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!

[hogan]

wow, looks Clean. i like the drawings and how close they are to what was actualy made! impresive

[Dgephri]

thanks! Sketchup is really great for design work and visualizing my end result.

[d_stilgar]

Wow. I really like that you made a design and are now following through with it with little difficulty because of the work you did beforehand.

[elbarto241]

how do u get the models of computer parts on sketch-up?

[Dgephri]

http://scc.jazzle.co.uk/

very handy stuff

[isunktheship]

how do u get the models of computer parts on sketch-up?

For me, I use 3d studio max 6, but you can use the above link, or some types of CAD, whatever.

You really don't even need to do it in 3d, cardboard is great, and posterboard (with the spongy white stuff) will do the same, for an RL model. Even though I have most of my model in 3d, I'm still might cut up some posterboard.

[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

[GT40_GearHead]

BLOODY hell, how the heck did i not see this from the start...
well see it now.... and i like what i see

that least pic is great

carry on mate
<eats his piece of raw meat>

[Dgephri]

:) glad you like it. This up to about a month ago so far...more to come!

I don't wanna drown you in pics, but I have 3 more pages of worklog to paste in.

[GT40_GearHead]

drown me, drown me ugg ugg :D
i dont mind:D

[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. :)

[OvRiDe]

I have been watching this on the "other" forum.. I have to say its fantastic work. I have been interested in SFF cases, but until this and H2Mirc0 I didn't think there was enough room to really do anything with them. I can't wait to see it finished. Again incredible work!

[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

[elbarto241]

wow, now thats a graphics card! :D

[DaveW]

This looks amazing. It's a pity there's not a full worklog here at TBCS. You're photography is of high quality, and you look like you know what you're upto. Keep it up-nearly there!

-Dave

[Dgephri]

thanks for the compliments. I use a little Sony P-200 7.2MP at full resolution, then scale down every shot.

I will be posting here everything as I go in the next two months, just don't usually post to more than one or two sites, this time I am spreading out a bit more. :)

Keep watching, some really cool stuff yet to come.

[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)

[Omega]

that is more than cool.

[Dgephri]

thanks, I appreciate it. It's starting to come together. Two months to go.

[Cagedconnerman]

WOW...very nice work dude

[simon275]

Im ofline for a bit over a week and look what I miss very nice work man. Your cutting skills are top notch with the lettering all cut out nicely. I have never seen a stock case like the one you bought before a good base for a good mod.

[Dgephri]

its a new case from www.pcdesignlab.com

I wanted a look that was not a common SFF, and I liked the case layout when I saw it, and it really is nice to work on.

The "shell and tray" (my words, not the designer's) design makes it very accessible with components out, and very rigid when assembled.


Guess what is coming...
http://www.dangerden.com/news.php

http://www.dangerden.com/images/blocks/7950/large/7950_top_view2.jpg

[savincent]

I've been looking thru this topic, and I'm pretty impressed. You've actualy inspired me to make my next mod with a mini tower. But I was wondering what motherboard you are using. Looks fairly new, and you seem to have a pretty open budget, so no doubt that it is. :P

[Dgephri]

Asus P5LD2-VM--not conroe, but I am going to get a 930 and see just how far this motherboard can take it. It should beat my 3.73EE.

[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...

[GT40_GearHead]

words are not enought

[silverdemon]

damn nice job on the etching!!!

like the whole case though... good job!

[MitaPi]

HOLY COWS OF FLAMING DEATH!!! This is so... its like... I cant even describe how much I like this mod! lol I LOVE how you did "Blood Moon". Sooo cool.... I feel like a kid in a candy store... but not the kid who could afford anything nice. Just the crappy candy... and he got to sit there with his cruddy lil piece of candy and watch all the other lil boys get the best candy in the store. lol ...that was pretty good.. does anyone feel bad for me? lol

[Dgephri]

you guys are funny. thanks though!

It's really coming together, and really hard not to pull all the tape off and try to glue lights in, and turn it all on, and bask in the red and blue glow...but:

The GX2 waterblock will force me to mod some of the internals, and I don't have it in hand yet.

