Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Jun 2012
- Posts
- 5,951
Nice to see something with a bit of multicolour rather than the usual dull and boring two-tone effort. Look forward to seeing it progress.
Project Rainbow (ITX)
- Thread starter famas
- Start date
Thank you. the plan was to go for something super colourful, I did have a fruit flavored sweet theme in mind but not sure if I'll go through with it yet. I need to find a sticker/transfer maker if I do.
I think its going to be a Marmite build once it's done but I just wanted something a bit cheerful.
I think its going to be a Marmite build once it's done but I just wanted something a bit cheerful.
Last edited:
So in a further attempt to increase air flow into the case I decided to put some kind of venting into the front panel.
I really like the look of the Parvum cases with the aggressive angles and venting cut outs so wanted to do something similar.
I started out by measuring the front panel and drawing the pattern.
Then used the drawing to make a template.
After finishing the template I made a test cut on a scrape of MDF and realized that It wasn't going to work how I'd intended with the Parvum design.
Because I wanted to keep the round at the ends of the lines rather than finish with straight corners the pattern didn't look right. I think rounded ends will suit the Metis case better with its curved edges.
So I went back and adjusted the template then cut a few more designs. I wanted to keep the slanted look but also wanted to keep it simple.
Decided I liked this one the best.
Next I made a cradle to hold the front panel to the template.
The template rides on a pin on the bed of the OHR the same as when I cut out the fan circles. I could adjust the width of the cut by using different sized cutters.
Taking shallow passes and using plenty of wd40 as lube I made the first cuts.
With the first set of grooves cut I started on the second set.
And with both finished.
This is how the case is looking now.
More to follow
I really like the look of the Parvum cases with the aggressive angles and venting cut outs so wanted to do something similar.
I started out by measuring the front panel and drawing the pattern.
Then used the drawing to make a template.
After finishing the template I made a test cut on a scrape of MDF and realized that It wasn't going to work how I'd intended with the Parvum design.
Because I wanted to keep the round at the ends of the lines rather than finish with straight corners the pattern didn't look right. I think rounded ends will suit the Metis case better with its curved edges.
So I went back and adjusted the template then cut a few more designs. I wanted to keep the slanted look but also wanted to keep it simple.
Decided I liked this one the best.
Next I made a cradle to hold the front panel to the template.
The template rides on a pin on the bed of the OHR the same as when I cut out the fan circles. I could adjust the width of the cut by using different sized cutters.
Taking shallow passes and using plenty of wd40 as lube I made the first cuts.
With the first set of grooves cut I started on the second set.
And with both finished.
This is how the case is looking now.
More to follow
Last edited:
I made a start on the cable sleeving today, man is that a tedious task!
Just got to get hold of some cable combs. I've laced the cables in the past but I really like the look of the combs at the moment so I think I'll go with them.
Still got the 24 pin to do and it's causing issues as for some reason a few of the connectors have double wires going to them, not seen this before any one know why it is?
Just got to get hold of some cable combs. I've laced the cables in the past but I really like the look of the combs at the moment so I think I'll go with them.
Still got the 24 pin to do and it's causing issues as for some reason a few of the connectors have double wires going to them, not seen this before any one know why it is?
I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's because PSU manufacturers hate us.
Either that, or it's for cost reasons - presumably it's cheaper to double up some wires in the cables rather than increasing the complexity of the traces on the boards inside the PSU.
I've got the same problem - my PSU has a 10-pin and 18-pin connector going to the 24-pin connector. Some pins on the 24-pin are fed by double wires, from both the 10- and 18-pin connectors.
My solution was to make up a short (5-10cm ish) version of the 10- & 18- to 24- pin connector without sleeving and then a proper 24-pin to 24-pin extension with the sleeving I want. I'm not very good at crimping at the best of times, and crimping 2 wires into a single pin was a right pain.
Yeah same problem, Mine has a 10 + 17 pin going to the 24 connection which strangely only has 23 pins???
Unfortunately knowing how tight for space it's going to be in this case I doubt I'll have room for any extension cables, think I'm going to struggle with what I've got already.
I've sleeved the 24 pin now I just had to add a bit of heat shrink onto the double wired pins. It's not looking great at the moment but hopefully once it's in the case and has the cable combs holding it in position it will look okay.
Unfortunately knowing how tight for space it's going to be in this case I doubt I'll have room for any extension cables, think I'm going to struggle with what I've got already.
I've sleeved the 24 pin now I just had to add a bit of heat shrink onto the double wired pins. It's not looking great at the moment but hopefully once it's in the case and has the cable combs holding it in position it will look okay.
Soldato
Silverstone PSUs are the closest to a proper 1:1 pin out on the 24 pin as you'll get. Sometimes there's a double wire for Vdroop sensing but it can be taken out. Sometimes the wires do a weird crossover thing which gives you a twist in the middle, but there's never any of this 18-pin and 10-pin insanity that others seem to fixate on. Especially Corsair and EVGA.
