Project: Steel Beast

G-Dubs said:
I've used quite a few of the "missile launch" covers combined with various toggle switches. In what way do you want to modify exactly?
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The cap needs to be modified to accommodate the switch in it's standard position, as it will be a momentary switch, otherwise the cover has to be open all the time. Because a momantary toggle sticks right out normally, to the cap can't close. After all, that's what they are designed to prevent!
 
just checking i'm understanding this correctly so please forgive me if I appear to be covering ground we've already covered.

You're going to be using a momentry toggle switch. as it's a toggle switch you can install it either way up, effectivly deciding whether you click it up momentarily for on or down momentarily for on.

The covers are designed so that they protect a switch while it is in the down (usually off position) I know this sounds odd as most switches are down for on and up for off. but if you think about it they are designed to stop something being turned on by accident necessitating 2 poistive actions to make the "on" position of the switch. In the military (and hollywood for that matter) we usually see the cover lifted and then the switch flicked to "!up" to arm the missile or arm the bomb etc.

So I guess an easy solution for you here is to install your momentary toggle so that the momentary "up" position turns the PC on.

Your actions to turn on would be

1 lift the cover
2 flick up toggle for momentary on "up" position
3 close the cover.

A few exapmles of ones i've done over the years

20100503_017.jpg


20100503_025.jpg


20100509_043.jpg


Photo0521.jpg


Photo0565.jpg
 
G-Dubs said:
just checking i'm understanding this correctly so please forgive me if I appear to be covering ground we've already covered.

You're going to be using a momentry toggle switch. as it's a toggle switch you can install it either way up, effectivly deciding whether you click it up momentarily for on or down momentarily for on.

The covers are designed so that they protect a switch while it is in the down (usually off position) I know this sounds odd as most switches are down for on and up for off. but if you think about it they are designed to stop something being turned on by accident necessitating 2 poistive actions to make the "on" position of the switch. In the military (and hollywood for that matter) we usually see the cover lifted and then the switch flicked to "!up" to arm the missile or arm the bomb etc.

So I guess an easy solution for you here is to install your momentary toggle so that the momentary "up" position turns the PC on.

Your actions to turn on would be

1 lift the cover
2 flick up toggle for momentary on "up" position
3 close the cover.

A few exapmles of ones i've done over the years

[SNIPPY!]
Click to expand...

Fantastic! Never really thought about it enough I suppose, I expect the ones I was looking at have to be modded to always stay in the up position. Thanks for your help.

I think I will be going ahead with this now, but I could do with a few suggestions on how to do it. First of all, mounting. Should I be looking at modifying an old optical drive and fitting the switches to the front or is there a better way? I like the look of the ones from the American mod shop as they are very thick and look great, but they are designed to screw onto a metal surface whereas this will be installed normally. Also, colour- I was thinking of a standard metal finish with the power and reset covers being red, and the rest black. What are your thoughts on this?

Back onto the covers, I intend to get some quality metal covers rather than plastic, to give it a better quality feel when I power it up. Do pretty much all covers fit a standard size toggle switch or am I looking for something special?

This looks like a long drawn out mod, but I love soldering so the lighting and power should be fun. The braiding looks a tedious task so I may well cheat with NZXT's pre-braided cables. Also, 3t3P, I saw in your mod you used a pretty hefty strip of SMD (think thats right?) LEDs, could you comment on them or point me in the direction of where you got them (trust if neccesary!).

Thanks for your input and patience and I should have a proper update by the end of the week!
 
just thinking, what about a toggle switch to complete the circuit, but a red push button (like a missile fire button) to actualy turn it on?

so basicaly

this:
09278-1__01017_zoom.jpg


to complete the circuit,

so when you press this:

09808-02b__57375_zoom.jpg


it actualy turns it on, and without the switch flicked the button wont do anything

might give it a more industrial feel


i have seen a lot of people use optical drives so iguess it would be the easyest option
 
That is an amazing idea supermoto! I will try to find a metal button too. I could also set up a 3 position toggle switch- so by having the switch in one position and pressing the button would power it up. Having it in the other and pressing would reset and in the other it would do nothing. I dont know how that would look but in theory it is pretty awesome! The down position would be off so it would still work with a cover!
 
WOW!, i have that exact model of case, exept mine is grey, i did want the black one but they only had the grey at the time and since i really wanted the case and mostly wanted it for the side panel and big front fan i bought it!



have always wondered what a black one would look like
 
QlimaxUK said:
WOW!, i have that exact model of case, exept mine is grey, i did want the black one but they only had the grey at the time and since i really wanted the case and mostly wanted it for the side panel and big front fan i bought it!



have always wondered what a black one would look like
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I bought it because I loved the side panel. I wish more cases would have a massive side window like that. But spec and cooling-wise it just isn't a viable option for me anymore, especially when I get my Vantage.
 
