BitFenix Pandora - Silent Oak

Hi everyone,
I want to show you my latest mod.

This project is based on a BitFenix Pandora.
I really like the shape of that case. Anyway... I will do a lot of modding. :rock:

- the oriantation of the case will be changed

- the sidepanels will get a veneer

- make a new top and botten for the case

- the front will get a second revision out of aluminium




The project starts by taking closer look over the case.






Not a perfect finish on the sidepanels. Some scratches are visible.















The Top Panel is really cool. You can remove it toolless.























I wanted to start with the most difficult part: the front.
I hate to bend sheets without the right tools.

Cutted a sheet of aluminium to the right size:






The first bending try was a big fail, it was not possible to do an even bend.




So I went to the hardware store an bought some materials for a new bending "tool".




Cutted a waste-pipe into two halfs...





... and bolt it on some pieces of wood.











This attempt was also foredoomed, the diameter was wrong.
But with the thrid attempt it works great.




So I continued with the metal sheet for the front:






After drilling I take a Dremel to make some more cuts.






In the meantime the veneer arrived, I thin it looks great.



For continuing with the front I had to to the frontpanel.
So I designed some symbols, behind them there will be some capazitive switches.









It doenst work perfect but I think I can fix it.






Continued with the front.




test fit of the frontpanel:




After all of this work was done, I started with the critical work. I the bend went wrong all the drilling, dremeling and filing was for nothing.




But it works.





First test fit on the case






in combination with the veneer:




Thats it for now, what do you think?

I think this is going to be great!

Looking interesting,well done so far

This is definitely an interesting project, probably a look I'd quite like for a HTPC or one that would be located in the living room. I'm quite surprised at the vaneer fitting in so well with the metal design but I bet it'll look great when it's all finished (Like the original Bang and Olufsen where it's like a piece of furniture)

Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see the build progress

Like the idea and the creativity to go with the natural accents.

Also, full respect for your tenacity with the aluminium bending.

RadioactiveGimp said:

Looking interesting,well done so far

Click to expand...

Thank you.

TechMinerUK said:

This is definitely an interesting project, probably a look I'd quite like for a HTPC or one that would be located in the living room. I'm quite surprised at the vaneer fitting in so well with the metal design but I bet it'll look great when it's all finished (Like the original Bang and Olufsen where it's like a piece of furniture)

Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see the build progress

Click to expand...

Yes, this was also my first intention, but at the end I realized that this case is to big for the living room. It doesnt fit into my furniture.

Petelock said:

Like the idea and the creativity to go with the natural accents.

Also, full respect for your tenacity with the aluminium bending.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I also think that the veneer + aluminium will be a great combination. Bending aluminium without the right tools isnt fun... but I'm very satisfied with the result now.

abui1806 said:

I think this is going to be great!

Click to expand...

Thank you


Update:

With every project I'm working on I have the same problems. Finding a matching name is the most difficult part of modding, I think.
But this time I found a name for this project. I think "silent oak" will match the concept of this build very well. What do you think?


The first part I want to put the veneer on, was the backpart.

At first disambled that part:



cut two parts of veneer to match the whole width:



No pictures from my first try... that looked completly crappy....
I removed my first try and started the second attempt.



at the first try I want to use two parts, it was really difficult to agglutinate the parts cause of the curves. At this attempt I started with 6 parts and it worked much better:





cleaned the edges:








See you soon.

Looking forward to seeing how this goes, great so far!

Gotta love a Pandora build

That wrapping (If that's what it's called) looks great, the pieces blend in perfectly with no marks or blemishes. It also curves around perfectly with no issues at all

Jamesyboyjim said:

Looking forward to seeing how this goes, great so far!

Click to expand...

Thank you.

LePhuronn said:

Gotta love a Pandora build

Click to expand...

These Pandora cases are really great. I also have a Pandora ATX here to mod it soon.

TechMinerUK said:

That wrapping (If that's what it's called) looks great, the pieces blend in perfectly with no marks or blemishes. It also curves around perfectly with no issues at all

Click to expand...

Thank you Sir.

Update:

To mount the new front a skeletal structure must be build, I cutted some aluminium into the right dimensions and cutted some threads.




assambled all the parts for a test fit. The alu sheet must be filed down later.



Test fit on the case:




Continued on the sidepanel.
For a nice layout of the window I putted a mainboard in the case an measured the corect dimensions.
After that the contours were marked at the sidepanel and cutted with the angle grinder and dremel.



After filing down the edges it looks much better..



Later I will make an inlay window for it.

That it for now.

You have achieved a good cut when cutting for the case window as it looks smooth and perfectly shaped (No waved lines etc). I bet it must have taken awhile to file down the edges and makesure they were perfect

I like how unique this build is!

TechMinerUK said:

You have achieved a good cut when cutting for the case window as it looks smooth and perfectly shaped (No waved lines etc). I bet it must have taken awhile to file down the edges and makesure they were perfect

Click to expand...

Thank you. Meanwhile I have a lot of exyperiences with nice edges.
Yes, It takes a while but if you are pationt its easy to achieve that.

russell664 said:

I like how unique this build is!

Click to expand...

Thank you, that was my intention.

Update:

Going on with the sidepanels.
At first i roughly cutted the veneer to the right size and took my iron the fuse the veneer on the panels.



after that, a lot of detail work must be done by using a scalpel and some sandpaper





second panel





Thats it for now.

looks smart and a lot of thought gone in to this .

now that dose look nice

Waw! Nice build

Looks like a lot of work, but it's looking great, nice job

Nice! I had fun with a Pandora! Looks like they are still going strong!

Thank you a lot.
Thats really motivating.

Update:

Going on with the window.
For a sleeker look, I wanted to make an inlayed window. That wasnt that easy, but finally it comes out great.

Starting with cutting some acrylic panel to the right size and added some curves to the corners.



Cutted and filed down:



For the milled edge I used a miller with a spacer disk.





The first fit wasnt perfect but after some sanding it fits very well.
For making it by hand, I'm really satisfied.







See you

BF Pandora looks stunning. Great modifications too.