First Mod, Resistance

[Cookies N' Milk]

Project "Resistance"

This is my first real mod. Everything up to now has been simple stuff like painting my cases.

I came up with the idea for a Star Trek themed case about the end of December last year. I had a few concept drawings and what not but did not have the time or a big enough case for what I wanted to do. My case at the time was a little Lian-Li PC-6070. Just a touch small for doing a big mod ;). I bought a new SilverStone TJ09 case back in the middle of June. I was happy with it, looked great, lots of room, but the plain black case was boring me. It needed some color to it. Time for a paint job! I started playing with some colors and themes. I took a quick look at some of my drawings and ideas. A Borg themed case was right at the top of the pile. I had the time to do a large scale mod now, and I really liked the looks of this, plus I am a Star Trek fan so I decided to do it :). I did a few more drawings, figured out paint colors and what supplies I would need.

On day one of the project I went down to Home Depot, got a few things I needed for some of the more unique aspects of the mod, went home, and pulled out the tools.

Picture time ^^

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/1181/001bj1.jpg
Simple idea for doing those plugs in the borg ships. BX cable and a rubber plug. Worked very well.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5527/002xs2.jpg
I am going to have LEDs running inside the BX cables and I want it to show through holes. Took out the Dremel and went to work. It was rather tricky to do because if you make the cuts too big the cable will just break. Good thing I have lots of it ;).

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5158/003nc1.jpg
I took the whole case apart for painting. Nice thing is that there are hardly any rivets, and the few that are in the case do not need to be drilled out to take it apart. Made life way easier since all I needed was a screwdriver.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/9978/004wq4.jpg
Took awhile to get the paint the way I wanted it. I am pretty happy with it right now. There is still a bunch of painting that needs to be done after I get the entire case built. Going to pull out the airbrush and do some detailed work.

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/1416/005sh2.jpg
I painted the inside of the case a steel grey.

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4766/006ki2.jpg
Wasn't sure how well the BX cable would take the paint. Turns out it works just fine.

That was the end of day one for me. Painting it took awhile, but turned out great. Day two, the fun begins... Had to put the thing back together.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8979/007mi0.jpg
Started the day with a Coke and some etching. Every case needs a name, and now this case has one ^^.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3773/008qa2.jpg
Trying out some LEDs in the BX cable. Two problems with it. First, feeding 5mm LEDs into BX cable and getting them to stay where you want them is a bugger to do. Second, it didn't turn out too well. I only had two super bright LEDs left and well they didn't show up very well with in the cable, and I forgot a resistor. When they got hooked up to the 12volt the kinda got fried... The only LEDs I have left are some crappy dim ones I use for hard drive and power lights. I pulled some EL wire out of another case and gave that a try. It seemed to work, so I ordered some green EL wire for the cables.

Anyone who was seen an episode of Star Trek that has the Borg in it knows their ships have a rather unique design. Big flying boxes. They almost look like they have holes all over the ship with the layered metal hull. I wanted to recreate that look on this case. I ran down to the model store to find a Borg Cube plastic model. Sad thing is, for what ever reason the company that owns the rights to Star Trek models doesn't seem to be doing a very good job at making a large variety of Star Trek ships. I looked in three different stores for the cube without any luck. When I asked at the front desk to see if I could order one in, I was pretty much told good luck finding one. On a good note, I did not come back empty handed. One of the stores I went to had some VERY interesting things. Mainly 12Volt motors. If I can figure out how, I might just add a motorized side panel door to this build :). I am taking ideas on how to go about doing this as I have never worked with electric motors before.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8430/009wq4.jpg
Ok so no Borg cube model. But I still wanted to recreate the layered panels... I pulled out some wood shims that we use for leveling cabinets and doors. I cut a few up and gave it a shot. It appears I have just found my panels! I will screw plexi glass to the outside of the case where ever I want the layered panels, and then epoxy the wood to the plexiglass. I would have just screwed a base layer of shims to the case without the plexiglass, but the shims are so thin that they like to split when screwed, drilled, cut, even touched ;).

So after messing around with the wood shims I remembered what my main goal of the day was... Build the damned case, not all this little stuff.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5876/img3486xj1.jpg
All the little screws that I had so neatly sorted had some how dumped all over the floor. Took far too long to figure out what screw went where. But after a bit of work I had it built by the end of day two.

I went back to my room to fiddle around and think of a few new ideas for the case. Looking around the room I found a perfectly good powersupply that worked just fine but it has been bugging me for ages. The moelx plugs on it like to fall out of stuff… So I grabbed a hammer and screwdriver and decided to ruin something instead of fix it for once :).

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9734/img3487rl7.jpg
And that is when I found these inside of it. Some how they look perfect for this case, now I just need a place to mount them.

Here are some pictures showing my plans for that BX cable.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7664/img3461mt6.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2121/img3458fu1.jpg
I have not drilled the holes for mounting the plugs at this point so packing tape had to do!

Ok so on day three I ordered the parts I needed. LEDs, cable sleeves, heat shrink wrap, molex plus and so on. I would have bought the LEDs and what not here, but the only place I could find super bright LEDs sold them at $5 a pop! Nearly shat myself over that because I have found them ten times cheaper online. I most likely would have bought them if I only needed one or two, but I need 20 or more, plus a few extras for later projects.

Did not get much done on the third day. Had cabinets to restore so my case went on hold for a few hours while I did that. I built a spiffy little case for my LEDs to hook up to. Wired it all up, had my resistors in there and all the rest of the goodies so that I don’t fry my LEDs again.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3138/img3476zo5.jpg
Only to tear it apart in anger because the stupid LED on the switch did not work. Have to take it back at some point.

