Project PC In Disguise

[purdy]

Hey guys, this is my first project post (second overall lol). This is my very first true modding project, so don't read this expecting to see an absolute masterpiece at the end. The theme for this first project is Transformers. I'm absolutely in love with Transformers so don't knock it lol. In the next posts, I will include pictures as well as progress reports, so if you have nothing better to do and want to see a closer to reality, none godly, modding project, then come check this thread out every so often.

Best regards,
purdy (a.k.a. lone_wulf)

[moOmL]

Hahahha... did anyone see clerks II? The transformers reminded me of that.

Anyway good luck with your mod... i should be starting mine soon too. (though, i'm not sure if i'll post a log or not)

[modding.fan]

Transformers, in a word, ROCK! </subscribe>

Can't wait for the movie to come out.....though i'm on the wrong side of the world so y'all will have to tell me all about it.

Can't wait to see the case!

[purdy]

moOmL, I think you should definitly make a post/log about your upcoming mod, I can guarantee I would not be the only one interested in reading it. Oh and btw, the teaser trailer for the upcoming movie is crap, however the cgi used in the trailer will NOT be used in the full length version. I only wish I could confirm the same for the upcoming, just announced, TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) movie (the cgi as well as the trailer in general looked absolutely attrocious). Anyways, back to my mod, I'm heading off to The States tonight and won't be back till thursday, but when I get back I'll be sure to post a progress report; well as soon as I figure out how to put my damn pictures up (me=nub). Anyways, I'm out.

Best regards,
purdy (a.k.a. lone_wulf)

[Silenced_Coyote]

Will your case be able to do actual transformations? Because that would be really cool!

[Aero]

hmm, sounds cool. Used to be a big Transformers fan. What exactly are you planning for the case?

[purdy]

Hey Coyote, no my mod won't be able to actually transform, like I said before this is more of a realistic mod, in other words nothing spectacular. As for your inquiry Aero, the plan is to take a little Aspire X-Qpack sff case and mod it to look like Optimus Prime in the sense of the coloring as well as hopefully putting parts together on the front of the case to make it look like his face. Oh btw, I'm back from The States so once I figure out how to get my own saved pictures from my comp onto this site, I'll be sure to have some new progress reports. Well, I have to get ready for work, so talk to y'all later (I spent too much time down there lol). Chow!

Best regards,
purdy (a.k.a. lone_wulf)

[moOmL]

To put your photos on to a website you have to get a host for your pictures. I like to use this site:

http://photobucket.com/

Just set up an account with them and then you'll browse for photos on your computer and upload them to the site. Then you can post the pictures with the " [IMG] " tags.

[purdy]

Here are some pics of what the case currently looks like. Even though I love the window appliquees, the'yre just not enough, which is why I started this mod.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID005.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID002.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID003.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID004.jpg

[purdy]

My biggest inspiration for the whole design scheme/colors is this picture of Optimus Prime which is also one of the appliquees; so expect to see lots of red.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Dw_poster_optimus.jpg

[b4i7]

gotta make it look like a semi :P

[purdy]

Lol I like the small cube, well rectangular, shape it is so I'm going to keep it like that. If you take a look at the picture of Optimus Prime, take a look at the cubes he has for shoulders. That's what I'm basing the design scheme off of. I'm a major nub when it comes to sketches so I might just do some quick concept crap in MSPaint, just to give readers a better understanding of what transformations I have in mind. (No pun intended......What, nvm, pun intended) :P

[drakena]

Hello. You'll never guess who it is. I think your Transformer Mod is going to be really great and if you ever need help on i would be glad to do so. I am behind you on this project so good luck! :)

[purdy]

Haha, I know all too well who that is. Thank you very much, I probably will need your help some time. BTW everyone, sorry for not having many updates/progress reports, I was cutting a plastic baseball helmet with an old rusty saw (which totally isn't the right tool to use) and, well, you guessed it, the helmet moved and I cut through my thumb; so unfortunately, not much progress has been made. So far! DUN DUN DUN. Lol, I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID012.jpg

[purdy]

BTW, here's that helmet I was talkin about, BEFORE I started cutting it. My next progress report will show what I've done to it in terms of cutting.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID001-2.jpg

As well now my thumb is healed (almost) and I'm using proper equipment .

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID010.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID011.jpg

[purdy]

Wow, I actually cut the helmet. I'm surprised I haven't quit and started something else by now like most people that were reading this thread/log lol. Anyways here are some pics of what I cut.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID006.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID007.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID008.jpg

I plan on cutting and attaching the ear pieces that were cut off back on to the helmet, but I can assure you it will look a little better than this.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID009.jpg

I just quit my job, so I should have a little more time before school starts to get some work done. I bought some Plaster Paris stuff to help mould everything together, so once I see if that stuff will do the trick, then we'll go from there. Until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

Well I'm sure lots, if not most of you have started wondering what the hell this case is going to look like by the end of the project. Well here's some real quick concept art on what I hope the case will transform into, except, well.... better. BTW, this concept art isn't for the faint of heart, seeing as though I am an MSPaint pro.

This is what the case currently looks like.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/X-QPACK-AL-4_250.jpg

And this is a slightly less realistic concept of what the case should look like after the project is done. For the smoke stacks at the back, I plan on putting a light tube inside of each so then light will come out of the holes. If you notice, there is an elevation change (*look at the sides of the top window*); I think you all know what that means.... a sh**load of putty!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/crappyconceptcrap.jpg

Here is a closeup view of the front when Optimus' face isn't sitting on the front. I moved the drives to the bottom of the case by cutting holes at the bottom and replaced the drive bay slots with an lcd screen. Also there is no more temperature gauge or power button. The power button will be located on Optimus' forehead, however, I have no idea where the temp. reader will go (*taking suggestions/ideas/opinions*).
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/X-QPACK-AL-5_250.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/crappyconceptcrap2.jpg
Anyways, I'm going for supper then working on the case, will try to have more progress reports shortly. Until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

Once again, I'm looking for ideas and opinions/suggestions on my project (*especially with what to do with the temp. gauge*), and just any kind of feedback as to what you like or dislike. So post away lol. Until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

Hey guys, 'tis me again. I just came to the conclusion that do I really need that little gauge? I mean if I have an lcd screen on the comp why can't I just display temp from there lol? Sorry about this pointless and retarded post, I'm just waiting for my test rig (*an old school Windows 3.1 machine*) to dry, so I can see how this plaster paris stuff works and to see if it would be worth using. I'll have more details including some pics of Optimus' helmet with stuff attached to it. Until then, I'm out. Oh one more thing, I need looking for lcd screens that can fit into two drive bays, so if you guys could send me links for them and such, that would be great. Thanks a lot.

