The John Deere Mod

[Drum Thumper]

Here begins my journeys into hardcore modding. I'm planning on taking this case:
http://images.tigerdirect.com/SKUimages/medium/TC3J-4508-main.jpg

And turning it into a tribute to an American Icon.

This should be a pretty straight-forward mod. I'm planning on a two tone color approach: John Deere Green for the outside and John Deere Yellow for the skeleton and drive bays.

I'm also working on a template of the classic JD logo that I will etch into a plexi window that will be mounted on the side.

More to come...

[agnat]

That will probably look pretty good. I like the idea of the logo. I don't particularly like the John Deere colors, but I am not the one that's going to be looking at it everday. I am still interested in how this is going to come out.

[Aero]

SWWEEETTT. I was stuck between John Deere or IH (International Harvester for you non-country blokes) when I was designing a farm case a few weeks ago. Couldn't decide and then school started back up so I never got through designing them :(.

this sounds cool. John Deere is a great symbol for the america and very few mods have been done in honor of the amaerican farmer. Good luck witht he mod, obviously I can't wait to see it :).

[Drum Thumper]

The case is on its way from TigerDirect. If the weather holds steady this weekend, I might head out to my parents ranch and do a little 'studying'.

This machine will ultimately be theirs, and I'm debating on whether I should transfer the mobo/drives/etc out of their current machine or build completely from the ground up.

Either way, I'll be getting another computer out of this, because if I do decide to move their mobo into this case, I am going to build myself a new music server--my PIII is almost on her last legs.

[Thallion]

For a logo like that a cut out of the logo might be way cooler than a window with etching on it... Especially if you are doing the insides in yellow, jsut do a cut out of the yellow sections of the logo, and leave the green sections as the green painted case... (in this logo's case you will need to mount the floating center of the logo onto the plexi window of course) but man would that look better... Well thats my opinion anyway,, either way I think it will come out great... looking forward to seeing it in progress...

[m4gnum]

I agree Thallion, cut it out the side and then either paint the inside yellow, or mount some yellow plexi behind it. Or, have it cut out with a yellow fan behind it.

[Drum Thumper]

For a logo like that a cut out of the logo might be way cooler than a window with etching on it... Especially if you are doing the insides in yellow, jsut do a cut out of the yellow sections of the logo, and leave the green sections as the green painted case... (in this logo's case you will need to mount the floating center of the logo onto the plexi window of course) but man would that look better... Well thats my opinion anyway,, either way I think it will come out great... looking forward to seeing it in progress...

That's a possibility as well. Might be interesting doing the oval that goes around the logo though.


I agree Thallion, cut it out the side and then either paint the inside yellow, or mount some yellow plexi behind it. Or, have it cut out with a yellow fan behind it.

I like this idea as well. I'll have to do some thinking on it--again, the biggest problem will be the oval that is around the logo--perhaps I could notch the corners...

I'll do some more work in GIMP and see what I can come up with.

+rep to both of ya for the ideas!

[Bucko]

The problem with the oval could be overcome.
If you cut out a large piece of yellow plexi and made just a standard window in the outer shape of the logo and mounted it to the case.
Then cut out the inner deer logo from a piece of steel and glued it to the yellow plexi. With a yellow inside and some yellow lights, it could work well!

Here's some more of my quality MS Paint skills to show what I mean with the case side with yellow plexi window and outline cut out deer:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4194/jd1ss2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Drum Thumper]

The problem with the oval could be overcome.
If you cut out a large piece of yellow plexi and made just a standard window in the outer shape of the logo and mounted it to the case.
Then cut out the inner deer logo from a piece of steel and glued it to the yellow plexi. With a yellow inside and some yellow lights, it could work well!

Here's some more of my quality MS Paint skills to show what I mean with the case side with yellow plexi window and outline cut out deer:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4194/jd1ss2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Beats the hell out of my idea!

