color that might go well with all of this cast-iron black to break it up some but not throw off the overall heavy industrial feel?

Bronze metallic in a satin finish. Either that or a brushed nickel look. Although you'd have to use a lot less of the nickel to keep it from being too much.

[OvRiDe]

Hmm.. I am thinking...

COPPER! :D

[blueonblack]

Bronze metallic in a satin finish. Either that or a brushed nickel look. Although you'd have to use a lot less of the nickel to keep it from being too much.

I had been thinking of both of those also. I have a can of Forged Hammered bronze that looks pretty cool. It achieves the hammered look through color mixing instead of the actual physical surface like the black does. I have a "soft iron" that has a lot of the grey you see in nickel also, I'll play with both of those.


Hmm.. I am thinking...

COPPER! :D

Copper. Copper is good. :P

[blueonblack]

Ok, I need some opinions. I found an excellent brush-on paint called hammered gray that makes for an excellent effect, and I'm concerned I have too much black on here. So which is better, the rivet heads that match the case or the hammered gray ones?

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~14.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~17.JPG

Same question for the Outsider symbol:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~10.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~18.JPG

Painting every rivet really approaches the level of effort and tedium that it may be easier to start over, but I'd like to hear some opinions before I do either. Personally I like the gray better but I'm not sure I like enough better to warrant the time and work to retrofit the whole damned thing with them.

What say ye?

[msmrx57]

I really like the look with the gray. Possibly use the gray as a high light such as on the logo and other key features the keep the tedium to a minimum?

[blueonblack]

Sorry no updates from Sokolov tonight. He’s probably out drinking and womanizing. I’m not going to judge, he’s a genius and the Empire needs him.

So it’s been a while since my last update. At the time I had decided that I might need a little less black on it. While it looked pretty good in bright direct light, the finish was so flat it was actually hard to see without it. A lot’s happened since then so I’ll try to break this update up so it’s not a huge wall of text.

First off, I removed every one of those rivet heads from the project. There were a LOT of them, but it was easier than I thought it would be. They’re held on with Superglue and came off with a chisel and a tap from a hammer. Lots and lots of taps.

I had shown the rivets with a new grey paint on them, an oil-based Rustoleum Hammered paint that comes in quarts instead of rattle cans. It’s beautiful stuff, with a base of gray and tiny little veins of black. I decided since the finish I had wasn’t even anyway I would sand it down and repaint it with the black version of this same paint. Worst. Idea. Ever.

Thankfully I didn’t have to sand it bare since the new paint has similar hammered effects to the spray already on it. I got it all sanded down and repainted with the quart paint. It looked excellent on smaller pieces and larger pieces with a lot of changes in surface area (like the hard drive enclosures), but anywhere with large flat areas looked like crap.

So, after letting it cure for a week (this stuff dries really slowly but I figured it would come off a lot more easily fully cured) I spent 18 hours over the course of two days using this:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~19.JPG

and these

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~19.JPG

and way too much of this

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~19.JPG

to get all of that enamel paint off.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~18.JPG

This transformed my formerly perfectly promising project into this pathetic pile of parts (deal with the alliteration there, I restrained myself. And yes, I enjoy the use of parentheses.)

After some research I decided the problem was not the product but my application. I bought an HVLP paint gun, dryer and regulator and practiced with some copper paint of the same kind and was able to get some absolutely beautiful results on large flat panels.

Properly thinned and sprayed this is a great product. I didn’t get any pics of the black, but it gave the hammered look I wanted, it has these awesome little gray veins in the black, and is just beautiful. Problem is, it’s glossy. Really, REALLY glossy. I found Testors Dullcote that’s supposed to be great for that but I’ll be damned if I was going to spray anything on this finish and screw it up. Again.