[purdy]

Well, that Plaster Paris stuff that I had bought ended up being total crap. I touched it and it shattered. Oh well. Good news is that I actually did find that Bondo stuff that everyone was talking about. Of course no one ever told me that Bondo was the name of the company and not the specific product, OR that it's an automotive product. No wonder no one at Home Depot knew what I was talking about. I find it really hard to work with because instead of just the regular putty, I am using this Bondo-hair stuff where it's like strands of fiberglass. Whatever, it seems to be working; although I think I'm going to need A LOT more than what I had purchased for 20 bucks Canadian. I'll have some pics of the helmet with some of the Bondo on it in just a moment. Until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

Here are those pics of the helmet with that weird Bondo stuff. Unfortunately, I'm new to it, so some parts will have to be redone because there wasn't enough hardening gel put in it so it's permanently sticky. Other than that, it looks super ugly, but it's coming along nicely. Also, just recently I discovered a problem with my schematic in the sense that there isn't enough width on the case to put both drive bays side by side. If anyone could give me some tips on how I could make it work I would be delighted; even if you don't have any sollutions, please leave a message on this thread, it's getting lonely being the only one posting. Well, I'm going to go cry lol, so I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID014.jpg

*Note the yellow quesadilla maker in the background. That thing kicks major nalgas!*

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID015.jpg

[silverdemon]

Also, just recently I discovered a problem with my schematic in the sense that there isn't enough width on the case to put both drive bays side by side. If anyone could give me some tips on how I could make it work I would be delighted;

use only one optical drive :eek:
that would definately work, but I don't know how much you need that seccond optical drive. Personally I've never had more than one optical drive in my computers...

anyways, that is some serious ugly looking helmet :p ;)
but you'll do fine I think, can't wait to see how it turns out

good luck with modding

[purdy]

Lol, yeah the stuff that I'm using is extremely hard to work with, however once I get a good coat or two on the entire thing, then I can sand it down and paint it and it should look awesome. As for the thing about two optical drives, I have a DVD Rom drive and a dual layer DVD burner. I might just use the Rom drive, however, because of school projects and stuff, the burner is really important to me; so that's why I'm trying to find a way to fit both.

[purdy]

Hey guys, just thought I'd check in again. The helmet is coming along quite ugly, but nicely. It turns out I was using the wrong kind of Bondo. If any of you ever wonder which stuff to use, BUY THE CHEAPER STUFF!!!! That's definitely the stuff to use. Anyways, I added the final addition to the helmet itself, however I do need to add more Bondo and sand it all down before I go on to anything else. Also, I would like to note that my plans have changed a bit since my crappy concept art. I'm still pondering about how I'm going to make my optical drives fit (The case isn't wide enough for them to sit side by side); however, that is down the road. Also, because I want the helmet to slide and move, I am no longer going to have the power button inside the helmet itself. Instead, I will keep the button where it is on the case, but I will change the button itself to look like the Autobots logo. Yes, I know, I'm a slacker lol. Anyways, I have to go to sleep so I can wake up for tennis in the morning, so until then, I'm out. Oh btw, KEEP POSTING!!!! Even if it's hate mail, I don't care, I just don't want to be the only one reading this damn thread! Lol, goodnight.

I knew those pizza boxes would come in handy for things other than grease fires!http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID016.jpg

Future button.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Autobots-Logo_175.jpg

[vidas7de7jesus7]

You mentioned having the helmet move, why not have it slide up and stick above the case. Then you have no need to move the drives and stuff around.

[purdy]

Wow, you took the words right out of my mouth! This post was going to be about the "moving" part of the helmet. Unfortunately, the drives must be moved because I am putting a screen where they are right now. As for the helmet moving part, does anyone have any ideas of what I can do with that? My plan right now is to have a military button, that, when switched, will make the helmet move up from the front of the case to the top of the case, so you can watch the screen. I want to find some sort of conveyor belt or motorized sliders that I can attach to the case that the helmet would fit and slide on so when you flick the switch on, the helmet would be lifted up and over the case and when switched off, would lower back down. If anyone can help me with this, that would be great! Think of a forklift type mechanism. I'll be waiting for you readers to respond ;) but until then, I'm out.

Oh btw, I finally got The Bible (a.k.a. Mr. Capello's amazing extreme modding book). *Sigh*, if only I would have read this BEFORE starting my project. Oh well!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID017.jpg

[b4i7]

yeah...ive got the book too....read it from front to back...and still refer to it every now and then...its the perfect thing for modders who are just beginning

[purdy]

Hey guys, sorry about not updating it in a bit (my goal is an almost daily update). I went to the Ben Lee concert the other night and I'm still pretty drained from it, so I put my project on hold for the past couple of days. I'm at a loss right now because I don't want to get too far into the project, because, well.... I can't. I can't continue planning out the case until I have a sollution to the motorized slider problem. So basically all I can do now is to continue working on the helmet; but even that's going to be tricky because of the sliders. I'm still looking for help with finding sliders or some sort of forklift device that can lift the helmet, so if anyone can help me with that, it would be much appreciated. Should have more updates on the helmet, but until then, I'm out.

[b4i7]

what about an old cd drive?

you can use the motor and sliders etcfrom it

[purdy]

I never even thought of that, thanks so much for the idea. The only problem would be the weight issue more than anything. I haven't even finished with the Bondo on the helmet, and already it weighs inbetween 2 and 5 pounds (approx.)
Do you think that would be an issue for the motor and sliders from the cd rom drive, and also, would I be able to program both motors to start at the same time, so the two parts of the helmet would move in unison? (I forgot to mention that the helmet will consist of two parts/pieces, thus needing two sets of sliders.)

[purdy]

HAWT DAMN A THOUSAND HITS!!!!:D Sure most of them are probably from me lol, but thanks for those of you that read this read and submit posts on this thread. Once I figure out a solution to the little slider dilemma, this project should be progressing super fast. Today, I hope to put on the final layer of bondo to the top part of the helmet, and start planning out the bottom half, but until then, I'm out. Once again thank you to everyone, and don't forget to keep actually POSTING comments and whatever on this thread.

Best regards,
purdy (a.k.a. lone_wulf)

[drakena]

Congrats on 1000 hits! your project is coming along nicely. I like the new idea you thought for it. (How you're going to make it look like Optimus was in a big fight) i think it's a great idea. I am looking forward to seeing what other crazy ideas you come up with to make it look even better. Your project will kick ass when it's done. Good job and keep up the great work. :)
From ... you know who...

[purdy]

Lol, yes, in case you haven't heard, my Bondo didn't turn out that nicely, so now the paintjob will be "war-torn Optimus."

[purdy]

Hi everyone, sorry for not updating. I have some bad news lol, I kind of got poisoned from the Bondo. I ended up inhaling too much of it while I was sanding and I'm still feeling the effects a couple days later. So here's a word of advice for you youngsters: WEAR PROTECTION!!!! I sawed my finger because I didn't wear gloves (and didn't use the right tools lol) and I semi-poisoned myself because I wasn't wearing a mask. All you modders out there, learn from my mistakes. I will continue the project once I am feeling better; but until then, I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/BT-condiments-gallery_artwork_thumb.jpg

[DaveW]

Sigh...well we did tell you!

Hope you feel better soon man.

