My First Mod - CD Drive

[ishamael56]

This is my first ever proper mod, and i decide to put a window in my dvd drive. Any suggestions anyone has would be most welcome.

Here of some pictures of my case (A-Top xblade) before I begin
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8566/dscn7776if7.jpg http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5623/dscn7775ri1.jpg

And here with UV (please forgive the blurry photos, my hands aren't steady enough).
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5056/dscn7777ad6.jpg
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5121/dscn7779yh7.jpg

Here is the drive opened.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2909/dscn7786pj4.jpg

Here is the dvd drive with my cuts planned, I need to leave the center circle intact. The circle will be held by the metal outlined with black.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/852/dscn7785kr2.jpg

I rethought my cuts and switched to 3 supports to take advantage of the dips in the metal which may be harder to cut.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7946/dscn7787pn4.jpg

I would like to mount the drive vertically, and cut a new slot in the top of my case. the drive fits in, but covers all other 5.25 inch bays, which is ok because i have nothing else to put in them. With the door closed, part of the disk will be seen, and with it open the whole disk will be seen.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2702/dscn7784uf8.jpg
This shows where the "front" of the drive will be
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7761/dscn7783copykw9.jpg

Next I need to cut, file, paint, install clear window (I don't know what material yet) and cut the hole in the top of my case. I'm wondering if there's a way to cut that hole while still leaving my computer assembled (maybe use duct tape as a shield to catch all particles from dremel)? If not, I may mount this normally again until I upgrade my pc and really change my case.

Any thoughts so far?

[SgtM]

Lookin good. Welcome to TBCS. As far as the window, I've seen people use old CD jewel cases for it. I would take the case completely apart for cutting. You don't want to take any chances of stray pieces landing on something and shorting it out the next time you turn it on. +rep

[Spawn-Inc]

yes i would have to agree with sgtm tak it all out, then cut. or else i would completely cover everything with a plastic bag with 2 layers and have a vacuum as i cut the case.

[Bucko]

yes i would have to agree with sgtm tak it all out, then cut. or else i would completely cover everything with a plastic bag with 2 layers and have a vacuum as i cut the case.

The plastic bag sounds like a bad idea too. Combined with the vacuum cleaner you are guaranteed to produce static which is just as likely to kill your components.

The safest and really the only way is to strip down the machine. Take it from someone who has cut up a couple of cases now, that metal filing **** goes everywhere. Don't risk it.

[ishamael56]

Ok then, I'll wait to cut my case until I upgrade about one month from now. Tonight I'll finish cutting the drive.

[dfigravity]

I read somewhere that using DVD/CD drives vertically was a bad idea unless they were designed for that...not sure how much truth there is to that though....good luck with the mod though, this is something I've been wanting to try for awhile.

[ishamael56]

Hmmm... i need to research that vertical drive issue before i do it then

[progbuddy]

Hmmm... i need to research that vertical drive issue before i do it then

It would work, just DO NOT accidentally tip it or bump it while a CD is in. It will get caught in the CD-Drive's drive assembly.

[ishamael56]

Thank you for that info, I'm glad vertical will work. here is an update with my rough cuts done. I will finish cutting when my dremel is charged (6+ hours). I experienced an odd problem right after I took this picture, in that cds would read fine, but dvds wouldn't read at all. My oblivion DVD even made bad grinding sounds when I put it in. However, after blowing off the laser lens with canned air, it worked again. Must have been some dust or something on the lens i would guess. I thought my drive was shot though for a few minutes though.

Well, here it is. I was amazed that my camera was able to capture the cd without any blur when it was spinning so fast.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/8550/dscn7790kt6.jpg

[progbuddy]

Thank you for that info, I'm glad vertical will work. here is an update with my rough cuts done. I will finish cutting when my dremel is charged (6+ hours). I experienced an odd problem right after I took this picture, in that cds would read fine, but dvds wouldn't read at all. My oblivion DVD even made bad grinding sounds when I put it in. However, after blowing off the laser lens with canned air, it worked again. Must have been some dust or something on the lens i would guess. I thought my drive was shot though for a few minutes though.

Well, here it is. I was amazed that my camera was able to capture the cd without any blur when it was spinning so fast.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/8550/dscn7790kt6.jpg

Just sand it down and make it look pretty :p Add some plexiglass to prevent dust and debris from getting inside. Maybe paint it a little too.


Also, cameras can take pictures quick. I know my camera can hit higher than 2000 ISO speed (yours will get up there too :)).