+rep for the mad mspaint skills! And if I could, double rep for saving me the trouble of delving in linux after a few beers--that can be dangerous I've found...:D

So Friday, in addition to running the the John Deere Implement store, I'll make a trip over to the recycling center and seeing what they have for sheet metal. I might have to make a trip over to Home Depot as well just for ****s and grins...I've heard from some reliable sources here that the aluminum dept. is a gold mine...

[Drum Thumper]

I might take this a step farther and attempt to put some pin striping around the cutout as well...

I see a trip to the auto parts store on Friday as well...

[simon275]

I might take this a step farther and attempt to put some pin striping around the cutout as well...


That would look cool. Will be cool to see this get on the road.

[Thallion]

Bucko's mad Paint skills is what I was trying to describe... why didn't I think of using paint... duh.... ;)

Though I don't think you have to use yellow plexi, if you paint the insides yellow, and use yellow lights on the inside it should be yellow enough without using yellow plexi....

Also depending on how well you cut the opening to begin with you might be able to use the piece you just cut from the case to make the inner logo piece, meaning you wouldnt need extra metal.

[Drum Thumper]

Bucko's mad Paint skills is what I was trying to describe... why didn't I think of using paint... duh.... ;)

Though I don't think you have to use yellow plexi, if you paint the insides yellow, and use yellow lights on the inside it should be yellow enough without using yellow plexi....

Also depending on how well you cut the opening to begin with you might be able to use the piece you just cut from the case to make the inner logo piece, meaning you wouldnt need extra metal.

Better safe than sorry been my MO for a looooooong time.

I'll be doing the cutting in a couple weeks. And as for the Yellow Plexi, since this mod is going to be for my parents, I'm thinking the plexi might be the better choice.

Although it is gonna be lit up.

[xmastree]

If you cut out a large piece of yellow plexi and made just a standard window in the outer shape of the logo and mounted it to the case.
Then cut out the inner deer logo from a piece of steel and glued it to the yellow plexi. With a yellow inside and some yellow lights, it could work well!
The great thing about this idea is that with the centre piece being separate, if you mess it up you can start again. The outer shape should be fairly simple, so no worries there.

[Aero]

I agree with xmastree. Your plan is god because if you mess up on one part, it won't ruin the whole thing :). The deer will be the tricky part, but the window should be simple, a "X" and some arc's can make that a simple cut with a jigsaw.

[Drum Thumper]

The case showed up today. Sort of.

The UPS depot here flat out sucks. This is the 4th time I've been @ home waiting for them to knock or ring my doorbell all day. I had to run to my fiance's place of work to take her lunch, and lo and behold, there's one of those yellow 'Sorry we missed you' stickers on my door.

Sorry my ass. You don't do your job, and yet you're still employed. All because you're union.

I'm not knocking unions in general, just whatever union the UPS drivers are affiliated with.

Although I might have to vent about UFCW in the chatterbox sometime. I'm union as well (UFCW), but not by choice.

Anyways back to the matters at hand. I went out to the UPS depot this afternoon and was told that the driver that does my area will be back in @ 7pm Mountain time. They're open till 8:30 pm.

I will have this case tonight.

And I'll be requesting FedEx in the future. And if I can't, I'll do my business elsewhere.

/end rant.

[Drum Thumper]

The case is now in my possesion. I've already taken one side panel off to take a look at the skeleton, then put it back on, as I'm not quite ready to take pictures.

And I dropped 20 bucks @ the John Deere Implement store on paint. They don't seem to carry a clear coat, so I'm going to have to do some testing to see what results with mixing brands is going to be acceptable.

With me trying to keep this under $600, I've got $550 left to spend.

Pics hopefully tomorrow of disassembly and painting prep.

[Drum Thumper]

First steps in disassembly:

First off, the front panel:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Picture003.jpg

Then a side shot with the paint cans on top of it:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Picture008.jpg
Hmm--for some reason the yellow looks pastel, and the green is darker than it actually is. Stupid camera.

Side panels off:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Picture010.jpg

And now I'm trying to figure out how to get the front panel off.

I should also mention that the cover for the USB/audio ports could prove to be interesting as it swings up. As soon as I get the front off, I'll post some more pics (hopefully with a better camera!)