-Dave

[simon275]

Purdy ouch man so sorry to hear that happened. Get well soon.

[purdy]

Thanks very much guys. Until I can keep going on my project, I'll post what i've done on the day that I got sick. Stupid me, should've just Bondo'd the parts that needed to be attached to the helmet, instead I Bondo'd the entire thing. It turned out much worse than I had expected, even after hours of sanding. Here are some pics after all the Bondo had been put on.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID019.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID020.jpg

[purdy]

:eek: What's that? Does it look like the helmet's broken? It sure does. I happen to have a phobia of wasps and with the weather being the way it is in The 'Peg this year, there are nothin but those pissed off bees flying around. Short story even shorter, I got chased by one and well, I dropped the helmet. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it gives me a reason for having such a roughed up helmet. As I had said before to Drakena (my g/f), the new paint scheme for the project is going to be a roughed up, a$$-kicked Optimus. Now it (hopefully) won't look like a crappy sanding job but rather a battle torn case. Well until I get better and I start painting it, I'm out.

Ouch!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID018.jpg

[NamesAreUseless]

Here are those pics of the helmet with that weird Bondo stuff. Unfortunately, I'm new to it, so some parts will have to be redone because there wasn't enough hardening gel put in it so it's permanently sticky. Other than that, it looks super ugly, but it's coming along nicely. Also, just recently I discovered a problem with my schematic in the sense that there isn't enough width on the case to put both drive bays side by side. If anyone could give me some tips on how I could make it work I would be delighted; even if you don't have any sollutions, please leave a message on this thread, it's getting lonely being the only one posting. Well, I'm going to go cry lol, so I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID014.jpg

*Note the yellow quesadilla maker in the background. That thing kicks major nalgas!*

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID015.jpg

No offence to your work but eew it looks gross.

Sorry

[ownaginatious]

No offence to your work but eew it looks gross.

Sorry

It's still being made, maybe it'll look nice in the end ;)

[NamesAreUseless]

Yeah, maybe J/K :D

[Drac998]

Build out a card board/ foam core model first. It will help you with your scaling and angles, it will also give you a better idea of how to both assemble/build it, with the least amount of hassle. Taking the time in peperation will save you tons of time in execution.

[purdy]

Lol, it looks quite a bit better than it did before and I'm probably gonna strip what paint I have on to sand it a bit better, then I'm going to look for something to put on top of the Bondo now that I have the proper shape. Even cardboard would do the trick, it would just make it look a lot more even. Unfortunately, I'm too far in to restart, however thanks for the tip Drac! Oh and next time you guys dis the project, please put tips on how to make it look better, rather then just saying it looks gross lol. Also, please remember that this is my first project EVER, I've never even heard of Bondo before going on these forums, let alone used it, and that I'm not even using a proper paintgun (or tools period for that matter).

[purdy]

You know what, I'm going to keep the helmet the way it is and make it look as good as possible. Maybe down the road, I might build and "updated helmet" that will actually look good, but I warned all of you before that if you're looking for a masterpiece project, you've come to the wrong thread. I got bored during summer and I wanted something to do, so I started this project. It isn't my life, it isn't my number 1 priority. I don't have much motivation and drive for many things, so I'm pretty proud that it's even come this far. When the project is all done, I think you guys will be pretty surprised on how it turns out. I know that so far I'm pretty surprised! Here are some pictures of before and after the grey paint went on. Again, there is still much painting and addons to be done to the helmet.

With a pound of tape on, before the grey.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID023.jpg

After the grey (the taped worked so well it actually stripped quite a bit of the blue, adding to even more hand painting hours I'm going to have to put in.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID024.jpg

ONCE AGAIN: if you are not happy with my project or have ideas and suggestions or just comments, please leave a post!

[purdy]

1500 views, niiiice!:D More updates soon. Until then, I'm out.8)

[purdy]

Today, I constructed the bottom half of the helmet know as the mask. Tomorrow I hope to Bondo it up and then sometime paint it. Here are some pics.

Finished helmet (looks much nicer in person)
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID026.jpg

Pre-Bondo'd mask
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID025.jpg

Picture of the two parts together
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID027.jpg

Another pic of the two parts together (my personal fav;) )
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID028.jpg

[ownaginatious]

You should try to smooth it out more, its kinda lumpy looking lol, and then use some of that spray puddy or w/e it's called to spray paint it, and then from there paint in finer details with a brush or airbrush (whatever's available). From the work I've seen by other people on this forum, it seems that putting on that spray puddy stuff after bondo makes it look pro.

[purdy]

The pictures are quite deceiving; it looks a lot worse than it really is. As for the spray puddy, it sounds quite interesting. Can anyone here tell me what that stuff is called and where I might be able to find it?

[purdy]

Hey everyone! Sorry for not updating in a bit, but I've been working on the project almost non-stop. Due to popular demand, I've decided to re-do the helmet so it actually looks nice. More updates and pictures to follow soon. Until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

Hey again! Well I finally splurged on myself and broke down and bought a palm sander. The difference is basically night and day on my project. It was so rough before that I couldn't possibly even sand it. After I bought the sander, the thing smoothed out amazingly! It actually looks like someone professional did it, whereas before it looked like a blind kindergartner made it. Because the Bondo job was so bad there were holes everywhere after the sanding. I was terrified, "You've gotta be kiddin' me, I have to put more of that stuff on it!". Then, EUREKA!!!!! When I started the project, I had bought stuff called Plaster Paris. It wasn't made for super heavy duty stuff like what I was doing, but rather hand impressions and small stuff. It was also used for.... filling holes. This was perfect; I knew it would come in handy some day! I thought I could just fill the holes with it and sand the rest down to the Bondo, because the stuff was so brittle last time I used it. This time however, it was harder than the Bondo! So anyways, now I'm just sanding it and adding more as I need. The helmet kind of reminds me of those old Greco-Roman sculptures now, except not as good lol. Wow, I typed a lot of useless crap, so I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID030.jpg

[purdy]

Oh, a quick update. For those of you that heard I had poisoned myself, I definitly learnt my lesson. I made sure I wore proper equipment by buying masks so I can't inhale any hazardous material anymore. *Party poopers*

BTW I still haven't fully recovered from the poisoning lol.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID029.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID031.jpg

[purdy]

Here's a quick pic I took after the plaster had dried. Even though this picture was taken before I started sanding it, it still looks a lot better then what the helmet used to look like. More updates soon. Until then, I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID032.jpg

[purdy]

Well I've painted the blue on the helmet and some silver. More detailing work to do. Picked up some nice chrome paint for the front. More pics after I detail it. Until then, I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID035.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID034.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID036.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID037.jpg

[purdy]

Hey guys. I know this has nothing to do with my project but I want to show everyone. Just in time for school (which started today), I recieved my Tron track jacket to match my Tron shoes. Man I love 'em (and the movie)! Oh BTW that's probably going to be the theme for my next modding project. (I've had plans for a Tron project for quite some time now). Anyways, tomorrow I hope to have time to add the details on the top part of the helmet so I can get started on putting Bondo on the bottom half. Anyways, I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/p240668b.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/62_1.jpg

That's my girlfriend Robyn. I love her!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Friends010.jpg

[ownaginatious]

looking much better than before :D

[purdy]

Thank you very much! Down the road, I hope to find some spray putty and smooth it all out 100%, but for right now, I think it looks pretty good. I don't need it to be perfect right now, because I want to start working on the other parts of my mod, but I don't want it to look like total crap either (which is what it was before). Now, it looks presentable, and for the most part I can say I made that and feel proud. This weekend's going to be great for working on the project (Btw, sorry for not updating lately, it was the first week back to school so the project's taken a backseat to school for now.) More updates during or shortly after the weekend with some new pics. Until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

I promised you guys that some time during the weekend or shortly after I would have some updates and pics. Well, I started detailing today and it turned out quit nicely. Here are the before pics. (They kind of remind me of the movie Tron lol!)

