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That's looking really good. I'm liking your work, even if it's interspaced with random acts of violence against the parts which...didn't make the grade. ;)
Seriously, it's good. The work is looking better every time i see it. You obviously know your tools and techniques, and you're getting good results from your experiments.
Keep it up.
-Dave
Random acts of violence? I like to call it "quality control".Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveW
Thanks Dave, it means a lot. I'm still learning, and to be honest, I've never used or owned a Dremel until this project, haha. So I guess I'm either a quick learner, or I have tons of scrapped parts that I haven't shown you guys :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveW
In all honesty, throughout everything I've done so far, this has been my bible.
Nice Work you got there,I like your mod:D :up:
Put together my watercooling loop today to run a leak test, but while filling I found a leak in my water-cooling window =/
I was afraid of this, but fortunately the leak appeared very very tiny. I'll just have to be liberal with the weld-on and then try it again. Also finished that top grill, I'll have pics of both that and the watercooling test later this week I hope.
to get that bit out of your block, hook your pump up to it drawing from a 5 gal. bucket or something, and have the block drain somewere else. then run the pump and shake the block around with water going through it, that should do it i would think. Also, looking at that last pic, it would really look good it the fan guard plate was raised about 1 cm off the case top, then there would be more flow, less noise, and a really good lighting effect i bet.
That looks badass :up:
You're doing a fantastic job, your enthusiasm will be an inspiration I'm sure. keep up the good work. Glad the book has come in handy, I see that you used the paper model technique for sizing/fitting--good thinkin'!
This post makes me think of those tv commercials where some little kid gets to meet his all-time sports hero or something...maybe I even giggled like a schoolgirl too....maybe....Quote:
Originally Posted by Crimson Sky
haha, OMG, I forgot! When I get home I'll post the picture I took of how I got it out. Basically I took a twist-tie, stripped off the paper so jsut the very thin wire was left, and fished it out. Took about 15-20 minutes, but I got that sonofabitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by xdxforever
ok supercool update time!
Brought home my WC stuff, hotwired my PSU, filled up the loop and I'm working on getting the bubbles out and letting it run overnight. I don't know if I feel safe enough letting it run tomorrow while I'm at work.
Hotwired PSU...thanks to forums like this, users like you, and the number 5!!
The LOOP (with special guest star...hard liquor!!!)
Oh, and as promised, pics of my custom top fan grill, we'll see how it goes when I install it and run it with fans. I even sanded it to give it a nice finish. The grill looks WAAAY better in that picture than in person, idgi =/ but hey, looks like I did a f'in sweet job, except where I fell asleep @ the dremel on the top of that A.
that is ubs. (oohbs)
definatly like the water block.
i dont know jack crap about water cooling so this is very interesting to me. keep it up.
Neither did I when I started, this is my first watercooling experience. I'm letting my system run right now as we speak, I was so impressed with how quiet it is once I let it run and get some of the air out!! I had heard that thsi pump was quiet when it was on setting 1-3, but got noisy when it was cranked up to setting 4-5. So I decided to crank it up and see, well when I went to the dial I found out it was already on setting 5, hah! I still have tiny micro-bubbles, but from what I'm reading those will work themselves out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maz
I also have a very very tiny leak in my water-cooling window. This one is very very small, I let it run overnight and only had maybe a few drops worth of leakage. I'll apply more weld-on once I take the test rig apart and it should be allright. However it did concern me when I started to think about how I'm going to attach this to my PC. My first thought was to screw it into some square brackets mounted in the 5.5" bays. But now I'm thinking I'll still use square brackets, but attach with some heavy-duty double-sided tape.
The S2 Games cutout looks great. The waterwindow looks like it worked out well too. You gonna put some light behind that once it's mounted in the case?
First time water is really scary, especially with custom made parts thrown in. My first watercooled rig was the Matrix Regenerator, with custom made res. Crazy, but its the risks that make it fun sometimes.
I'm going to red UV dye the water, and I've got a couple ideas for lighting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crimson Sky
1) Put a short 4" UV cathode INSIDE the acrylic air duct I have. I've already given it a light frost with 800 grit sandpaper and I think if I put a UV cathode in there it will light up the whole duct almost like it's "glowing", but I might need to give it a heavier sand (600grit) to make sure. I know UV lights are pretty powerful so I think that will still light up all my tubing, and since the water-window is right in front of the duct it will get plenty of light.
2) Mount the same 4" UV cathode behind the frame that the 5.5" bays usually mount into near the top, directly behind the water-cooling window again. This way it could light up the whole duct (due to the sanding), the water-cooling window, AND the rest of my tubing. The only reason I shy away from this one is that the source of the light will be plainly seen and you would see the cathode from the front of the case clear as day. For some reason I don't like that. I think maybe the duct will have a "faded" lighting to it as you get further away from the cathode.