I still want to hinge the top shell and that will affect my wiring and lighting.

My PSU isn't here yet, that all needs to be trimmed down to SFF length.

No CPU yet, but I pick up my 775 TDX today so I can see how the tubing and mount posts will sit.

the list goes on...I just wanna see it all flashy and glowy!

[Silenced_Coyote]

Sooo cool.... I feel like a kid in a candy store... but not the kid who could afford anything nice. Just the crappy candy... and he got to sit there with his cruddy lil piece of candy and watch all the other lil boys get the best candy in the store. lol ...that was pretty good.. does anyone feel bad for me? lol

At least you have candy. I'm like the kid outside the store looking through the window.

I really like how this is turning out. You started out with a great theme and it just looks great. I want to see it all flashy and glowy too! :)

[Airbozo]

At least you have candy. I'm like the kid outside the store looking through the window.

I really like how this is turning out. You started out with a great theme and it just looks great. I want to see it all flashy and glowy too! :)


Hehe and I'm the kid being dragged away by his mother...


I really want to know how you did the etching so nice. I am working on a bubblegum machine mod and was thinking the sphere could use some detail...

[Dgephri]

a sphere would be really hard to do the INSIDE, etching the outside will not give the same glowy look like EL wire.

I just use a very tiny dremel bit with teeth, look like the head of a pin with cutters.

Very light touch, with my graphic on full sheet clear sticky, put a bright white light behind it, and use the dremel like a long pencil...turn your work to keep from tweaking your wrist out.

For real etching tips, find Wolverine, that Hellraiser cube case is insanely excellent!

Again, thanks for all the kind words, each individual thing is actually fairly simple, they just all build up to something dramatic IMO.

[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.

[.Maleficus.]

Wow, that lettering is AWESOME. It looks sooo nice. So does the etching, that is insane!

Very, very nice job.

[Silenced_Coyote]

Lettering is almost done! Sweet!

P.S. - Can you give me the link to Wolverine's Hellraiser cube? I would like some etching tips. Thanks!

[Dgephri]

http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2005/01/26/hellraiser_puzzlebox/1.html
over at bit-tech...there are more, he is simply amazing.

[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.

[modding.fan]

Your work is *awesome*. </suscribe> :)

[Dgephri]

thx a ton.

The last update doesn't look like much, but desoldering that DIP switch and then testing out the circuit modification took way longer than I expected.

I would have done up my 4 micro toggles, but I haven't yet decided where I want to locate them. I am leaning towards the floppy bay insert, since my watercooling makes it impossible to actually use the floppy bay for anything but a fan controller.

[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.

[Silenced_Coyote]

What do you mean by "diffusing" the LEDs more? And how did you accomplish it?

[Dgephri]

well, the tips of LEDs are rounded, to produce a Lens effect.

that make the very bright "V" shape of light.

In the second pic, I had filed the tips of the LEDs flat (but don't go too far, you don't want to file the diode metal, leave 3-4mm of plastic) and the result was a much more even illumination.

Make sense? Maybe I didn't explain it well.

[GT40_GearHead]

you could get even more,
take a pice of scrap plexi, or a plexi bar, and glue one end to the flat head LED, and the other end to the dome, it will act like an optic fiber and direct all the light in the dome

[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.

[Silenced_Coyote]

That is one awesome waterblock! How did you get it so soon? I thought DD was still putting it through the testing stages.

[Dgephri]

this is their actual test block. #1 (going to get them to sign it)

The production release will be VERY soon I am told, so others will probably be able to buy them, and get theirs running before I do.

I still have a lot of interior work to get done.

I made friends with them at several LANs, and they are a great bunch of guys.

[Cevinzol]

I like the mod a lot but I'm a little confused about the word "bloodmoon".
Why is the word 'Moon' upside down and backwards.
It looks like "BlooduooW"

Am I missing a game reference or something? I went back through the log to see if I had missed an explanation but didn't find one.

[Dgephri]

Not the first time it has been brought up, but not here.

When I was looking at the Model in Sketchup, the M felt off balance in the middle of the word, and I did want it capitalized.