Oh btw, the tape I'm using is hockey tape lmao. Gotta love Canada's favourite sport! (DYK that hockey isn't the most played sport in Canada?)
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID039.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID038.jpg

[purdy]

Oh, and here are the after pics. It turned out quite nicely, and although I'm not completely done, I'm satisfied enough to start working on the other half of the helmet, the face mask.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID041.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID040.jpg

[progbuddy]

Good design...

*sands*

there :D .

[purdy]

Lol, yeah the sanding isn't the greatest. Well it isn't so much the sanding as it it the Bondo work I did that made it teh_suck. It's smooth like you wouldn't believe!

[purdy]

Eureka! I've been inspired by Dgephri's Bloodmoon project; I'm so amazed by the two front fans that I am now going to try to incorporate two front fans into my own case. BTW, everyone check out project Bloodmoon by Dgephri, it's nice!

[purdy]

After taking a much needed break and getting into the routines of school again, it's time to start working on the project again. I was trying to decide what to do next, whether I should start planning and cutting holes on the front for the fans or to finish up the helmet and start the bottom half of the mask. I decided to go with the latter, so I could get all of that Bondo work done and out of the way. I will have to make minor modifications to the face mask (cut some holes in it and add a grill for proper ventilations from the fans.) and then I can start working with the putty.

[purdy]

All of this talking reminds me of a question that I have been wanting to ask for quite some time now. Seeing as thought I will have so much extra electronics and lighting on/in this case, I was wondering if it would be possible to somehow incorporate a second power supply into the project, just to power all the gadgets and secondary items in the case. This would be a great time for every single person who reads this thread to post their opinion, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on this little dilema or anything about the project for that matter. I hope to have pictures of the Bondo work to the bottom half of the helmet soon (once I start working on it lol). Until then, I'm out.

[DaveW]

You shouldn't need an extra power supply, one should do it. If course, this depends on what you're running. But if you factor in that the PSU is the most inefficient part of your computer, in terms of energy in/energy out, it seems to me to be a waste to put a second PSU in there.

-Dave

[purdy]

I have a 550 watt power supply that I'm hoping will power two stepper motors that will move the helmet around, the lcd screen, everything that's in the computer right now, minimum of one extra fan, and some extra lighting.

[purdy]

Wow, yet another setback. I got super mad on saturday (no idea how), and I decided to punch a wall. The wall had nothing but metal studs in it and I swear I heard the ring of the metal when my hand connected with the wall. Long story short, my hand is puffed up like mad, I can't move my pinky, and I am very sore (I also happen to be a big baby lol). Whatever, I still hope to Bondo-up the face mask sometime this week; so more reports soon. Until then, I'm out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID045.jpg

The knuckle of my pinky is the size of the knuckle of my middle finger
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID044.jpg

My one knuckle has completely disappeared
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID043.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID042.jpg

[Dgephri]

ouchie...can't wait to see what you do for the front of yours.

I love TRON myself...always wanted to do a TRON themed UV case in blue and red.

Will be keeping an eye this. BTW, please try to not poison or injure yourself any further. :)

[purdy]

Yeah, I've definitely learnt my lesson, that's for sure; however the wall punching was not provoked by the project lol. My idea for the tron computer is really big and I don't have the time right now to explain; however I can assure you it will be something no one has ever even dreamt of before! As to your interest in the front of my case, may I ask what you mean lol? I plan on putting a minimum of one fan on the front and have an LCD screen where the optical drives are now. The motorized moveable face plate moves up and down to protect, then show the LCD screen. Also, the color scheme of the entire case will be different then what it is now. I'll have more details and updates soon. Until then, I'm out.

P.S. Thanks for posting. Glad to hear I'm not the only one interested in this project!

[purdy]

Hot damn, ATX Mental Case! Anyways, I'm off to the store to buy some Bondo. I'm hoping this is the last Bondo work I'm going to have to do because up here in Winnipeg it's not going to stay in the + degrees much longer!

[Drac998]

Space heater will keep you modding through the winter in winterpeg. Helps out alot here in TO.

[purdy]

Space heater, eh? Sounds like a good idea, thanks a lot. Well so much for buying Bondo today, I wasn't feeling that great so I put a hold on that. I'm going to have to get working soon to help get my mind off of an upcoming blood test on monday (my first, so of course I'm super freaked).

[purdy]

Hey guys, quick update with my injury (I had injured my hand in like page 6 or 7 lol) . I finally went to the doctor (over a week later) and it turns out I broke some bones in my hand. Tomorrow morning I'm going to the hospital to get an xray and a cast. I've been told that since it's already been a week that my hand might have started to heal already which means it'll need to be "reset" before a cast can be put on. I'm not a big fan of that because that method will include a rubber mallet, a doctor swinging hard, and a very unhappy and swearing patient. I've broken a bone before, but I refused to go to the doctor for that, so now my nose is a little crooked. (I took a hockey puck to the face. Gotta love Canada's sport, eh?) Anyways, I have to get a good night sleep because after the hospital I have to start fasting for a blood test. So more updates soon, but until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

Oh, btw; I finally started putting Bondo on the face mask part of the helmet and all I can say is this: Frickin'eh it looks good!

[purdy]

Update: So this morning I went to the hospital where they took some x-rays and put on a nice, hot-pink cast (which makes it look like they amputated two of my fingers).

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Pink008.jpg

Oh, and I got this sweet RAZR to match the cast lol.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Pink010.jpg

[Airbozo]

That cast is...uhm...PINK! Quick, get the paint!

Seriously, I hope your hand gets better. nothing like working with power tools with a cast on! Or trying to do detail work...

BTW isn't hockey the ONLY sport?

Another BTW The longer you wait for the nose, the worse it gets... Ask my wife who broke her nose 20+ years ago, now her doctor wants to fix it because it is causing problems with her upper pallet and they need to fix it before they fix her upper jaw (to get rid of the braces).

[DaveW]

I'm going to have to get working soon to help get my mind off of an upcoming blood test on monday (my first, so of course I'm super freaked).

