The Black Plague

[PiGMaN]

Hi everyone im new to this site and im in the middle of a case project so ive decided to share it with u all.
This is an old HP server i was givn bye a freind and so ive decided to give it a makeover.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/e4_1.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/01_1.jpg

1st i did..was strip it completly down and i cut away some of the side panel.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/3.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/2.jpg

after cutting away the side panel i gave it a coat of black paint.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/4.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/5.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/7.jpg

I then gave the bottom panel and the drive cage a coat of paint .
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/DriveCage.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/FloorPanel.jpg

then i rivettd the botton panel on.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/8.jpg

I found some old gas oven door handles at the local dump shop im gonna paint them black and make case feet from them.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/CaseFeet.jpg

here they are been fittd an then mounted on.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/9.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/10.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/11.jpg

Ive also found a 7" thermo fan from a car airconditoning unit.The motor is smaller than a usual thermo fan that mounts to a raidiator so itll be qieter.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010014.jpg

Here ive dismatled the fan and undercoated it.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010017.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010018.jpg

Now ive painted it..Chrome paint for the shroud & Purple blades.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010035.jpg

Next was to mount the drive cage in.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/drivecagemounted.jpg

Now to mount the fan inside.
1st usn aryldite i glued rubber mounts to the base.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010037.jpg

I bolted onto the bottom of the drive cage.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/fantopmounted2.jpg

and with the rubber mounts it fitted nice an firm,and after a test run it didnt vibrate.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/fanbottommounted.jpg

This is what it looks like so far.Im gonna strt workn on the front bezel now so in a day or so ill more updates.Let me know what u guys think.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/15.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/14-1.jpg

[squilliam]

the title is already alluring... can't wait to see what comes of this!

[Bucko]

+rep just for the oven handles! Looks like an interesting project.

[luciusad2004]

Great work. Love the fan and the handles. +rep for creative use of materials.

[PiGMaN]

This is the front bezel its in 2 pieces the top swings out and the bottom swings down.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/FrontBezel.jpg

!st im gonna start on the top bezel im going to mold in this small skull i picked up at some wierd gothic shop.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/1-1.jpg

I put a piece of black perspex behind the bezel the skull with sit like this some how.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/2-1.jpg

I cut a thin slice off the back of the skull so it will sit flat with the perspex and using liqiud-nails i glued it all in.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/3-1.jpg

after gradually applyn bondo about 5 layers so far this is what ive got.
Im going to try an get an effect where the skull will look like its tryn to come out of the top bezel.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/4-1.jpg

Some sanding back and applyn more bondo.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/5-1.jpg

More sanding and more spot bondo.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/6-1.jpg

Ive decided to give it a coat of under-coat,this will help me see any imperfections.
Im not completly happy with it but you can probly see what im tryn to achieve at this point.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010011.jpg

[Bucko]

Cool! Gotta love a skull with bondo! (now where have I seen that before? Oh, that's right in the link in my sig!)

[Zephik]

I love that skull! It looks like something you would see in a desert or something like that. Very cool!

[progbuddy]

You're a natural at modding. I have to look around for some of those parts. I especially like the fan and the skull. +rep

BTW, the skull looked better before you sanded the bondo from around it. If you're trying to make it look natural, use organic shapes (not perfect circles, curves, or geometric figures).


Quote:
"some wierd gothic shop"

LMAO

[.Maleficus.]

This is really sweet! Welcome to the boards, and keep up the good work!

[luciusad2004]

This just keeps getting better. Great work. Keep it up!

[rendermandan]

That skull looks pretty damn cool! +reps for your work. I have a question though. How do you keep the bondo from cracking when its that thick?

[Bucko]

I had nice thick bondo on my mod and no problems at all. I've also done a lot thicker on cars with no problems.

[PiGMaN]

Render....to prevent cracking or shrinking u hafta use it in small amounts an let it dry before adding more.
Add a thin layer wait a few hours then add another thin layer wait a few hour..ect ect etc till u get the hieght u want then sand it down and start spot bondo .

[NocturnaL]

Man im likn this mod. Usually i think modding skulls onto computers looks kinda stupid, but yours turned out nice man i actually like it. +rep

[PiGMaN]

I picked 2 Titan HDD coolers today.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/titan_hd12_b.jpg
Im going to make a front grill out of them on the bottom half of the bezel.

[simon275]

Nice work there mate. Good to see some Aussie modding talent. One question though that case doesn't look right for an ATX mobo or do I need my eyes checked?

[PiGMaN]

Simon...the case is fine for ATX boardes i put one in a everything lines up,Its just the PSU that isnt ATX....