[Drum Thumper]

I just bought a Cannon PowerShot A540.

I'll get some real pics up tonite!

[Drum Thumper]

Finally, a bit of an update with some decent pictures!

First off:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0001.jpg

A better view of the side.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0002.jpg

Followed by a better view of the front.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0003.jpg

The Front flip panel--I thought this was going to cause me problems, but it can be removed quite easily!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0004.jpg

Inside of the case, prepping to remove the front panel.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0005.jpg

A quick view of the back panel.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0006.jpg

Front panel off. Notice that the cords are just laying about. I now have them twist tied in the back so they don't get broken.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0007.jpg

And finally, the front of the case without the cover. All that I have left to remove is the top, and that will be done here in a bit.

I should also point out that until it gets about 20 degrees warmer outside, this mod is on hiatus.

I'm going to take advantage of the first semi-nice day that we have here and paint the skeleton.

[NocturnaL]

This is going to be good. You should rethink this and get a desktop case and turn it into a JD Tracktor, lol im getting ahead of myself, looks great so far

[Drum Thumper]

LOL. I was conisdering doing a complete kitbash and finding a toy JD tractor that was big enough to accept a mobo in the engine compartment.

Maybe down the road I'll attempt something along those lines!

[NocturnaL]

Haha awesome, good luck with this mod ;)

[Tale Gunner]

My 9 year old son would be very intrested in your project. He just finished building his own 3200 Athlon system (I gave him my old one). He loves JD and computers. Sometimes I cant get him off of his LOL

[NocturnaL]

Haha start him early and he might be the next bill gates ;)

[Drum Thumper]

My 9 year old son would be very intrested in your project. He just finished building his own 3200 Athlon system (I gave him my old one). He loves JD and computers. Sometimes I cant get him off of his LOL

Very impressive. I started tinkering with computers at the ripe old age of 9 myself, and here we are, almost 21 years later.

+rep for handing down a very impressive machine!

[xmastree]

I started tinkering with computers at the ripe old age of 9 myself

Heh, according to this (http://www.computerhope.com/history/196080.htm) page, when I was 9 five interesting things happened:

1) AT&T Bell Laboratories develop Unix.
2) Linus Torvalds is born.
3) The U.S. Department of Defense sets up the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET ) this network was the first building blocks to what the internet is today.
4) CompuServe, the first commercial online service, is established.
5) AMD is founded.

[Thallion]

heheh funny to think about it like that... Lets see, when I was 9:
First the 300 Baud modem, then the 1200 Baud modem came out.
Commodor ships the VIC-20.
The IBM PC is released - running MS DOS
MS DOS first released ver 1.0

EDIT:OK weird (sorry in advance for strange hijack)
How was Compuserve started in 1969, when the Hayes doesn't market a modem until 1979???

[xmastree]

EDIT:OK weird (sorry in advance for strange hijack)
How was Compuserve started in 1969, when the Hayes doesn't market a modem until 1979???
Hayes markets its first modem which becomes the industry standard for modems.
Maybe there were other makers before Hayes made theirs..

Anyway, enough of the thread hijack.

Anyone see last night's Top gear? Tractors! Whoa!

[Tale Gunner]

When I was 9:
the post office began zip codes.
coke came out with its diet drink Tab
NASA launches Gordon Cooper the Mercury 9 The last of the Mercury Program
Football Hall of Fame opens in Canton Ohio
And John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas

Computers... What are computers?

[Drum Thumper]

Alright, after looking over my front panel, I am in need of some answers--check out the pics:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0054.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0051.jpg

That glue that is being used to hold the On/Off and Reset button along with the two LEDs for the power/hd usage is hard stuff. It's been a long time since I've played with hot glue, is that what I'm looking at?

Also, I'm hoping Mother Nature cooperates enough for me to do some painting on the skeleton--I've got a bit more deconstruction to do, but that shouldn't take too long.

Pictures following soon!

