I have the modding itch... Going to try my first case mod! Any advice would be appreciated :)

[Akagi]

Ok so... I have an Antec 300 which i have a Core 2 Duo, 4gb ddr3, hd5450 rig built in which is being used as a server.

The antec 300 is a pretty boring looking case IMO and i have been tempted to mod it ever since i got it a few years ago.

What i have planned at the moment it to spray the sides, top and the outside edge of the front facia in silver or white, to leave the power button, reset button, front mesh, and bezel covers black. (will cut a slot in the top bezel and a small hole as well for the disk tray and eject button to go in) the eject button and front of the disk tray will be painted silver or white (depending on which colour i choose)

The inside will be sprayed black and i may cut cable management holes.

Finally i will cut a side window hole and use plexi on it.

What method do you think i should use to mark out the side window and to cut it (including how to make the initial incision)?

Do you have any suggestions on how i should spray the casing? How should i mask it? Should i spray the inside or outside first? how should i remove the rivets? how should i sand down the paintwork (and what with?)

Any additional advice would be happily taken also

 

[Akagi]

I want coloured accents as well, most probably orange, so orange LED fans are likely, as well as orange painted thumbscrews.
Not right now, but at some point i want to cut out the top of the front bezel (where the power button etc is) and replace it with a metal sheet (sprayed black) which i will have fighter pilot style switches and access lights on.
The top casing will also be changed once i figure out what i want to do with it.

This thread is only for ADVICE the build will be on another thread as it may well be a while until i start.

 

[Tealc]

If you like take a look at a couple of my small tutorials for swapping in Orange LEDs as there aren't many orange LED fans available off the shelf.

16 LEDs on a fan, looks like the fan in my signature.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18172810

How to wire up a cheap LED strip.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18405990

This one contains some details about modding switches and making a switch panel with lighting.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18185136

I did have one where I just swapped LEDs on a blue LED fan to Orange but I can't find it right now.

 

[Akagi]

If you like take a look at a couple of my small tutorials for swapping in Orange LEDs as there aren't many orange LED fans available off the shelf.

16 LEDs on a fan, looks like the fan in my signature.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18172810

How to wire up a cheap LED strip.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18405990

This one contains some details about modding switches and making a switch panel with lighting.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18185136

I did have one where I just swapped LEDs on a blue LED fan to Orange but I can't find it right now.

thanks In the thread where you made an LED strip, you said it cost around 36p? how expensive are the parts to buy if the whole thing together was so cheap? and where did you get the parts from? (not sure if oc will mind you telling me... since led's and capacitors and wire isnt thier forte)

 

[Akagi]

gotta mod the actual chassis before i think about modding my fans though

 

[w3bbo]

An old black and orange build of mine that might give you a few ideas:

 

[Akagi]

An old black and orange build of mine that might give you a few ideas:

your systems are quite something w3bbo, keep up the good work

And thanks for the video

 

[Tealc]

thanks In the thread where you made an LED strip, you said it cost around 36p? how expensive are the parts to buy if the whole thing together was so cheap? and where did you get the parts from? (not sure if oc will mind you telling me... since led's and capacitors and wire isnt thier forte)

The price was basically just for the LEDs as they were about 5 or 6 pence each. The cable I had to hand but can be bought for £1/10M.

Making a LED strip was a bit of a fiddle though. It was much easier just to buy a red strip and change the LEDs.

 

[Akagi]

This stuff is available, its just a bit pricy :/

I have the blue version of this in my main rig (i only chose blue over orange because i didnt want to pay tonnes of money for 3 fans better than my blue LED lian li's.)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-064-NX