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ReverendBob
10-10-2006, 11:58 PM
My first post.......Well.......

A friend of mine in Jersey hit me with a PM on a small forums we shared with a few others. We'd started out playing Neverwinter Nights online, drifted together as a group, and continued to game.

Then along came World of Warcraft...........and the Spousal Aggro problem.

The setup: I have a Frankenstein, built on the ashes of a Dell. My six year old has a Dell, and my wife had zip. She would often co-op my comp, reducing the amount of time I had to game.

Then my fairy godfather sent me a pm. Seems he had bought a house, and was cleaning out some of his old gear. I'm not a snob, nor am I riding the crest of the gear wave, so I gratefully accepted. In the care package was a motherboard, powersupply, memory, processor, a better vid card than I was running, etc. The only things lacking (besides keyboard/mouse) was a monitor and a case. We got a monitor from a friend in California on a visit, so that just left the case.

We shopped around, seeing cases on Newegg for around $20-30.......then I had a thought. I turned to my spouse, and said "I think I can build you a case." She looked at me rather funny. "No, really Dear." We discussed it a bit, and the project was born.

My budget was $10.00. I blogged the thing so my friends could laugh at my stupidity, but I'll post a progression of pictures here. The project is not quite done, but.....well, I'm lazy.

here we go.

Bear with me, I'm going to be linking photos, I hope it works, I'm not the brightest guy in the world.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:01 AM
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9804/fittingbetasp7.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fittingbetasp7.jpg)

Allright, here's what I had to work with.

The wire racks are from work. They're used in medication dispensing machines, and were slated for the dumpster.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:03 AM
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/2694/fittingcharliesf6.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fittingcharliesf6.jpg)

Another shot of it.

Not sure why the words "img" appear, but the pictures are there, that's all I care about.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:06 AM
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2733/sparksflyua3.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sparksflyua3.jpg)

Of course, nothing is perfect right out of the gate, and no mod is ever complete without a Dremel touching it........and the modder bleeding on it.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:09 AM
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6170/bendbase3zd2.th.jpg (http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bendbase3zd2.jpg)

I used the dremel to cut a bit out of the bottom, the remaining will serve as legs. I left the rods long, I'll use them to attach the base. I used a deep socket, slid over the rods, to get a good bend.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/388/basefit1xe9.th.jpg (http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=basefit1xe9.jpg)



Like so.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:12 AM
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/768/basefitfinalar2.th.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=basefitfinalar2.jpg)
That is how the base will sit. A lot more bending is required.

I will say that I got better with the Dremel as my supply of cutting wheels dwindled.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:18 AM
Here's a series of shots showing the bends.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4612/firstbendjp9.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=firstbendjp9.jpg)


http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4893/bend1ht0.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bend1ht0.jpg)




After having the whole thing collapse, and rocket a glass of nicely mixed Dewers and water off of the table, listening to the wife laugh, and cleaning up the mess, I added the top piece temporarily with some twists of wire.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6198/headonbottomdoneap2.th.jpg (http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=headonbottomdoneap2.jpg)

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:20 AM
Here's a pullback shot to show the progress so far. Both sides, a top and a bottom. I was initially going to install the front and back using the long panels vertically. This wouldn't have worked without some way of attaching it to both sides. I was running into horizontal stability problems. I overcame this by cutting the panels, turning them 180 degrees and wiring them in place.


http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2273/caseprogresszq6.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=caseprogresszq6.jpg)

I scratched myself, enough for a drop of blood to seep out. (With help) I thought this would satisfy the blood God, but alas.............an hour later I pinched the hell out of my hand with the channel locks..........and the wicked Project Diety got her sacrifice.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:23 AM
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8171/fittingrz0.th.jpg (http://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fittingrz0.jpg)


Sort of a preview, and to make sure all the components will fit.

I'm sort of doing this bassackwards, but hey, I never claimed to be a pro.......

Allright, once, at a party......I got laughed at.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:27 AM
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5576/nearlyfinishedbackau2.th.jpg (http://img178.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nearlyfinishedbackau2.jpg)
This was just plain ugly. It was the first of the front panels I put on.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3372/roughkg8.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=roughkg8.jpg)

Cleaned it up a bit.
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4233/cleangf4.th.jpg (http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cleangf4.jpg)

After the fourth shot of sweet, sweet, Beam necter, I realized this damn thing looks like I went out with an acetylene torch and vandalized a shopping cart. I want to assure everyone, no shopping carts were harmed in the making of this case. With that in mind, I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for some wheels................And maybe an electric motor, and some remote controls........You could always rig the wheels to a voice activ............wait, the tech is already out there, get a robot dog programmed to respond to voice commands, then gut it, and use the insides to drive wheels instead of legs.......