[xmastree]

yes. it's hot glue. You can pick it off carefully, do the LEDs first, to get a feel for it. Then the switches, which are more delicate.

BTW, nice close-up pics. What did you use?

[Drum Thumper]

My new toy is my Canon Powershot A540, zoomed in to around 8x.

I love this camera!

Would heating this stuff up with a hair dryer be a possibility? I'd just as soon not break anything important.

[Drum Thumper]

Well, after playing with my trusty Cutco paring knife for a couple minutes, I got this:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0059.jpg

Followed by this:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0060.jpg


Thanks Xmastree, +rep for the quick reply!

[Drum Thumper]

A couple more minutes of chipping and prying and no more hot glue:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0062.jpg

If I can aquire the motor skills to remove the buttons tonite (this morning really lol) I'll do that and give one more quickie update.

If not, I'll do it tomorrow...which is really later today...

[Drum Thumper]

Alright, here we go:

No more glue, so no more buttons and LEDs:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0064.jpg

Also, no more front panel inputs:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0065.jpg

Also, no more mesh:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0072.jpg

A view of the back in all it's naked glory:P

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0065.jpg

And the naked front:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0068.jpg

Closeup of the buttonless front:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0067.jpg

And what the heck, here's where my screws went...is this what is meant by having a screw loose?!?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0071.jpg

It's 4 am. I'm callin it a night...err...morning...err...I'm going to bed now.

More pics on Saturday if not sooner.

Edit--I'm kinda concerned with how the little plastic cover for the lights is put in this case. Looks like if I try to take it out, I might run into some problems getting it back in. Two ideas I'm kicking around in my head at the moment are hot glue or superglue. Suggestions?

Also, the white and red LEDs are gonna be replaced. And I'm sure you can figure out what colors are gonna replace em...

[xmastree]

Edit--I'm kinda concerned with how the little plastic cover for the lights is put in this case. Looks like if I try to take it out, I might run into some problems getting it back in. They're usually held in by melting the plastic pegs which locate them. Messy, but cheap and effective.
Break it out, then glue it back when you're done. You have more time than the original makers.

[Drum Thumper]

I'm also toying with the idea of using some different switches as well. Another trip down to the JD store is in my future.

Not that that's a bad thing!

[Drum Thumper]

Ok, the front panel is disassembled and ready for painting tomorrow as long as Mother Nature holds up her end of the deal.:)

Played with my dremel a little bit this morning and got this piece out:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0082.jpg

Then I popped all the drive covers and the USB frontport cover off:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0083.jpg

And the bare front panel:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0084.jpg

Backside of the front panel:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0086.jpg

So tomorrow, the silver will be yellow. My days off are screwy next week, so I'm hoping that I'll be able paint the black green. Although I might leave it black and make this a three tone case. We'll see.

[Drum Thumper]

No painting today, too cold outside.

I'll try again Monday hopefully.

[Ichbin]

The suspense! its killing me!

/dead

[Slatter]

wondering what you plan on doing top the case

[Drum Thumper]

I'm planning on installing a fan and making a cover for it using some actual JD parts--prolly either a breather lid or a exhaust pipe lid.

But Ma Nature needs to cooperate be4 any of that can happen lol.

[jdbnsn]

I like the progress so far. I know you already have plans in mind but I couldn't help but notice the shape of the tractor in your sig would make a great model to base a mod off of...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/misc/johndeere.jpg

[Ichbin]

Love the design of it.

Is that the waxy love of crayon?

[NocturnaL]

Nice man. Those leds look like theyll be awesome :)

[Drum Thumper]

I like the progress so far. I know you already have plans in mind but I couldn't help but notice the shape of the tractor in your sig would make a great model to base a mod off of...
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/misc/johndeere.jpg

I've kinda been toying with that idea off and on in my head for about the last day or so--the more I think about it, the more I might do it. It'd be some major bondo work (or not, depending on how I went about the top of the case).

The hardest part would be getting some curves goin on.

I do like your drawing, especially the triangle part @ the front of the case.