I have to get them on a monthly basis. It's interesting when all the nurses know you by name.

I was actually in the docs last week and he was showing me my results. He said they were good and clean, no reds. Then he clicked on another page and it had "Kidney Functions" highlighted in red. The pills i take can cause kidney failure, so i naturally keeked myself. He tells me not to worry, that it's not a problem: apparently that was my second last test.

Still worried though...it's not really something you want to see! Hope you feel better soon and get everything back on track.

-Dave

[b4i7]

you seem to be the most accident proned person EVER

[ownaginatious]

Why not mod your cast? lol. Add a battery with some LEDs and throw in a plexy glass window. Jk lol

[purdy]

Lmao, great stories everyone! I would like to mod the cast, but I might only have it on for a week. The reason I don't like doctors' offices and hospitals is because I haven't had that great of an experience with them (I almost lost my Mom twice); however with these recent trips, I have a newfound respect for them and I really appreciate what the people that work and volunteer there are trying to do. I got some pretty nice speeches on why punching walls isn't smart lmao. BTW, I chose the pink (I had hot pink hair one year; one day I'll post the pic lol.) Also, It's only been since I started this mod that I've been "injury prone"; before then the worst that had happened to me was a really bad bike accident where I lost over the majority of the feeling in my one knee, but that's it lol. Maybe someone's trying to tell me to stop this mod, but I'm so passionate about it that I refuse. So, work goes on.

[purdy]

Oh, quick update. My brother was kind enough to lend me some money (on his friggin' birthday for all that matter!); so I used the cash to buy some metal grating for the project. I hope to glue it onto the inside of the windows of the case to add a more mechanical/industrial look and effect as well as hopefully to highlight the appliques. I don't want to get any Bondo on the cast because it needs to look nice for a formal event (Phantom of the Opera to be precise), so for now I'll just keep on planning the project out and dream about the finished product. While I'm not moving forward with the project at the moment, now would be a great time for some comments, opinions, as well as suggestions from the readers. Thanks for sticking with me through thick and thin, I will have more updates soon. However, until then, I'm out.

Best regards,
purdy (a.k.a. lone_wulf)

[purdy]

BTW, here's that metal grate I was talking about puttin inside my case. Once again, I would like to hear from you guys, especially now that the project is on hiatus.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID046.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCID047.jpg

[notscotthayden]

Purdy let me help you!!!

[purdy]

Hey Scotty, yeah sure you can help me some time. BTW, very clever user name ;)

[notscotthayden]

lol man i know... when i get the cash... or a job, maybe.... i am think of starting my own project on my piece of crap computer(by then i should have a knew)
this project will consist of lots of fiberglass(if its affordable) and screws) lol.
oh and Purdy may i suggest not glueing the metal grate, if i were you i'd use screws, because they are much stronger hope that helped c ya later.
PS: i am talking to you on MSN

[notscotthayden]

BTW isn't hockey the ONLY sport?

um... Yes that and rugby... and shooting things
damn i love my country

[purdy]

Hey everyone, sorry for not updating. Well I went to the hosptial for some more x-rays and it turns out I have to wear the cast for another 2 weeks. Also, I'm told that my pinky finger will never be the same again, as it will lose some strength and mobility; the only way to fix those problems would be surgery. Hey, as long as I can still play Source, then who cares! I also bought a copy of my x-rays, so I hope to be able to scan them so you guys can see. Anyways, I'm off to go mod my cast, so more upates soon. Until then, I'm out.

[ownaginatious]

That'd be cool to put the xrays on a case window :D

[purdy]

Hey everyone; so sorry for not updating in a while. I realised that there was no point modding with my cast so I took a break (my cast comes off tuesday so I'm excited about being able to wash my hand!). I was ready to go again and something "unexpected" happened. My friend came over to my house in tears (a 6'5'' giant who I've never seen cry, EVER), telling my mom and I the story of what happened to him. Long story short, his dad choked him until he passed out; he woke up a little later lying in his street without proper clothing, without shoes and without his very much needed glasses. He was locked out of his house and hurt. He stayed the night at my place, then the next morning after his parents had gone to work, we went over to his place and got some clothes, glasses and shoes. So for the week he was staying over at my place then on the weekend (this was last weekend btw) he stayed at another friends house. Last saturday, I was at the arena watching arena-cross when his former bodybuilder 6'2'', 260 pound dad came over to my house and beat my dad to a pulp. My dad spent the night in the hospital. He went home with a broken nose, a swollen temple (thanks to a sucker-punch), a black eye, some bruised ribs (witha nice foot imprint on the chest), and a little shaken. Overall he was hit seven times. We've been continually getting phone calls and threats from his parents, so we've been staying at different houses the past couple of nights. Finally, yesterday, the man was arrested which gave us some peace of mind, although we still take a baseball bat with us sometimes. Like I had said before, my cast comes off on tuesday, so I'll be right back with my mod, but until then, I'm out.

Best regards,
purdy (a.k.a. lone_wulf)

[purdy]

That'd be cool to put the xrays on a case window :D

Yeah, maybe down the road I might do an E.R. type mod!

[purdy]

Oh btw, when I get my digital camera back (my brother and his fiance took it to San Fransisco with them), I'll post some pics of my dad and the bloody driveway and cars!

[b4i7]

wow...thats crazy...good to get your friend outta his reach

[nzcubey]

purdy, thats awesome you helped that guy out. i hope everything is well, too bad you didnt end up modding your cast, wouldnt been a first for sure :P

[purdy]

Thanks. My family and I thought we did the right thing and if my friend was the one that got beaten up instead of my dad, his dad would have literally killed him, so I guess it was a blessing my dad was there lol. Oh BTW, nzcubey you have a sweet signature! ;)

[purdy]

Hey everyone. I finally got my cast off and all I can say is ew. My hand is extremely sore and looks rotted. I have broken blood vessels in my finger so my finger's as dark and bloody as my dad's black eye! I no longer have a knuckle and later down the road I might want to consider surgery, but for the time being it seems fine. I really wish I could've modded it but i don't want to start another project; I've already bitten off more than I can chew with Project: PC In Disguise! Speaking of, tomorrow I really hope to get as much work done on the case as possible, even witht the sore hand. I hope to almost finish the Bondo work on the bottom half of the helmet. Anways, big day ahead tomorrow so I'm out.

Best regards,
purdy

[purdy]

Oh one last thing. I've never smelt something so rank and so horrid in my life. If breaking my hand and going to the hospital didn't teach me a lesson, the smell of this damn thing definitely will!

[b4i7]

haha...nothin better than the stink of where the cast used to be... gotta love sweating..etc inside the cast for a while and not able to wash it

[purdy]

Hey everyone! Long time no see, eh? Sorry about not updating for quite some time. Unfortunately with the amount of schoolwork and my new job, I haven't had the time to really do anything to my case. The most I've done is used pantyhose to make some filters on the side of my case. I will soon start up modding again and hopefully push to complete at least the helmet part by January. Until more updates, I'm out.