I went to drill the holes for the BX cable mounts, but for whatever reason all five of the drills in the shop including the one I bought for myself were all taken to a job… So I was stuck. I sat on a pale of drywall mud and played around with my layered panels.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9618/img3492qq4.jpg
I cut out a pile more of those shims and painted them. I didn’t think they looked very well but at this point they would have to do. Without a drill I was kinda stuck still. Waiting on the electronics to get here and until then I am at a stand still.

I got all pissy at the fact that I was unable to continue on the case at the time I went down stairs to search the web for a Borg cube model. I found one model out of the many sites I went on. Made me extremely happy when I found it. It is made up of six 8”x8” panels and is exactly what I was looking for. So I pulled out the credit card thinking there is no way it could be more than $50 ( all the other Star Trek models at the hobby stores were in the $20-$50 range.) So I take a look at the price and I almost died. $125US plus shipping. I REALLY want to get it, but spending $125 on a model only to chop it into little pieces seems so wrong. Also the fact that I am way over budget on this mod had something to do with me deciding to wait a little bit to get it. I will be buying it at some point, just that it might be a week or it might be a month down the road. Anyone care to make a donation? ;)

Tomorrow I might drill the BX cable mounts, or I might hold off on doing that sort of stuff until the LEDs get here.

Anyways, that is the start of my mod. In case no one noticed, I have kept putting the drilling and cutting of the case off. I had just spent $340 on it and well, its like the model… feels so wrong to spend a decent amount of money on something only to chop it up LOL.

I am open to any ideas some of you might have. Like I said, I have yet to take a power tool to the case so there is still time to make a major change with relative ease.

[Drum Thumper]

Anyways, that is the start of my mod. In case no one noticed, I have kept putting the drilling and cutting of the case off. I had just spent $340 on it and well, its like the model… feels so wrong to spend a decent amount of money on something only to chop it up LOL.


I too, feel the same way about cases. I cannot justify (at the moment anyways) spending a rather sizable chunk of money on a case just so I can chop away on it.

I do like your theme for this mod, along with what you have accomplished so far.

+rep, and I'll be watching!

Thumper

[Elenril]

Nice work, looks like it's going to be an interesting case.

[UK-Blade]

Lookin good so far...:up:

I've been thinking of a Borg mod for a while now, so gonna be watching this with interest.
Good Luck. And keep up the good work.

Remeber

Resistance is Futile, you will be Modded!

Sorry, couldn't resist :D

[alphastryk]

looks good so far...

[The boy 4rm oz]

looks good, I like the cable idea.

[elbarto241]

this mod has some potential there. you might want to cruise through ebay from some of those star trek models at lower prices :D

[rendermandan]

This looks pretty cool.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Got the internal goodies for this mod. Specs are below:
Evga 680i SLI Mainboard
Two Evga 8800GTS 640MB graphic cards
Intel C2D E6600
OCZ Platinum DDR2 800MHz 2 gigs
Two Seagate 320GB hard drives
Enermax Liberty 620watt PSU
Windows XP/ Vista dual booted, XP on one hard drive, Vista on the other.
Coolit Eliminator cooling system from my last build.

I had to RMA the mainboard... It died on me when I was doing some overclocking. And the Coolit system needs to be RMAed too for the second time... I just got it back and already it is screwing up. Something is wrong with the control board on it :(

I didn't have time to do any work on the mod today but I am hoping to get something done on it tomorrow... Like maybe mount that BX cable ;)

[Cookies N' Milk]

I mounted the top BX cable today.
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4214/img3508yz6.jpg
Trying out the BX clips.
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/646/img3509xg5.jpg
Painting the BX clips and doing touch ups on the cable.

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/9553/img3519wi4.jpg
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/5614/img3521nj9.jpg
All that needs to be done are a few touch ups on the cable and clips. I will paint the screw heads at the same time just so that they don't stand out so much.

I will mount the side BX cables/plugs tomorrow and maybe if I have a chance I will get some more paint and do the touch ups.

Last night I came up with an idea for a back fan duct that I may do if I get the chance. I am going to do drawings for it and post it later.

[Cookies N' Milk]

A quick template for the back fan duct.

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/7370/img3522mp2.jpg
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/7927/img3524lr7.jpg

Hopefully I can get some sheet metal tomorrow and do the cutting for it.

All the LEDs and stuff should be here within the next week. I will have almost everything else done on the case by then except the model panels which I will be ordering very soon I hope.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Side panel cable is on now.
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8873/img3525qg6.jpg
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/8694/img3527uf0.jpg
http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/5421/img3529xa3.jpg

I'm cutting the back fan duct tomorrow.

[psychowit]

lookin good !!! (reminds me of thegreatsatans' matrix case...)

[Cookies N' Milk]

So I found a bundle of UV green cable sleeve and a thing of Green EL wire that is sound sensitive :o I guess I didn't need to order those parts in... Could have saved myself $30 but oh well.

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8352/img3542lu9.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9538/img3549fi3.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/33/img3551kp7.jpg

Once I get the other EL wire and LEDs I can finish up most of this mod. Here is my list of things to do.

Resleeve all cables
Make rear fan duct
Run the rest of the EL wire through a cable coming off the fan duct
Wire and position LEDs
Mount Borg cube panels when I get them
Do detailed painting


If I feel like it I will do a motorize side panel door. But I would have to do a lot of research to get that to work ;)

[Cookies N' Milk]

So last night while talking to a friend on MSN we came up with a great idea. A borg control panel made out of plexi, mounted to the front of the case. I would have a white CCFL behind, and one of the buttons would be the power switch.
Here is the control panel I am talking about:
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8100/panelur7.jpg
That would be mounted right here:
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6286/010cl2.jpg
I would have to round the plexiglass, and have parts of it blacked out.

[Cookies N' Milk]

:)
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/6210/img3587sq3.jpg
Border around the control panel... made out of cardboard.


Now what do I make it out of :?? I was thinking some sort of plastic but I dunno :dead: Anyone got any idea?