I've been away for a few days so not had a chance to get much done to the build but I did manage to cut the grooves into the inside of the case front which I'll be adding the mesh to later.
Same process as before, using a pin on the over head router.
I should have cut the larger grooves before the smaller ones as you get a lot of burrs but I was unsure of the design at first.
Thankfully the burrs clean off easily with a file.
Next job is to cut the mesh to fit.
Same process as before, using a pin on the over head router.
I should have cut the larger grooves before the smaller ones as you get a lot of burrs but I was unsure of the design at first.
Thankfully the burrs clean off easily with a file.
Next job is to cut the mesh to fit.
I got hold of some cable combs but because of the extra wiring on the 24 pin cable They didn't work out how I was hoping, Also because the wiring doubles up and crosses over in a few places I found the combs would not stay in place.
So for the 24 pin I've reverted back to cable lacing but this time used the same paracord rather than the usual 1mm nylon I've used before. I wanted a chunkier look this time.
It's certainly not as neat as I would have liked but I'm not sure how much will be on show until I start the build. In the past I've laced extension cables which has worked out much better but I just don't think I'll have the room in this build to use them.
So for the 24 pin I've reverted back to cable lacing but this time used the same paracord rather than the usual 1mm nylon I've used before. I wanted a chunkier look this time.
It's certainly not as neat as I would have liked but I'm not sure how much will be on show until I start the build. In the past I've laced extension cables which has worked out much better but I just don't think I'll have the room in this build to use them.
Got the mesh cut for the front panel.
Cutting it to width on the band saw was easiest.
Then I rounded the ends over to match the grooves.
One down.
The mesh is a tight fit into the grooves so I don't think they will need much to hold them in place.
Last one, I just used masking tape to mark the cut line.
Having never done any thing like this before I'm pretty pleased with the results.
On hindsight I should have cut the grove slightly deeper to bring the mesh closer to the front but I don't think it looks bad as it is.
The case is starting to take shape now.
I'm hoping to get some deals in the black Friday sales so I can get this done before Christmas.
Unfortunately It's a bad time to start a new build what with RAM, GPU and SSD pricing going through the roof. I've already gone well over budget with all the little modifications to the case but its all fun.
Hopefully more to come soon.
Cutting it to width on the band saw was easiest.
Then I rounded the ends over to match the grooves.
One down.
The mesh is a tight fit into the grooves so I don't think they will need much to hold them in place.
Last one, I just used masking tape to mark the cut line.
Having never done any thing like this before I'm pretty pleased with the results.
On hindsight I should have cut the grove slightly deeper to bring the mesh closer to the front but I don't think it looks bad as it is.
The case is starting to take shape now.
I'm hoping to get some deals in the black Friday sales so I can get this done before Christmas.
Unfortunately It's a bad time to start a new build what with RAM, GPU and SSD pricing going through the roof. I've already gone well over budget with all the little modifications to the case but its all fun.
Hopefully more to come soon.
Thank you.
The mesh is just a pressure fit at the moment. I might add a bit of adhesive later but they are such a tight fit they hold themselves in place pretty well. Should only need a drop of glue if any at all.
Very Nice
cheers
Soldato
Very very nice. I love the attention to detail and how perfect everything is!
I really don't like the look of the fan covers on top dare I say it.
I really don't like the look of the fan covers on top dare I say it.
Dare away I'm all for constructive criticism.
I did have a look into some designed guards but they where expensive and a little garish.
I might get some 1mm aluminium and make some to match the front grooves.
The main reason I went for these ones are because they restrict air flow the least.
I did have a look into some designed guards but they where expensive and a little garish.
I might get some 1mm aluminium and make some to match the front grooves.
The main reason I went for these ones are because they restrict air flow the least.
I like this and love the use of the machinery to get the best finish. 
(I have a laser cutter but would love a CNC too if i had the money/room.)
With regards to the guard i agree with the above but also know its the best airflow wise. How about a raised piece similar to the front? So similar design to the front grill but mounted on stand offs on the 8 fan bolt holes? So you get the look and then an air gap all the way around for less restriction? That could look smart. Looks good in my head anyway.
(I have a laser cutter but would love a CNC too if i had the money/room.)With regards to the guard i agree with the above but also know its the best airflow wise. How about a raised piece similar to the front? So similar design to the front grill but mounted on stand offs on the 8 fan bolt holes? So you get the look and then an air gap all the way around for less restriction? That could look smart. Looks good in my head anyway.
That's a good idea I know what you mean. I could raise it up on some motherboard stand offs or similar to help with air flow.
You've got me thinking now
I don't dislike the current guards but I think something a bit "prettier" could be made.
You've got me thinking now
I don't dislike the current guards but I think something a bit "prettier" could be made.