BitFenix Pandora - Silent Oak

[flix29]

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?

 

[flix29]

Looking interesting,well done so far

Thank you.

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

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.

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

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

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.

I think this is going to be great!

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.

 

[flix29]

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

Thank you.

Gotta love a Pandora build

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

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

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.

 

[flix29]

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

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.

I like how unique this build is!

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.

 

[flix29]

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

 

[flix29]

Thank you.
I'm glad to hear that.

Some of the hardware I will use for this project.
The Powersupply is a Corsair RM 450. I choose it because of the full modularity. At that point i didnt know that it will run complete passive. Very nice

Matching graphics card: passive R7 250
No wonder... it is also really silent.

Noctua decided to support this project. The fans match the look of the case really nice. Thank you so much.

Already the packaging looks an feels very great and better than the usal fan packaging.

Scope of Delivery:

- Low-Noise Adapter (L.N.A.)
- 4-Pin Y-Cable
- 30cm Extension Cable
- 4 Vibration-Compensators
- 4 Fan Screws

This fans are very heavy. feels very significant.

Great product, and i've tested a lot of fans in the last years.

 

[flix29]

Great looking build. very interesting project. I have been thinking about crafted wooden machines with interesting layouts for a while.

Thank you. Wood is a really nice material to work on. Do not think about it, do it!

What do you think of the Pandora ? I'm thinking of getting one.

Great Case, as I mentioned earlier, I also have the atx version (worklog follows) and both cases are great.


Big Update:

I continued on the new sidepanels.
I ordered some acrylic sheets and cut it nearly to the exact measurements.

some detail work to match the contours better-

Have to do the same work with the second sheet...

I want to have a 5mm sheet for the stability but from the front view I dont want to see a 5mm width acrylic strip, so I took the router and milled some material.

fits really nice

Continued with some more cuttings:

added some veneer:

grinded the outlines:

rough cut of the edges from the inside:

some detail work with a scalpel and grinding paper:

Now I had to fill the cuttings with some alu sheets.
So I cutted some alumium to the right sice and gave it a nice fit by using a file.

Fits, maybe not 100% but 99%

Now the painful part follows...
drilled the first hole:

and orientate a perforated plate on it:

Now I started the drilling massacre:

Test fit in the frame:

and in the case

see you

 

[flix29]

Wow tank you all for this nice feedback.

The amount of work going into this case is incredible. Definitely worth it though, looks awesome! How many hours do you think you've put into it so far? Just curious as I'd need about 6 months of 8hr days to pull that off!

This project took me 3 months beside my normal work. The updates I posted until know are from last year. But there will be also some new updates soon.

You're just showing off now, you with your amazing skills, patience and attention to detail - you're giving the rest of us a bad name...

Great job! I can't wait to see it when complete.

That wasnt my intention. In my oppinion everyone can achieve something like this if he wants it.

absolutely stunning. Been wanting to do a Pandora mod myself for ages (since davido_labido's Pandora's Purple Box, in fact) but the In Win 901 called me more and I can't even afford that one, let alone 2

When I eventually do my Pandora, I can only hope to match your level of detail and handiwork - wonderful job.

Yes that is also a nice mod, like the colors from this mod a lot. I want to use the same colors in another mod: "brightness", I have to continue this mod soon...
In Win makes some really nice cases, would love to mod one of them in the future.

This is truly amazing
The case genuinely does remind me of quality furniture. The finishes are superb (Especially the metal work) as everything appears to have no quirks or defects. Why havent you been employed into an R&D department yet as you have more than whats necesary and then we might get more cases like this

Can't wait for more updates as this is stunning

Hehe, thank you. The thinks I do to cases aren't suitable for a width range of people. Well... I thought about founding a small buisness with own cases but I didnt see a market for that.


Small update:

second panel done:

 

[flix29]

Thank you.

I finally have to finish this mod...
so lets go on.


To close the gab between the frame and the new panels I had to cut some profiles to the right lenght:

Shortened one side by using a router ...

at the case:

I have to paint the black later.


Besides that, I tested how the finish will look.

See you

 

[flix29]

Thank you.

You know that the wood is just a veneer? The would itself is just 1mm or something like that. I just moisted it a little bit an bend it into the right position while glueing it to the surface. (wow... i think my english knowledge sucks...)

 

[flix29]

Some water will prevent the wood from breaking while forming curves.


The project is finished.

Big thanks to all readers and Noctua for providing some nice cooling components.

 

[flix29]

Thank you so much.
Nice to hear that.

 

[flix29]

"I 'wood' buy one if I could... "

This project is part of the BitFenix Contest which started today.
Feel free to vote for the project you like most.

BitFenix ModTime