Project Stealthlow

GJS1 · 14 May 2011 at 16:20

it looks like it's going to be amazing!

Poodmund · 14 May 2011 at 20:30

waynio said:
The copper came yesterday & wow it weighs a lot compared to aluminium (never worked with it before)

Don't remember the Periodic Table from all those Science lessons then?

waynio · 15 May 2011 at 09:51

GJS1 said:
it looks like it's going to be amazing!

Thanks GJS1

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Poodmund said:
Don't remember the Periodic Table from all those Science lessons then?

Science lessons? lol I don't remember learning anything in the science classes I had 17+ years ago hehe

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waynio · 15 May 2011 at 20:47

Aluminium underside tabs.

Printed same template & stuck with cello tape, spot drilled, drilled, tapped, cut, put helicoils in & got all the edges straight & gave them all a bevelled edge & mounted to the case, need 2 people to put the window in so left that out for the time being

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They still need sanding & polishing & 1 of the full length copper bars or aluminium bars need re doing as 1 of them doesn't line up 100%.

chuck990 · 15 May 2011 at 21:05

that is siiiiiiick! sorry if i missed it but why does the plastic now have curves taken out of the sides but straight edges on the case

waynio · 15 May 2011 at 21:20

chuck990 said:
that is siiiiiiick! sorry if i missed it but why does the plastic now have curves taken out of the sides but straight edges on the case

Thanks chuck990, I left the side windows out & in a safe place until it's finished to keep them in mint condition, the main window will be completed tomorrow, needs trimming down to perfect size on the bottom end & mounting holes adding.

To be honest I'm really liking the natural aluminium with brush finish with the copper bits, so if the anodisers don't get back in touch I might leave it as is but re brush any parts that need it & polish the curve bars & call it finished

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Diggsy · 15 May 2011 at 22:39

Hmmm, not sure about the tabs. Will reserve judgement until the window is in, but I think it might have ben better with full length pieces top to bottom inside and outside your main front bars, if you know what I mean? Then sandwich the window in between them like you are doing with the tabs.

Drunkenmassacre · 15 May 2011 at 22:47

the tabs seem to scream STEAM PUNK ME!!!

though that could just be the voices...

waynio · 15 May 2011 at 23:09

Diggsy said:
Hmmm, not sure about the tabs. Will reserve judgement until the window is in, but I think it might have ben better with full length pieces top to bottom inside and outside your main front bars, if you know what I mean? Then sandwich the window in between them like you are doing with the tabs.

Would cost a fair bit more to do full length for all of them

+ theres no need for that, the full length bars are for the widest points of the vents, could have gone just past the vent hole but decided to go full length

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gv_of_e said:
the tabs seem to scream STEAM PUNK ME!!!

though that could just be the voices...

Hmmm I've always loved a good steampunk mod & can see what you mean it does have the beginings of a steampunk style which I can see after you pointing it out, it's tempting to steampunk the mid area

but I'll stay on course with original plans

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Diggsy · 16 May 2011 at 00:46

waynio said:
Would cost a fair bit more to do full length for all of them + theres no need for that, the full length bars are for the widest points of the vents, could have gone just past the vent hole but decided to go full length

I think I didn't describe it very well, what I meant was to have 2 extra full length strips top to bottom (like the 2" or so sides of your case when you look at it from the front), only make them a little wider so that you can sandwich the window between them. Wouldn't even have needed to screw the window in this way, but maybe I think it's easier than it actually is

waynio · 16 May 2011 at 01:19

Diggsy said:
I think I didn't describe it very well, what I meant was to have 2 extra full length strips top to bottom (like the 2" or so sides of your case when you look at it from the front), only make them a little wider so that you can sandwich the window between them. Wouldn't even have needed to screw the window in this way, but maybe I think it's easier than it actually is

Oh

I get ya, yeah that would require quite a redesign

, would have been very good though :cool:

. And copper shapes & holds nice & easy too when heated, oh well.

waynio · 17 May 2011 at 23:55

Got the window installed so I could find the precise line I need to cut & also marked up on the right curve bar for the notches on the mobo tray that need filing down a little, I found 1 of the front fan mount bars was extremely close to the tabs so when I make the fan mount bars out of copper I'll need to file a tiny bit off so it fits without touching the tabs.

