Hmm, I'll have to intentionally avoid those, then. I'll stick with fiberglass-reinforced wheels...
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Hmm, I'll have to intentionally avoid those, then. I'll stick with fiberglass-reinforced wheels...
Believe me they cut very well and last a long time but (I think) they are just as fragile as standard cutting disks (and just as thin).
Quote:
Originally Posted by The boy 4rm oz
Regardless of who's right, they're certainly not any <i>more</i> likely to injure me (I do wear glasses).Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucko
I was referring to the diamond blade cutting disks. The reinforced one are fantastic.
I accidentally broke one by closing the lid on it, but the broken part still stayed attached to the disc.
Ahh, gotcha. Sorry. I just got a hundred of the 1" discs (lots of curves, and I'm unintentionally rough with things) so it sounds like they'll last for quite a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by The boy 4rm oz
I think the best way to do it is using cheapo reinforced disks from jobmate .. they last super long time and are 1.5 inch and 1 inch
I got 5 reinforced metal cutting discs and a tungsten carbide metal cutting bit. The discs I got supposedly work amazing for the kind of design I'm doing, however, I didn't realize that the discs require a special kind of attachment in order to use it with the Dremel. It's called the EZ lock system or something, and I guess it stabilizes the discs a lot more than normal. Either way I didn't pick it up, and the cutting bit is too uncontrollable on the case side on metal this thick.
I'll probably paint the plastic tomorrow, so maybe I'll have some project pictures. I may not be able to go to the store again and work on it until next weekend, so that sucks. Oh well, we'll see what happens, sorry guys.
The EZ lock system is a complete different mounting style. Basically the disks just twist into place on the head of the Dremel, you don't have to screw them on. You can get the disks in the normal "screw on" style also.
So it has definitely been a while since I updated this mod, but I am still working on it!
Issues:
- Girlfriend's father's Dremel died
- End of the school semester and beginning of a work semester
- I'm a noob when it comes to painting
Progress
- Cutout is pretty much done
- Case sides primed well
- All parts except monitor ready
Once I finally got the mandrel for the EZ Lock system I got a good bit of the cutout done. At one point though I turned the Dremel off to reposition the case and the poor thing never turned back on. That's ok though, as Girlfriend's mother promptly bought Girlfriend's father the latest Dremel set and I went on about my work.
The cutout design is shaped just how I want it, but unfortunately there are so many curves I am having a hard time getting it just right for my own standards. I'm going to give it one more go this weekend and see if i can smooth them down how I want them, but since it is a steel case my only option is the tungsten carbide bit that can be unruly sometimes.
I painted the silver plastic part of the case well, but I ended up not liking the color. I picked up a good metallic red from Advance Auto Parts that I really like, and hopefully I'll be applying that to everything this weekend. I finally showed the case to Girlfriend, and we both decided that I should paint the case sides dark red as well. This will leave the top of the case and that removable plastic faceplate black, and leave the power button area and plastic under the handle silver in order to balance out all of the red.
I intend on cutting and applying the plexiglass this weekend as well, and if all goes well I will actually have the whole thing done. I know I've said that before, but this is actually the first weekend I don't have anything else to do. I have decided to keep both side panels, and I cut into the blank one, so I will be putting the red plexiglass in both windows. Also, since I won't have enough drive covers to cover all the holes, I'm going to fill that with the red plexiglass as well and etch some sort of design in there, most likely dealing with hearts.
So, sorry I kept everyone waiting, I know the suspense was terrible, but if all goes well I'll have it done this weekend.
Lets see some progress pics
I know I know! So far I've got pics on three different cameras, and I haven't uploaded any of the recent ones. Even if I don't make more progress this weekend I promise new pics.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spidermeld
Lets see some progress pics
Excellent!!! Really excited to see the progress.Quote:
Originally Posted by Datech
K, so here are the progress pics I promised.
This is from one of the three cameras I have pictures on, so unfortunately this is just pictures from today. I'll post the lead up pictures when I get those cameras back so I can complete a real work log.
This is after 3 or 4 layers of red paint. I ended up using Automotive primer and paint from Advance Auto Parts since it was convenient, and we're pretty sure the case is steel. This is, of course, the heart side of the case.
And the other side that came with the case originally.
I'm going to throw another layer on tomorrow. As you can see the primer is still kinda visible.
Inside, in the light. This is your first real view of my handywork, but I have more in depth pics showing the flaws of my cutting on another camera. The rectangle sides are pretty straight, and remember that I did all this using a 1.5" cutting disc and a tungsten carbide lateral cutting bit. Given that, I'm kinda content with the final product, but of course I always want to do better.
All the components are in the computer now, and I decided against sleeving the wires because I couldn't figure out how to get the molex and some of the SATA connectors off.
The other side came out the best out of the two.
Unless Girlfriend says otherwise, I will definitely redo this plastic part.