Best regards,
purdy

[purdy]

Wow.That's all I can say. I haven't posted since 11-10-2006. To say the least, it is good seein' the old forum again. It's been a good half a year since I even thought about PPCID (Project PC In Disguise).

I've been through a lot while attempting to tackle this far too complicated project. I've sawed through my thumb, I've spent in the hundreds of dollars, I've broken my hand, I've smelt my hand after the cast came off, I got a job at Canada's largest electronics chain, quit said job after 6 months, gone through the experience of my dad getting the sh*t beaten out of him by the father of a kid my family tried to help, I've continued to follow the courtroom news of the assault case. All of this and much much more, while still trying to pass high school, keep a 2 year relationship going, struggling with a long going battle with depression, and most importantly attempting to just be a 17 year old kid from the middle of Canada. Ah, the memories....

(So, with all of this stuff happening, PPCID has taken a backseat to life for the past like forever)

Anyways, seeing as though quite possibly the greatest summer action flick has just launched (I don't even need to tell you what it is, but here's a hint... "CHEE CHOO CHEE"), there is no better time then now to announce my return to the world of modding and the best forum on the face of the earth. The purdster is back, and better then ever, with a new plan to this project that will have it in the finished galleries in no time... well not no time knowing me, but let's just say it'll be done before year's end, how 'bout that? More updates, including the revised or should I say TRANSFORMED "Project PC In Disguise" within the next couple of days. Until then, I'm out.

Damn it's good to be back!

Best regards,
purdy

(P.S. I saw the advance screening of TF on monday and I'm still experiencing robogasms from the movie. Until I update the thread with new plans, I'd like to hear from you guys that have seen the movie what your take on it was.)

[b4i7]

woo whooo! great to see you back man...i was startin to wonder where you went

[elbarto241]

lol. ROBOGASMS, i had a couple of those watching that movie :D i lost my breath when the boy popped the hood of his camaro. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!

[purdy]

elbarto did you lose your breath when the boy popped the hood of his camaro, or when the girl looked inside lol. Anyways, just wanted to update quickly. I will have pics tomorrow because I finally attached Prime's head to the case. However, his head is not that piece of crap that weighed 5 tonnes that I made myself, no it's not that at all; but I don't want to give it all away right now, I still have to upload some pics.

I was looking through the forum, and I happened to see a PC mod that is quite similar to mine by Lukeisthecoolest (sorry if I spelt that wrong Luke, you're still the coolest). It's quite the mod going on. It kind of got me jealous because although my ideas have been up here for months, little work has been accomplished and now he has jumped at the opportunity of making a great Prime mod. It kind of got me flustered at the fact that all my ideas that had been flying through my head for the past year about a Transformers case are finally coming to reality... by someone else. I've come to the terms with the fact that my electrical skills and budget are quite inferior to most (especially his), but you can't win 'em all right? He's making a case around the helmet (by having the acrylic made for him) whereas I am working with what I have, because that's how the Autobots would've done it, but more importantly because I don't have the skills or the cash. My plan originally had a SFF case with an Optimus Prime face on the front, with the inclusion of an lcd screen and some kickass lighting. So does his. However, he is doing a much more custom job whereas I am using what I have, an XQPACK case (hey, the Transformers didn't custom make their own cars for disguises, they used what Earth already had!), a voice changer helmet and an obsession with Transformers that has lived with me since I was a kid. I guess it's just the immaturity of still being a teenager that's gotten the best of me and the bottom line is I feel a bit disappointed at the scary resemblance of the rough ideas of my project and his. If you're into Transformers I do suggest that you check out both projects. His is a more professional project (if it's going into a competition, it damn well better be!) and mine is more the everyday man's. I just hope that the forum readers don't forget that I had started this project long ago, and that my project is not a work of competition but a work of aspiring craftsmanship and is to show my passion for Transformers. Please check out his awesome project, but don't forget this one just because it has the smaller budget, the less professional work and the less skillfulness/craftsmanship because this project is truly more than meets the eye.

Sincerely,
purdy

[purdy]

Quick quick update. Before anyone jumps up and says "stop calling him a copy cat" I would just like to clear up my statement and say I don't think he is. I was just sad to see that someone had similar ideas for a case mod, but unlike myself, has the skills to do it. Once again, the immaturity of a kid taking the best of me. I think Luke really is the coolest (so it's not just a clever name) and I totally support his mod. I think it's going to be really cool comparing his and mine because most mods have totally different themes so you can't really compare. With ours sharing the same theme, it's going to be quite fun to see two different people's takes on one theme. Keep up the good work Luke!

[lukeisthecoolest]

omg *tear* thanx for the support *tear* *full out crying like a little girl*

i love you!!!!!! (me no gayz)

check your PMs

and +rep cause u rock

[goofazoid]

Ouch for your hand.
All I can say is never punch anything in anger. :)
From the look of your hand and the description you gave you had whats called a "Boxers" fracture. (would love to see the x-rays)

Just a little advice on the bondo (learned the hard way working on my first car years and years ago), do it out side or at least open the windows. Do it in thin layers letting each one set fully (I like to sand each as well) before applying the next one.

Good luck with your mod
+rep for not giving up

[elbarto241]

elbarto did you lose your breath when the boy popped the hood of his camaro, or when the girl looked inside lol.

i lost my breath when the hood popped, i lost a good pair of pants when the girl looked inside :D lol

[purdy]

Yeah, I did the Bondo outside but for the first little while I didn't wear a facemask when I was applying the Bondo and sanding it so I ended up poisoning myself a little bit so I was sick for a good week to two weeks. Unfortunately all of that Bondo work was for nothing because I've decided to ditch that piece o' crappo and use the Optimus Prime voice changer helmet instead. As for my hand, the knuckle broke in half (the doctor's even mentioned a "boxer's fracture", then told me about a guy who punched the back of his metal truck and we both laughed). The hand will never be the same; there's some movements I can't do (I can't point my index and middle finger like a gun without my pinky sticking out), as well as there's no muscle resistance so my pinky wiggles freely (quite gross, but good conversation piece.) To make sure that I remember the lesson I had learned, my parents framed my X-rays and put lights behind it so they almost look 3D and had a plaque put on the frame that reads "PUNCHED A WALL" because that was the official description the nurse wrote down on my medical papers. I'll take some pictures of the X-rays, although the fracture is hard to see in most pictures. Anyways, going to upload some pics of what I've recently done to the case (here's a hint.... not a whole hell of a lot).

P.S. Rest in peace, elbarto's pants.

[purdy]

Here's the new pics of what I've done thus far since returning to the project.

I went from this:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed006.jpg

To this:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed005.jpg

With my girlfriend modeling the helmet for good luck
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed003.jpg

I mounted some hinge brackets onto the back of the helmet first...
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed008.jpg

Then proceeded to mount it to the top of the case by just using simple screws.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed009.jpg

What I have now are two small hinges that match the front of my case and are actually small enough that if you didn't know that helmet was clearly store-bought, that this might have actually been there before. As well as by using the voice changer helmet instead of that hunk of junk bondo monster, I shave money, weight and time off of the project.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed012.jpg

I decided that my computer (and my wallet) is too small and too weak to be mounting motors to mechanically lift the helmet, therefore by using the hinges and screws, it looks more professional as well as there are no big motors protruding from the case, just a kicka** helmet.

