Project AMD Skeleton

B1ng · 30 Jul 2010 at 13:00

Hi Folks,

I'm planning to go to work on an Antec Skeleton, themed towards AMD as i'm a self-admitted fan boy.

Going to be moving my hardware out of it sometime very soon into a freshly purchased spare Antec 300, allowing me to still use my machine and take my time with the modding.

I wanted to mess around with the case when it was initially purchased a few monthes ago, but as I was keen to try out my new hardware I threw everything in and never got round to making it as nice looking as I had in mind! Hopefully at the conclusion of this, that will have changed and I'll be happy with it.

Pictures and more information to follow, all ideas welcome!

Cheers,
B1ng.

Tealc · 30 Jul 2010 at 14:35

There are a few Antec Skeleton mods on here..

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18099276

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18152995

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18123285

G-Dubs · 30 Jul 2010 at 20:16

Cheers for the PR Tealc.

B1ng, I've still got a few ideas for modding this case rattling around in my noggin. Nay have a go at them myself sometime, but happy to share and if you want to go with any or part of them I won't mind at all.

I've thought about doing one pure high gloss black. it would need a lot of sanding and careful prepping to get a good finish but I think it can be done.

Also experimented with a gloss white finish and the use of a pearl effect paint coating (plasticote do one) Might look nice, certainly diferrent, possibly a bit girly.

I like the green I did my last one in, and I think it suits the military/industrial look, you could try mating the green with an orange cowling. (recently discovered orange on my last build and love it as a colour.

The trick with this case is integrating the cables. you can't hide them and you shouldn't try. Make a feature of them by braiding in a colour that compliments the paint scheme (like on the yellow black build.

You can use low profile fans quite effectivly but if you want to fit a bigger fan the tallest you can use without fowling the underside of the actual fan assembly (I don't mean the cowling, I mean the actual fan that sits inside it) is 156mm. The best i've found is the titan fenrir.

always glad to help, and any questions just ask away.

B1ng · 31 Jul 2010 at 20:09

Up and running in spare case

Hi Guys,

A quick update for you. I am up and running in my spare case, ready to go to work on the Skeleton. Here are a few pictures:-

Before.

After.

As you can see, the Skeleton is now ready to be taken apart and make to look even more amazing.

G-Dubs, I quite like the idea of yours of a high gloss black, as my idea was to go for black on the outer plastic shell. Have you got any examples of what sort of finish you are thinking of?

Also, here is the cooler i've been using, with the fan that is now in the front of my 300.

That's all for now, more to follow!

Cheers,
B1ng.

Muel · 31 Jul 2010 at 20:57

B1ng said:

WTF is going on with your big toe? That's one deformed little ******.

G-Dubs · 1 Aug 2010 at 00:36

was originally thinking high gloss black, just using plastikote paint from B&Q

But have had another idea. On my most recent build i've found that Halfords auto paints are a lot easir to use and give better cverage than the plastikote. which is good as it also opens up the colour options.

What I think would look really good is a sort of anthracite colour. Basically black with a hint of silver in it. there are no end of car colours like this so you could choose the one that's just right for you.

Actually thinking of doing thi for my next build but if you go for it then not a problem. i'm not one of these that get terretoril over ideas etc.

Like what you've done with the front panel connectors, but do just check you have enough flex left to get them where they need to be and that you haven't grouped together things tha are going to different places

B1ng · 1 Aug 2010 at 17:51

Muel said:
WTF is going on with your big toe? That's one deformed little ******.

If you have nothing useful to contribute to the subject of the thread, please don't bother.

I'm liking the sounds of that colour you have mentioned, will be making a trip down to Halfords to have a look see at some point this week. I presume you mean a can of spray, to be used after prepping and priming?

Yeah that's what they looked like previously. There were big gaps at either end, and during application of them most of the red paint flaked off; they looked appalling! Going to be doing a proper job this time around with a braiding kit, along with some green UV anti-kink coils.

Will be pulling the skelly apart after work this week, more news to follow!

B1ng.

B1ng · 3 Aug 2010 at 12:59

A quick update. Got the Skelly mostly in pieces last night, but couldn't find my Allen Keys to get the top of the fan off! Hopefully get that in pieces tonight. Then it's onto prepping!

G-Dubs · 3 Aug 2010 at 14:19

Easy to take apart isn't it?

B1ng · 3 Aug 2010 at 17:09

Yeah I was quite impressed there. Will be interesting putting everything back in the right place with the right screws though!

G-Dubs · 3 Aug 2010 at 17:52

Do be careful withthe screws. for the most part it doesn't really make a jot of difference but you must use the short screws to connect the front switch panel section back to the cowling, otherwise as you screw in you will push out a small blister of plastic as the screw bottoms out in the hole. how do I know? done it twice now!!!

B1ng · 3 Aug 2010 at 19:10

I'll bear it in mind!

It's in pieces!

This is the part where I need some help with bright ideas. All i'm planning to do so far in terms of physical modification to the case is to spray the outer silver cowling to a shiny smooth black finish.

All ideas greatly appreciated!

G-Dubs · 3 Aug 2010 at 20:29

Happy sanding matey. I found the only way to get a good high gloss finish was to sand it back to totally smooth.

You planning on a contrasting colour for the rest of the frame?

or is it there that you would like the ideas?

B1ng · 3 Aug 2010 at 21:08

I'm pretty much open to ideas to be honest at this stage. I'm thinking about spraying the fan white and the frame black, that's about it as far as my ideas go right now in terms of the physical stuff .

The PSU braiding will be remaining black with green coils, and any other cables will be white braiding with green coils. Might put some white LED strips underneath along with a UV tube. Again that's about it.

B1ng · 27 Aug 2010 at 22:27

Quick update on things; sanding has begun. Not had much time due to heavy work commitments at the moment, but things are still happening, albeit rather slowly at the mo!

Still open to ideas here regarding an AMD themed build. Just purchased some 12" UV tubes that i'm hoping to find a home for behind the side panels to light up the cables under there. All ideas greatly appreciated!

That's all for now, watch this space!

ReU_VOoDOo · 27 Aug 2010 at 22:37

cool another skelly mod good luck mate!

G-Dubs · 28 Aug 2010 at 10:28

the colour combo sounds v nice. you could also go for amd green cowling and perhaps include the logo?

the 12" ccfls will fit perfect behind the side mesh, and also give a good effect if you lay them inside long wats accross the case

if you can get any of the 6" ones they can be secured under the fan to give a top down light. i've got a little uv one there in mine

looking forward to this build

Jayster · 28 Aug 2010 at 12:40

B1ng said:
Quick update on things; sanding has begun. Not had much time due to heavy work commitments at the moment, but things are still happening, albeit rather slowly at the mo!

Still open to ideas here regarding an AMD themed build. Just purchased some 12" UV tubes that i'm hoping to find a home for behind the side panels to light up the cables under there. All ideas greatly appreciated!

That's all for now, watch this space!

Sounds nice.

OCD-OC · 29 Aug 2010 at 13:29

wonder if Tealc can suggest some nice LED belts to go "under the Arches" .. I think that'd look a lot sweeter than UV strip lamps as they can be hidden away better

otherwise Have fun and keep the pics coming ..

ps. which bits are you going to cut off ? ... not the deformed toe .. obviously

Tealc · 29 Aug 2010 at 13:45

SMD LEDs definitely for a 'case' such as the skeleton. More difficult to solder but much larger viewing angle would throw nice light in the directions you wish.