[Drum Thumper]

You could take your cardboard mockup and fiberglass it, or you could use a whole bunch of bondo.

This is coming together nicely, +rep!

[jdbnsn]

I have it on good authority that polystyrene is a good material for shaping, it would be ideal for making that border. I am going to order some out of the website Eclecticos listed in the modders supply thread in the chatterbox, it's actually reasonably priced.

[Cookies N' Milk]

I found a lot of this stuff in the shop. Have no idea what it is used for but nobody said they needed it so its mine :rolleyes:
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3613/img3589ny7.jpg
I'm going to give it a shot for that front part. This + Bondo should work. I hope :D

[SgtM]

I found a lot of this stuff in the shop. Have no idea what it is used for but nobody said they needed it so its mine :rolleyes:
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3613/img3589ny7.jpg
I'm going to give it a shot for that front part. This + Bondo should work. I hope :D

That'll work. Shape it, and bondo over it. This is looking really good. + rep.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Done shaping it. First time I have ever done this and it looks pretty good.
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/188/img3592sb6.jpg
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1172/img3593pt8.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8924/img3594yz9.jpg
I won't ever do this again in my room... damned stuff makes a mess. Anyways, I will bondo it later tonight.

Next question. How am I going to secure this to the case? Shoulda been thinking of that from the start lol. I think an epoxy of somesort would work but I am not sure.

[Cookies N' Milk]

I just thought of a great idea for the front panel. Rather than get all fancy with trying to recreate the Borg control panel buttons, I took these:
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7610/img3595at3.jpg
Cut them up... and poof! This is what I got:
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/9987/img3597lm6.jpg
That worked really really well and saves me a lot of time.

Old keyboards are so useful :)

[Drum Thumper]

Next question. How am I going to secure this to the case? Shoulda been thinking of that from the start lol. I think an epoxy of somesort would work but I am not sure.

A couple ways should work--super glue or hot glue, then bondo, and seal the edges up with the bondo.

Epoxy might work, if you have some of the scrap left, I would test it out on that first to make sure it's not going to eat it.

This is gonna be a killer mod once you're done with it. +rep as soon as I can.

[elbarto241]

wow, cookies n milk you read my mind. i was thinking of incorporating an old gutted keyboard with a window mod :D you beat me to it

nice shaping for your first time. looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future, keep it coming bro!

[Cookies N' Milk]

:D
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8387/img3607yl5.jpg
http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/3935/img3610kp9.jpg

Just gonna wait for the super bright LEDs before I mount that. I am going to have two of the dimmer LEDs always on in that and then two super brights will flash as hard drive indicators. Should be a neat effect. Other than that I will put a fancy LED bulgin switch on there for the power button, and paint it :D

[Bucko]

That is such a great idea with the keyboards! +rep.

I may even steal that idea for a mod later.

[Cookies N' Milk]

That is such a great idea with the keyboards! +rep.

I may even steal that idea for a mod later.

And to think I was going to throw those keyboards out! It turned out so well that I think I will be using this idea again xD

[chaksq]

And to think I was going to throw those keyboards out! It turned out so well that I think I will be using this idea again xD
I think this could catch on as a trend in case mods. I saw it and was wondering where I could do something like it. I might not though, if it becomes too popular then it will defeat the purpose of some of my builds.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Quick video of the Sound activated EL wire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rapssde1Ry8

[Cookies N' Milk]

I messed up and the plexi cracked while I was drilling a hole for the power switch. Any way I can fix that? Or do I need to the the plexi out of there, shape a new one and bondo it in?

[Spawn-Inc]

i'm not sure how well it would work, but you can try using plexi cement or weld on i think its called. it might fill in the crack and seal it. otherwise your going to have to replace it i think.

+rep for the overall look thusfar and that keaboard idea thing.. very nice!

[Cookies N' Milk]

i'm not sure how well it would work, but you can try using plexi cement or weld on i think its called. it might fill in the crack and seal it. otherwise your going to have to replace it i think.

+rep for the overall look thusfar and that keaboard idea thing.. very nice!

I will give that a try. I might just have to redo it.

I found a better light source for the panel, but it is too long.
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5189/img3611bi5.jpg

Scanner light anyone? It puts off a much nicer green than those LEDs. If I can't fix the plexi on the current one, I am going to redo it, but this time make it slightly taller. That way I could use the scanner light :devious: I also thought of adding notches in side the form so that I could have a BX cable coming out of it as well as a place to hold the HDD LEDs in place. Just one more reason to try again I guess :p

[Cookies N' Milk]

After taking a closer look at the crack in the plexi I don't know if it can be saved. It is almost all the way across :dead:

If I can't save it I will try making this instead:
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5163/img3612cm4.jpg
That would be a 1:1 scaled drawing :) 18cm wide, 25cm tall. I might not do the BX cable coming out of it but I got it in the drawing just to get an idea of what it would look like.

Anyways, tomorrow I will try and find something to fix the current plexiglasss with, and if I can't then I need to go buy more.

[Eclecticos]

From the looks of it . .you could cut the plexi in half and sink the ccfl down the middle,
. .and dremel the cover off the back side so it lights both sides of the plexi.

As for repairing the plexi. . you will see the cracks regardless of what you use to mend it together.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Well since I have nothing better to do I decided to pull out the model paints and do some of the more detailed work on the BX plugs.
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/6405/img3617ko0.jpg
It adds a nice little touch to the case. Kinda hard to see unless you look closely at it. If I don't like it when it is done I can always spray over it when I do the touch ups on the side panels.

Also one quick question. What do you guys think about sticking a piece of plexi between the side panel and the BX plug? The EL wire would make it look rather interesting I think.

