Project Strogg

[dexaroni]

I recently took the move to a more reliable case, my last one looked nice, but was not very well constructed. (It was an Aerocool Aeroengine 2).

I got a Compaq Presario 7000 case, which has a FANTASTIC interior layout, sliding drive rails, and many more great features, only one problem:

It looks like crap.

http://www.smartcomputing.com/images/smartcomputing/fullsize/00524650.jpg

I already removed the logo on the front, so you can no longer tell it is a compaq, but it still doesn't look too nice. My plan was to paint the front plastic piece red, cut a circular window in the side, and then put blue cathodes inside, to give it an alien look, which will go well with its bulbous design. And I don't wanna hear any spiderman comments.

What do you guys think?

Dex

[dexaroni]

Update: Just painted the front panels red, and am beginning work on a blowhole for the front, which will be concealed, and will keep my radiator cool, by keeping a constant loop. Here is a diagram. It is, admitedly, rudimentary, but it is definitely a start.

So, ****ty paint work for now, real photos tommorow (hopefully).

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/dexcarm89/design.jpg

Air goes into the black slots, and behind the front panel. It then get sucked into the blowhole, by the fan. The fan blows directly onto the radiator, keeping it nice and cool with fresh air. The hot air then travels to the back of the case, where it is pulled out by the singular fan in the rear.

[b4i7]

*looks to the left* haha...i have that same case sittin next to me.....just waitin for my other stuff to be finished....cant wait to see what you do with this!

[simon275]

Oh ok cool. Yeah cases like that just scream cut a big hole in the front of me!

Another beige box is history.

[dexaroni]

New name:

Project Strogg

http://images.apple.com/games/articles/2006/03/quake4/images/logonotext.jpg

I will be keeping you guys in the dark on this one, for 2 reasons.

1) I want it to be a secret.
2) If I mess up real bad, I don't want people to see it coming.

[Luke122]

LOL! Great strategy. I'll have to keep that one in mind.

[ESX]

But if you dont share, how do you expect people give you advice/tips? :)

[dexaroni]

Okay, the real reason that I am not sharing is because I don't have a digital camera.

Anyways, here is what I did today:

I bought some Forest Green gloss paint, and some metallic black paint. I gutted out the case, and painted the front two panels with 2 coats of Metallic Black, and 2 of Forest Green. Then, I took a piece of lexan I bought today, sketched the Quake 4 logo on it, and then used an exacto knife to cut the design out of the protecting layer. Then I sprayed the logo Gunmetal.

Again, I have no camera, so I cannot get pics, but I will see what I can do.

Next step is to paint the chassis, and install the window, then install my air duct system. Its a blowhole to the extreme.

[dexaroni]

Okay, I completed work on a window, but accidentally did the design the wrong way, so had to flip it over and redo it on the other side. When I peeled back the plastic coating, one side was damaged, the side that was supposed to face out, it had deep gashes in it.

So, I decided to sand it down, and give the window an opaque feel to it. I think this fits the project well, since it seems more ominous, and mysterious, which is what the Strogg are all about. This also allows the panel to recreate the look of the box art better, as the green light from inside the case will glow throughout the panel, instead of just shining through.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/dexcarm89/IMG_0004-2.jpg

I also purchased a piece of PVC tubing today, along with a piece of mesh, and cut a hole in the front panel, and have started work on the turbine. I have to get some more bondo though, it seems as though our family is out.

I also finished the paint on the main case, which is a metallic black, and it looks quite nice.

So, here is what is done so far.

Done:
Main Case paintjob
Window (or do you guys think I should buy a new piece, make the design again, and do it clear so you can actually see through it?)

To do:
Finish Turbine
Paint Front panels

So, I would say I am about halfway done with the project, I just have the actual hard part coming up, fabricating parts.

Any tips or pointers?

[Vertigo]

That turned out pretty nice.

[SgtM]

I say frost that up a little more, and go with it. The glow will look VERY cool. +rep for adapting and overcoming the situation.

[dexaroni]

Sounds good. I will do some major frosting to it tommorow, and also will begin paint on the energy shields ie: front bezel.

More pics coming soon.

[dexaroni]

Okay, next step:

Tonight, I am going to go up to ACE hardware, and get a new Jigsaw blade, some more paint, and a can of bondo.

I need to install the blowhole in the front of the case, cement it into place tonight.

What I am curious about, is if you guys think that I should make it look like a bayonet, by cuttting the front at an angle, leave it straight, so act as a vent, or do something else altogether.

Anyways, pics coming up tonight.

[dexaroni]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/dexcarm89/IMG_0004-3.jpg
Remember, the camera sucks, so the image quality is not that great. It is not focused very well, so you cannot see the speckles in the paint. The scratches up front are where the bez... energy shield goes, and I was test fitting.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/dexcarm89/IMG_0005-1.jpg

Another test fit, here is the blowhole, it is not mounted yet, but the mesh has been inserted, and the holes have been cut. Now I just need to glue it in there, and apply the bondo.

[dexaroni]

I am thinking about making the inside splashed with blood. Like someone was just gutted right next to the case. This way, it will look good from the outside, and rusty and bloody from the inside.

What do you guys think, and how would I go about doing this?