A random bunch of pictures with todays effort completed, 1 of the full length tabs is missing it's internal aluminium tab as I'm waiting for helicoils but wooooo I'm happy with todays progress

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Things to do in order.
Remake the fan mount bars from copper.
Make the copper mesh pieces for the front vents.
Make a 1mm thick aluminium bottom front cover.
Make a 2mm thick copper bottom front cover.
File some notches in the bottom hdd cage platform bars for fan cables to pass underneath.
Extend the fan cables & sleeve them.
Install some cable clip tidiers.
Polish the curve bars & tabs.
Brush all panels 1 last time lol.
Take the sandy bridge gear out of air cube, clean it up & install into Stealthlow & jump around like an idiot shouting wooooooooooooo

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Take some good pictures

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ReU_VOoDOo · 18 May 2011 at 03:32

Awesome waynio I am really happy to see this project getting closer and closer to being done.

EniGmA1981 · 18 May 2011 at 08:36

Looks awesome with the copper in there mate!! I think I'm going to be quite sad when you finish it, been an amazing ride watching it coming together

You'll have to do another one to keep us happy

lol

waynio · 18 May 2011 at 10:17

ReU_VOoDOo said:
Awesome waynio I am really happy to see this project getting closer and closer to being done.

Cheers mate, doing that main window though :eek:

ground hog day

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EniGmA1981 said:
Looks awesome with the copper in there mate!! I think I'm going to be quite sad when you finish it, been an amazing ride watching it coming together

You'll have to do another one to keep us happy lol

Thanks mate it's been a mission & theres still some to do

but I think I'll have to have a break from modding to let something brew as it's gonna take some good thinking to top this one, could do with getting a router & a lathe before I have a go at another premium scratch build, got a good bit of scrap though that I could do a nice HTPC itx system :cool:

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chuck990 · 18 May 2011 at 15:09

another fantastic update

just checking though, your not leaving the fans like that are you?

Diggsy · 18 May 2011 at 15:48

Still not convinced about the tabs if I'm honest mate. Otherwise I think it's an awesome effort thus far

I think you would've been better to redo the sides to allow the acrylic to fit behind them. You might even have got away with fitting 2 new thin strips of aluminium (maybe 1mm) about 10mm wider directly on top of the existing sides and then if the window wasn't sitting flush, install small hidden tabs on the inside. But if you're happy with the finish then that's all that matters really.

Sgt Tackleberry · 18 May 2011 at 16:46

looking good

, i love it

waynio · 18 May 2011 at 21:19

chuck990 said:
another fantastic update

just checking though, your not leaving the fans like that are you?

Thanks chuck990 the fans are enermax silent t.b semi transparrent smoked acrylic, the fan in the picture was just to make sure it fits without touching the back panel or acrylic window & it has 1mm on either side

so yeah much nicer looking & sounding fans will be going into this

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Diggsy said:
Still not convinced about the tabs if I'm honest mate. Otherwise I think it's an awesome effort thus far

I think you would've been better to redo the sides to allow the acrylic to fit behind them. You might even have got away with fitting 2 new thin strips of aluminium (maybe 1mm) about 10mm wider directly on top of the existing sides and then if the window wasn't sitting flush, install small hidden tabs on the inside. But if you're happy with the finish then that's all that matters really.

voigts on bit-tech suggested doing full length strips I think it got suggested here & other places a while ago also but now that I have the mounting holes & underside threaded tabs for mounting it's an option, he done a photoshop to show what he meant.

If I go with this I'll do it in copper with bevelled edges so it's kinda like the chunky bits on a silverstone tj07 if thats what it's called lol & joining them up at the bottom & a couple of bits that bulge out a little for fixing the copper vent meshes.

£62 for the 1000x125x3 copper sheet though with delivery, stinger

also has a possible 10 working day delivery which sucks since it's in this country & the delivery being £10, sheesh is it coming from Japan lol.

Well I could go & order the copper sheet now & in the meantime get every other bit finished & even polish up 1 side of the tabs & curve bar just to see if it's as good as I expect it to be plus then I could have 2 alternative looks

or a nice piece of copper for future builds

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Sgt Tackleberry said:
looking good , i love it

Thanks Tackleberry

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I got the 200x200x2 copper sheet today, still waiting on some helicoils but theres nothing to stop me making the vent meshes & front low panel now so hopefully I'll get onto doing those tomorrow

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Plec · 18 May 2011 at 21:44

waynio said:

If the above is possible, i have to admit, it balances the look of case as it smoothes the lines and overall look of the case - plus it seems more in keeping with your original concept of the over all aesthetic appearence.

If it's possible, personally, i think its a subtle and classy improvement - but if it's not possible i'm sure you'll find a suitable compromise.

Great updates as usual - really enjoy and admire your endevours - keep it up.