Case modding ideas needed - Overclock.net

dmhnc · 04-28-07

I have a Thermaltake Soprano case that I'm modding and would like some ideas. Originally I was just going to paint the case and keep things simple. I installed a fan controller then ran into problems with clearance problems, door will not close. So I removed the door. This sort of defeats the purpose of a Soprano case but the controller is lighted and looks nice. I'm adding a second one also.

The outer door will not be going back on so I want to clean up the front.

Here is the front now. All of the front bays will be filled. Two fan controllers, DVD/CD sata drive and a the hard drive. The floppy slot will be covered.

Here is a link to the hdd cooler I'll be getting when it's available.
click here.

Also I want to remove the push buttons and replace with this.

I already have a front intake fan to install, here are some pics.

I'd like to do something with the cut out slots at bottom obviously to show off the intake fan. It's important to me to keep this mod clean looking. I've thought about several things I can do here but I can't decide. I could cut out the slotted area and then cover with aluminum sheet. I would cut out for fan and cover with some kind of grill. All around the aluminum sheet I would have stainless hex screws. Or, I can sculpt something with auto body filler for the fan. I do plan to use filler to hide all seams around floppy covers and front button holes when I remove them. I'll drill new hole for new push button.
Then there is the top and bottom lips that protrude from the front. Should I leave them as is or shave them flush or mod somehow? I've thought about filling in to make smooth all the way across. Any ideas?

Du@lGeEk · 04-28-07

Can i sugest something totally diferent?
I suggest you find a way to open holes for the door to close with the fan controller installed.
I would look much better.
yOu could also mod the door to fit in a fan, but i think withouth the door, the case is kinda ugly.
PS: here at ocn , we don't work for reps, we just like to help, so no need to offer reps!

pyr0m1 · 04-28-07

Again, no rep needed.

I would suggest forgetting the plastic door entirely, and instead making something more or less the same shape out of aluminum sheeting (if you know someone with the proper tools).

Then, you could cut out swirls or some other design where the fan mounts.

If you don't know someone who works with aluminum, you could replace the slot area with acrylic (painted or not), cut designs into that, and put the fan in.

dmhnc · 04-28-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Du@lGeEk

Can i sugest something totally diferent?
I suggest you find a way to open holes for the door to close with the fan controller installed.
I would look much better.
yOu could also mod the door to fit in a fan, but i think withouth the door, the case is kinda ugly.
PS: here at ocn , we don't work for reps, we just like to help, so no need to offer reps!

I also thought about keeping the door. I could probably mod the fan controllers to sit back enough for door to close. But because the fan controllers are lighted and also the hdd cooler is too I want to keep it open. I can mod it to look good being open i think. If the door were flat I'd keep it and mod it for the fan like you said. Thanks for the input

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyr0m1

Again, no rep needed.

I would suggest forgetting the plastic door entirely, and instead making something more or less the same shape out of aluminum sheeting (if you know someone with the proper tools).

Then, you could cut out swirls or some other design where the fan mounts.

If you don't know someone who works with aluminum, you could replace the slot area with acrylic (painted or not), cut designs into that, and put the fan in.

The company I work for has a full sheet metal shop but it's in Va. and I live in NC. I work local through them. I also have access to a shop near me that has a brake and shear machine and all the aluminum I would need. I work with aluminum occasionally doing mods to line panels in sub stations for work . I do relay work for a power utility. My thoughts on this though is I want this mod to look perfect. My measurements would need to be perfect and I'd hate to spend all that time making something and then it not look as good as I want. But your idea is a good one. I may reconsider this.