Anyways time for bed. Gotta save the plexi tomorrow ;)

[Cookies N' Milk]

Small update...
It has been a few days since I have done any work on this. Got a few more things for the mod.
I got a bunch of UV green cable sleeve, some more EL wire (I love this stuff now), a rocker switch for the LED lights, and some black molex plugs. I got two more packages on their way, one of them should be here in the next day or two. That has my LED powerswitch, AC Ryan mesh and UV green plexi. The other package has a very expensive model, a Borg cube that is going to be cut up upon reaching me :twisted: I finally decided to just buy it after spending far too long looking for a cheaper one that would work.
Here is the page that has the model on it:
http://www.federationmodels.com/model_kits/warp_models/default.htm
It is the 6th one on the page. The detail on it is quite impressive and should look good on my mod :)

And today I got a new toy for this mod. The first fan controller I have ever bought :D
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7023/img3650tp9.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4619/img3651ze3.jpg
A Scythe Kama Meter that I picked up from the local computer store. Now all it needs is a paint job and cable sleeves ;)

My mesh and UV plexi should be here tomorrow or the day after. Once I get those I can break out the dremel again and get this mod close to done :)

[elbarto241]

damn thats a sexy fan controller. any worries it will not match the UVgreen acrylic or does the backlight change to green also?

+rep`ed

[Indybird]

elbarto241, the lighting does change: theres like 10 different colors. Wow, I've been wanting that fan controller for soooo long! I actually don't know why I haven't bought it yet... Can't wait to see it in the case!

-Indybird

[Cookies N' Milk]

The fan controller has 7 colors, plus one color that changes every second. AND it has three face plates :p The only thing I do not like about it is that the button to change the colors sucks. Half the time It won't change when you press the button. Other than that I love it.

[Drum Thumper]

This is coming along nicely, +rep. Keep it up man!

[dgrmkrp]

Well, gotta love this mod. You inspired me and I'll remember the keyboard idea, but with a twist I recommend: if it is a control panel you wanna build.. why not buy/use a good keyboard (preferably a usb one) and use it.. functional and all! Try to find a keyboard that is small enough not to take all of the front and make shortcuts for your stuff from it.. you could even mark them somehow. For instance, both my pcs don't need a power button unless an emergency occurs, because I set up a power on key in BIOS... this is just one use I see.. There are lots of nifty things you could do to add some more weirdness.. Like put a water reservoir in front, wrap the functional keyboard around it and have bubbles gently rising... Anyways, good luck and +rep for the keyboard (got me worked up :D )

[Cookies N' Milk]

Well, gotta love this mod. You inspired me and I'll remember the keyboard idea, but with a twist I recommend: if it is a control panel you wanna build.. why not buy/use a good keyboard (preferably a usb one) and use it.. functional and all! Try to find a keyboard that is small enough not to take all of the front and make shortcuts for your stuff from it.. you could even mark them somehow. For instance, both my pcs don't need a power button unless an emergency occurs, because I set up a power on key in BIOS... this is just one use I see.. There are lots of nifty things you could do to add some more weirdness.. Like put a water reservoir in front, wrap the functional keyboard around it and have bubbles gently rising... Anyways, good luck and +rep for the keyboard (got me worked up :D )

Never thought of making the the keyboard idea fuctional. I like that :p
I do have an idea for a reservoir at a later point that would use the keyboard stuff. I was thinking I could mount This (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5958/ex-res-122/MagiCool_Plexi_3_Port_Reservoir_-_150.html?tl=g30c97s166) to the side panel and wrap the keyboard circuits around it :) I have spent enough money on this mod as it is, so that would be an addon later.

[twenty]

I had to +rep you man this is simply sweet!!

[Cookies N' Milk]

My USPS tracking numbers show that the plexi, and mesh got past customs today :P Hopefull it will be here tomorrow, if not then I guess my weekend is going to be boring. Also the Cube model shipped today. That means it will get here sometime between Wensday and Friday next week. 8)

I just finished all the cable sleeves, took me awhile to do all of it. Right now I am trying to figure out where I am going to mount my 20 green LEDs... and how lol

[Cookies N' Milk]

Alright so I was just about to go to bed and I thought of two more ideas for this mod... I need laser pointers for one of the ideas :) and the other I need to recreate the eye piece on here:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/64/hughmb0.jpg
I wanna stick that on the front of the case. As for the laser pointers, some Borg had them attached to the side of thier heads. I think a couple of those mounted inside the case might be cool.

[Cookies N' Milk]

The mail lady gave me a nice big box today :D
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7053/img3656zf2.jpg
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9349/img3657uu6.jpg
UV Plexi, Mesh, 3 UV LED fans, and a sexy little power button.

I'm heading out to the shop with the dremel and the case. Something is gonna get cut up :twisted:

[Cookies N' Milk]

Well I have been in the shop for 6hours doing all sorts of stuff on this mod. Truth be told, I only worked for 2hours and messed around with the new stuff for the other 4 hours :)
Picture time ^^
http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/8284/img3658or7.jpg
Side panel... More parts will be cut out of it after I get the Cube model, which will overlay parts of the UV plexi.
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/6494/img3662jh3.jpg
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5046/img3664xr8.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5783/img3671ga0.jpg
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/5646/img3673ah0.jpg
Top panel

More to come tomorrow :D

[The boy 4rm oz]

That looks cool, weird but cool lol.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Quick update... Slapped the case together really quick. I left the front panel off as it is getting some bondo work done :)
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4373/img3685by0.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7852/img3677xw3.jpg
I forgot to take pictures of the other side... to tired to do so now.

I am going to add some more mesh to the top panel, cut a few more slots in both side panels, sleeve the rest of the cables, and finish up the front panel tomorrow if I can. That might be alot of work for one day but I'm going to try and get it all done. Then Sunday I can finish painting most of it. After that all I will be waiting for is the cube model.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Looks good. I like the UV green.