I played around with putting brackets in the middle, and some other ideas but none of them caught my eye.

When I flipped the Moon to read from the other side of the case, I liked it since I felt the eye had to stay on the text longer, figure out why you can read it, but not all in one quick glance.

Sort of like how you can put extra "the"s into a sentence and people don't notice it right off, but something seems wrong?

I even held off cutting the Moon letters until just a couple weeks ago, the Blood letters were all done Months ago. I wasn't entirely sure and didn't want to commit until I was.

Some will ask and find it annoying, some will just like it and move on, others might pick up on it right away.

No game reference, just a design choice I made when I sketched it.

[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

[silverdemon]

very nice job, the rad-grill looks reeeaaaly cool

oh yeah, and so does the rest of the case ;)

[Dgephri]

thx! I think I will take the Radiator brackets back out and paint them black so it the grill doesn't look blocked/off center in coloring.

I can't really move the Rad to fix it, so I will just color the brackets black.

[Custom]

I GX2 in a case that small great job, I like the rad grill aswell.

[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...

[GT40_GearHead]

crimson used something similar in the doom3 build but he had a neon, but i'll keep my coments 'till you give us the clues, i may not see what you want us to see

[Dgephri]

close, now that I go back through his worklog.

but the difference will be shown soon!

pics were with protective film and in the dark on purpose. ;)

[Lanthrum]

i noticed throughout your work, which is excellent btw was thinking of doing a mini case as my follow up project your is looking awesome so far, that there is a alot of wiring an electricital things going can you poin tme to any books or sites where i can find out how to do those kinds of things i be very much interested in learning hwo to do that kind of thing for future projects. thx keep up the good work:D


also i remeber you mentioning a program called solid works i looked it up but what exactly doe sit do?

[Indybird]

Wow! lookin' great!:)

Wait, why isn't this in the "Featured Worklogs" area? ;)

[Dgephri]

uhh, don't know, but I still appreciate all the feedback. :)

on electrical stuff for Lanthrum:
I just read guides, use LED calculators, and started trimming my own wires about 4 years ago with my Gluttony case of the Seven Sins. That just before the modular PSUs came out, I made my own.

Soldering just takes some practice, and I still need some more. :) I stay hot, soldering at 590F usually, with some 70/30 solder and acid free flux paste. Flux is essential: solder flows where the paste melts. Shrink tubing on each join beforehand, then a heatgun (not a lighter, burned too many that way) to shrink each one.

solidworks is a CAD program that does 3D modeling, but it costs $$...so I use Sketchup and import files from the Sketchup Components Collection (google it...jazzle.co.uk or something).

I do lots of experiments before hand with paint, colors, scraps of plastic, etc. to see how it will look or glow. But somethings like cutting the Qmicra case up, you just have to start with a great deal of planning and caution.

[xpc]

holy nice! hehe. nice work bro! keep it up!

[GT40_GearHead]

i agrea this should be a featured worklogs

[dgrmkrp]

looking great! the concept is cool, the implementation is cool.. and the modding is cool :) i'd give you 5stars :)

i have some Q:
1.why didn't u just detach the connector, cut the cable and reatach it? instead of cutting in the middle of the wire..

2.can you work faster ;) ? this is very informative and i'm learning :)

hmm...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/lighting/newlettering-02.jpg
in some places i can se horizontal marks, could be there from sanding?!.. and in some, the line is very continuous.. steady hand with a dremel?.. all i can say is this is a very nice etch.. and the method is cool :) do share :)

[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.

[dgrmkrp]

nice.. the effect is really cool and sharp.. (hmm.. i don't have such a fine tip.. :( i should make one! :))

[DaveW]

The worklog is looking really cool. Nice tutorials and clear images, and a interesting writting style. I'd say you're a candidate for the Featured Section, but I need to wait for Rankenphile to come back. Keep up the good work though.

EDIT: Made a mistake about the Ratings thing...need to look into that.

-Dave

[Dgephri]

thanks! There will be tons coming in the following weeks...only 26 days or so to PDXLAN.

