Cutting costs?

[Ironcat]

Between dremel bits, assorted new tools, bondo, paint, primer (not to mention the computer parts themselves) this is a really, really expensive hobby.:(

From what I see online and in a lot of other websites/forums/etc, most modders are relatively young, and that makes me think not really well off yet, with all the bills assorted with life...

How do you guys afford and sustain this hobby? :? More importantly, how can "I" sustain this hobby? :?

Where and how do you cut costs and make this stuff affordable?:eek:

[tybrenis]

Try to borrow tools whenever you can.

Do your research before getting into anything.

Save up and spend wisely.

Be a teenager/student still living under the finance of their parents, and use practically all of your own money for mods.

Do it profesionally and get paid to mod stuff.

[bigbaddog]

Also try begging...some people like me have a lot of junk laying around. I would be willing to send to someone in need if they pay for shipping. Also check your local businesses, schools, etc. Many of these throw away perfectly good (if not obsolete) computer stuff.

[d_stilgar]

I think CASE modding is not very expensive in comparison to most hobbies. It is when the case is done and you need to fill it with stuff that the real expense comes.

In a positive light, the expense makes me more careful. If I spend $10 on a nintendo that I'm modding, messing up the case is $10 wasted. The finished result is better because I have to do it perfect the first try.

[silverdemon]

Take you're time !!!

that's the best advice I could give you. I did my mod (which was not expensive) in about 6 months time. Every now and then I bought a fan, a can of paint, some lights...
In all I spent about $70 I think, but with an average of $10-15 per month I think that is not very much...

[vidas7de7jesus7]

Eh, it's not that bad. The first big jump is expensive, but after that... it's like pissing with the wind. I have yet to make the first jump, but after I buy my dremel, I should be good.

[Omega]

Get old cases from family/friends. That's how ArgDawn started out, it was a case that my dad gave me 'cause the computer in it was utter crap. I still have the computer that was in it but that's in my closet.

For a dremel, get one for your birthday or something. so you don't have to pay for it. Then bondo is cheap, it's like 8$ for a 1kg tin of the stuff.

[CrazyStrings06]

whats up with you people and your dremels?! i happen to find that dremels dont do the best job...

[ajmilton]

dremels may not be the best tool for a specific task, but for overall general use it's probably the most versatile tool that will get the job done. it's useful if you only have a little money to spend

[Airbozo]

whats up with you people and your dremels?! i happen to find that dremels dont do the best job...

I think most people think they are the tool to end all tools. While I love my Dremel, I usually only use it for intricate stuff and/or for places my jigsaw will not fit. For the most part I _always_ use the jigsaw for cutting, you can buy blades to cut anything even posterboard (not sure why...).

[DaveW]

The biggest tip i can give is look for scraps.

I went to a place that makes the casings for huge switchboards. I asked for some scrap-2 pieces of scrap metal were enough for my whole case, and i have some left over. Lots left over. The bigger the product, the bigger the scraps!

Just watch the widths of the metal you get-don't work with anything wider than you have to.

-Dave

[Aero]

I agree with Dave. Look for scraps. Also, be inovative. You can mod just baout anything with just about anything. For example, look at my Project Outpost. I turned a coke can, fan holder, and paper clip cup into a vent for the side of the case. The total cost of which was about $4, and that was for the nails I decorated it with. So look around, you can find alot of things cheaply, or make everyday items works of art in your mods.

[crazybillybob]

Dave and Aero are right. Alot of my best parts come from useing an everyday item in a new way. Like useing ridgid pvc pipe cut in half heated and flattened as none conductive switch mounts or door panels. (hint copper water pipe works like this too!). I've recycled old pc pannels into feet (motor housings), and bits of old farm equiptment too. I've seen an old boy take a door knob, a fence cap and a sope bottle cap and make the coolest emitter out of it. If you know what size bit your looking for and about what shape a rubbage pile, close out store, or scrap bin can hold everyday items that with a simple change can be the part you need. Bargin Building....just use a bit of imagination and adjust your perspective and you'll be suprised at whst you can make.

CrazybillyBob

[ajmilton]

Like useing ridgid pvc pipe cut in half heated and flattened as none conductive switch mounts or door panels. (hint copper water pipe works like this too!).


not to be pedantic, but wouldn't copper make a conductive switch mount/door panel? :)

[simon275]

When it comes to case modding the problem I face is not lack of cash is lack of time.

If only I could buy a few extra days here and there.