Going that route also brings up some very interesting tangents that one could take:

*Stealth the front
*Lettering on the side referring to the chipset
*Modding in a fan on the top to take advantage of a breather or exhaust

And that's just what I can think of off the top of my head, along with no window and kitbashing an engine (which would be really pimp, but I don't feel I've got the talent to do that...yet :p).

If you don't mind, I might use your drawing as a model per se and see what I can come up with freehand.

And then I shall go from there.

+rep for the idea, and as usual, double if I could since you got the ball rolling around inside my head.

[Drum Thumper]

Very rough plan, and some stuff will have to have some major creative license done on it:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/roughJD.jpg

Not nearly as neat as Jbd's, but I think it gets the general idea across. The breather intake will have to be put on the left side rather than the top and the exhaust will be moved to roughly where the breather is mainly--it seems to me that they are usually parallel on top of the hood, but that could cause some airflow problems.

The lettering could also prove to be....interesting. As will that window.

A little bondo, some metalwork...this could happen. I was planning on surprising my parents with it, but dad's got all the cool toys in his shop...

It'd also give me a place to do painting and whatnot.

And the plot thickens...

[jdbnsn]

The fan controller is a nice touch, would be awesome if you could make the dials out of clear lights like in your sig (maybe look at childrens toy trucks to kit-bash) and throw in some clear LED's. I considered adding an exhaust pipe along the rear/side and left it out out of laziness. But after seeing yours it hit me, would be a perfect place to hide water reservoirs, and you know what else? That from grill could be made quite easily out of a watercooling rad. Good luck, this thing is gonna be sweet!

[Drum Thumper]

Watercooling. I find that funny as I'm doing this for my parents, and if anything were to get w/c'd, it'd be my system first.

Not a bad idea, but perhaps in a different mod.

So I was goofing around in sketchup and came up with this lil nugget:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/JD.jpg

Again, nothing like your drawing, but it was kinda fun to actually try to draw in that program.

What I wouldn't give for a copy of AutoCAD right now lol...

[Drum Thumper]

Finally, a somewhat decent day today. Too bad I spent some time at the dentist office:( .

De(con)struction of the case has been more or less completed! Here's some pics from the last hour or so:

Removing rivets with my Dremel
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0091.jpg

6 rivets later:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0092.jpg
And the poor Dremel has had it--forgot to charge the battery! No problems though, I've got backup resources:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0093.jpg
Now we're talkin!

Top removed:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0095.jpg

And the pile starts:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0096.jpg

Drive chasis removed:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0097.jpg

And now for something completely different:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0094.jpg
This is what happens when you touch a hot rivet. Instant callous!

Anyway, back to work. Here we have the mobo tray almost out:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0099.jpg

Somewhere along the line I got the front panel off as well:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0100.jpg

Wonder if Tiger Direct would take it back now? :p
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0103.jpg

And finally, something's gotta be done about these feet. There gonna be gone soon, as I don't think I could save em...plus they're flimsy.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0102.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0105.jpg

We'll see what the weather is like this weekend...might be able to at least prime the skeleton.

[jdbnsn]

I don't think you would need to go crazy with the bondo to build the contour you have in the sig. You could build a frame with ribs using styrene or plexi or whatever, panel it, then fill it in with small amounts of bondo and sand out the edges.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/misc/framining.jpg

[Drum Thumper]

I'll do some research on this tonite, thank you for the heads up!


Edit: I've got something in mind--more details to follow, as I gotta make a trip to Pacific Steel and price some...items...;)

[Drum Thumper]

Been a while since I've done an update, as Mother Nature seems to only want to behave while I'm at work:eek:. If nothing else, it's given me time to plan some more and slowly start buying supplies.

The SO and I might be heading out to my parents for Saturday. If thats the case, I'm gonna probably do some quick and dirty welding on some 1/2" angle iron that I've got laying around out there--it's all part of the 'Master Plan' for this case.

I also bought some styrene to play with today, along with some cabling for the case.