[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]

FYI, no more updates! Not until the LAN anyway. :)

At PDXLAN, I will post up the final assembly pictures, but there are some touches in the final assembly that I don't want to reveal until the Contest...

[b4i7]

good luck at the lan! cant wait to see it finished...

where did you get your wire guides?

[Dgephri]

autozone and GI Joes both carry them:
Autozone, plug wire professional series:
Plug Wire Guides-Chrome (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7ESpark+Plugs%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ERa cing+Wire+Separator+Set+for+all+7mm+-+8mm+Ignition+Wires+%28Chrome%29%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EFA LSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E228279%7C%7E2233%7C%7E4245%7C% 7ENONE%7C%7E%248.49%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE% 7C%7ENONE%7C%7E0.1%7C%7EEA%7C%7EB%7C%7ESPE%7C%7Etr ue)

[b4i7]

hmm...never noticed them..thx...ill need to pick some up for my mod

[Dgephri]

np, thanks for watching the log. ;) More will come in about 3 weeks.

[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)

[tybrenis]

All I can say is WOW. How the hell did I miss this work log? Great job mate, this is amazing work. Keep it coming!

[Dgephri]

thanks tons! Just keeping some secrets before PDXLAN.

Final G-15 look will be kept until the LAN reveal, final paint look will be kept until the LAN, final external lighting (most elements shown, but not all installed yet), and final internal goodies...I have in progress pics and will post from the LAN itself (100MG connection I hear).

Just keep an eye on it, more will come, text update summaries in the meantime. :)

[progbuddy]

lol youre rich... I just spent a lot of money on PC parts for my next mod (shipping to NC cost as much as I paid for it!). But I'm in the trading post looking for parts...

[isunktheship]

wowowowow

one question, the fan thats on the memory... did you cut the edging so that the fan blows out the edge onto the memory, or did you just cut it that way so it would fit in place?

one way i was thinking, was like a jet ski, you jsut cover one side of the fan, so that the air has no where to go, and then you cut a hole over the memory sticks, so that cool air is pushed over the sticks.

your mod is so neat and tidy, no screw ups, very nice!

[Dgephri]

I cut them just so the fans on the radiator will sit properly. This little case will have quite a bit on inward flow:

2X80mm on the front--both in--25cfm each IIRC
2X120mm on the radiator--both in--60cfm each IIRC
= 170cfm intake

2X80mm on the back--back out-25cfm each
=50cfm exhaust

120cfm net positive airflow without any PWM settings at all...I will probably tune the 80mm intakes down in RPMs eventually, but I want to see some temps first.

[isunktheship]

sounds like you've got this whole thing hammered out. can't wait to see the final result.

[Dgephri]

getting there...LAN in two weeks!

thanks for all the positive feedback gang. ;)

[b4i7]

sounds amazing......that lan needs to hurry up and pass!....i wanna see!

[gaz_the_chav]

me too!!!

I just took 30 mins to read your worklog and it amazes me how people produce such acurate work lol

good job man

[Dgephri]

wow, really appreciated.

I hate making people wait, but I always post right up to the LANs, and sometimes I get the "so cool to see in person" and sometimes I get the "yah, saw that online (passes by)."

This time I will see if I can get a response like "I saw the worklog, but it was never assembled, holy sh--!" :)

[Dgephri]

omfgbbqsauce ;)

new G-15 mod unlike any seen!

typing on it now...soo pretty. Just you wait.

LEDs, LEDs, more LEDs, and some paint to boot.

And I just got my Revolution from Logitech to get started on.

Qmicra is getting painted, I should be able to reinstall the hardware and start watercooling Sunday.

[Silenced_Coyote]

How is the Logitech MX Revolution? Any good for gaming and photo editing?

[Dgephri]

haven't even turned it on yet (peering over at the parts in various stages of painting)

It has the same laser Engine as the G series, and two scroll wheels...I am excited to test it out.