And this is why. I am either really awesome at painting cause I can do the 'old paint' look really well, or I'm really novice cause I did the 'old paint' look on the first try...
Red Plexiglass is RED! I figured it'd be a little lighter, but oh well, Girlfriend likes it.
When I held this up in front of the fire in our fireplace it made the flames look like hell fire, it was sick.
Mockup without glass. Notice how the red side isn't flush with the top of the red front. I plan on painting just that little strip of the top to make it all flush. Girlfriend wants me to keep the rest of the top and front black, and keep the silver parts silver. That may add on to the case later if we decide to change it later, but maybe not. I have only one DVD drive for this comp, so I will be filling the rest of the bay slots for both the 3.5" and the floppys with red plexiglass, and eventually etch some sort of design in it. Probably whatever you guys photoshop up as the header graphic.
Found this Parr bonding glue for aluminum to adhere the glass to the case side.
I tested the side a little too early and the glass slipped off and smeared a bit of glue. I plan on rubbing that off tomorrow.
As I said, tomorrow I plan on repainting the heart side and probably repainting the plastic front as well. I'll put the glass on the heart side and attempt to paint the top of the case as well. I'm also gonna put that OC cooling kit I mentioned way earlier on and see if its worth it. I'll also cut the glass for the front and mock it up for y'all, and then I'll take suggestions on what to put on the glass. Any other suggestions and design tips are also welcome. That's it for now, thanks!
Lookin' good, man. I "managed" to get the old-paint look my first go as well, though I was covering a small area of one color up with another, and that caused it... but honestly, it looked pretty neat. Doesn't work with your mod, though, unfortunately.
The heart-window looks quite nice, considering. Actually, the only thing that's bothering me about this case (aside from the line that doesn't line up that you're already planning to fix) is that she doesn't want you to paint the silver area around the power button. That'd drive me nuts, personally, but it might just be me.
+rep, anyway.
Nice work so far. I like it.
I would go and repaint the front panel. The girlfriend, if she's anything like mine will tell you its fine no matter how it looks. I had the exact same issue, and to this day I never really figured out what caused it and couldn't repeat it. But I will say that when it happened to me, it was the final blow to the original Project: Nightrain, as I spent hours on the front panel only for the clear to crackle.
Here's a pic of what happened to me, only one I could find hosted offhand. Nightrain paint crackle. So ya, I would do it again, or if you're like me, you will continue to be disappointed by it.
Nice work on the painting. Did you prime the plastic before painting it (the front fascia)? That may have caused the paint to crack.
Actually, Girlfriend just asked me if I could paint the silver parts now, so tomorrow they will most likely be red. The silver part under the handle comes out so it will be easy, but I guess I can mask off the silver part when I paint the strips too, so it wont be so bad.
As for the crackle, I did paint it once with a plastic paint, but I sanded it pretty well before I put the primer on and the primer stuck almost perfectly. I think my problem with the red layer on the plastic was that I tried to do it all in one layer. It was really cold outside, and it was already dark and I was trying to finish it, so I pretty much just emptied the rest of the can on it hoping it'd turn out good. Obviously it didn't, so I'll fix it tomorrow.
I mentioned this idea before, but let me know what you think. In order to incorporate a little more red into the black top, I think I'm going to drill a bunch of small holes that shape into a few small hearts on the top. I have two red CCFL's, so I think I'll put one at the bottom and one at the top so I can get good light through all the windows and openings. If I position the top one the right way it will shine light through those holes when the room is dark, and it should create a nice effect.
Oh, and Fuzzy, you never hit the rep button :lick:
Its coming along very nice. Thanks for the pics. Have some rep
I made a good bit of progress today. The only things I have left to do are cut and etch the plexiglass windows in the front, and install the OS and I should be done. I won't consider this project done until I get that etch done. And now for the pics!
After another round of painting I'm finally content with the heart side's coating.
Don't mind the gap between the side and front, that is fixed by thumbscrews in the back. This is just a mockup with the bad front and the finished side.
Mock up of the bad front and the finished heart side.
Head on shot.
Mockup of CCFL tubes and making sure the glass has time to bond with the adhesive.
The lights inside are on, but you obviously can't tell in the lighted room. Thanks to all who suggested I use red glass so it shows red in the light as well.
Even though I decided not to use the cooling duct inside the case I did decide to use the directional tube on the PSU fan. I think it looks cool, so does Girlfriend.
With the room light off, yay!
The front panels should show light really well.
Of course the other panel barely gets any light because of the mobo, but that was expected.
Too lazy to paint the rear.
But it glows nicely.
All the parts to be painted/repainted. The handle, the area under the handle, the face plate, and that little stip to make it flush.
And the silver part on the top.
Nice and smooth after 150 grit and 400 grit.
Three layers still leave bubbles, boo!
Same with the handle.
My masking job.
The flush zones turned out pretty well.
I cut out an area on the top in order to let more light through to the handle. Ended up looking like Dilbert.
