Ducky

Intro
Well, let me start off by saying that reading all the great build logs has really sucked me in to do some work. I've always enjoyed seeing the spectacular work, and now I want in! This will be my first case mod, and will likely just be a mixing pot of all the great ideas I have seen around. I don't have much cash to throw around so this will be interesting. Sadly, this isn't going to be a whole build, can't afford a new system. Ah well, you make due right?

Anyways, my life is lacking a little green. Currently I'm running a rig with blue LEDs, and I adore it of course, but after seeing all the nvidia cases (CM Stacker 830 Special Edition and now the Antec 900 Special Edition) I was tempted to give it a shot. I actually came up with the idea while neglecting sleep, and when I pieced it all together, I hopped out of bed (will get to that) and got to disassembling the victim.

The Victim!



This sucker was the first PC that I ever actually owned. Bought back in 2001 from MDG (A canadian 'Dell' or 'HP' more or less), it lasted me all the way until 2007, when I got into custom builds and built my sig rig. I had the case and contents stashed away under a pile of PC component boxes, but after a short look I realized the potential this thing had. I believe the case is steel, as it's a much denser material than the aluminum one I'm running. The front plate is all plastic though, which I'm not totally psyched about. Anyways, below is a concept and the to-do list.

Mod List
-Add a front 80mm fan intake where the USB ports used to be. FAN HAS TO HAVE A GREEN GLOW TO IT! (bondo or mesh? Or both?)

- Add a front 120mm fan intake above the 3.5" bays in the 3 spare 5.25" bays (bondo or mesh? Or both?)

- Bondo shut the gaps from the 3.5" bays on the front. Those things are ugly as hell.

- Cut a side window. Has to follow the somewhat square groove or it will look awkward. window will be clear plexiglass..? (what is it you guys use for the side windows?)

- Cut more vents in the back for exhaust.

- Install fan controller knobs [4-6] on either the top or the faceplate.

- Figure out a base.

- Paint the interior a flat black.

- Paint the exterior a gloss black with green decal (likely stripes)

- Paint the rim of the faceplate green, paint the rest of the faceplate black.

- Install green cold cathodes above and below the window.

Here is how it's looking in my head at the moment, this is minus the knobs and a base.. (Pardon the sketchy quality) It will probably be black, not gray like you see here. Just made it gray so that the features were still visible.




So when will you update man?
As for updates, they should be quick once I get going. However getting all the materials is what will kill me. I stated earlier something about hopping - reason being I'm currently dependent on a crutch. Had knee surgery back in may and it's gonna be till christmas till I get back around to walking. Sucks because I'm not driving and have to ask others for favors when I need things. Fortunately good friends and family have me semi mobile.

[September 15 '08] Taking it apart
[September 18 '08] Kinda an update? What I've been up to.
[September 19 '08] I can see you through my window..
[September 20 '08] Sit n' Sand / Bask n' Bondo
[September 24 '08] It's a colorful world out there..
[September 25 '08] Hole-d on..
[September 26 '08] Sanding is hard work
[September 30 '08] Get 'cho glue on
[September 30 '08] Some new design ideas
[October 1 '08] Mo' bondo!
[October 7 '08] Parcel from Bill!
[October 11 '08] The BIG update
[October 12 '08] Light 'em up
[October 19 '08] A long few days
[October 19 '08] MO PAINT!
[October 21 '08] Got sleeve?
[October 22 '08] LEDs and Fable2
[October 25 '08] Painting the cage
[November 11 '08] Moar paint!
[February 1 '09] Clearcoated cage

So lets see where this goes! Thread officially open.

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pioneerisloud

Looking forward to seeing your work! Subscribed!

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DigitalBear

Sweet! Going to watch this one!

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I iz Pirate

In reference to the Blue Screen of Death still being in Windows 7

Ducky

Thanks guys, now I first need to do a little research on bondo, or get someone in here that knows a bit about it

I'm not too fond of how the 120mm on the front is looking, I may change the design so it's a bit more subtle. Also, there is a little grill under the 80mm that I will be painting green as well.

Hopefully I can find the right green in plastic paint

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EuroFix

I like, Ilike, go for it man!

Ducky

Thanks Euro, I may very well incorporate the blowers that you had built in your PC for that bottom 80mm, if that is alright with you of course

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Syrillian

*hops on the subscribble-wagon*

A very kind thing you are doing for that aging case.

Looking forward to seeing this plan unfold.

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WIP: Scarab
Custom Cases:
Silentium, Halcyon, Indigo, Gemini, Prometheus, Anvil
Case Mods:
Liquid Chameleon, VF1000 LAN box

Semper Fidelis

Danylu

Can't wait

I be watching the progress.

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Ducky

I decided to further complicate my life, instead of that big blowhole for the 120mm fan on the front, I want to take out all the 5.25" bays and put in a meh. Then attach the fan behind the mesh, and have a glow behind the fan. That way it's not so 'in your face' but still gets where I want. Also, that will let me mesh the back as well.

Anyways, photo time! Nothing special here, just the deconstruction of the case. Couldn't sleep so I went and took it all apart and measured some things out. Sadly it's a bit complicated moving everything around, so until things get messy, the laundry room will be my workshop.

For the record, I post the descriptions below the picture. Seems mroe natural to look at the photo first then see the text IMHO.



So here is the angle view again





Here is the front, if you look carefully below the 5.25 docks, you can see the 3.5 ones, which I will be bondo'ing so it's seamless. I'm thinking of putting the knobs for the fan controller there too.





The back. Will be painted over in black. Still not sure if I want to do it flat black back here like the inside or gloss black like the sides and top. Flat seems the easiest so I will probably go with that. Where all those stickers are, I plan on cutting out and putting mesh, then I'll dock some led fans for outtake.





For a while I had my sig rig in this case, but now you can see the old components. Good old p4!





All the pieces laid out. I was totally amazed at how great the build quality on this thing was. It had a removable motherboard tray that had holes for cable management, all the panels were removable, the cage itself was sturdy as hell, and even the plastic pieces came apart. You can see the darker grey plastic piece that I'm gonna paint green on it's own. It has some wired leading to the power/busy buttons that will need to be removed or taped up for painting, but no big deal. The HDD cage is removable too, I'm considering taking it off and making that a big wind tunnel similar to what EuroFix did on his case mod. Something to consider.





Lastly, the window panel. Outlined where I want to cut it in case you guys couldn't see the groove too clearly. My camera isn't the greatest as it is a makeshift while I wait to purchase a new one (Lost my old one while snowboarding).




That wraps up the disassembly. Gotta sort out something with my 360 today (which reminds me, this case concept kinda reminds me of the original xbox, must be the colors?). Will have to look into bondo asap, should be getting a confirmation email from petras as well in regards to being able to ship to canada soon. Gotta pick up some cold cathodes and LEDs from them as it's way too expensive to buy from the shops here.

Til next time

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EuroFix

Sure is OK with me but don't make it too difficult for yourself or else you end up like me and still be at it after few months lol.