Anyway moving onto the bottom half of the bezel.
I cut out the fans on the HDD coolers
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/HDDcooler2.jpg

And using aryldite i glued in some mesh and placed a perspex backing plate for extra support for the 2 piece grill ill be putting in.
( the backing plate will be removed later on when everything has set hard)
Then i started some bondo work arround the egdes.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/2-2.jpg

After some more bondo and a little sanding down i got the height i wanted.
Then i placed the HDD grill inplace with double sided tape and then aryldite.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/5-2.jpg

Then i added more bondo to the edges.
When this sets ill sand it down and undercoat it to see any more imperfections ill post a pic as soon as possible for u all to see.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/7-1.jpg

[Omega]

Premade intakes -- Why didn't I think of it?

Ah well, I like my lump of PVC and bondo.

[Cagedconnerman]

great job with hacking stuff up for parts bro! +rep

[PiGMaN]

Ok ive under-coated the botton half of bezel.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/Bottombezelprimed.jpg

This how they both look together.
Ive still got a few imperfections to fix and i think ill fill in the hole that the start botton goes too.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/wholefrontbezelprimed.jpg

[Spawn-Inc]

wow great work did you make that skull or was it premade!?!?

+rep for a nice finish!

[Bucko]

I'm liking this more and more! Those HDD coolers work well. I have one of those floating around in a parts box. I bought it from Dick Smith Electronics a while ago.



wow great work did you make that skull or was it premade!?!?


It was pre-made. Have a look at page 1 of this work log...

[PiGMaN]

I got the HDD coolers from gamedude thrr only $7 each.
after fixing a few minor imperfections i went ahead with the paint work,
1st removed the backing plate on the bottom bezel and painted behind them both a coat of matt black.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/12-1.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/paintedback.jpg

Then i gave the front a coat of paint..
The name of the color is called Metal-Flake charcole
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/paintedfitted.jpg
And now the top half.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010043.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010001.jpg
Im going to give them a few more coats of paint and then a coat of clear.
Then ill fit some red LED's into the eye sockets for a more sinister look.

[Drum Thumper]

That's wicked lookin! +rep and a /subscribe as well!

[GT40_GearHead]

i love what you did with the skull !

it looks like its been pushed from behind the plastic, really nice

subscribed and +rep'd !

[azminisk8r]

dude this is sweet, i gotta try this sometime
+rep

[progbuddy]

The color is great. Also, the HDD cooler on the front looks awesome. Just grab some lighting kits (cold cathodes, LEDs, etc.).

[Zephik]

Dang it man! Thats cool!

[Drew]

Massive fan - Check

So massive it sticks outta the sides - Check

Skull - Check

Premade fan holes - Inspired

Thread - Subscribed

Pigman - +repped

[PiGMaN]

Thnx guys i appreciate the possitive feed back.
Ill keep the posts rolling in as i get more done....

[PiGMaN]

Small update guys i wired up a molex connector to the fan.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/fanwireing.jpg

Started experimenting with some cathode lights.
I placed a green one behind the bottom bezel Looks raidioative i think.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/P1010008.jpg

[PiGMaN]

Hows this look for red lights in the eye sockets.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/bezelwitheyelights.jpg

And ive started cutting out a facia panel to tidy up whats behind the top bezel door....im not going to use this cd rom it just for demonstation purposes,Also ill be putting the start botton here and probly a usb card reader.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/faceplate.jpg

[progbuddy]

Great pics. I would +rep if I didn't already :p. Also, what's up with the extra image tags?

[Commando]

Holy cow,

That's awesome. Welcome and keep up the great work. Definite +Rep

[Omega]

Looks good, but I wonder...

Why do people associate green with radioactivity? You can't actually see radioactivity, and the only real colors emitted from a nuclear explosion are red, orange, yellow, and bright.

[PiGMaN]

LOL yeah too true Omega..We think that cuz of hollywood movies remember the dude who gets caought in a raidioactive blast and he becomes a big green monster when someone pisses him off..THE HULK.

[Omega]

LOL yeah too true Omega..We think that cuz of hollywood movies remember the dude who gets caought in a raidioactive blast and he becomes a big green monster when someone pisses him off..THE HULK.

Oh, right. Hollywood. Yeah, whatever. I hardly ever watch movies or read comic books (or most books for that reason).

I am, however, quite fond of Magazines and Wikipedia.

Plus the dictionary. One of my favorite books of all time.

[PiGMaN]

The dictionary.....?
I never got to finsh that book, didnt the butler do it in the end..

[PiGMaN]

Heres some more updates on the facia panel.
Ive put in a start botton and a USB card reader.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/faciapanel2.jpg
All it needs now is a decent DVD rom.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/faciapanel1.jpg

[luciusad2004]

looking good man. If you don't want to buy a dvd drive there is always other options. You could paint your faceplate or even better you could stealth your drive. Unless you want a new one... i mean its your computer. I was just throwing the other options out there.

Great work keep it up. :) I'm eagerly following this thread.

[Bucko]

Where abouts did you get the guages from? I've been looking around but haven't seen anywhere to get them in Oz.
By the way, where abouts do you hail from in our great Country?

[PiGMaN]

Bucko...i got the gauges from gamedude $20.
its actually a whole unit called a coolermaster muskateer thrrs 2 models a black or silver one game dude has just the silver one..
http://www.shopbot.com.au/p-7590-696514.html

Oh yeah im in brisvagas.