I can easily experiment with both once I get this baby put together. Although I'm groaning already @ the amount of wetsanding and painting I have yet to do =/, haha.
I agree with the risks thing as well. This is my first mod and I could have kept it a LOT simpler (and cheaper) but something about that just didn't appeal to me. I really enjoy a challenge, and so far this case hasn't let me down :)
small update, forgot my camera when i went to work today.
I put a small framing up on the right side panel around the hole i made for the duct. I also used bondo to lay some mesh down across that hole. The framing will hold down an air filter I'll install later.
Here's pics from the top fan grill, didn't come out QUITE like I wanted. The full logo isn't lit because the grill is wider than the fans =/. If anyone has any ideas how to light up that whole grill, I'm open. The only thing I can think of is to use some frosted plexi and mount the grill and inch or so off the top of the case. However, this would restrict air flow and be a bit louder =/.
I also threw in some pics when I was testing my custom window for leaks.
Your custom window is excellent. The letter look nice lit up to.
Wow looks awesome. Love the idea you have going with the water cooled window
My lights/fan controller arrived the other day. The only part I'm really waiting on is my slim slot-load DVD+RW drive. I need to look up some instructions on how to replace the blue LED's in my fan controller with Red ones. Is this going to be difficult? does anyone know?
Our last Rugby game of the season is tomorrow which means next week is paint-week. I ordered my laser-etched window from hyperkore and I'm debating whether or not to go with the vinyl decal I was considering at the start of this project.
Regardless, I simply need to mount the WC window, make a fan grill for the PSU, figure out how to light up that top fan grill for the rad, and paint the damn thing.
Then I've got LOTS of wire-shortening and cable management to deal with :)
**UPDATE**
Hopefully this will be my last 1.5 weeks of case-construction. Currently the case is at my relative's house because they have a nice garage full of great tools, which is way better than my downtown Chicago apartment.
All I have left to do is to mount the slim-drive bezel, the water-cooling window, and that's about it. Once those are in, it's just a matter of hooking everything together.
Hyperkore.com sent me an email today saying they have sent my laser etched window. That will be here Friday. I'm still unsure whether or not to get a vinyl decale of the "SAVAGE 2" text with the sword behind it. It'd be extra money for them to edit just that text and sword out of the picture. I already have a big enough file I just need to trim that thing out, and I'm lazy and don't have the necessary tools or time.
Here's today's update, which includes some pics of the work I did last week (I forgot to take my camera with).
I cut the hole in the side-panel for my custom ducting. It came out pretty good, I didn't have to bother making extra cuts to make it fit right. I decided to go with something relatively plain.
You'll see what the bolts are for in a minute.
Here's the backside of it. I attached those square brackets to make sure I get a decent seal to the side panel. The gaps are there to make room for the vertical support bar in the case. The mesh I held down by hand and used bondo to attach it to the side panel, man that is AMAZING stuff. I also used it to patch some holes that I ended up not using in the top panel.
Also, the advantage of the little L-brackets is that I plan on pinching some sort of air-filter in there as well so I don't clog the radiator/dirty up my duct. I'm thinking women's pantyhose work the best, so I'll probably go with that.
I decide a long time ago to use slot-loaded slim-drives. Just because I knew my water-cooling window would take up a lot of room, and because I liked the look of slot-load. So I had to order a bezel that would fit two slim-drives in one 5.25" bay. I just primed it and I'll paint it on Saturday when I go to do most of my painting work.
I'm still a little unsure how to mount my water-cooling window. I drilled these holes in the side to attach L-brackets to. I then planned on using tiny screws into the window. However, I don't think I want to do that anymore for fear of risking some more leaking. I think I will just end up installing the square brackets and using some heavy-duty double-sided tape.
And here are just some random pictures of the case. I know it looks dirty, there's a lot of dust and particles in there from various projects going on in the garage, not just mine. I'll be blowing it all out and cleaning it before it comes time to bring it home to my apt. and start my wiring/hardware install.
I've got this big open area under my PSU now that I moved it. I have no idea what to use it for, probably to hide cables in I think. Anyone have some ideas?
Just painting the side-panels and wet-sanding them. that will take 2 days between each coat of paint because you have to wait for it to completely cure before wet-sanding again. (day 1) So I will wetsand the primer coat, and paint before I leave. (day 2) Wetsand 1st paint coat, apply 2nd coat before I leave. (day 3) Wetsand 2nd paint coat, apply decal (if I have one), apply clear-coats. (day 4) Wet-sand clear-coats, apply rubbing compound, done.
So it looks like 4 days of work, which means a little over a week. Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, then Friday/Saturday/Sunday, whichever day my new ladyfriend let's me have free.
Then another week or so of installing the components, shortening my wires, applying new molex connectors, cleaning off the mobo and heatsinks, etc. etc. 2 more weeks, I hope. Then it's Windows XP and overclock time!!