And I'm still kicking around some ideas for the breather cap assembly. Once I get some dimensions from a tractor, I'll be set.

Pics (if we decide to jet out to the 'rents place) coming this weekend. Maybe.

[m4gnum]

I know what you mean about trying to pick up hot rivets. I once got a screw thread shaped burn on my finger and thumb as I went to pick up a recently Dremelled bolt shaft.

[FPMachine]

Neat work. That framing will work out well for the mod I have planned.

[Drum Thumper]

A quick update--took advantage (hell, I still am lol) of the nice spring weather and got the top side of my mobo painted with 1 layer of paint!

Before:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0112.jpg

After:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0113.jpg

More to come as the afternoon progresses I promise!

[Drum Thumper]

A couple more pics:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0114.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0117.jpg

I was a bit worried about the rippling, but upon further inspection, that is a flaw in the mobo tray itself. I'm gonna let this cure for a few days, wetsand, and lay another layer or two down.

If the weather holds, I might start painting the rest of the skeleton in the morning/early afternoon before I head to work.

[xmastree]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0113.jpg
Hmm, see that 'after the storm' pic? See that tractor in your sig...

Coincidence?

[Drum Thumper]

Hmm, see that 'after the storm' pic? See that tractor in your sig...

Coincidence?

LOL. Was wondering if anyone would catch that. Inside front page of last Sunday's paper.

As for it being a Coincidence...I'm going to take it as a good sign!

[Drum Thumper]

Some more painting and de(con)struction done so far today:

I decided to pop out the PCI slot/Mobo slot cover. It's gonna get painted green (later today) and the back side of the skeleton will remain yellow.

Before:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0133.jpg

And After:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0134.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0135.jpg

I also decided that those crappy PCI slot covers had to go--I'll cannibalize a case for some real covers:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0136.jpg

Whoops. Got a little carried away here. Not too worried about it, it is a truck after all, it's supposed to get abused!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0138.jpg

And the feet on the bottom of the case have disappeared as well. I'm still trying to figure out just what in the hell I'm going to do here. I've got some ideas, but at the moment, that's all they are. I do know I'm gonna build a false bottom somewhat similar to Paul's Doom3 mod.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0137.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0139.jpg

[Drew]

I take it there's more coming?

And that's one hell of a colour.

[Drum Thumper]

Lots more coming. Real time progress at its finest!

I just wish I had more time to spend on this project. Between work and planning a wedding, I'm surprised I've got as much done as I have!

So without further ado...

Here's the mobo tray, front and back. I'm gonna let it sit for a couple more days, then wet sand, and put yet another layer down:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0140.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0141.jpg

And the PCI/mobo IO slot cover in all it's John Deere Green glory:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0142.jpg

It's sittin outside soakin up some sun at the moment.

Also, I've got a bit of sanding in my not too distant future--damn paper stuck to the bottom of the skeleton:mad:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0144.jpg

And finally, I was down at the locally owned hardware store earlier. They have lighters shaped like fire extinguishers. I'm thinking one of those is gonna get added somehow--kind of an inside joke between my dad and I. We've both had experiences with hydraulic lines giving way while operating a tractor.

Nothing like 6 foot flames shooting off of one side of an engine block to get the adrenaline running, let me tell you!

[Drum Thumper]

Had to do a quick mockup to see how it looks. I'm quite impressed with the end result.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0145.jpg

[danthegeek]

I like the contrast of the rear panel + rep

[Drew]

Cool, it actually looks quite John Deereish!

+rep

[xmastree]

I can't help thinking you got those the wrong way round. The John Deere scheme is predominantly green, with yellow highlights. That rear panel is the other way round. Although I guess it's out of context, so my criticism isn't fair.

Seen this (http://www.strangenewproducts.com/uploaded_images/john-deere-chopper-lawn-mower.jpg)?

[Bucko]

I can't help thinking you got those the wrong way round. The John Deere scheme is predominantly green, with yellow highlights. That rear panel is the other way round. Although I guess it's out of context, so my criticism isn't fair.