[Dgephri]

thx all, weekend text update:

MX Revolution disassembled, painted, and reassembled including charger base.
G-15 tested and only awaiting glue gun to set new internal wiring.
Qmicra base painted and clear coated, full day curing time.
120mm Blue Chrome fans removed LEDs and replaced with RED. Leaving silver to accent other silver touches.


Things yet to start:
ReCement Radiator mounts prior to hardware. Mount new Red Chrome Fans.
Reinstalling hardware.
G-15 final wrap up.
Watercooling final plumbing.
OS install.
Final LED wiring.
Shell painting and final assembly.
Dome installation in final Shell.
Tweaking for CPU OC, Matrix text and LED control, and GX2 OC.

[purdy]

That is one sweet mod, kudos! That case is what the Aspire XQPACK should've been. Great job!

[Dgephri]

thanks, I am nearing completion

small text update:

put all the tubing in (ooooh, pretty) what a pain, this sucker is small and hard on the hands (keep scraping up my knuckles).

Finishing wiring for the rad fans (red LED, silver anodized).

4X512Mg Corsair modules installed.

Purging DDC pump and checking for leaks tonight...pretty hard to purge and fill when you only have about 3" of T-Line to work with. :)

Tomorrow is final installation of Matrix Orbital MX6, Plextor SATA DVD drive, 2X250Gig Western Digital SATA300 Harddrives, and turning on to see how BIOS looks!

Still have to make my Driver/BIOS disk so I can stay offline until I install my firewall/antivirus.

wish me luck

[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).

[Silenced_Coyote]

Those fans are awesome!!! How did you do that!?!?!

[Dgephri]

after I peeled the original labels off, I measured the diameter (1 3/8" IIRC) made some filled red circles in Photochop, and inserted my text in the chosen font. Printed out half a dozen on clear sticky film, and then just cut them out with scissors. ;)

Course, they can't be seen unless you xray through the DVD drive, PSU, and all the cables, but I know they look good.

[progbuddy]

lol your display says aj394rjfac jvrsn4r BCsomething. I like the fans. Did you use chrome finish paint? I also liked the individual labels. I'm thinking of making a couple adjustments to my project :D.

[.Maleficus.]

Finishing wiring for the rad fans (red LED, silver anodized).
There is you go progbuddy.

Anyways, looks great. I can't wait to see it all done!

[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

[b4i7]

ooooo cant wait

[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!!!!

[DaveW]

Yer a bad man for teasing us like this.

-Dave

[Dgephri]

:) Tomorrow!! 8-10pm Pacific. After I load in, meet and greet, I am starting a massive update landslide!

Gobs of photos, and if you all want a real 56k-killer, I can post them at full resolution (7.2MP, max quality jpeg). :)

Thanks for your patience, keep an eye out tomorrow night.

[DaveW]

If you're posting things that size, we'd all appreciate thumbnailing...it means you have to host smaller versions of your pics though. Wrap your url around [IMG] tags to get it to work.

-Dave

[Dgephri]

yah, more of a joke really, i stick to 800X600 for clarity and BW tradeoffs.

There will be a LOT of pics to catch up on tonight and tomorrow, so I will probably thumbnail the anchors.

No one has see the G-15 yet, the final assembly, the Mouse, etc....tons to show.

Later today, finally!

[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

[a.Bird]

oh the inhumanity!

[Acey]

Man.. love the colorsssss

[GT40_GearHead]

i would have one thing to add to your great work so far
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Dgephri/Qmicra%20mod/final%20assembly/finalwiring01.jpg
i'm allmost 100% shure you can finde brackets like that with only two holes, it would look much better

[Dgephri]

oh, there are more wired in there NOW. :) You wait...I have tons more pics.

[Acey]

May i know what you call that steel block holding the wires?

[Dgephri]

wire guides from Autozone:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7ESpark+Plugs%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ERa cing+Wire+Separator+Set+for+all+7mm+-+8mm+Ignition+Wires+%28Chrome%29%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EFA LSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E228279%7C%7E2233%7C%7E4245%7C% 7ENONE%7C%7E%248.49%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE% 7C%7ENONE%7C%7E0.1%7C%7EEA%7C%7EB%7C%7ESPE%7C%7Etr ue

package has them in 2, 3, and 4 openings. I used a mix of them all depending on needs.