From the sideshots, the helmet looks kind of out of place, as it's quite large in comparison with the case, as well as it's just hanging there (quite securely I might add)
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed010.jpg

However, from the front, it looks completely awesome!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed011.jpg

And because of where I've mounted the hinges, it completely supports the weight of the helmet and allows it to lift up, therefore eliminating the need to be changing the position of the power button, cd drives, etc.... If you notice in the pictures, the hinges are attached to the black part of the case, which I thought would be a problem when it comes to opening up the case (the entire black portion of the case lifts off), but it turns out I won't have to unscrew the helmet at all.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed013.jpg

That's all I have for now. More updates in the next days including pics of the x-rays ( :hurt: :lick: ) as well as further plans including lighting, cooling and paint scheme. Until then, I'm out.

-purdy

[purdy]

Hey again guys,

I just spoke with a local airbrush artist (who paints stuff for a living), and he said for what I want, he could do it for under 400 Canadian. Oh, by the way, this is what I want....

I would like to get the flamejob that Optimus has in the new movie on the black part of the case.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/optimus.png

Notice how he actually isn't all red and blue. There is some yellow that fades into red at the very beginning.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Optimusprime-movieleader.jpg

And just because I had nothing to do for the past day or so, I decided to once again demonstrate my incredibly awful MS Paint skills.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/CasePaint.jpg

When I was doing that "sketch", I completely forgot about the proportions of the flames and color, so try to imagine that by the middle of the case, the color has already turned to red and flames, and it's you know...good.

VROOM!!!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Optimus_Prime_02.jpg

Anyways I'm out, so ta ta for now!

-purdy

[purdy]

Hey there once again. I feel like such a loser for being the only one saying anything on this thread so while I take some time off to plan my next steps for the project, now would be a good time to hear from you, the viewers (sorry, always wanted to say that, well not always but you know). Am I a pansy for not painting it myself (I still don't have to get the airbrush guy to do it), should I paint it myself, is the paintscheme ok, crap, or indifferent or would you like to see something else; as well as what other things would you like to see me put into this mod? I am young and easily peer-pressured/influenced, as well as this mod is in it's early stages so now is the best time for your opinions and ideas. I expect at least someone will reply, so until then, I'm alone...err..I mean..I mean I'm out.

-purdy

[AJ@PR]

Am I a pansy for not painting it myself (I still don't have to get the airbrush guy to do it), should I paint it myself, is the paintscheme ok, crap, or indifferent or would you like to see something else; as well as what other things would you like to see me put into this mod? I am young and easily peer-pressured/influenced, as well as this mod is in it's early stages so now is the best time for your opinions and ideas. I expect at least someone will reply, so until then, I'm alone...err..I mean..I mean I'm out.

We're here buddy. We're here. :)

Here's some modders you can take home.
:banana: :bunny: :bunny: :santa::bunny: :alien: :bunny:

I say you paint it yourself.
I mean, what do you have to loose?
Nothing.
What do you have to gain?
Everything! :D

Either that, or go to some artistic/old man/cool young dude/interested mid-aged guy in a automotive bodyshop, and ask him how much would he charge to do the Transformers' paint job on the case.
My suggestion: Take pictures of the paint scheme, and disassemble your computer, and take the case with you.
So he can *see* and *touch* what you want him to work with.

Keep it up buddy!!! :up: :up:

[Jim Beam]

I say Paint it yourself if it looks like crap well you can sand it down and have some one else paint it. Goto the auto motive shop get some pinstriping the cheap stuff. Layout the flames with that then tape it up with some blue tape and paint.

or this (http://www.ehow.com/how_2030595_paint-flames.html)

look here (http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/PaintFlames01.html)

check this out (http://www.hotrod.com/howto/44472_paint_flames/)

dude there are soooo many resources and references just tell yourself you can then do it if you screw it up do it again. Keep going till you can actually say you can't do it. I bet you never get there.

[purdy]

Hey once again guys, thanks for the support and the "paint it yourself" suggestions. I am going to talk with my art teacher at school in hopes of being able to use her airbrush for the case and even later on seriously looking at prices of airbrush machines and compressors. A little bit of a dilemma here (which will all in all be a good thing as you shall soon find out and be a part of). I ended up pre-ordering Halo 3 Legendary Edition because that helmet is just too damn cool and would look too damn good in my TV cabinet. Only one problem. I don't own an Xbox 360. Yet! So now I have to spend my next two paychecks to buy a 360 Elite and then my third goes towards the game. No one will be the wiser that I pre-ordered a game for a system I don't have yet. What does this mean to the mod project? It means aside from pricing and planning things out, I can't do dick-all with it. Which is the good thing. Now I have some time to really think about what I want to do with this project. How deep do I want to delve into this thing? What kind of investments (both time and money) am I going to be putting down? And most importantly, what do I have to do to this to make the modding community, the Transformers community, and myself pleased with the end result? I am going to need a lot of thoughts, ideas and opinions from the kind people of this forum. But you already knew that!

Anyways, this is what I have thought of recently. I've been reading other people's mods and they keep talking about modder's mesh. Now, I bought some metal grating last year for the project but it seems to have disappeared unto nothingness. This modder's mesh stuff is pretty nice and is going to be lighter and easier to cut and secure onto the case. I'm thinking about going with AC Ryan MeshX or even their Hexx line of mesh. As you can see in previous photos, there are three windows on this case: one on the top and two on the sides. To make my case look better, as well as increase airflow, I want to replace both side windows with the MeshX. Now this is what concerns me; dust. My house can get pretty dusty and I am not one for doing chores such as dusting so with almost the entire sides of my case being mesh, is there going to be a lot of dust collecting or will the superior airflow compensate? If anyone has used this mesh, now would be a good time to comment with past experience in mind.

As for lighting, that is another area that puzzles me. I plan on doing a red and blue theme inside, with the lights being blue and everything else being UV red. Now here is the keyword: UV. When things say UV reactive do they actually need a full blown UV light/blacklight in there or will a standard blue cathode make the sleeving and other things glow just as well? Also, has anyone tried UV reactive paint (specifically on the inside of their case)? I'm curious to see if it is any good.

Holy crap, enough talking already. Even with all of that typing, I feel that my words cannot describe what I envision this mod to be. The helmet; the paintjob; the contrast between red and blue lighting on the interior as well as exterior; the chrome smokestacks (WHAT!?!?!?!? hint hint); this is all shaping up to be an amazing treat for the eyes. As my favorite Transformer Jazz would say, "Do it with style or don't bother doing it." And with that being said, I bid you all adieu. Until the next time, I'm out.