[simon275]

Wow nice. i love the side panel.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Been extremely busy this weekend. I did not get a chance to work on this as much as I had planned on. Anyways, I stayed out late in the shop to get remake the front control panel, I lost the other one somehow...
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2038/img3687cy3.jpg
It needs a quick fix up on the left side of it. Other than that, I got it all wired and ready to be mounted, which I will do tomorrow. Here is a quick youtube vid of it...
Click :) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0HbmpGOgDw)

Tomorrow, should be interesting. The front panel will be completed, and the side panels will be almost done. There is also a chance that the cube model will be here. My dremel will be waiting for it ^^ I also gotta find out where the hell my mainboard is that I sent off for RMA almost 2weeks ago. I don't even know if EVGA even got it (they sure as hell better have it).

[Eclecticos]

Whoa. . Thats preddy cool! I want one. Great Video! +Rep

[dgrmkrp]

wow... that looks a lot sicker than I honestly expected.. wow.. Gotta think of a use for that too... cool and :alien:

[UK-Blade]

That front panel looks Great, you don't get much more Borg than that :up: :up:

Keep up the good work +rep

[Cookies N' Milk]

I just thought of something that could be an extremely big pain in the rear. Once I mount the front piece I will not be able to remove it without destroying it. Not that there should be a need to remove it but I am just thinking that if an LED blows up or a wire comes loose there is no way to fix it. So I got two options, cut a massive hole on the front panel that is big enough to allow me to reach into the control panel, or leave it. What do you guys think? There shouldn't be a need to get into the conrtol board but you never know.

[dgrmkrp]

... if possible, cut the hole.. if not, think of another way.. mounting something like this for good is not good.. errm.. bad :| you never know what might happen and not having the luxury to fix it.. bad again.. still, your choice :) good luck!

[Cookies N' Milk]

Well I cut the hole large enough for someone to be able to get at the wires and what not within the panel. Took forever cause it is 5mm think :p

Anyways next question, do I paint the control panel grey like it is in the movies, or do I paint it the same colors as the rest of the case?

Anyways I am planning to be done on Friday. Got one big problem... My RMAed mainboard did not get to EVGA... The post office lost it... So I will have the case done Friday, but it won't have a computer inside of it.

[Cookies N' Milk]

I got a new tool today ^^
My first airbrush :p
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6403/img3696mp8.jpg
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3263/img3697sh2.jpg
Got it for $170 with airhose. I don't really have too much of a need for it on this case, but the next one I will.

[elbarto241]

nice airbrush, do some damage to that case :D

[Cookies N' Milk]

nice airbrush, do some damage to that case :D

The painting on the case is done so I didn't get a chance to use it. But I will be using it for what came today :D

The sexy borg cube model came today. It is made up of six 8"x8" resin panels. I got enough to cover the entire side panel if I wanted.
http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/4376/img3699ci3.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9213/img3701ax3.jpg
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6756/img3702cg8.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7161/img3704sg5.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3720/img3703bt7.jpg
They need to be washed and dry fitted on the case. Gotta figure out where to cut the panels, and then after cutting them pull out my new airbrush. Colors will be black, light grey, dark grey, brown and hints of blue. I am picking up the paint for it tomorrow and with any luck I will have the time to at least get the panels cut and fitted.

The detail on the model is amazing and it is going to hurt a lot to chop it up instead of hang it up on the wall. Well I'm going to leave you guys with only those pics to look at too night. I'm far too tired to do any work on this today.

[The boy 4rm oz]

You can buy panels like that! Damn this is gonna look sweet.

[elbarto241]

those panels looks amazing. cant wait to see these babies mounted and cut on your case :p

[Cookies N' Milk]

I have to agree, the panels look great. But at $125 plus shipping they are a bit pricey. I am going to keep at least one panel so that later on if I want I can recreate them :p Anyways I'm off to get paint for my airbrush. And then the fun will begin.

[Cookies N' Milk]

I got the borg cube cut and ready to be painted. I did start the painting on one of the panels just to show you guys how it will look.
No Flash:
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/8779/img3715af6.jpg
Flash:
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8588/img3718ri7.jpg
Close up:
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8787/img3716tv9.jpg
I am no where near done painting it. Still got a few more layers to go.

[ESX]

Thats so UBER sexy! I could use some of that for my project :)

[Scotty]

Thats some nice work, like it alot.

[The boy 4rm oz]

That in gonna look awesome when you finish the painting.

[Sting]

those panels look awesome, i want some :)

[dfigravity]

This is a really fun mod to watch... +rep for all of the cool ideas!! Keep it up man!

[Cookies N' Milk]

Glad you all like it. I think I will put the Borg panels aside for now and finish up the front of the case. I got a busy day ahead so I am going to be lucky to get anything done on this :(

[XcOM]

excelent project, very well thought out, Very similar to a thought i have had for a few years now, but never the funding to do.

You have inspirered me to start it, Just got to save the money for it.

-XcOM

[Cookies N' Milk]

I got one picture to show you guys. Two of the Borg panels are cut, painted, and mounted on the case.
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3834/dsc00232ey5.jpg
Had to use a different camera for this picture. The blueish spots on the side panel and Borg panels are black/ dark blue. Expect to see this side panel completed tomorrow. All I have to do is cut the Borg panel and mount it.

[elbarto241]

nice to see it coming along. is that some UVgreen acrylic I spy?

[Cookies N' Milk]

nice to see it coming along. is that some UVgreen acrylic I spy?

Yup :) I got about 3/4 a sheet left of it. Just need to find somewhere to use it :p

[Remy]

Excellent Job Cookies n' milk. That paneling will look great and give this mod that extra little bit that many other mods seem to lack.

