Project:- Modzart

[G-Dubs]

Final paint test for your thoughts.

This time copper and Black both ways round.

I think for me it's between these 2 and the copper cowling silver blades option.

 

[G-Dubs]

Cheers for the feedback Tealc. It's a toughy isn't it.

The black on both the last pics is just Halfords matt black laid over the silver i did previously with no sanding or anything. I was half expecting it to slide off but instead it's given me a great finish.

I think i'm erring towards copper cowling and black blades,mainly cos i've done silver blades previously, but also cos I love the look. I think I can get a much better finish with the copper than I have here,should be able to get it close to looking like they're made from copper rather than painted.

Dont know whether to stay with GTs or look for a new fan for this mod.

Quite taken with the look of thebequiet fans. they might suite a copper finish

 

[G-Dubs]

Thanks for all the really great feedback and suggestions on this guys.

Want to throw one more variable into the mix now if I may, but unfortunatly cant do test sprays to demonstrate so we'll have to use our imaginations.

The inside of the case will be copper, that is a given.

The top area of the case will hold 2 x120,2 rads with 8 fans in push/pull. That is a given.

With the colour combos above in mind what do we do with the rad?

A few ideas to show what I mean.

Spray rad copper but leave rad fins black (won't be seen and best not thermally insulated) then mount copper cowling and black blades?

Spray rad copper with black cowling and copper blades?

Leave rad black?

Spray rad silver

Sorry to complicate matters further, just when we thought we were in the home straight.

Any budding shoppers out there want to have a go at showing the colour combos?

 

[G-Dubs]

In a "SARF" London Michael Caine accent.
"I ONLY TOLD YOU TO BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF"

Actually I took them of rather carefully. A total of 16 small screws and lots of pictures so I can work out how to put it back together again

Back to the plot and first an apology for leaving so long between updates. You'll be pleased to know I've stopped fannying around painting fans and finally got the Dremel out. Ooooooh i love a bit of Dremel action

So remembering the old adage of Measure once cut twice.....Hang on did I get that the right way round? Anyways we got to work on cutting out the existing window area to make way for the new window. ONE BIG WINDOW.

I've masked the Aluminium so as to minimise damage to the metal and also to give a cleaner cut. Having bought some nice fine Jigsaw blades in the end I decided to go for the old Dremel to make the cuts. I've heard the Jigsaw can make a bit of a mess of ally. So why take the risk.

That said it did take me no less than 20 discs to cut these out. Now this is 1.5mm Aluminium. or at least I thought it was as the case is so light. It didn't particularly wear the discs down so much, that wasn't the problem, They just kept snapping on me. I think the metal was heating as I was cutting and trapping the disc causing it to disintegrate. Out of the 20 I maybe only changed 3 because they'd worn down. Reminds me not to buy the cheap non HD discs next time.

I say I thought it was Aluminium, I'm starting to think it is some sort of Alloy as the dust from the cutting is ferrous. Interesting.

So the results of my 2 hours of Dremeling is 2 new door sections.

Just have to file off and tidy up the edges.

 

[G-Dubs]

awesome can't wait to see how this turns out

Cheers matey. I'm really starting to get into the mod now I've got the Dremel out.

Bet you were using the crappy ceramic discs?

The fibre reinforced ones are well worth the money, they don't shatter, they just keep going!

Agree absolutely, and I usually use them. they cost a fair bit more but don't wear out and are pretty resistant to breaking. Problem was I ran out so was using up the ones that came in the kit I got when I bought the Dremel. Can't tell you how fed up I was getting unscrewing the end to put a new disc on. I swear I spent longer doing that than I did cutting.

phwoar those windows are gonna be big. Makes you wonder why they didn't make the windows like that in the first place.

Do look much better don't they. I'm also going to have to remove a couple of cross struts from inside the case or they will be too visible. Just a little worried about structural integrity as I figure they are there for a reason

 

[G-Dubs]

Last time I did any cutting, I got the fibre reinforced disks, along with the speed-change set up. So nice to use now...

Looking good though!

Not seen the speed change set up, sounds good, anything has tobe better than undoing that tiny screw every time.

 

[G-Dubs]

Been thinking a lot about the colour scheme and am starting to think about having a change around

All of my previous mods have had fairly strong colour schemes. To do something a bit different I was planning on having this case Black/anthracite on the outside and copper on the inside

Problem is, the more i think about it, the more i'm drwn to copper on the outside and the black on the inside.

Trying to fight it

What do you think???

 

[G-Dubs]

I think the inside should be darker than the outside if you are using two colours, just makes more "sense" for the inside to be darker, like a cave lol

Yeah as much as I wanted to go "stealth" on the outside I think it will have more visual impact the other way round.

 

[G-Dubs]

OK guys get your thinking caps on about how i'm going to route this loop(s)

I'm hoping to go dual loop as I reckon there's the space to do it without it looking too crowded. CPU +/- mobo and GPU (yet to be decided which)

Initial thoughts are 2x120.2s in the back top section with Dangerden res's attached to them.