-purdy

[purdy]

I need some thoughts and comments on certain things. I know most of you are too busy to read that entire post ^ (sorry, I get carried away sometimes), so I'll just list a few questions here.

Has anyone used modder's mesh on their case? If so, is dust ever a problem?

When something is UV reactive, does it need a full blown blacklight or will your standard blue cathode do the trick?

And just curious, has anyone tried UV paint?

[b4i7]

ive used UV paint before....works pretty well...also

http://thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1192

she would be the one to talk to bout UV paint :D

[Jim Beam]

I have used modders mesh before and as far as dust it's no more a problem then all those little parts attached to your motherboard.

[purdy]

Great, thanks guys! Yeah with the mesh it just kind of bothered me a bit that basically the sides of my computer would be exposed.

[purdy]

Hey guys, I've been pondering quite a bit as to what I can do with my case. I've made a "shopping list" of things I intend to buy from performance-pc's that I will post sometime later. In the mean time, I was surfin' the net, looking for anything Transformers and I saw these.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220140174477&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=220138723937&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget#ebayphotohosting
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Pin-tb.jpg

Now, they're only like a dollar (well like 10 when you add the shipping). Any ideas as to whether I should buy them or not and if so, what should I use them for? I did some measuring, and I might be able to use the Autobot logo to replace my power button. Any thoughts or opinions?

[ownaginatious]

Ya, replacing the power button with one of those would be awesome! You could use the other for the reset button or something as well :p

[purdy]

That would be awesome. The symbolism of using the Decepticon logo for a reset button is just awesome! And for 10 bucks, you can't go wrong with these.

[purdy]

Hey guys, long time no see!

Some good news for all five of you following this thread (haha I only kid, I hope).
With recent news/rumors, I have canceled my Halo 3 pre-order as well as I have put off my purchase of a 360 Elite. With rumors that a smaller chip and 3rd heatsink are arriving this holiday season, it would be smarter for me to wait for the console. This way I can continue long and hard on this mod without Bioshock or Halo distracting me. That and the fact that I realised how pointless that helmet was! So now that I don't have to spend my next couple of paychecks on those things, I've decided to spend them on this project. I've done some more planning and I've come up with a "shopping list" of things I intend to buy at the end of this week. Of course, there are some things that I am still undecided on so I am going to need your expert opinions. My list and more updates should be on their way soon. Until then, I'm out.

[purdy]

Hey guys, here's my shopping list.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time at the moment to upload photos for each of the items, so I'll just post a link to each and a bit of a description.

Deluxe Wire Sleeving Kit - UV Red (Pretty self explanatory)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1644

A.C. Ryan BlackMagic™ II UVpaint UV Red (Once again, pretty self explanatory)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3392

FlexLight 12V LED Light Strip - 12 LED - Blue (A 4" strip of LED's)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21686:f3f2379a797b56ee8b627e6f39140464

LED Acrylic Case Footsteps - (Blue Blue LED feet to lift the computer off the ground as well as to make the underside glow)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=787

A.C. Ryan MeshxPanel™ HEXX 500x500mm 1.0mm Alu - Black (Modder's mesh in the form of "honeycomb" hexagon holes.)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22052

A.C. Ryan TWIN Overboost Dual 8" CCFL Light - UV (UV lights for the inside of the case)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21524

ACE 40 x 20mm LED Fan - Red (The name says it all)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22087:478509f656bcbf5d772658f086ed0b23

Color 5" LCD Video Module (RCA Composite Video) - 12 Volt DC (A 5" LCD Screen (Doesn't the title already say that?)
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22039:d0292baa1ae9e76d94ed49c329d3927c

I would love to tell you guys my plans for these components in this post, but as my girlfriend just told me, and I quote "...no epic posts while I'm here!" So I guess I'll just have to wait until after Starbucks. Ahh, the things I do and sacrifice for love.:)

[purdy]

Hey guys!

Sorry I haven't posted in like a month or so, I've been working on my computer. I changed some of the items that I was going to buy from the shopping list above here, and even took some things off. I've just completed what I like to call "Phase 2" of this project which means for the time being, it's done. Later on I hope to start "Phase 3" which is going to be the phase where I make it look professional, so basically paint job and smoke stacks, but for the time being I can sit down on my now working computer and say "Wow, I've modded my computer!" I still have some kinks to work out, but I do hope to have more posts and even pics within the week. Thanks so much to the people that still take time to read about this project. I know it's been taking forever to complete, but I couldn't do it without the advice and support from you guys, so thank you. So, until my next posts which are going to be recaps of what I've just done during this month-long downtime, I'm out.

Best regards,
purdy

[purdy]

Hey everyone! I haven't been on in probably over a year, how's everyone doing? Here are some pictures I've been meaning to upload for a while now! I'll upload the pictures then do one of my famously long epic posts in the next day or so!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed005.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed008.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed009.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed010.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed011.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed012.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed013.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PPCIDTransformed014.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/Meshfront.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/UVAutobot.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PinsandGlueGuns001.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PinsandGlueGuns006.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PinsandGlueGuns010.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l206/purdy44/PinsandGlueGuns009.jpg

[nevermind1534]

nice. +rep

[Frenkie]

...uhh.. you added a plastic toy prop to a standard shuttle-clone ? -rep :(

[purdy]

Lol, as you can see in the earlier photos of the build, I wanted to create a helmet which I started to do. Then life came at me like a ton of bricks and this project took a backseat. Yes I did put a plastic toy on the front of the case. Not because I am lazy, but because of things that have happened in my life that prevent me from continuing this project. It was a great first mod, even if people don't like the toy helmet. I am building a new computer before I leave for New York in September of next year, and I'm itching to get started on a new mod project. Until then, I have to get my life back on track which includes concluding this project and moving on. I apologize for the plastic toy helmet, but life comes first.

[purdy]

I replaced the side windows with mesh and attached fans to the exterior. I have also cut out a hole in the front of the case and mounted 3 small fans and a mesh grill. I will have more pictures in the next week or so.

[TheMainMan]

@Frenkie - Sometimes it's not the end result that matters, but the journey it takes to get there.

That being said, it's too bad that you're concluding this project just as I came across it. I liked the theme and was interested to see where it ended up. +rep for the learning exprience.

Don't stop modding!

[DonT-FeaR]

:O what thats cool :) love transmormers.

[purdy]

Yeah well I'm not sure. For the moment it's finished. I'm going to New York for school and I'm going to be living there for 9 months starting next September. In the mean time between now and then I need to help pay for school, so I'll be working my ass off. I just don't have the time to continue on it. However, please note that I am not done with the Transformers theme yet. I will be purchasing a new computer next summer and I would love to mod it. I'm not sure if I'm going to mod the new computer with a Transformers theme, or if I'm going to use my current computer as a guinea pig and continue modding it. I might do that and then do a different theme for my next PC. All of my plans are in the future and I'm not sure what's going to happen. All I know is that I will continue to mod and that there will be either a brand new Transformers mod from me, or a continuation of this one. Autobots, transform and roll out!