So there I was, getting ready to spray this new awesome but overly glossy finish on my pile pf parts on my next weekend, doing some last-minute research online when I stumbled across an image that someone was complaining about. They were upset that the product they were using turned out like this:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Plastidip_Texture.JPG

I was smitten. *This* was what I had been looking for. Not too flat, not too glossy, the “hammered” marks were actually very fine wrinkles; it looked exactly like cast iron to me. I quickly found out what product they were using, went and bought some (for $6 a can instead of the $25 or more for the quarts I already bought) and gave it a shot when I got home. I had to use it wrong since this isn’t the result it’s supposed to produce, but… PERFECT!

With this product and this method I could go from bare plastic or metal and the paint still in the can to finished product, dry and ready to assemble in five minutes flat. five minutes.

First I laid out a bunch of those rhinestones I’m using for rivet heads on a piece of contact paper and painted them with a satin-finish Rustoleum Forged Hammered paint in Chestnut color. Looks like forged bronze, beautiful stuff.

Then I got all of my parts painted. I was done soon enough that the rhinestones were still drying. Once that was done I got all the rivets glued back in place and the whole thing put back together.

This whole thing was quite an ordeal but in the end I think it looks at least five times better. Pics! (There are minor flaws that need to be fixed and it's dirty, but those will be remedied.)

Opinions?

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~18.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~18.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~14.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~16.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~16.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~16.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~14.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~13.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~14.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~13.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/15~8.JPG

And some super macro shots of the texture of this finish.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/16~6.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/17~6.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/18~6.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/19~6.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/20~4.JPG

And some closeup pics of the texture of actual cast iron for comparison:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/21~4.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/22~6.JPG

Before I tell everyone what I used on these I’d like opinions on the appearance. Again, I think it looks exactly like cast iron, and I’m very happy with the results (which is good since I wasn’t going to paint it again regardless), but I’d like some outside opinions, good or bad.

[TheMainMan]

Short of casting your parts in iron, I'd say it's a match! It looks slightly less textured than the handle in the last two photos but it catches the light in almost exactly the same way. In the distance shots it looks flat black, the closeups are where the detail really pops. I love the look of the whole thing with the bronze accents.

[TLHarrell]

I really like the cast iron look. Do tell. I want.

[blueonblack]

Believe it or not I did this with black aerosol Plasti Dip. Took some experimentation but if you apply it right (or wrong if you're reading the label) and follow it immediately with a heat gun, this is what you get. The only thing I don't like is the texture. It loooks *perfect*, but it's got a "grabby" feel, like you'd expect from new rubber, and dust collects on it a lot. Comes right off with a damp cloth but it's a pain. I'm hoping the "grabby" goes away as it cures but if not I may experiment with some highly-thinned poly as a brush-on top coat or something. This finish is so easy to achieve I can make practice panels in literally minutes, ready to go. One thing I'm not doing is tearing it all down again so it will need to be a brush-on solution.

We'll see, I have plenty of work to do while it cures.

[Stonerboy779]

It is looking great and that is an awesome finish with the plastidip. Very jealous that you can get it for $5 a can

[blueonblack]

Quick TBCS-exclusive sneak peak at my tubing. Joinery is still in testing phase but if it passes this will be the final form the tubing will take:

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh219/daddyforever2/30_zps9ec180fc.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh219/daddyforever2/31_zps6ea79b3b.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh219/daddyforever2/32_zpsab5b86a0.jpg

[TLHarrell]

You are just straight gluing the acrylic tubing into copper pipe fittings???

[blueonblack]

Hopefully. That's the experiment that's currently underway. The adhesive is curing on my test pieces now.

Don't get your shorts all bunched up (???), it's just an experiment at this point but you have to admit it looks pretty damned slick.

[Airbozo]

I do like the look and have been toying with something similar instead of all copper. Can't wait to find out if it works...




Hopefully. That's the experiment that's currently underway. The adhesive is curing on my test pieces now.

Don't get your shorts all bunched up (???), it's just an experiment at this point but you have to admit it looks pretty damned slick.