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:30 AM
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9817/chainsideviewxn8.th.jpg (http://img178.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chainsideviewxn8.jpg)

Allright. Yes, it is chainmail.......Yes, I made it myself.....and no I do not LARP.......At least not that anyone can prove.

I started making a chain shirt, but my wrists gave out, and I stopped.......with a half finished shirt. I wanted to keep little fingers, and paws, out of the case, so I conferred with the spouse, and she liked the chain idea.

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:34 AM
I sort of started calling it a Dungeon project. Something about the bars, and my idea of hanging to componants by chains inside. Something I've always found ominous about a dungeon isn't the screams from the poor souls who are recieving "attitudinal adjustification", but the doors to the cells. Allright, the shrieks of some poor bastard having red hot pokers applied to his body are disconcerting, but the thought of being locked away in a dark, dank prison bothers me more. Nothing represents this like the door itself. My first step was to get a chunk of wood and cut it down. Dungeon doors aren't well maintained, and usually bear the scars of their years.

To weather the door, I selected a few tools from my toolbox.


A spear.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/341/speardoorhr9.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=speardoorhr9.jpg)

A saber.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1289/sworddoor1yl0.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sworddoor1yl0.jpg)

And a hand and a half bastard sword.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9959/sword2pz0.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sword2pz0.jpg)

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:41 AM
A real blitz of pics.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/889/psfittinguh6.th.jpg (http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=psfittinguh6.jpg)


http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2600/dagsij5.th.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dagsij5.jpg)

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4320/doorpreassembleir7.th.jpg (http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doorpreassembleir7.jpg)

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2816/premobodoorwt9.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=premobodoorwt9.jpg)

Door handle. I thought about using a sliding bar, but wanted to get the damn thing into service, so I used the upper part of a scope mount. The brass was cut and nailed, then wrap/bent around the wires to serve as functional hinges. You can see the CD rom, secured by jewelry wire to the side of the frame.

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1921/doorcloserk7.th.jpg (http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doorcloserk7.jpg)

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 12:44 AM
And now we're current.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8163/currentvz3.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=currentvz3.jpg)


Well......it's obviously not done. I work in spurts. The thing is running. It works well and she's relatively happy with it. Right now I'm mulling over what to do with the door side. Thinking of a stone wall theme, continuing around the front bottom panel, and using a cut out stone as a "secret" switch to turn the computer on.

This is actually my first attempt at anything like this. I still have many things I want to do to it. I need better chains for one, I've got an idea on how to put a glow through line of text across the front....meh, ideas.......

Anyways.

Zephik
10-11-2006, 12:47 AM
HA! That is really cool! Keep it up, I cant wait to see this baby all done!

-SF

ReverendBob
10-11-2006, 01:05 AM
I'm hoping to get her to relax the purse strings, and release me from my limit.

I've actually spent less than $15.00 so far. Power switch, blue fan (just for fun) and the brass planter I bought for less than a buck at Goodwill (thrift store). Eventually, she'll relent........she can't stand half-finished things.

simon275
10-11-2006, 04:00 AM
Man you get bossed around big time.

Anyway looks to be going well so far. Wire racking an interesting conept at least it will have good ventilation lol. And will keep the RF out. Are you going to paint it?

klingelton
10-11-2006, 06:40 AM
paint what lol!!! there's not much there to paint!! suppose he could make the door green....

nzcubey
10-14-2006, 10:51 PM
this is a pretty neat idea. the chainmail looks awesome as! hopefully shell appreciate it when its done :P

purdy
10-14-2006, 11:39 PM
Funny story and funny mod; keep up the good work!

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

DaveW
10-15-2006, 04:09 AM
To weather the door, I selected a few tools from my toolbox.

If a hand-and-a-half bastard sword, a sabre, and a spear are tools...

Jesus, i'd hate to meet you in a dark alley when you have a weapon.

-Dave

Slug Toy
10-15-2006, 05:35 PM
i like that sword.

how about an arrow or two to make it look like someone was lined up for execution or something?