[Drew]

Looking cool.

The LED eyes are well spooky.

BTW, I've got that same combo drive. but it's broke :( only reads DVDs.

[progbuddy]

Shine up the inside a little :)

[PiGMaN]

I need a place to put all my HDD's as the fan has takn up the place where there used to be a HDD caddy so i went about building a cage .
1st i got 4 drive rails from an old server.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/Driverails.jpg
I then bolted them onto a piece of perspex and painted them black,
This is what they look like with all my HDD's mounted in.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/HDDframe.jpg
I placed a dead motherboartd in to make sure there was plenty of room.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/HDDframe2.jpg
I put as far to the left as i could to keep air-flow to the motherboard.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/HDDframe3.jpg
I then made a side bracket from perspex to tidy it up a bit.
And i bolted a 80mm fan infront to direct more airflow between the HDD's.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/coverplateforHDD.jpg

[Bucko]

I like the HDD rack!

It's given me a few ideas for my Ratputer.

+rep.

[sirkillalot617]

Dude that fan is insane I Like this project alot.:eek:

[Drum Thumper]

Lookin smooth. Are you going to put heatsinks on the hard drives as well?

[Drew]

That's great.

BTW, I don't think that airflow is gonna be a problem with that fan....

+rep again, 'cos I love that mahoooooosive fan!

[NocturnaL]

Damn man. That skull front looks sick as hell, great bondo work. What types do you use?

[M!ST!CX]

its look very nice,keep on;)

[PiGMaN]

Nocturnal...the bondo is just regular automotive bondo .but once i got the shape i wanted i undercoated to look for any imperfections when i fixed any air-holes.
Then i went over the whole area with a thin layer of fibre-glass resin to add extra strength .
When the resin set i undercoated an when ahead with the paint work....
I hope this helps.

[PiGMaN]

Ok ive started doing the wireing as i go along it would be easier i figure.
1st ive made a wireing loom for the HDD, I found some right agled molex connectors an soldered up a loom an sleeved them with regular automotive wireing sleeving.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/HDDwires.jpg

I also decided i didnt like the purple blades on the thermo fan so i ended up paintn them black.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/paintfan.jpg

[PiGMaN]

Ok today i decided to install a rear exhaust fan.
1st i made a backing plate from perspex.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/Fanplate.jpg

And after i cleaned the edges up i mounted it into place and bolted a 92mm green uv thermaltake fan in place.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/Mountfan.jpg

And also today while roaming threw the local auto wreckers i found a 5'' sports air-cleaner and decided to turn it into the rear fan grill.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/fangrill2.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/fangrill1.jpg
IM undecided about either painting it black or leaving it chrome what do u all think.

[Bucko]

I think leave it chrome. That way it matches the large fan at the front.

*Bucko slaps forehead and asks himself why he didn't think of that before!*

I think a couple of your ideas may end up on the Ratputer.

[PiGMaN]

Wait till u see what i do with the side's ,im gonna put bonnet scoops thrr so the fan can suck air threw the front and side and direct it threw to the rear.

[Bucko]

Pure madness!

I love it!

[SgtM]

Awesome work man! +rep

[sirkillalot617]

hey does that rear fan have like two sets of blades or am I just seeing thing.

[PiGMaN]

OK i finally got a chance to do some more to my case .
I decided to stealth my CD rom as biege just looks to crappy.
But like most stealth jobs ive seen i dont like the way people eject the drive so ive decided to connect an external momentary switch to eject to drive.
1st i removed the bottom tray from the CD rom and found were the eject button points were.There easy to find just look below the eject button and youll see written on the circut board ( EJECT) thrrs are 4 points the 2 in front are the ones to solder your wires too.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/solderingthewires.jpg

After that i also drilled a hole in the bottom tray to run the wires threw.
This is also the momentary switch ill use.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/threadingthrwires.jpg

I also carefully cut a piece of perspex with an old drive cover as a stencil and then using double sided tape i fixed it all together.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/stealthedcd.jpg
ON the next pic u cant see it but were my thumb is thats were i put the switch to eject the drive.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u35/PiGMaN69/stealthedcd2.jpg

[Drum Thumper]

This thing is getting sicker looking by the day! Damn man, it's INSPIRING!

I'll +rep ya when I get the chance, since I gotta spread some around.

[progbuddy]

Great CD drive mod. I wish I had the time to do that :).

[azminisk8r]

yeah i did that once with the cd drive, then i sold my comp so the plate doesnt exactly stealth it

[Drum Thumper]

Is it just me or does it seem like the USB Card reader is upside down?

[PiGMaN]

yeah it is thumper...lol i didnt relize ill hafta put my contacts back on...thnx dude.
+rep for a keen observation.

[chaksq]

I love that CDrom re-route. It inspires me. Now I just have to figure out how I want to incorporate it into my cases. +rep for inspiration