[blueonblack]

So this particular experiment was a failure I'm sorry to say. I really think it will work but I need a different adhesive. Pretty sure a 2-part epoxy would do the trick but it's a bitch to work with.

If I can figure out how to straighten the copper tube I bought in a roll I'll be going with that and soldered joints. If not, it's back to standard bent acrylic.

Any pointers from anyone on straightening soft rolled copper? I figured out that a 7/16 dowel fits very snugly inside the 1/2" OD stuff that I bought and figured that would make it easy. Not so. I can get it *almost* straight but not perfect. I don't even know if anyone would notice but they might.

I can get 1/2" OD copper pipe (hard copper as opposed to the soft roll I already bought) that's perfectly straight but at $8 a foot I can't afford it.

[msmrx57]

So this particular experiment was a failure I'm sorry to say. I really think it will work but I need a different adhesive. Pretty sure a 2-part epoxy would do the trick but it's a bitch to work with.

What did you use for an adhesive? I'm thinking that most types of glue would be rather brittle or not aggressive enough to bond to both materials. You could try an automotive silicone based product like RTV.


If I can figure out how to straighten the copper tube I bought in a roll I'll be going with that and soldered joints. If not, it's back to standard bent acrylic.

Any pointers from anyone on straightening soft rolled copper? I figured out that a 7/16 dowel fits very snugly inside the 1/2" OD stuff that I bought and figured that would make it easy. Not so. I can get it *almost* straight but not perfect. I don't even know if anyone would notice but they might.

I can get 1/2" OD copper pipe (hard copper as opposed to the soft roll I already bought) that's perfectly straight but at $8 a foot I can't afford it.

You could try using the dowel like a rolling pin with it inside the tubing. Either that or wrap tape around the dowel to make it a little thicker.

[blueonblack]

What did you use for an adhesive? I'm thinking that most types of glue would be rather brittle or not aggressive enough to bond to both materials. You could try an automotive silicone based product like RTV.

I used a great product called Amazing Goop. I've used it for plumbing work in the past with great success. It's very thick and solvent-based but it didn't grab like it needed to. Honestly I don't think I'd be comfortable doing this setup with anything less than epoxy at this point. I may try that in a future build.


You could try using the dowel like a rolling pin with it inside the tubing. Either that or wrap tape around the dowel to make it a little thicker.

It would never fit in there with even a single layer of masking tape on it, it's that tight. I had not thought of rolling with the dowel exposed on each end. One problem is the nature of dowel rods: they're made of wood. They're even softer than the tubing. If I could find a 7/16" OD rod made out of something stronger like brass, aluminum or even acrylic it would work better.

[TLHarrell]

For straightening, try the same method used for straightening wire... stretch it slightly. You'll obviously need to cut it longer than the piece you need, and you'll need to devise a way to hold both ends and pull. Doesn't need to stretch much, just enough to get past being pulled into a straight line.

You may also want to do a rough sanding of both mating surfaces to provide more grip for the epoxy.

[Airbozo]

IF you do go with 2 stage epoxy, remember to scuff up the copper where the epoxy will be. I've had issues in the past where even epoxy didn't attach right.

TT

[blueonblack]

For straightening, try the same method used for straightening wire... stretch it slightly. You'll obviously need to cut it longer than the piece you need, and you'll need to devise a way to hold both ends and pull. Doesn't need to stretch much, just enough to get past being pulled into a straight line.

You may also want to do a rough sanding of both mating surfaces to provide more grip for the epoxy.


IF you do go with 2 stage epoxy, remember to scuff up the copper where the epoxy will be. I've had issues in the past where even epoxy didn't attach right.

TT

Roger that both of you, thanks very much!

[blueonblack]

I got all of the electrical work done tonight! Like it or not, this thing is now bound together, no more taking the smaller cases loose to work with them independently.

I'll have an update hopefully tomorrow but for my fellow TBCS modders, a teaser:

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~20.JPG

[TheMainMan]

That looks awesome! So excited to see the rest!