Seen this (http://www.strangenewproducts.com/uploaded_images/john-deere-chopper-lawn-mower.jpg)?

I thought the same thing at first, but I think once it is installed on a case that is going to be green, the yellow won't be the predominate colour.

It does look good so far though.

[Drum Thumper]

I can't help thinking you got those the wrong way round. The John Deere scheme is predominantly green, with yellow highlights. That rear panel is the other way round. Although I guess it's out of context, so my criticism isn't fair.




I thought the same thing at first, but I think once it is installed on a case that is going to be green, the yellow won't be the predominate colour.

It does look good so far though.

Bucko's on the right path here. This is the back end of the computer, so I'm taking a small liberty (for lack of a better term) by painting the PCI/mobo cover green.

The SO and I made a quick trip out to the ranch this past weekend, which allowed me to take a few pictures of a JD for reference purposes.

I wasn't able to get any pictures of the beast that dad's currently driving as it's literally sitting out in the north 40 (and you thought that was just a figure of speech. Ha!), so I snapped a few pics of an early 1990's model (I think).

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0181.jpg
Breather cap. This one didn't turn out quite as good as I hoped it would, but it's a start. For some reason I was thinking that the actual cap was much longer. This will be much easier to fabricate.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0182.jpg
Breather and Exhaust. The exhaust manifold could also prove to be an interesting build if I wish to have it (somewhat) functional. This is one piece that I will base off the newer model tractors, as the newer ones don't have the cap at the top. Also, this picture shows the yellow stripe across the top half of the engine compartment and the font. Now I gotta start doing some searching to see if I can find something similar.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0183.jpg
Radiator/Fan assembly cover. Yet again, a piece that might be a real headache to scratchbuild. And since I'm planning on using something in this style on the front of the computer, I might have no other choice.

And finally:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0180.jpg
Another closeup of the lettering and the logo(for lack of a better term). A couple hours in GIMP and I should be able to come up with a decent knockoff.

I also bought some supplies to do some mockup work. And since the weather is turning to **** here (AGAIN), I'll be working on that this week.

And on a side note: This is the same tractor that I made a reference to regarding the 6 foot flames shooting out one side. This poor thing has been through hell and back a couple times, and still runs like, well, a Deere:p !

[chaksq]

I just have to say not all John Deer equiptment has the green/yellow scheme. There is an all yellow John Deer excavator doing work on my school. Allthough I feel a tribute to John Deer should be yellow/green.

[Drum Thumper]

I have a John Deere Belt buckle.. Dunno why I say that, cept that it coincides with your theme. Women love a Deere ;)



-Jai

Thank you thank you thank you! You just gave me a great idea where to get the emblem for the front of the case! +rep for sure!!!


I just have to say not all John Deer equiptment has the green/yellow scheme. There is an all yellow John Deer excavator doing work on my school. Allthough I feel a tribute to John Deer should be yellow/green.

I agree 100%, and that's why I've gone with the classic color scheme.

And now to an update of sorts! Just some skecthup work, as I had an idea. Please bear in mind that this is just some really rough (and I can't emphasize that enough!) drawings:

First off, FEAR my MsPaint skills! Needed to get it done quick and dirty like:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/JD-Mockup1.jpg

Now, for the perforated screen, I'm gonna make 4 blocks total (Gonna need a screen on each side!) out of a yet to be determined material kinda like this:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/JD-Mockup3.jpg

Notice that the square sections are offset. I'll drill those out and use some small dowels or metal rods if I can find some small enough for the frame and then weave screen door screen through it.

I'm quite glad I finally figured out just how to go about this. I'm thinking that there's gonna be a trip out to the 'rent's place so I can fabricate these pieces in my near future, as dad has a drill press...and a band saw...and painting equipment...and a chest full of Craftsman tools...and, well you get the idea.

:banana: :banana: :banana:

But none of this will be getting done for at least another month. 19 days left till I'm married!:D

So, there ya have it. That's the plan I've been knocking around in my head for the last couple weeks. I'm doing an in-town move this weekend, hopefully everything will settle down a bit next week to where I can get some sanding done on the chasis so I can put another layer of paint down.