+REP

[Cookies N' Milk]

Ran into a few problems today. The CCFL UV light blew up on me, and one of the EL wires just stopped working for no reason, my airhose for my airbrush has a hole in it, the cheap ass super thin wires for the power switch/power LEDs keep coming loose and I screwed up my elbow when drywalling today so my left arm is pretty much useless right now. Anyways, because of my arm I'm going to be very slow with progress on this mod. And on top of all this I got 7 and a half days to finish the mod before I do my A+ training and what not on the 8th...

As you can tell, things are a bit of a mess right now... My list to do on the case seems to keep getting bigger as things keep messing up. I got to cut, paint, mount the rest of the Borg panels,fix the front panel wires, buy new EL wire/CCFLs, and I got a lot of painting to do still...

[elbarto241]

sounds like you had a horrible day bro, sucks about the CCFL lights [thats why i try to avoid them at all cost]. EL wires isnt my field so i cant help you with that :D. is there anyway you can patch that hole in your line? duck tape maybe? oh yea and ICE that arm, take an asprin and mod through it :D

[|NQ|Squelsh]

Hmm, sounds bad... Dont know how you say it in english, but its something like "A problem never comes alone..."
Keep up the good work! Problems are there to be solved. (Encountered lots of them myself recently with my Orb-mod).
Hope your arm heals fast!

[Cookies N' Milk]

sounds like you had a horrible day bro, sucks about the CCFL lights [thats why i try to avoid them at all cost]. EL wires isnt my field so i cant help you with that :D. is there anyway you can patch that hole in your line? duck tape maybe? oh yea and ICE that arm, take an asprin and mod through it :D

I don't like CCFLs all that much either but the UV LEDs I ordered 4weeks ago are still not here. Kinda stuck on that one. But when I went to replace the CCFL, everyone was sold out. There is a local LAN event and all the kids bought all of the case lighting in town. Little buggers think that adding a pile of lights to a stock case makes it the hottest case ever :rolleyes: I was able to pick up a pile of EL wire for now. Guess no one in town has figured out how great it is :p

I forgot to take the airhose back today... I didn't even have it a week and it poped a hole right at the end of the barb on the fitting. I think it happened because they do not have a rubber cover at the fitting that prevents the hose from bending too much at the stem. My larger airhoses have it but the tiny one for the airbrush doesn't.

As for my arm, I can barely bend it so I'm done for a couple days. :(

[Cookies N' Milk]

Quick question. Does anyone know where to the the connectors that go to the mainboard from the power switch? I got some really cheapass flimsy wire on the current connectors and it keeps breaking x.x I need to get stronger wire but I don't have any of the connectors.

[lukeisthecoolest]

BAM! http://www.xoxide.com/acrylicpanel.html

i am answering questions today like my name is Jeeves ;)

[Cookies N' Milk]

BAM! http://www.xoxide.com/acrylicpanel.html

i am answering questions today like my name is Jeeves ;)

Kinda works. But all I really need is the little black connectors ;) I tried to get some off old switches but the plastic broke on them...

[elbarto241]

hmmm maybe this will help, they arent black but a little spray paint will make em :D LINKY (http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/CON-242/189/2-PIN_CONNECTOR_W_HEADER,_.10%22#34;_.html)

sorry luke, today im JEEVES! lol

[Cookies N' Milk]

hmmm maybe this will help, they arent black but a little spray paint will make em :D LINKY (http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/CON-242/189/2-PIN_CONNECTOR_W_HEADER,_.10%22#34;_.html)

sorry luke, today im JEEVES! lol

I got tons of those. They ain't the right ones. I need the black connectors from these:
http://www.xoxide.com/hspc-atx-control-kit.html The part that goes to the mainboard...

[elbarto241]

ahh i cant find the mobo headers by themselves, the only thing similar is THIS (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1834/ele-186/HSPC_ATX_Control_Kit.html)
which is the same thing you have but in stock, BTW how many of the headers do you need? maybe someone out there with a couple of them on their hands can help you out...

[Cookies N' Milk]

ahh i cant find the mobo headers by themselves, the only thing similar is THIS (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1834/ele-186/HSPC_ATX_Control_Kit.html)
which is the same thing you have but in stock, BTW how many of the headers do you need? maybe someone out there with a couple of them on their hands can help you out...

I need two of them, with the pins ...

[elbarto241]

well what i would do is wait a day or two to see if any one can find a link for the headers alone. if not just order them off of frozencpu, simple as that.

when you get the headers, crimp the connector things to your thicker wire and all is well in cookies n milk land :D

[Cookies N' Milk]

when you get the headers, crimp the connector things to your thicker wire and all is well in cookies n milk land :D

All is well in cookie land till someone drinks all the rivers of milk -.-

Thanks for trying to help at least ;)

[elbarto241]

no problem, just trying to do my part around here. ill keep an eye out for ur headers :D hopefully i find them before its too late

[lukeisthecoolest]

no problem, just trying to do my part around here. ill keep an eye out for ur headers :D hopefully i find them before its too late

maybe try ebay8)

they have EVERYTHANG! (even rpg launchers ;))

[Cookies N' Milk]

maybe try ebay8)

they have EVERYTHANG! (even rpg launchers ;))

Yes cause no mod is complete with out an rocket luancher ;)

[elbarto241]

wait i just though of something, do you know the spacing of those motherboard pins? i thought they were .1". if you know the spacing then you can easily find a connector that will fit :D understand?

[Cookies N' Milk]

wait i just though of something, do you know the spacing of those motherboard pins? i thought they were .1". if you know the spacing then you can easily find a connector that will fit :D understand?