[msmrx57]

Looks killer!!! Get the rest up quick you tease.

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Page_8.png

Yes, this thing is almost done. I finished all of the electrical work on it last night. With the power supply in the bottom, lights in the top two sections, the two motion elements, the fan controller and fans in all three sections there is a LOT of wiring going on here. Happily, I managed to keep the interior clean. The smaller copper tube is wiring conduit.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~20.JPG

I said I would explain the additional 110 outlet and toggle switch on the rear of the case in the electrical update. I bought a 12-volt converter for something (I don't even know what it's supposed to be for) that puts out 5 amps. I wired it into the 110 outlet I added, put the switch in the circuit and wired in a 3-pin connector for output. This is going to function as auxiliary pump power. I hate having to find an external power source for the pumps when I'm filling bleeding and leak testing a system and the last thing I wanted to do here was unhook the 24-pin and 8-pin connectors from the motherboard. This way when it comes time I just open the bottom panel, unplug the pumps, plug them into the converter, move the 110 cord from the PSU to this dedicated circuit and flip the switch. Instant constant 12-volt power for the pumps without putting power anywhere else.

That's the theory anyway, we'll see how it works tonight. :)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~17.JPG

I've been working on this thing since February, and as with most ideas I have it has been in my head as a completed project since then. Looking at it now I have to say it has turned out perfectly. I'm sure some of my fellow modders can relate to that feeling when it's coming together and actually starts to look like the finished product.

I was really worried about the lighting, getting just the right shade and brightness but the RGB strip I bought on Amazon is perfect. I was able to change the color and brightness one step at a time and save the results in a preset and still be able to play with the lighting effects it offers. I especially like being able to switch to full-brightness white with the press of a button to help with any work I need to do inside the case. That will no doubt come in handy later.

I received what I truly hope is the last package of parts for this project today in the form of some Primochill PETG tubing and various fittings, as well as a USB adapter for the WiFi antenna. Still experimenting with location on that. Now that all the pieces are fused together I realize how well I've sealed off the main section when it comes to trying to run a wire anywhere from there to get power.

Checklist for completion:

- Cut, bend and install tubing
- Install WiFi antenna
- Find a place to mount the IR receiver for the lights
- Make new "grills" for the radiators (I decided I didn't like the long bars I did previously)
- Install a plaque on the lower left-hand panel
- Fill bleed and leak check
- Figure out how to move this ridiculous thing out of my shop and up two flights of stairs into my office
- Install software/games
- Try to play said games without being distracted by the thing on the desk. :)

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~19.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~19.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~15.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~17.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~19.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~20.JPG

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~20.JPG

[Stonerboy779]

That is beautiful

[TLHarrell]

I recommend adding two separate lighting colors in the gears. Let the colors hit different parts, cast multiple shadows, and blend in interesting ways.

[OvRiDe]

Looks GREAT!

[msmrx57]

Very kewl!! Awesome job on keeping the interior clean. :bowdown:

[blueonblack]

That is beautiful


Looks GREAT!


Very kewl!! Awesome job on keeping the interior clean. :bowdown:

Thanks guys, I worked really hard to keep that clean look and it paid off.


I recommend adding two separate lighting colors in the gears. Let the colors hit different parts, cast multiple shadows, and blend in interesting ways.

Recommendation noted. No. :) A fine idea but those lights are done. D-O-N-E spells done. Maybe next time.

[blueonblack]

This thing is nearly complete. I got it out of my shop and into my office and the water loop is filled and leak tested.

I'll have finished pics up here with videos of the motion elements next week. :banana:

[blueonblack]

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/Done.png

This project is complete!

Well, OK as complete as they ever get when you're planning to show them somewhere. There are still a few minor cosmetic issues I want to address, like the fittings in the upper portion by the camshafts and the screw holes on the radiators but overall it's done.

