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dayGlowe
06-15-2005, 02:43 PM
This is my pride and joy: the Black Widow. It started off as some case (can't remember what it was) and went from there. I
really liked the Black Widow bike made by OCC (Discovery Channel's American Chopper) and I wanted a computer like it. So I made it.

The webbing is made from anodized aluminum rods all cut and handbent to shape. Alot of hours went into that. Once the pieces
were all made I put everything together with epoxy. I would have preferred welding it but the 4mm rod is too thin for the
weld to actually penetrate. And the anodizing doesn't help things either. The webs are mounted to the side panels using three
motherboard stand-offs to make the webs float from the case 3 / 4 inch.

The paint was done with a deep red mix from Rona with metallic red Dupli-Color spray paint over it to create the blood red
I wanted. The pin-stripe across the front was wrapped up the sides and over the side panel to create a single line. I did this
to create more organic curves on the mod and to act as a counter-balance to the downward lines of the webs.

The side window was cut in a two step process. After laying out my window size with masking tape I marked the four corners
of the window and used a 2.5" hole saw to create the nice rounded corners. The idea was to create more counter-balance to the
webbing. I then proceeded to use the Dremel with the cutting blade in a free hand motion along each side. I used shallow cuts
to create the edges and to properly line it up with the holes I already cut. (Tip: always mark and cut from the inside of
the panel. This way if you gouge or score you panel wrong you don't have to try and hide it with paint. Just smooth the
burrs down afterwards) This window is attached using an invisible mounting method. Alot of modders like to use two-sided
tape to hold their windows in but thats not hardcore enough for me. I took several nuts and epoxed them around the edge of the
window on the inside. I marked the spots and carefully drilled into the plexiglass (leave the protective wrapping on the
glass when doing this or you'll end up with scratches all over it). Once the holes were drilled and everything was finished
I just slipped the glass over the nuts and the window was attached firmly and invisibly.

As usual it got my watercut logo on the front.

This project took me nearly four months to complete including paint.

This is the only time I've ever used a manufacturer's sticker on a mod and the only reason I did this was to make it
clear it was a 64-bit processor for a trade show I was going to.

The system specs are:

Athlon 64 2800+ (1.8 GHZ) Processor
MSI VIA K8T800 s754 motherboard
512 MB PC-3200 DDR400 SDRAM
250 GB S-ATA Western Digital 7200 RPM HDD
Radeon 9600XT 128 MB Video w/ TV-Out
LG GSA-4081B DVD+RW
Enermax 400W Power Supply
Windows XP Professional

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/front_bottom_corner.jpg
The Black Widow in all its glory.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/opposite_web.jpg
The opposite side. You can see that both sides have the webbing panels.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/interior_web_side.jpg
A close-up of the webbing. You can how I trim and smoothed the epoxy to make it (hopefully) blend together like one piece.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/top_hourglass.jpg
A close-up of the Black Widow trademark: the hourglass. I layed this out with paint mask after creating the shape in
Corel Draw and using a sign program I have to print it on my plotter. The plotter cuts very thinly into the paint mask
material to allow you remove the excess while leaving your design to transfer it to your target.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/top_longshot.jpg
A full shot of the top panel with my signature watercut logo. This is put on every single computer that gets built in
my shop.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/keyboard_angle_long.jpg
Even the keyboard got modded. If you're ever going to mod a keyboard be sure to have either a spare keyboard or
make sure you know where every key goes before doing this or you "K" key might produce "?" The webbing on the wristrest was
all painted by hand.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/keyboard_letters_closeup.jpg
A close-up of the lettering on the keyboard identifying the mod. These letters were hand painted with a 3mm brush.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/mouse_top.jpg
The mouse also got modded. Well, if you're gonna mod the kb you gotta mod the mouse. All of the design work on the mouse
was handpainted.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/rear_closeup.jpg
A shot of the rear. You can really see the colour of the chasis and just how dark that red really is. I really like using
thumbscrews and use them on every single computer (mod or otherwise) that I build.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/red_light_black.jpg
Lastly, an interior shot of the case all light up. Thats only one cold cathode illuminating the interior. The original case
side panel had the line of squared perforations on the side and I wanted to keep that so I made an effort not to cut it off
or through it when I was making the window.

MisterChief
06-15-2005, 05:33 PM
:eek: All I can say is "Shazam!" :D

Tech-Daddy
06-15-2005, 06:25 PM
Very nice! Excellent theme and execution!
Good job and every reason in the world to be proud!

Zeus
06-15-2005, 08:43 PM
That is a VERY nice looking rig. I hope I can someday turn something out like that

Rachel
06-17-2005, 12:09 AM
I really like it. You did an awesome job. I like how professional it looks.

UK-Blade
06-18-2005, 07:57 AM
Top Banana!!!! :D

So nice to see a mod with some really innovative features....

Keep up the good work.

dayGlowe
06-24-2005, 11:10 AM
I appreciate all the positive comments, everybody.

I love modding computers and have a couple underway that I hope will also be as cool as this one. This was a lot of work to build but definitely worth it and taught me alot. My modding skills are still pretty amateur but doing something as difficult as this one taught me alot and has spurred me on to not let me inabilities stop me from trying new things.

Thanx.

public_eyesore
06-24-2005, 04:37 PM
:eek: All I can say is "Shazam!" :D
ditto

Xbrid
06-24-2005, 11:04 PM
that is one cool case! :D why no exhaust fans?

dayGlowe
06-25-2005, 11:01 AM
Why no exhaust fans? Honestly, I forgot. :D

I had been working on that mod for over four months in anticipation of a local trade show I was going to and rushing to finish it and three others before the show and it got overlooked.