[Drum Thumper]

One thing I just thought of:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0331.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/mod/IMG_0332.jpg

I guess that would be called the CPU duct. It was originally attached to the side panel. I'm thinking with a bit of steady handed dremel work, some hot glue, and perhaps some modder's plastic (can't think of the name brand atm) I could feasibly use this piece as the air intake for the top of the case. The diameter of the hole is 60mm.

[Eclecticos]

O yea. . I Can't wait to see this one Done. I live in Hicktown, USA. :D
When your done you can sit a cowboy hat on top. Lol.


air intake for the top of the case.

Hot air Rises. . make it the exhaust fan.

[Drum Thumper]

O yea. . I Can't wait to see this one Done. I live in Hicktown, USA. :D
When your done you can sit a cowboy hat on top. Lol.



Hot air Rises. . make it the exhaust fan.


Well yes, it will be an exhaust...but if you look at the pictures a couple pages back, there's a breather tube which feeds air into the diesel engine, hence the 'intake' moniker.

Edit--just realized I'll be running dual exhaust on the top on this beast. Maybe. I'll do some actual mockup work before I start hacking away, and if I don't like how it looks, it'll get scrapped.

[Drum Thumper]

I haven't forgotten about this mod. In fact, it seems like it's taking up a lot of my thinking time as of late.

I've got some really cool ideas in store for this. The original case is going to be pretty much scrapped. I'll hold onto the mobo tray and the back panel, but it's (the case) is too tall and not long enough.

I think I have figured out what to use as far as back wheels go--dual wheelbarrow tires on each side. The front, however is still eluding me. I might have to do some kitbashing/toybashing.

Ease of maintenance is another thing that I'm trying to keep in mind. Perhaps I'll make one or both of the side panels hinged a la Doom 3.

And finally, the #1 thing that's holding me back is that I want to finish up my other mods, Frankenstripe (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7283) in particular, since the paintjob that THAT beast is going to get will be done in somewhat of the same style as the paintjob that THIS beast is going to be getting.

[jdbnsn]

That's so weird, just an hour ago I was thinking "what ever became of the John Deere Mod?" Spooky.

[Drum Thumper]

That's so weird, just an hour ago I was thinking "what ever became of the John Deere Mod?" Spooky.

If you want the honest truth, it's sitting in a rubbermaid 30 gallon tote in my bedroom closet. :p

[Snowman]

I know its a little late in the game to mention this but at a store i used to work at (Tractor Supply Co.) they have John Deere tinted green and yellow paint as well as classic and vintage vinyls for restoring the old logos and such on older tractors. And if you have the cash my uncle works for a John Deere dealer and I could help you in procuring true JD Green & Yellow since the color formula is company protected. Also the old four legged John Deere logo is much better than the new one in MHO.

[Drum Thumper]

Haha, talk about thread rez. This one's on hold until I say so. This is one of those mods where I'm going to accept nothing less than perfection.

Snowman, I'll keep this in mind. There's both a TSC and a John Deere dealership here in Great Falls, I didn't even think to look @ TSC for supplies. I mainly go there to buy Carhartts' clothing. Next time I'm there, I'll take a look around the whole store and see what I can find.

+rep for being helpful!

[Acey]

Wow, how do you actually juggle so many mods at the same time? Not only at being impressed by your mods but also the numbers that wouldve gotten me lost if I do it that way.

[Drum Thumper]

Wow, how do you actually juggle so many mods at the same time? Not only at being impressed by your mods but also the numbers that wouldve gotten me lost if I do it that way.

I have no idea how I'm able to juggle multiple mods. What ends up happening is that I get inspired by something, which leads me down the road of scope creep or feature creep. And instead of letting whatever project I'm working on get bloated, I'll take those creep ideas and see if anything is feasible.

This one, however is on hold. I've got probably 5 or 6 pages of possible designs. As soon as I'm done with Frank and FCS, I'll turn my attention to this once again.