Not sure where to put the pumps though. Was thinking maybe right down at the bottom of the case near the window. or perhaps using a opti drive bay or HDD bay area.

I like to show the kit I have installed rather than hide it away, but at the same time like things to look clean and organised.

All suggestions welcome.

or to put it another way

HEEEEEEELP

 

[G-Dubs]

Cracking on with the Mod and some more Dremel action today.
Treated myself to a few presents to make the going easier and to keep me safe.

Hacked off from my door cutting debacle (17 broken discs), I decided to treat myself to the Dremel Speed click system.

And a respirator to keep all the aluminium dust and paint dust out of my lungs.

Going to be removing most of the Hex mesh grills to open up the airflow a bit more.

Front grills prior to removal

Rear Rad area grills prior to removal.

Safety gear on, Goggles + Respirator + Ear defenders and I'm ready to play. Man was I hot in that lot, had to keep stopping to de mist the goggles. Tempting though it is to do it without it's really not worth the risk.

Front grills removed (probably going to leave the one on the right as I won't be placing a fan there).

Rear grills removed, ready to accept the rads and give much better airflow.

Dremelling is not an exact science, but i'm rather pleased with the results.

Next job is to cut out most of the roof to make room for 4 extract fans. I'll be fabricating a new sheet to form the new roof and mounting the fans into that as unfortunately the rebate in the roof section where it steps down isn't big enough to accommodate the fans.

 

[G-Dubs]

Freeman?

 

[G-Dubs]

Thoughtit might be the russian black and white cartoons !!!???

 

[G-Dubs]

Thanks for all the great feedback and support Guys, and sorry it's taken a while to get an update posted.

I've not been slacking though, I've made myself a convertible!!!

Plan is to replace the roof with a sheet of tinted Acrylic and to have 4 fans mounted on extract, pulling all the hot air from out of the case. The tinted acrylic will also afford a view down inside the case from the top (if anyone can get up that high

 

[G-Dubs]

Great idea for the roof!
Wow there is barely anything left of the chassis. Is it still as sturdy as it was before all the excess was cut off?

I am a smidge concerned abou structural integrity, but think once things start to go back in and get bolted to it it will improve.

fingers crossed eh

 

[G-Dubs]

cant believe i missed this.


Subbed

Cheers Sayso

All subs very much appreciated.

Not a lot of activity this week as have been doing the GT fan comparrison review.

Pleased to say that my acrylic arrived this afternoon and that I should be back out in the workshop tomorrow for a full days modding.

Jobs to do.

De rivit and remove the remains of the roof.
Sand down the whole case and prep for painting
Etch prime if time
Undercoat if time (seriously doubt it, but need to chect dry times on the etch prime)

Got my new mower arriving tomorrow also so might get a bit distracted

 

[G-Dubs]

new mower?

Nothing to do with Modding, my old ride on bit the dust so i've upgraded to a bigger one. (second hand though). great man toy. gets really adictive trying to work out how to do the lawn without covering bit's you've already mown

 

[G-Dubs]

Well I didn't get as many of the jobs done that I'd planned but some is better than none.

Acrylic finally arrived.

Couldn't decide between mid grey tint and light grey tint so have got both and will see which looks best. There's going to be 5mm thick in the doors and 3mm thick in the roof. Roof will need to be cut for 4 fans so am also looking for a 114mm hole saw that is good for acrylic.

Not even unwrapping it yet as need to keep it protected.

Roof de-riveted and removed, 12 rivets in all. Also took the opportunity to straighten up a couple of the original cuts bearing in mind I still had to allow a rebate for the acrylic.

Not sure how to actually attach the acrylic yet, thinking either strong double side tape or perhaps bathroom sealant.

Any ideas???

 

[G-Dubs]

good idea matey. also thinking maybe liquid nails as it sets semi soft and would help with vibration dampening maybe. i'll have a look and see what i already have

 

[G-Dubs]

could you not use pot riviits and a rubber gasket?

could do, and agree would look nice, but i'm going for quite a clean look

 

[G-Dubs]

Apologies for the lack of updates recently. I've been busy with a few reviews and a few other things (like my new lawn mower arrived....WoooHooo)

Anyway back to the plot and as this isn't a "mod my Mower" thread I'd best tell you about the work so far.

I've had the old rattle cans out and have started the process of painting the case. this is probably the bit I enjoy most about modding as it's here that you really start to see things transform.

I've used aluminium etch primer paint for the first time, man is that noxious stuff. Even with my stormtrooper mask on I had to leave the garage after only 20 seconds of spraying as the slightest little bit had me chocking for air.

So Doors are now undercoated with etch prime and have a good few coats of normal prime over the top.

Smooth primer coat finish is essential to a smooth top coat finish so all this will be flattened back before the top coats go on.

Despite having thought i'd made my mind up i'm still having a mare over whether to go copper outside and black inside or other way round.