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OK, just got back from my trip. I will post some more stuff tomorrow. But for tonight, here are my thoughts. I was originally going to use the front IO panel from the G5, but after I got the Dell, I realized, I can use that front panel and not have the Shield interfere with operation of the panel. Here is a pic of the panel itself and I am thinking about positioning at the very bottom of the front side (just above the power supply enclosure).
I rewired the original G5 front panel for standard headers, and it works perfectly. I found the pinouts for everything here:
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/ind...owtopic=109381
If you don't want to do it yourself, some people on insanelymac sell pre-made adapters.
Thanks TC...the shield I'm working on is going to pretty much fill the width of the case. So instead of using the original io ports, I thought it would be easier to relocate the panel further down. Checkout my sketch of the shield from the first page. If I am going to carve the Shield-SMG-Skull from wood like it was suggested before, then it would go from one side to the other all the way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Technochicken
Appreciate the feedback.
I removed the front IO panel of the Dell and here are the parts from it
- Front USB/Audio
- The little white squares are LEDs
- The power switch assembly along with the cable
I am not sure how the LEDs work, but am assuming they're for HDD activity, etc. Have to figure out how to get them working with the motherboard I end up using.
The updated plan is to use the shield on the front spanning left to right and most of the front (like in the picture).
Here's a pic of the SMGs (courtesy Bungie...love those guys) I am going to either carve or model from clay. I am not really sure what my carving skills are, but I can play around with some putty before I make the final design.
I am hoping to keep the G5 as close to the original as possible, including the back plate. Sometime today, I am going to completely disassemble the G5 case and prepare the case for painting.
So I finally dismantled the case! What a PITA! Half the weight of the case must be just screws and nuts! :facepalm: Here are the parts ready for sanding (I'm borrowing an orbital sander from my neighbor):
The pic below is showing all the motherboard mounts still in place. I am not sure who said it, here on TBCS or another forum, the posts can be repositioned, trimmed and JB welded to fit my MB tray :up: That way, I also get the height to accommodate the back panel.
Also, as mentioned by a modder named Cyprio in a worklog he posted on bit-tech, I am going to keep the sliding door mechanism for the optical drive. That is really an amazing piece of Apple engineering.
For all the folks that are following this worklog, firstly, my thanks! I do have a question that I am looking for some thoughts on...I thought I would never use LEDs in this build, but am thinking, what if I used a couple of very dim (low voltage) LEDs and embed them in the plexi airflow panel that comes with the G5. Please let me know what you think.
I'm going to work on some playdough to get some ideas on how I am going to shape the shield/smg/skull tonight. I will post some pics regardless of the outcome, maybe someone might get a laugh out of it :D
Did some more planning on the color and design...the green should be darker on the final result and the orange should be more reflective - like the visor in ODST. Here's a preliminary artist's rendering of the view from the left side of the case. Sorry, I know it's not perfect and my skills are not the greatest :)
I went out yesterday to shop for some modelling clay (found what I was looking for @ Curry's) - to build the front piece.
Here are the approximate measurements of each of the pieces (Shield/SMG/Skull)
Shield: 7in width x 10in height x 1/4in depth
SMGs: 7.5in width x 10.5in height x 1/4in depth
Skull: 5.5in width x 6.5in height x 1/4in depth
I was hoping to play with some playdough earlier, but didn't get a chance to...I will do a quick mockup today to try my hand with it and see how it turns out. If the results come out satisfactory, I will move on to working with the clay itself.
The design on the right side of the case is going to be tricky, I want to incorporate it into the layers of the paint itself than being a vinyl on top once painting is done...there should be a technique to it, just have to find it.
Paint color still needs to be chosen...I am looking for a drab olive grey color...I may have to mix a couple together...our local crappytire store sells Krylon Camo paints...will visit them today. Also checked on Molotow (chromium oxide green or black green - like in the pic) which resembles what I am looking for, the store didn't carry it but can be ordered online.
I'll post my adventures with the playdough shortly...
Quick update. I tried to keep the G5 as intact as possible, however, I had to resort to cutting the back panel completely to accommodate a single fan vs both fans. I am strapped for cash, so I am reusing some of the parts from the backplate from the donor system. I am going to reuse the standoffs like this guy did here and place the motherboard tray (from donor case) over them:and here:
Once the JB weld cures, then I can start sanding. Also, I am planning to soundproof the case as J-Roc did here:
Playdough didn't work...too soft to hold the shape...I am going to buy some styrofoam to make mould's for the three pieces. I am going to work on the Power Supply mod tonight.
So I set about doing some more work today, in between "real work" :whistler: but ran into a design issue...my brain didn't register the logic for a minute...so here's my drawing of how I am going to do my whole back panel. I have the aluminium sheet and my neighbor has graciously offered to help with it...so we tackle the back plate tomorrow!
Also, thanks to some guidance from Technochicken, I gained most of my clarity back - brain was :dead: for some reason, but am on track with help from friends :D
Also, thanks to more help from Technochicken, I am going to modify the original fans and not the 80mm's...so all (mostly) fans will be put to use!
Here's my power supply, cheap one from Top Power (Never heard of them before), and I'm going to void the warranty to install it into the PS enclosure at the bottom! :) :
I will post pics of the PS as well once I am done...either I go through with putting the whole PSU in the original case or dismantle it completely, pics will be here :)
Until then...yours truly
Aight, worked some more on the PSUs...I really lucked out with this one...no cutting, nothing...just took the internals from ATX case and put them in the G5 PS case...even the connector fits like a glove...not sure what to do with the big honkin' fan though :D
Pics:
End result:
Only thing left is to cut slots for power switch and voltage selector, then close the box up and I am good to go...for now...