Most of it turned out pretty good.
But the face plate still cracked a bit. Not as bad as the first time though. We're content with it.
The hole worked out pretty nicely considering I cut it while the grate was still drying.
Yep, still cracked.
Very, very cracked.
The mask job turned out ok, it was getting dark and I was running out of paint.
Comes together pretty well.
Lights up the top real well now!
It glows!
Should be a nice light show in a small room.
Again, not so much on the other side.
Well that's it for now. If anyone reading this gets bored feel free to come up with a good header, or urge jdbson to finish his header, so I can etch whatever y'all come up with into the plexiglass windows that will be on the front. Thanks!
The only way to avoid that ugly bubbles is to sand and clean the plastic very well. It also could happens in metal surfaces (with old or fresh paint) but they appear easily on plastic with certain kinds of paints.
In add depending of the paint, you have to wait longer between coats.
Would someone be kind enough to create a header for this project? I'd like the word Passion stylized somehow so I can etch it into one of the plexiglass windows that will be in the front. It doesn't have to be anything too special, I'm just out of design concepts.
It says I can't give reputation to that post again, so I must have. Weird.Quote:
Originally Posted by Datech
Anyway, that's looking beautiful now, even with the crackled paint - I love the lighting out of the top grille! I'll rep you again.
good try with the paint man looks sweet now
So does anyone want to purdy please take their spare time and make just an itty bitty header for me that says Passion in some cool form.
Use all the creative license you want, I just need something to go by so I can get a pane etched.
Code:http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/TBCS_Group/xcom/Banners/passion/header_v2.jpg
Very nice work for your first major mod. Too bad about the paint issues. I build model cars as one of my hobbies and have the same thing happen from time to time. I've found it happens much less when all products (primer, paint, and clear) are the same brand and product line. Also the recoat times on the can must be followed, personally I give alot of leeway. Anyway +rep on a greatlooking case.:up:
OK! Update time, kinda. I FINALLY got the engravings back from my engraver after numerous problems with their... abilities. XcOM, again, thank you VERY much for your patience with them and me.
I will have pictures of them by the end of the weekend, as I won't be with camera until then. I also plan on repainting the front of the case again, as well as sanding down the scuffs on the black part and repainting it as well. Since the last update I sleeved the wires as well, but you can't tell since the windows are read. If all goes well I will have the entire thing cleaned up and done this weekend, and I can't wait! Check back on Sunday!
your welcome man, the engraver sounds really cool, we still have convo's via e-mail, and don't forget that case of beer you promised me 8)
i can't wait to see the finished product.
Can't wait to see how the engravings turned out.
Alright, for once I am delivering my pics on time. Well, most of them. I ended up riding my Ninja all weekend and didn't get around to repainting the face plate. If any of the admins want to consider this mod done with this post feel free, but I won't feel done with it until I finish the face and set it up. I will be ordering the monitor (and Spore) this week, vacation next weekend, and I promised Girlfriend she'd be using it no later than the weekend of the 21st. I won't be modding the keyboard, mouse, or monitor to match on this one, but those may be small paint-by-number mods in the future. I will also post pics of XcOM's Vista graphic mod if chooses to do it.
So on to the pics and the wonderful engravings! I shot these pics at dusk, so the case looks really orange in most of the pics. Don't worry though, it is still a lovely deep red.
Pretty similar to the last time, right?
But oh, what is that?
A heart on fire, electricity running through your aorta, or fireworks of love? Nope, Passion...
Matching floppy window.
Total package.
A towering tower.
Other side.
You can kinda tell I sleeved the wires, but I still need to organize them better.
The glass is completely transparent, so in the dark it just glows, in the light you can see Passion.
When will this thing end?
Tune in next week to find out! :rolleyes:
Hey, that came out great!
Yeah the engravings turned out really well, nice work.
Case looks great! Are you going to put anything behind the plexi? Kinda weird looking at a bunch of wires lol. Just wondering how many fans do you have in the case?
wow that looks really nice man well done
and good work xcom
I plan on only having five max, with the ideal of three to make the case quiet. I will have one on the front blowing air on the hard drives and through the case, one on the back pulling out of the case, one on the CPU, one on the PSU, and one on the GPU. She will eventually get my fanless 9600GT, and I will test it with and without the front or back fan and set up the OC Cooling kit eventually. Why do you ask?Quote:
Originally Posted by Computer-Geek
I didn't see a fan in the front and was worried about overheating =)
good concept
So for those of you paying attention, do you think I should paint the back of the front windows in an attempt to frost them and disallow that much transparency? I've got a bit of spare primer, so I figured I'd get a decent ways away and give it one or two light coats to cover the back of the pieces. This would allow enough light through to glow, but not enough to see the entire inside of the case.
I have a spare piece of each engraved window, so I have testing material. I was just wondering if I should even bother before I do it.
hmm... i was thinking like sand the other side with rough paper... idk if this would work as you want
