Project - Air Cube v2

And the polishing of the frame begins :).
1st time using the power buffer so had to practice a little and seem to have the hang of it now, it gets hot so I'm going to have to take regular breaks every 3 or 4 bars I do.
4 stage process, involving the green machine shown on 1st post, 1st sand any rough bits smooth, then use mop 1 and polish 1, then 2, then 3 and then I have a nice smooth decent polished frame, going to take a while to get done and will post an update once the whole frame is polished and not before.

Here is a few pics of the 1st bits done.
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There is only 2 more structoral bits to make, a dual dvd drive holder for inside the case and case feet, I need to order a bit more aluminium thou for what I have in mind, but I can order a good sized flat bar while I'm at it for making custom sized bending pieces, the hdd cages are not going to be fixed to the case so I don't need to worry about them yet, they are going to sit on thick acoustic foam so no hdd vibes at all :).

Also because the countersunk rivets are pretty garbage and the current bolts have a tendancy to lose the socket easily I decided to order some good quality High tensile countersunk bolts and going to add washer springs and have the dome nuts ordered for the top bolts that stick out.
 
Shiny shine shine lol :D

Got the base done.
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I just love how it can all be taken apart with ease and can just take the bars off 1 by 1, so glad I chose to use nuts & bolts this time.
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I did not polish every single piece, only the pieces that would be seen.
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On this pic with the back panel on, I had wet sanded the panel to be ultra smooth using 600 grit, 1200 grit, 2000 grit then I used the metal prep and mirror finish polishes and well it is a very poor look I think.
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So decided to do it properly with the power buffer, I will be lucky to get 1 panel done per day as it overheats regular this pic only got to stage 2 of 3 of buffing but already shows a glimpse of what to expect, shame I can't make a cooling mod for it, it has no vent holes so could only cool the case which I doubt would make a difference.
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:D Thanks for comments.

The dremel cooler I made, I modified again by bending and riveting the scrap from the window cut out so it could be used on the grinder and just plonked a weight on it and was nice and firmly in place, kept it nice and cool all day, was able to get all the inside panels done today, I borrowed a full face respirator for doing the polishing and still got covered in dust, had a fred flintstone beard of dust so I dread to know what it would do to you without a good respirator, it doesn't wash off skin easy neither, I doubt I will do polishing again unless I get a very good respirator and overalls etc, it is just plain nasty what it covers you in.
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The filter was white before this shot so it must have kept most of it out.
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The lower area I did not do completely as it would not be seen, the back panel was easily the hardest to do and still did not get it quite to the finish I wanted but it will do.

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wow....this is looking great. Been following from the start and can't wait to see the finished job. You are doing a really top notch job so far!
 
I want to make cyborg babies with that case. Polishing really really improves the look of it and the build quality is excellent all over. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Oddly enough I'm a bit of a late worked myself. Always get most of my programming done between 6pm and midnight when I get the time to myself.
 
I was a bit worried a page ago, but now it looks bloody good.... it's amazing how well you've polished up that Ally....

i definitely need a polishing mop for my electric drill
 
Thanks for great comments m8s, appreciated :)

Changed the pics to naked metal :).

Just a few more mid day pics, these will be the last pics and update before I paint the exterior panels, I was going to do them white but I would not mind doing a camo paint job, difficult to decide desert, forrest, snow or urban, forrest camo would go well with the fans, desert I'm not to sure about, but overall I think urban or snow camo would look awesome with the polish.

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you can only go so far with Ally, it'll always have a slight ``foggy`` finish, it's too soft, only S.STEEL will give you a true mirror.

this ``foggy`` effect will not show indoors and yours looks perfect.
 
Mal X said:
you can only go so far with Ally, it'll always have a slight ``foggy`` finish, it's too soft, only S.STEEL will give you a true mirror.

this ``foggy`` effect will not show indoors and yours looks perfect.
Click to expand...

Thanks m8 :)
Decided on an urban camo paint job for the exterior panels :D.
 
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