**UPDATE**
Started assembly. Forgot to bring home my dremel from my workshop (aka relative's garage), so assembly was halted for the day. Here's what I got so far.
I also started painting the side-panels. The first sanding-paint job looked really really good, only 3 more to go. I'll remember to bring my camera for pictures next time. I won't bother with descriptions/commentary.
The plan is to assemble it without the side-panels. Let it run/leak test/install windows/programs, etc. etc. while the side panels are being finished this week. Then it's done.
Looking nice, fan cables look spiffy! I can't wait to see this up and rolling.
**UPDATE**
Did a tiny TINY bit more of assembly today. I forgot my key to my relative's house and they were out of town, so my next coat of paint will have to wait till Wednesday...
in the meantime, I mounted my pump. If you guys remember I had that space under the PSU after flipping it up so the fan pointed out the top. Makes a nice little hole for the pump. Checked to make sure the tubes wouldn't kink, and I got started.
I made that third hole, but need a slightly longer bolt for it.
Looks like its comming along nicely man. My friend has that same graphics card, as far as i know it p00ns :D
Oh, and my side-panel arrived today :)
AND...it even comes with VIDEO!!!!!
Awesome. I love the etching.
Ya the etching looks awesome. I'm thinking about getting one done for my case mod. Is it worth it?
It came out just like I had hoped, and the guy at Hyperkore.com was great to work with, very accommodating.Quote:
Originally Posted by NocturnaL
I got an oversized window (14x16), and with shipping it cost around 80$. But I got the etching I wanted and it's quality work.
I guess it's for you to decide. They also have a lot of other designs than just the clear etched window, I suggest you check out the site.
do they do custom pics if you want one done that you've drawn up?
Omg
Yes. I sent them that picture for them to etch. However depending on the size of the etching you want, the picture you send has to be very very large and very very high dpi.Quote:
Originally Posted by NocturnaL
Go to the website, send them an email if they don't answer your questions on the site. They were real good at getting back to me right away. If you talk to a guy named Tommy, tell him Josh sent you.
www.hyperkore.com
haha ok, I've browsed their site a few months ago because i was debating on getting a basic square grid etch on a side panel window, duno if i still wonna do it or not. Thanks for the tip tho, keep the good work up ;)
If it's a basic design, like a simple square grid, I would highly suggest doing it yourself. It'd be simple enough, and definitely more satisfying.Quote:
Originally Posted by NocturnaL
I'm terrible at etching lol, ive given it a shot and it looks like ****. If i coudlnt get the etching right i was going to come up with another idea. I was going to tape off the window and cut the tape so it leaves me the lines on the grid, and i was going to paint the lines with UV spray paint. but i duno how to cut the tape without putn scratches into the plexi lol
with something like a grid, it wouldn't be a terrible idea to make a jig out of a 1x1 or something. a small piece of wood. just clamp it down so one side is aligned with a grid line (or offset if necessary, never used a dremel tbh), follow it with your dremel, rinse, repeat.
if you want to use tape for something like that, just use an exacto knife and light pressure. if you do it right, you won't leave much of a mark on the plexi, and the paint should cover any that remains.
with both, practice is win. :p it's mostly muscle-memory that you have to train, how to not twitch, or anticipate a twitch and stop cutting.
and you don't have to practice on plexi :p. for this sort of thing you could just cut a 1 foot square piece of plywood or something and pretend it's plexi :P just to get used to how to set up the jig and follow it, or how to hold your hand when cutting the tape.
I have a couple solutions for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by NocturnaL
1) Set up your tape grid on a scrap peice of plexi, or some other surface that will let you pull the tape up and then move it to the plexi.
OR
2) Print out your grid on a blank sheet of paper and cut out your grid. Then use adhesive spray to stick it onto your window. The adhesive is easily cleaned off with some mineral spirits.
Sorry for the lack of updates everyone (*cough* DaveW *cough*). I just had a huge setback in painting my panels. I made a post in the Q&A thread so if you know anything about painting/clearcoating check it out and see if you can help me out.
Otherwise my next update will probably be a super-huge grand-finale post :)
Thanks for all your input, considering this isnt even my thread. Sorry for the offtopic posts Jreffy lol. Ide like to see more from this mod soon. Keep it up :)
eh, they sell thin tape for pinstriping at most automosive stores. no need to cut it.
Ya i understand that, but i dont think u guys understand. I'm trying to paint a thin line grid. so i would have to stick on a bunch of squares perfectly to leave a nice grid...
i am really sorry about that, i never finished my thought.
use the thin pinstripe lines, spray some lubricant like triflow for something.
then remove the masks and paint, when it dries it shouldnt stick to the lubed area. however, this is only a theory so test it on a scrap of something first.