Gundog48 said:
I bought it because I loved the side panel. I wish more cases would have a massive side window like that. But spec and cooling-wise it just isn't a viable option for me anymore, especially when I get my Vantage.
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i got it for the front fan more than anything, just that turbine look that really sold it for me :D
i also like the air duct on the side panel, i see you didn't use yours with that massive HSF you used :)
 
Just a quick update letting you know things are moving again! I have finished stripping the panels so I will update you with pictures on them, after that it is the things that do not require as much prep such as painting, a little cutting and braiding.

I have, however, considered a new aspect to this build. I am considering the possibility of adding a bottom divider panel like on the 800D to cover the PSU and cable management in this area. The immidiate problem I face with this is that The window will have to be lower than the divider which means I will be looking at a metal panel through the bottom few inches of the window, any suggestions? I was hoping to put the PSU and PSU cables under it because I will not be braiding the PSU cables themselves but extensions that can be seen, and I would also route the front panel connectors though there.

Any input appreciated. I look forward to getting the switch panel done and sourcing metal will be no problem as I can get a virtually limitless supply of aluminium from my Dad's work at most grades.
 
So, a long-awaited package arrived today:

DSCF1165.jpg


And installed in my temporary case:

DSCF1163.jpg


DSCF1164.jpg


Comfortably cooling my 1055T @ 3.5GHz and may attempt a 4GHz OC when I have installed it in the new case with good thermal paste. This would be my first serious OC so I will need advice! On the 932 would you suggest setting it up as an intake via one of the top fans and exhausting through the rear? At the moment it is set up as a rear exhaust.

Also, we may be seeing a Crucial C400 very soon after it's release, better storage and hopefully a new graphics card- so stay tuned!
 
Paint stripping is almost done, so I can give you an update of some spraying! Would you recommend 2x primer then 2x colour?

Also I am considering adding a divider like in the Corsair 800D to separate the PSU + cables and the motherboard area. I could also make a HDD cage to put my HDDs in and remove the original HDD cage to increase airflow. The only issue would be that the side panel window has to be cut below where the divider would go, so I would have to put a side on it, but do you think it will look OK? I could add some custom etching to the divider if necessary. Thoughts?

This is basically what I am getting at:

Divider.png


You can see what I mean about the window. Some advice and feedback appreciated please!

Also, I have just discovered that the case is not painted black but is painted gunmetal. Can anyone confirm this? And if I were to buy some gunmetal spray would it colour-match?

I would really like some advice and feedback please!
 
UPDATE:

I have decided that due to the amount of exterior painting required, it would be best to strip the entire thing and have it powdercoated. That way the whole case will match and it will have a more scratch resistant and professional finish. The red parts will be done by hand however. I have found a template of the HAF logo which I am printing onto card and stencilling so I can put the HAF logo back on the case in red:

haf932logo080510.png
 
Gundog48 said:
Paint stripping is almost done, so I can give you an update of some spraying! Would you recommend 2x primer then 2x colour?

Also I am considering adding a divider like in the Corsair 800D to separate the PSU + cables and the motherboard area. I could also make a HDD cage to put my HDDs in and remove the original HDD cage to increase airflow. The only issue would be that the side panel window has to be cut below where the divider would go, so I would have to put a side on it, but do you think it will look OK? I could add some custom etching to the divider if necessary. Thoughts?

This is basically what I am getting at:

Divider.png


You can see what I mean about the window. Some advice and feedback appreciated please!

Also, I have just discovered that the case is not painted black but is painted gunmetal. Can anyone confirm this? And if I were to buy some gunmetal spray would it colour-match?

I would really like some advice and feedback please!
Click to expand...

Exactly the same as what i was considering and posted up on another forum last year. Got the window done but couldnt continue unfortunatly looking forward to seeing more.
 
WOW

I do not have even half of the equipment you have or expertise or even drive for that matter.

But, you have inspired me and made me think ........

Keep on keepin on.........will keep an eye on your progress.

Would love to throw the odd comment or piece of advice your way, but would do better to watch and learn from this post.

All the best
 
Cheers for all the comments! The project is being delayed as I am rather busy at this time with my GCSE exams and the like, however I will endeavour to get this project finished within a reasonable time! I may end up selling this project when I am finished as I am planning on buying an RV02-EW in white, maybe someone would be willing to fill it with better components than I can throw at it which would do it justice as I think this will look great when finished!
 
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