[GT40_GearHead]

bring on the pics lad :D

[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

[GT40_GearHead]

if i'm not mistakeing, that is brake cable shround, ain't it :D

[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

[GT40_GearHead]

ha haaaa

that's the best light keyboard related, i have seen in a long time

very original ;)

[Dgephri]

turns out to be an incredibly useful mod...just thought it would look cool, but you can point them to check plugs, or your friend's case, or read a manual.

Very handy. Going on all my keyboards from now on. :)

[b4i7]

wow...thats nice...i like the keyboard lighting.....

i may have to try that

[Dgephri]

thx all...I managed another first place, winning Pentium D 3.46 EE CPU, actually two.

In the raffle they pulled my number for one, and I told them to put it back in for some one else since I already have a 3.6, 3.73EE (Single Core) and a 950 @ 4.33. Then I won the Case Contest and got the 3.46EE (dual core IIRC).

That will go into my GF's system that will make use of my P5N32-SLI Dlx motherboard and two 7800GTXs in SLI.

More pics tomorrow. :)

[Rankenphile]

Absolutely sexy work. I love it.

[b4i7]

congrats on the featured....i knew this would be in here.....

[Dgephri]

wow, just wow. Thanks!

I have more to post, and catch you all up to its completed state.

Just got back from the LAN about 4pm, and setting back up and stuff.

Lots more to show.

thanks!

[Rankenphile]

wow, just wow. Thanks!

No, thank you, for sharing such an exciting project. It is contributions like this that make TBCS such an exciting community.

[Durrthock]

You know bloodmoon was a game right??
http://www.doupe.cz/vaulty/teseditor/bloodmoon/pictures/4.jpg
BAm look at dat

[m4gnum]

Excellent keyboard lighting, we had a similar thing on the sound/lighting desk at a theatre I did some work at.

[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

[a.Bird]

You are a maniac and should be locked away. This mod looks so fantastic! Never stop being artistic man, you've got an eye.

[silverdemon]

just amazing!

[Vertigo]

I really love the red you used, this has turned out sick man. Great work.

[Dgephri]

thx all...just overwhelmed with the response!

(bows)

[Rankenphile]

That is very, very sexy. Thanks for sharing.

[Omega]

Hot damn.

[Dgephri]

got my G15 put back after my little "remember to unplug peripherals" incident at the LAN. No G-15s were harmed in the making of this mod...well, not much anyway.

I will do some gaming tomorrow, then over the weekend take some whiteboard shots after some polish.

[Cevinzol]

Wow man, Very nice!

[Acey]

OMG... love those fans!! Sick...

[Kumo]

Mmmm... What kind of paint (and procedure) have used with the hoses? have you warmed the hoses tip to fix they in the barbs? I mean, paint and rubber usually don't match.

[Dgephri]

it was kind of risky...for all I know the paint will break down the Tygon.

I just started with the metallic base coat that Duplicolor calls to work for the MetalCast paint line.

One of the Guides I am going to work up in the coming weeks. Full details, pics of the whole process, and some tips to make it more even than mine came out.

[Kumo]

Love Duplicolor metal colors. I've painted a mobile phone with it more than a year ago and it is still scratchless

[Dgephri]

the red component of the metalcase line is actually transparent, over the metal coat.

It also behaves like a Gel...even if it looks/feels dry, if you move the work too soon it will settle on the lower edge even if there isn't an actual "run."

I have a Couple Guides that I am working on to be released in the coming weeks.

[simon275]

What you do with the water cooling pipes was pure genius the finish on them is excellent. Keep up the good work. I hope you will grace the forums with more of your work in the future.

[Dgephri]

certainly plan to. I am currently swapping out my Asus motherboard with Rev2.0 supposedly will make my 7950GX2 work properly, and so I decided to pick up a C2D 6400 to complete the package. The Intel OC demonstration with a 6800 and a single GX2 was busting 500fps on FEAR at stock settings and autodection on hardware. :)

[Dgephri]

new motherboard in, new CPU in, keyboard USB damage fixed, and prepping for final pics.