Xbrid
06-26-2005, 01:43 AM
ok. still an awesome mod.

temmink
06-26-2005, 03:07 AM
Very nice work, I love the case. Only thing I would change is the mouse, you could kind of texturise the main part you have painted now, similar to the fossil mod tutorial except with some wire bent into a web pattern or something and that would perfect the entire package :).

Does anyone else keep reading 'Black Window' when you see this on the New Posts screen or is it just me?

Once again, nice work, I look forward to seeing the other cases you mentioned as well!! If you put as much effort in as with this one they will turn out great!

Cymae
06-26-2005, 10:20 PM
Does anyone else keep reading 'Black Window' when you see this on the New Posts screen or is it just me?


I didn't.... but i do now...lol

inspiredbyasphalt
06-27-2005, 01:41 AM
hehe, yeah when i first read it i was looking for the 'black window' trying to figure out exactly what was ment by it... lol

Cymae
06-27-2005, 02:06 AM
woot! more aussies!

inspiredbyasphalt
06-27-2005, 02:09 AM
aussie, aussie, aussie...

Xato
06-27-2005, 02:27 AM
This forums being overrun by aussies i swear... we should have an aussie modder gathering! lol

Xbrid
06-27-2005, 04:43 AM
we have hijacked the thread. LOL :D

Go Australia!

Xbrid
06-27-2005, 04:46 AM
This forums being overrun by aussies i swear...
i think it's cause we aren't afraid to post random posts( like this one) just to get our postcount up :D :D :D

temmink
06-27-2005, 04:49 AM
i think it's cause we aren't afraid to post random posts( like this one) just to get our postcount up :D :D :D

Spoon!

Xbrid
06-27-2005, 05:18 AM
Cheese!!!!



Lol :D :D :D :D :D

inspiredbyasphalt
06-27-2005, 05:21 AM
snap

Xbrid
06-27-2005, 05:24 AM
CRACKLE and POP

Xato
06-27-2005, 07:48 AM
Ok, enough of that. Dont want to give us aussies a bad rep for being spammers.

Xbrid
06-27-2005, 07:56 AM
yes mother. :( *hangs head and looks at floor*



lol just joking :D

Xbrid
06-27-2005, 07:59 AM
"But he started it..." *accusingly points finger*



:D

Xato
06-28-2005, 03:07 AM
I start it, so i end it... biotch!

Xbrid
06-28-2005, 04:59 AM
Actually, i was pointing at Temmink

temmink
06-28-2005, 07:21 AM
Hey look, the topic!! It's getting away! Quick catch it! *running* Must *running more* get on *panting* TOP...IC!!!! *collapses*.
So close, can't say I didn't try

MrSlacker
06-28-2005, 09:12 AM
u guys are sure are weirdos. *runs away from Aussie mafia*

Xbrid
06-28-2005, 10:47 AM
Hey look, the topic!! It's getting away! Quick catch it! *running* Must *running more* get on *panting* TOP...IC!!!! *collapses*.
So close, can't say I didn't try
lol

Xbrid
06-28-2005, 10:47 AM
u guys are sure are weirdos. *runs away from Aussie mafia*
It's a little thing called humor, something you lack

Xato
06-28-2005, 10:27 PM
Dont worry MrsLacker... its only coz your not part of the family...

Zeus
06-28-2005, 10:41 PM
thank god for that LOL :p

Xato
06-28-2005, 10:44 PM
I just hope he doesn't marry his way in... :D

Xbrid
06-29-2005, 01:31 AM
lol

SgtM
07-09-2005, 10:49 PM
Can't see the pics. Anyone else able to host them?

MrSlacker
07-09-2005, 11:01 PM
lol i forgot about this thread. dont make me call the russian mafia. we are gonna AK-47 your asses

Xbrid
07-10-2005, 02:15 AM
u would get sizzled before u could get into the country by the aussie Leopard tanks. the laser aimer on those can cook a chicken from 10 feet. true fact. :D

MrSlacker
07-10-2005, 11:56 AM
we have our people there already, so dont worry about getting in the country

Xbrid
07-11-2005, 01:24 AM
you'll never catch me alive!!!*flies off in helicopter* *insert villian laugh here*


i go back to boarding school tonight:( so don't expect as much activity from me

SgtM
07-11-2005, 10:52 PM
ok, it's nice that you guys are bickering and all, but does anyone else have the pics of this mod?

Xbrid
07-12-2005, 07:08 AM
ok, it's nice that you guys are bickering and all, but does anyone else have the pics of this mod?
i know this might sound a little crazy, but did u look at the first page? :eek: OMG. there are pictures there :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

MrSlacker
07-12-2005, 08:05 AM
i know this might sound a little crazy, but did u look at the first page? :eek: OMG. there are pictures there :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!

Malatory
07-12-2005, 11:17 AM
ok, it's nice that you guys are bickering and all, but does anyone else have the pics of this mod?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/dayglowe/blackwidow/front_bottom_corner.jpg

try accessint it directly. If that doesnt work let me know. If anything we can contact the owner and see if he wants me to re-host them on one of my sites.

SgtM
07-12-2005, 08:34 PM
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!
well, the last 2 times I was here, the bandwidth was exceeded. They're back now. Excellent mod!

dayGlowe
07-13-2005, 09:13 AM
Sorry about the pictures. The bandwidth was exceeded on Saturday (the 9th) and was going to reset on the 12th so I didn't get around to moving them.

But they're back now so all is well in the world again.