I understand nothing ;)
I have been trying to find something that would work instead... no luck so far. Google has failed me :(

[elbarto241]

yea same here... **throws curses at google**

[Cookies N' Milk]

For the time being I wrapped the wire around the pins on the mainboard and tapped them LOL. Not recommended that you do that... ever. :devious:

[elbarto241]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh. thats the ghetto-est thing i ever heard..... sounds like someone will get quoted :D [done]

noo but is there any local computer shops, maybe you can scavange something usefull from there? or maybe a neighbor throwing out an old yet useful PC. hopes that gives you some ideas

[Cookies N' Milk]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh. thats the ghetto-est thing i ever heard..... sounds like someone will get quoted :D [done]

noo but is there any local computer shops, maybe you can scavange something usefull from there? or maybe a neighbor throwing out an old yet useful PC. hopes that gives you some ideas
The only way it could be more ghetto is if I use shoe laces to hold them on instead of tape... *grabs a shoe lace* hehehe

The local computer store (the one i spend about 5grand a month at on my own projects x.x) has ever connector except the ones i need...

As for the quote, try this ;P
[ QUOTE=Cookies N' Milk;122823]For the time being I wrapped the wire around the pins on the mainboard and tapped them LOL. Not recommended that you do that... ever. :devious:[ /QUOTE]
Take out the spaces after the "[" and it will look all pro ;)

[elbarto241]

done and done. sorry to hear about the lack of connectors in your area ^.^

[Cookies N' Milk]

done and done. sorry to hear about the lack of connectors in your area ^.^

Oh there is no lack of connectors in the area... just a lack of the ones I need ;)

[elbarto241]

i just realized nearly the last 2 pages of this thread has been you me and luke talking :D were soooo gay lol

[Cookies N' Milk]

i just realized nearly the last 2 pages of this thread has been you me and luke talking :D were soooo gay lol

I am not -.-

Besides I got nothing better to do at the moment. Long as we stay on topic all should be fine... :P

Anyways tomorrow I am going to finish up the front panel.

[elbarto241]

how much did all your airbrushin gear cost your [including air compressor] if its within my pocket i might invest in one soon :D

[Cookies N' Milk]

how much did all your airbrushin gear cost your [including air compressor] if its within my pocket i might invest in one soon :D

the airbrush with hose was $170 cnd, and for a compressor I used one of the ones in the shop. A huge ass 2hp one. Had to stick a regulator on it or it would blow the airbrush ;) I am not sure how much they are but I know the ones made just for airbrushes are like $300 here.

[elbarto241]

woah. i know this is a newb question but can you run air coompressors indoors?

[Bucko]

of course you can. They might just be a little loud though depending on which model and how big it is.

[elbarto241]

thankz, i know this is a little off topic but does anyone know any airbrush/air compressor combo around 150 bucks or less.

[.Maleficus.]

thankz, i know this is a little off topic but does anyone know any airbrush/air compressor combo around 150 bucks or less.
You'd be better going to a hardware store and buying the compressor. You don't need an "airbrush compressor" just like you don't need a "watercooling pump".

I recommend the Paasche VLS. It's very good for a good price. My setup total was around $110USD (don't know your location) for the compressor and airbrush.

[Cookies N' Milk]

thankz, i know this is a little off topic but does anyone know any airbrush/air compressor combo around 150 bucks or less.

I know Canadian Tire has some compressors for $70 here. And you can buy an extremely cheap airbrush kit for $50. The problem with the bigger compressors is that one, they are noisy, and two, you will most likely need a regulator or else the PSI will be too high for the airbrush.

[elbarto241]

+rep for the recommendations .Maleficus., :D that paasche looks sweet. 110 is definetly within my reach, just need to see my paintball gear for the funds.

@cookies, noise doesnt really bother me, ill just crank up the iTunes. thankz for the tip on the regulator too :D +rep for preventing me from blowin up my airbrush

[Cookies N' Milk]

+rep for the recommendations .Maleficus., :D that paasche looks sweet. 110 is definetly within my reach, just need to see my paintball gear for the funds.

@cookies, noise doesnt really bother me, ill just crank up the iTunes. thankz for the tip on the regulator too :D +rep for preventing me from blowin up my airbrush

Another thing, some compressors will not work very well at low PSI with the regulator on. You really need to watch the CFM rating on them. Which ever airbrush you get it should tell you what PSI/CFM is recommended. Find a suitable compressor after you get the airbrush. A big bulky compressor will have too high of CFM while the cheapest thing you can get might have extremely low CFM.

[elbarto241]

very good advice again cookies, man your just bursting with information arent ya :D ill definetly buy the commpressor and a CFMrating compatible to the airbrush . once again thankz bro

[Cookies N' Milk]

very good advice again cookies, man your just bursting with information arent ya :D ill definetly buy the commpressor and a CFMrating compatible to the airbrush . once again thankz bro

Anything to help.

Google has completely failed me... I can not find mainboard headers. I might just grab a few connectors that are close to fitting and use my dremel to convince them into fitting ;)

[elbarto241]

that always works :D

sure is better than wire and tape, lol

pics of progress?

[Cookies N' Milk]

that always works :D

sure is better than wire and tape, lol

pics of progress?

No camera right now. Besides, the case is taken 100% apart again so its boring looking :) I am trying to figure out a way to protect the bottom EL wire from being pinched if the case is moved.

[elbarto241]

if its on the bottom edge of the case, then higher case feet. sorry for my inexperience w/ EL Wire, but what happens if it gets pinched too much?

[Cookies N' Milk]

if its on the bottom edge of the case, then higher case feet. sorry for my inexperience w/ EL Wire, but what happens if it gets pinched too much?
Well when moving the case last time the wire got cut when putting it up on the desk. I can fix it but its a problem none the less.