I have my E6400 at 310 X8 so far = 2.48 and it's still nice and cool...the newer 9.05 BIOS seems to have more headroom than the previous 9.01 did on my D950.

More coming..and some guides are in process!

[Silenced_Coyote]

What you did with the tubing is awesome. I'm glad it worked out and looks so amazing. I was actually thinking of doing something like that a while back but instead of a solid color, I was thinking a tribal design or something.

You got awesome skills!

[DaveW]

What can i say about this?

...nothing. It's taken my breath away. This is a mod which speaks for itself.

-Dave

[Dgephri]

:) you guys have all been so great.

I know I don't post much in other threads...that is just my quiet nature at work.

I am working to add to the overall Modding Community: Locally, and globally (I hope).

I ran an Amateur CaseMod contest at PDXLAN 8, and hope to continue/expand that concept in my area. I am working on some ideas for Modding Clinics, and might even do them PodCast style. That may be some months away, but the PDX guys are really interested in just basic, hands on stuff like soldering, LEDs, plastics, etching, and wiring stuff. Remember how scared we all were to start?

I hope to add 50-100 crazy modders to the PDX scene. ;)

[Silenced_Coyote]

That is an awesome idea!

If only my iPod Nano could play videos.... lol
Maybe you can put up some videos on YouTube?

[Dgephri]

yah, exactly the type of thing I was thinking.

Odds are I will have 10-20 PDXers over, webcam to broadcast/record the whole thing, and offer it up to any who want to watch it.

It will be basic stuff, a lot of modders in my area are wary of cutting/soldering/etching, etc. Kind of like the ModCam idea, but available for distribution.

[Dgephri]

I will have final pics to post, just waiting to see if one of the mags is going to want them first.

Wish me luck!

[GT40_GearHead]

hope you get a front cover :D

[_ferry_]

This case is realy great! I love the color combinations and especially the red hose.

[Dgephri]

well, no mag cover for BloodMoon, but I will be posting up a comprehensive article on it for Gruntville.

Thanks a lot for the exposure here, and a great bunch of Modders to comment and help out. Half the stuff simply wouldn't have been possible without tips and tricks from the gang.

[b4i7]

man..thats too bad.... it deserves at least 2 covers :D

[jdbnsn]

Damn nice colors!

[Dgephri]

thx all. Just found out my 7950GX2 is most certainly NOT compatible as Nvidia said: put it into another system, didn't even take the watercooling off, and it was obvious just by the first FPS in 3DMark06 (15 vs 45) that the card operates just fine.

So, back to my 7800 512Mg and waiting for G80 with WC.

[NocturnaL]

Absolutely rediculous, im loving this mod. Your wiremanagement and craftsmen ship amazes me... Keep up the good work so im not bored at school anymore :)

[Dgephri]

:) the next one will be a departure into the realm of HTPCs with some custom electronics, and a very complex Skin to pull off the whole theme.

I will design the Skin objects in Sketchup so I can do screen caps of different camera views of the same model.

It will end up looking like Cell Shaded versions of a well known 80s series.

The exterior will carry that theme, and more, to an extreme.

So, round about Thanksgiving, you will start to see some postings on it.

Thanks for all the great feedback, it really makes it worthwhile to share!

[NocturnaL]

Cant wait :)

[Dgephri]

It will take some time to hammer out the details, and get all the little bits working, but a Log will be started sometime after Thanksgiving.

[GT40_GearHead]

why dont you start the worklog now, let us watch your work in real time

[Dgephri]

...because I haven't really started yet. :)

Doing my research into the HTPC front ends, I got my custom PCB so it will take some LCDC programming, I have to do the writing for BloodMoon (9 pages so far, probably 9 more to go), and I haven't decided what to do for the outside of my HPTC yet.

You will all get to see it when I start, but it won't be as much cutting and drilling like BloodMoon is: more nifty software in the HPTC front end (like firewire HD recording from Cable) and spiffy button design by modeling my theme in Sketchup so it all "fits" when you use the remote.