This has been my largest and most involved project to date and as usual I've learned a lot. I think it came out pretty well, and very close to the finished piece I had in my head when I started it in February.

I'll be draining the loop and loading it up on a dolly to get it to my car next Wednesday and driving it to Quakecon in Dallas to compete in the case mod competition. Fingers crossed, but win or lose I'm going to have a blast.

Thanks for following along everyone, hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did.

http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/1~22.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/2~23.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/3~23.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/4~22.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/5~21.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/6~21.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/7~17.JPG


w-N_F4C4bBQ


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/8~19.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/10~19.JPG


aQo16KITYYI


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/11~16.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/12~14.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/13~16.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/14~15.JPG


http://www.decryptedtech.com/modlogs/albums/userpics/10005/9~19.JPG

[blueonblack]

I'm happy to say the build made it to Quakecon with only minor blemishes, set up and running in the BYOC now.

Wish me luck on Saturday!

[blueonblack]

FIRST PLACE!!! Wooo hooo!

[OvRiDe]

WOW!! Congratulations Shane!! umm.. but where are the pictures!?! :)

Awesome work man!

[TLHarrell]

Awesome! I saw Al post the announcement on Facebook. Good work!

[msmrx57]

Congrats!!! A well deserving build.

[TheMainMan]

Congrats! Great to hear that all your hard work was rewarded!

[d_stilgar]

Nice on the win! Congrats man.

[blueonblack]

Thanks very much guys! I won an impressive pile of loot, some cash (that will help defer the cost of creation) and a full page in the upcoming issue of CPU magazine!

Final pics:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/14544701889_743b912ebd_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oagp9e)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/14751200823_dd681b6bfa_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/otvL5F)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14544703329_79bfdff6b4_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oagpz4)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14731055642_4b01dc9216_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/orJvBY)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14731055372_f9e71c8518_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/orJvxj)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14751199783_3bc596b44d_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/otvKLK)

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14728978814_4f27c01a80_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/orxSfA)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14728163761_de5c62385b_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ortFXX)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14544700678_e4570ccf12_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oagoMm)

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/14544700618_52b27a51db_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oagoLj)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14751200473_c517be6730_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/otvKYD)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14544674150_f70397688d_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oagfTY)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/14544674140_0e9278212e_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oagfTN)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14751199483_3b0a6ebde0_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/otvKFz)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/14731054862_8cc4777405_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/orJvow)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14544699598_592d4f0ec0_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oagosJ)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3866/14751199133_ce77b9e6b3_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/otvKzx)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14751199013_ef92fef122_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/otvKxt)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14731340445_ac881629fe_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/orKYhn)


Whew! They kept asking me so I figured it up and I have just over three hundred hours in this thing. That amazed most people at the con, but I know that's a drop in the sea compared to a lot of guys doing this sort of thing.

Regardless, I'm really happy with the final result and a lot of other people were too. I literally spent two days just answering questions on it at the con. I went there to cover the event for another site but since this was the only computer I brought with me I couldn't get any work done. 5 minutes without someone asking me about it was rare.

That's all right, I took it down there to show it off and I'm glad I did. Pretty sure I'll be back next year too.

Now to come up with a theme....

[Twigsoffury]

w-N_F4C4bBQ



But can it make hotdogs?

[blueonblack]

You know, I only heard that about a dozen times last weekend.

Were you there???

[OvRiDe]

It has been like pulling teeth looking up information on the mod contest itself. The Quakecon site has literally no information on the results of anything from the contests, much less pictures from the event. I did see a run of videos from the Modders Inc Founders competition, but even they didn't really post any information from the event itself.. but I did happen across this gem...

The pertinent part related to this thread starts at 2:20


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_fjDYByZ7o&list=UUQ6UXrtnCIuIisdZldq8npw#t=139

[blueonblack]

Hee hee! That's me! Nice find, Curtis! :)

(That guy was REALLY happy. I think he likes his job.)