[ishamael56]

I used the grinding stone on my dremel and then sand paper. I think it turned out pretty well. Now I just need to finish the panting and install the plastic. I'm using the top of a cd jewel case, which seems to be working pretty well. Here is a picture with undercoat on.
http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/792/dscn7800iw0.jpg

I have some Gorilla glue laying around here, would it be good for attaching the plastic?

[progbuddy]

I used the grinding stone on my dremel and then sand paper. I think it turned out pretty well. Now I just need to finish the panting and install the plastic. I'm using the top of a cd jewel case, which seems to be working pretty well. Here is a picture with undercoat on.
http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/792/dscn7800iw0.jpg

I have some Gorilla glue laying around here, would it be good for attaching the plastic?

It will work, but just make sure you have some clamps handy. Gorilla glue takes a couple of hours to settle. But once it's done, it's not going anywhere.

[cvcaelen]

The verticaly placed CD will work fine,
it does so in my project:

http://images.fotopic.net/yn37r0.jpg

offtopic: being a newbe, what does "+rep" mean?

Christiaan

[.Maleficus.]

It's just a way of letting a user know they have received a rep point from them. Rep points are the little green boxes everyone has. The more rep you get, the more boxes you get. It is a way of showing which users are helpful and trustworthy, and which ones aren't. You can give rep by clicking the black scale at the bottom of every post. Approve means you are giving positive rep, for a good mod, helpful info., etc. Negative rep is for a bad post, such as something you take offensive, etc.

[cvcaelen]

It's just a way of letting a user know they have received a rep point from them. Rep points are the little green boxes everyone has. The more rep you get, the more boxes you get. It is a way of showing which users are helpful and trustworthy, and which ones aren't. You can give rep by clicking the black scale at the bottom of every post. Approve means you are giving positive rep, for a good mod, helpful info., etc. Negative rep is for a bad post, such as something you take offensive, etc.

Thanks a million for the explanation :D

[Bucko]

Have a read of this thread on the Rep System (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7313)

Back on topic, the holes for the window look pretty good.

[mellojoe]

I'm diggin' the vertical mount idea. This way when you play a DVD, you can see it spin from the front of the case. Awesome.

Maybe while you've got it open, find a way to mount an LED? That would be the "over-the-top" mod that would be crazy cool.

[ishamael56]

Thanks for all the input guys. I had to redo my paint job but I'll get some pictures up as soon as its done.

[si-skyline]

hehe this mod is cool. iv seen some cd-rom mods in the past but then they get coverd up by something else within the case what makes there effort pointless. I really like the idea of displaying it front and center.

but with all that said and done, if your like me there will come a time when you forget that its open like that and somehow manage to snap it off.

maybe some of those razor spot light leds will light up the mood perfectly shining it were the cd will go when it is open. could even rig it in such a way that the lights come on when the tray is in the open position.

great mod and best of luck with it, cant wait to see the finished product :D :up:

si-skyline

[progbuddy]

I really like this mod :). Good job, keep up the good work.

[ishamael56]

Here is the dvd drive finally.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7861/dscn7808zu1.jpg
I'm going to wait for the rest of my mod until I get my armor. I'll start a new work log then. I have tons of ideas that I need to form into a plan, so it will probably be a few weeks. Thanks for all your support!

[si-skyline]

sweet, are those paint mess ups or metal worps on the back end?

I love the armor case. iv got one for the rig and to be honnest it was sorta worth the money and the case is great :)

cant wait for the worklog to start be following it all the way.

good luck and all the best

si-skyline

[ishamael56]

those are bends in the metal from my jigsaw. I tried to bend it back, but could only partially correct the warps.

[si-skyline]

oh i see.. well over all that has been a great mod, iv had that same sorta thing happen to me when iv been modding the psu. the best way iv found is to support it with some wood or something you dont need..

do you have a planed date or target when your start the work log? im really interested in what your going to do with it :D i havent done much with my case other then give it wheels :)

best of luck,
si-skyline

[ishamael56]

Yes, i ordered my armor today, so as soon as it gets here i can hopefully start work.

[Nagoshi]

You could mod the dvd drive activity light, replace it with a more bright one, and make it "flash" on the CD?

pOh and if a CD ever get stuck in the mechanism, don't manic, close the computer, unplug the cd drive, and shake it in a way that you think will free the stuck CD. From experience, it works, and there's no danger of breaking the CD, unless the CD is already cracked and you shake it hard enough, but even then... lol :P

[calumc]

i've got that done, with the LED swapped for a blue 1 shining on the cd.
It looks great! but i think if i was doing it again id use a 3mm LED on either side of the cd rather than 1 5mm one. The LED tends to only shine in 1 place