[elbarto241]

sounds good, one thing i have noticed is that not alot of people use EL wire on these forums, ive only seen renderman and you actively applying it to your mods. in both scenarios it came out great. :D

[Cookies N' Milk]

sounds good, one thing i have noticed is that not alot of people use EL wire on these forums, ive only seen renderman and you actively applying it to your mods. in both scenarios it came out great. :D

It is great stuff. Cheaper than CCFLs, you get way more of it, and its like string so you can wrap it around things. If they made UV EL wire I would replace my UV CCFLs with it.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Well sorry guys I think I am at a stand still on this mod. My arm is starting to feel better but today at work I burnt my hand... my left hand... the very same hand that is attached to the arm I hurt... Go figure. Anyways anyone got tips for typing with one hand? I've been doing ok so far. How about modding with one hand? There is a crap load of dremeling left to do and I am not willing to get that thing spinning with only one hand... dont want to slip and then have to patch holes. Either way I'm stuck... unless someone in my area on here wants to lend a "hand" :p

I think I will be able to start up again in a few days as long as my finger tips dont blister badly which would completely suck if they do. For the time being I am putting Resistance on hold. Sorry :(

[goofazoid]

I might just grab a few connectors that are close to fitting and use my dremel to convince them into fitting

This (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=60_190&products_id=1740\)what you are looking for?

[Cookies N' Milk]

This (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=60_190&products_id=1740\)what you are looking for?

You sir, are a god. +rep
Time to pull out the Visa :banana:

[goofazoid]

You sir, are a god. +rep
Time to pull out the Visa :banana:

LOL glad that I could help!

I have been told that performance-pcs.com is overpriced, but I have found them to be really good on some items and kinda high on others (4 pin CPU connection extension was more than I wanted to pay, but I got it there anyway as I was getting several other things and it saves on shipping and its convenient)

Anyway I really have enjoyed your mod so far.

[.Maleficus.]

You sir, are a god. +rep
Time to pull out the Visa :banana:
If you haven't bought anything already, I have an old front panel with headers and wires still and I can chop off the wires and send them to you if you need them.

[Cookies N' Milk]

If you haven't bought anything already, I have an old front panel with headers and wires still and I can chop off the wires and send them to you if you need them.

Too late. Thanks for the offer tho. I needed to buy a bunch of them anyways.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Well, after a rather long break I'm back to working on this mod. I finally got time for it. Expect an update in the next few days ;) Hope nobody forgot about this mod :P

[FrooP]

:banana:

[UK-Blade]

We've been waiting and watching and watching and waiting....

Glad your back :)

[Cookies N' Milk]

We've been waiting and watching and watching and waiting....

Glad your back :)

I've been looking at an empty half gutted beast of a case sitting on my workbench all this time :dead: Anyways I'm running down to the local comp store today to pick up some new stuff to do a little upgrade. After I get that done I will get back to work on this ^^

[Cookies N' Milk]

Alright so I was going to start working on this again like a month ago but I don't have everything I needed to continue working. Ordered the last of the parts (I Hope) and they should be here Thursday.

Hardly anything left to do on the mod. Just waiting on a couple fans, some molex connectors and little odds and ends. Other than that, I have one more detailed panel panel to put on and the front plates. The power button is done, but I ain't gonna show it till I got the rest completed :p

[Cookies N' Milk]

So I had this mod done almost a month ago, and was about to go out to the shop to finish all the small stuff that was left to do, as well as take the finished pictures, but my grandpa decided it would be a good time to lose the camera. So once again I stuck this case on hold until I got a camera.

Well when I got a camera it was time to finish this thing. I went to put the case back together tonight and wouldn't you know it, the damned EL wire breaks. Unfortunately the EL wire added a lot to the case and it just doesn't feel right without it. I can pick some up tomorrow from the local computer store. For now, I will leave you with a couple of pictures of the front panel, which I have to say turned out very well.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4315/pb270014hu2.th.jpg (http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pb270014hu2.jpg)
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1757/pb270035uk5.th.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pb270035uk5.jpg)

Oh and here is a little peek at the other case I have been working on. It will include a lot of pink. ;)

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8553/pb280041wu9.th.jpg (http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pb280041wu9.jpg)

I will post highres pictures and maybe a few video clips tomorrow.

[Cookies N' Milk]

Done.

Replacing the EL wire.
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/131/pc100123ew6.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100123ew6.jpg)


http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6412/pc100127zl0.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100127zl0.jpg)
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1540/pc100129wk6.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100129wk6.jpg)
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9177/pc100133bv1.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100133bv1.jpg)
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/865/pc100139fk9.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100139fk9.jpg)

Showing off the model's detail.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8995/pc100135ke5.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100135ke5.jpg)
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9160/pc100136hb3.th.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100136hb3.jpg)
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7985/pc100137ay7.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100137ay7.jpg)
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5816/pc100138ri4.th.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100138ri4.jpg)

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3738/pc100140tk9.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100140tk9.jpg)
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2273/pc100141ts5.th.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100141ts5.jpg)
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8451/pc100142lg8.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pc100142lg8.jpg)

It took me over 5months to finish this case, half of that time was me sitting around being too lazy to do anything on it :D. There are a few things I would like to do with this case still like water cooling, but that can be done much later. There is one thing left to do on the case still before it is "done". The LED on the power button no longer works so I have to buy a new one. For now I am just going to ignore it and forget about it.

For anyone who is curious, the specs for this rig are in my sig.

I will upload a video to Youtube showing the sound activated EL wire doing its thing, as well as uploading some high-res pictures (3072x2304) for download. They are too big for Imageshack. :(

I will add some night time shots as well later tonight.

EDIT: High-Res photos link:
http://rapidshare.com/files/75734018/projectresistance.rar

EL Wire Video (Sorry for the crap quality.)
JjFFD0JtXoI

[TheMainMan]

Being a Trek fan I quite enjoy the theme and love seeing how the case turned out.
Quick question: how noisy is the corsair airflow fan?
+rep for the awesome job

[Eclecticos]

Looks like the wires on the backside could use a little managing,
but other than that it looks Great! +Rep for Detail.