Project: Savage

Well I still plan on having a reservoir. That window-mod thing is just for looks. I have some pictures to update with, but I'm holding off for now.

Running into a lot of problems with my custom radiator duct. I've already gone through 2 plans and scrapped both ideas. I think now I'm going to make the duct out of acrylic. I have some left over, and it was pretty easy to work with once I got the table saw out to make nice straight cuts. Plus with an acrylic duct I'll get a bit of insulation, and it won't look like my PC is being clogged up. Anyone have any ideas for what I can do with it to mod it out or spice it up a bit? Otherwise it will just look like a clear plastic box.

Next purchase will be a MCP655 pump and I can start testing my WC loop. Still need a stupid BSP tap for the acrylic window fittings (why couldn't they make them standard sized barbs?), and will also be ordering a 5.5" fan control/temp monitor, and one more slim drive. Also waiting on the custom bezel to hold both slim drives in one 5.5" bay. Stupid company said they were all on backorder.

Once all those things are purchased I'll be buying the Mobo, Vid Card and RAM all on credit from Newegg (0% interest until April baby!). Right now my project completion goal is the 3rd week in October, one month from now. Rugby on the weekends is really taking up a lot of time, so hopefully I can still make my self-imposed deadline.

VERY OMGSUPERBBQLARGE UPDATE!!......with pictures!!!


Allright, so the reason things have been slow is because I started working on my custom duct for my radiator. I started with one idea, had to scrap it because it wouldn't work. Then I got a 2nd idea, that didn't work either. So now I'm on idea #3. Also been short on time because of rugby in full swing.

Here we go, failed ideas. Keep in mind this is my first attempt at working with sheetmetal, lol

it got really ugly at times, not bending right, having to hammer things out, I was getting frustrated, and I figured paint could cover it all up anyway. I was pretty suprised when I compared it to my foam-board mockup.

BUT, alas, it was way too big and hard to work with =/. Plus it didn't look SO mega-awesome, so I smashed it. Then I decided to try working with some aluminum round ducting. Figured I could cut it and bend it the right way around the rad, I even made a frame around the rad to attach it to. Which came out beautifully btw.

But that duct work didn't cut and bend so cleanly, wasn't going to work, here's what I did with it.

So I decided to make my duct out of acrylic. I had some extra lying around from my window-mod, and it was realitivly easy and I knew how to work with it. So, why the heck not? I just hope I had enough material =/

FIRST, I took a LOT of measurements of the case. Just to make sure I wouldn't f-up again! Made sure I planned and drew everything out ahead of time.

Taped up one side so I could draw on it, and cut it up into the components.

I even made cool 45 degree joint cuts!!!

this is just part of how I'm going to attach the duct to the radiator. You'll see later, can't really explain it.

Now for the actual duct parts. Assembly was tricky, but that Weld-on #4 stuff is my best friend. And CRAP, I was short ONE 9 3/4"x1" peice!!! Guess I'll have to buy a small peice of acrylic to finish this up.

Here's kinda what it's gonna look like.

As you can see, I'm going to have to cut some of the 5.5" bay out to accomodate the duct. However that won't be a problem, I only plan on using the bottom 3 of the 5.5" drives, here, I'll show you with a mock build-up.

Oh, and I just got some more parts in, and finally got my stupid G1/4 BSPP Tap so I can finish my watercooling window barbs.

Money is quite tight right now, hence no updates. I plan on purchasing my pump next with some tubing and maybe being able to have a run of the water-cooling system for you guys in the next month.

Finally got the right tap, added an extra sheet of acrylic on the water-window (official name now, henceforth known as "WW"). This is to thicken it up, and allow me to screw some square brackets into it from the backside, which is how I'll attach it to the case eventually. Check it out.

One problem. When I was tapping the holes, some debris fell in the WW. I got most of it out, but you can see here one piece lodged itself in the top of the damn logo. ****. I have no clue how to get that out :(.

Finished up the acrylic duct as well. I even plugged it into my current computer to see if it would draw a flow, and it does. Now I just have to work on mounting it in the case, some steps still need to be done.

There's a small gap along 2 of the sides. Not sure if I want to fill them in somehow or just leave them as is. I think they will be fine, since the air will flow through the main opening because it's the path of least resistence.

Here is the side of the case where the duct will draw air through. I will cut a hole in the side case, but I need an idea for a grill or a patter to just cut in the side panel, and then put a filter in front of it. Any ideas?

You can also see what I was talking about before, where I'll need to cut out part of the bracket that holds the 5.5" drive bays. Just so I can fit the duct it. It won't be a problem since all my drives will be mounted in the bottom 3 bays.

This is what I'm going to use to make a custom grill for the top of the case (radiator fans) and then put that red gutter-guard mesh behind it. Anyone have any ideas for a cool design? Savage-related or not? Preferably something I can cut with a dremel, since I don't have any cool water-jet or laser cutters around :). It's just a very thin sheet of aluminum.

That's it for now. I need about 100$ to purchase my t-line, tubing, and a pump. That will be it for my watercooling loop. Then I plan on ordering the Mobo, RAM, and Video Card by the end of October so I can finance it with 0% interest through Newegg :).

THEN, I'll probabing finish painting and putting it together, but I'll still need about 100$ for lights/accessories, another 100$ for the custom laser-etched window, and then hopefully a little less than 100$ for my slim slot-load DVD+RW drive. Then she'll be all finished. Any donors? I take paypal :)

it's been a long while since my last update. Rugby has been taking up a lot of my time, getting close to having a functional PC here, the rest of my parts are on the way, I hope to have her up and running but without lights and my acrylic window in 2 weeks. I can add the lights and window later.

Anyway, just worked on fitting the duct into the PC. Here's the result.

some modifications were definitely in order...

So that's how it's going to fit inside the case. Worked on a custom grill for the top fans, not sure if I want to use it or not. I think because it has a smaller area it's going to make a lot of noise with the 2 120mm fans pushing air through it.

After my work tonight, got a few more letters cut out.

Probably won't use that mesh, maybe I will, not sure yet. Should look cool with the red led fans.

Here's what it kinda will look like, sans black and red paint jobber. As you can see, I'm going to have to trim up the duct to make sure it fits inside the side-panel. I also will have to cut the hole for the side panel. I want to make sure it's a very tight fit. It's gonna take some tricky measuring to make sure I get it perfect =/,

I wonder if anyone is still reading this, lol.

i am!

and i'm glad is still alive :D

and the gril came out looking great

Impressive! I wish I could cut that great. Nice work on the water window and duct, gives me so many ideas!

I am planning on doing what you have done with your PSU and fliping it up the other way and having the bottom fan blowing from the top. I really love the custom fan grill its laser cut right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by simon275

I am planning on doing what you have done with your PSU and fliping it up the other way and having the bottom fan blowing from the top. I really love the custom fan grill its laser cut right?

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lol, I wish I had a laser cutter. The grill was done with a dremel and some filing.

Looks great man. The duct and the WW look awesome. Can't wait to see it all up and running.