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[Project] Primordial Ascent

675 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Pringlecks, 
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I guess this would be considered a case rebirth! As stated by my sig rig, I do in fact, own an Inwin q500 server chassis. I bought it for 25 bucks, so I can't complain. It's a dream to build in simply because of the mass amount of space it has (dual PSU's, Extended ATX Mobo, 5 5.25 drive bays, etc.). After assembling my meager machine inside of the q500, I realized that my airflow was grossly inadequate. And because of that, I plan of modifying certain aspects of the case to accommodate better airflow. Oh, and I don't plan on painting it, I kind of have an affinity for mid 90's, beige, computer towers. Nostalgia I guess. Don't judge. My work log may or may not be completed in order, but who cares?

Plans:

GOAL #1 Cut holes in side panel, mount plexiglass, and dual 120mm fans in the side panel: COMPLETE

GOAL #2 Front Panel fan hole: Probably after the side panel.

GOAL #3Wire Management: Maybe.

CURRENT PROGRESS (GOAL #1)

My previous plan was to drill 560 or so holes in the side for a grill pattern, but after getting one row in, I suddenly realized the vanity of that endeavor. Plus a whole cutout with Plexiglas sounds way better anyway. So I plan on cutting out a side panel that's around 220x270 or something like that, and placing Plexiglass in it's place. It's an upright rectangle that will hold two 120mm fans with a 1.2cm space in between them. LED's are a possibility.

This is the panel from the other side that isn't being modded, but it gives you an idea of what it did look like, unmolested.


As you can see, the holes don't even look attractive, glad I'm ditching the grill pattern. I should have more progress on this thing in the coming week. Maybe even tomorrow!


Here is a better view of my measurements and plans. And I do plan on leaving a center "bar" if you will, in between the two fans. making the rounded edges of the rectangle may prove to be difficult, but I think I'll be able to drill them out nicely.


Feel free to comment and give some advice! Thanks!

UPDATE 16 DECEMBER

Finished the side panel this afternoon. I had a few bouts with crappy RTV application on the edges of the glass so I decided to redo it with stripped RCA cable sleeves. Turned out okay for my first real mod. The true action is in the temp drops though.




I'm really not satisfied with the windows though. I still think they look a bit sloppy. I guess I'll just have to do better next time.
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billbartuska
Perhaps it's a little late, but drawing a grid and center punching dimples where you want the holes would do a much better job of getting them aligned. The drill will not wander around when it is starting. And you'd be able to see your alignment mistakes before you actually drilled the holes. Also, clamping a piece of wood under the cover will get you much cleaner holes. The wood tends to hold the drill steady as it does the last bit of cutting through, and helps support the thin metal so the final punch through with the drill cuts the metal, instead of tearing through it and leaving a mess.

And for cutting out large openings you'll need a Dremel or Jig Saw.
Tape over the panes and draw uour cutouts on the tape. That way the panel won't get scratched.
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Quote:


Originally Posted by billbartuska
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Perhaps it's a little late, but drawing a grid and center punching dimples where you want the holes would do a much better job of getting them aligned. The drill will not wander around when it is starting. And you'd be able to see your alignment mistakes before you actually drilled the holes. Also, clamping a piece of wood under the cover will get you much cleaner holes. The wood tends to hold the drill steady as it does the last bit of cutting through, and helps support the thin metal so the final punch through with the drill cuts the metal, instead of tearing through it and leaving a mess.

And for cutting out large openings you'll need a Dremel or Jig Saw.
Tape over the panes and draw uour cutouts on the tape. That way the panel won't get scratched.

I had actually tried dimpling, but that was for like the first 4 or 5 holes. I really lost hope in the grill pattern after that. But definitely, if I was still on board with the grill, I would most certainly dimple the rest.

And I do have a jig saw. I'm going to pick up a metal blade today.
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UPDATE ON GOAL #1

I finished cutting the side panel holes today. Ended up going with a half inch bit to make the rounded edges and a heavy duty dremel blade (try about 16 of them) to cut through the stainless. Turned out pretty good. Spent the last bit softening up the edges with a bastard file and some steel wool (God that stuff is amazing!). Pics Below. Hopefully, I'll be able to pick up some Plexiglass and two new 120mm fans tomorrow and finish this thing off.

Preparing the panel with C-Clamps and stuff.


Just finished the first section, without having smoothed up the edges. That was last.


Second panel finished.


After a little buffing with the steel wool and file. The pencil is for size comparison. This is a big panel.


Next step! PLEXIGLASS!
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Jolly-Swagman
Looking great so far, the Plexi window will look allot better than your first suggestion, fo the grill pattern
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PLEXIGLASS!

Just bought some today, and cut and applied it. Didn't happen to take any pictures of the application, but here is the finished product if your interested!






As of now, I am still waiting for the silicon to dry so I can really clean up the glass with some 409 and make it all pretty and stuff. Now I've just got to get around to buying some 120mm fans and grills.
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