Ok fellas, after a really terrible start of a year..... I finally got around finishing up modding my case for the future system. I wanted to dress it up a bit from the black color norm and steel color interior, plus open it up some with a window.

Case = Cooler Master CM Media 282

*note* - this case can be used as a midtower or as a desktop. For my application, I will be using the case as a desktop format.

Before:

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2410600050052054534xGDWlb?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2418807910052054534YNkqpu?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2563656940052054534NtvMDg?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2405661030052054534myXmNc?vhost=entertainment


After:

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2195535980052054534veKCnJ?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2074545000052054534xwjHPY?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2377572950052054534GscnRH?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2391392350052054534CTiscK?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2110196480052054534ypnAav?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2362967810052054534JIAjsO?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2493471230052054534eXoHZH?vhost=entertainment

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2603056280052054534ZkTFcf?vhost=entertainment



here are some tips that I have learned during the course of the modding:

1. Lexan = strong, durable, cuts good, highly scratchable.

2. (lexan) you can use a jig saw blade for cutting straight cuts or large bends. Use a 24 tooth blade made for cutting steel.

3. (lexan) you can use a table saw for long cuts but you will need a high tooth number blade.

4. (lexan) cutting holes for fans will require a dremel like tool that uses the zip blade.

5. (case) cutting blow holes or windows will require a high tooth count blade for jig saw or table saw.

6. (case) when it comes to paint...... try to use a paint that will be durable or resistant to chipping. Unfortunately the paint I used is prone to chipping even though I had primered prior to painting. Always was your parts with good soaps to wash off oils and debri from the surfaces to be painted. Next time I paint a case I may have to go to an automotive type paint for durability.

A MUST !!!!!!

measure twice, three times, or four times if you have to...... before making that cut.

always think safety when operating power tools, i.e. safety glasses, good lighting, clear work space, etc.......


and I could have used this prior to starting on my case modding....... but it came out the day I finished my modding... go figure.... LOL...

Modders Guide to Acrylic - http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2008/03/14/a_modders_guide_to_acrylic/1

Very nice job, I'm loving the yellow on black look you got there.

very nice G.G.

Very nicely done! I was thinking bee or wasp from the color-scheme.

Thanks guys.

Hopefully with 3 x 120mm and 1 x 140mm fans, that it will keep my future components cool. Now all I gotta do is start filling the case with stuff.....

Excellent job!

Yea I like it. And i like the yellow oddly enough! Job well done. I'm lookin forward
to seeing it once it's all rigged up!

Nice job G.G. I love the colors, they really stand out from today's only black looks.

Looks great.I wish i could do that to mine.

Thanks fellas !!!

This case mod was a little more involved than my current case where I just took a OEM HP case and cut a hole on top for a window..... The experience I learned from this case mod will definately go a long ways for the next case in the future. The black/yellow/silver color scheme came by with the help of Bumble Bee in Transformer movie. Now the next step will be to gather parts for the in-nards....... One thing for sure... I will be getting Penryn core.



Mothow said:


You too can do it too.... you just have to shelf that lazy streak and get with the program.. LOL..... If you are worry about having a down system in order to mod your case.... no worries... all you got to do is just put your components together on your desk without the case.. i.e. like one of those open bench mounts.... but without the bench mounts. You dont need a case in order for your system to run.. just lay it on a static mat/bags and hook her up.... then start hacking at your case..... Just think... you could do some sort of mod with your water cooling system integrated into your case or something with more bling...... it just take some imagination...

G. G. you are Pro! That is an awesome very clean looking modification. I can't see a single flaw with your work. I am sure your next system will look great in that case. I really like the transformers bumblebee theme.

How long did it take to complete? What tool(s) did you use to cut the square side panel window? How did make "straight clean cuts"? What material was the window made out of? How did you mount the window to the side panel?

I hope you don't mind me asking all these questions. I am thinking of doing a small mod on my "office box". I was thinking of simply cutting out a square for a side panel window. I just want to make sure I do it right.

Well done G.G.! You do like desktop (horizontal) cases, do you? The paint somehow reminds me of automotive theme, like a luxury sports car with black outside and yellow interior / leather. Yeah, you could have use auto paint, last longer and you can add a bit metallic color as well.

Is that some kind of metal mesh screen on top of that top fan?
http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2603056280052054534ZkTFcf

all you need to do now is add an easy-bake oven to it and it'll be completed

I knew I saw your color theme somewhere. Here you go, Lamborghini Gallardo!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Lamborghini_Gallardo_interior.jpg

yo bro i found some fans you may like even better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226013

Thank you very much fellas !!!

Brendan Gonsalves said:

Brendan, if you look at the original post...... most if not all of your questions would have been answered. But basically to cut a window hole in your side panel or like in my case the top..... first thing you need to do is mask off the whole lid with tape.... then determine what size and shape of the whole you want.... remember.... double/triple/quadruple check your measurements.... because once you cut... that's it.... no stopping..... once you have marked your cut lines.... get a dremel and start a cut in order to put a jig saw blade into it. Then to get a straight line cut..... you either have to be very careful on the speed and path you take if you are free handing it.... or just set up a fence/guide so as you can guide the jig saw against to get that straight cut.... You then do the same thing for your window but cut the window size jut a tad bigger than the actual hole.... about 1/2 inch wider than the hole... you then can mount the window either on the inside or the outside of the case panel. To mount it.... I used a rivet tool using 1/8" dia x 1/4" length rivets. As for what to use as your window..... again... look at my original post as I gave a link to a guide for all you want to know about acrylic. As for how long it took me.... well .... from start to finish and if I were to work on it everyday with 8hrs a day.... it would have taken me about a week.... this includes drying times for the paint. Labor is about 3 days..... It was really fun doing this mod... really made me feel that I accomplished something really nice.


Dr. Peaceful said:

I use desktop case is because of my particular situation in my home office. The spot where I put my computer will only allow a desktop case. A tower case will not fit in the allowed space (i.e. wall unit). I just found out from the auto body shop that is fixing my car in that I should use a clear coat i.e. polyurathane to coat on top of my base coat to give it durability. I'll have to remember that the next go around.

The fan that is mounted in the window is a 140mm fan adapted to a 120mm hole. I use a 120mm hole because it is easier to get a 120mm fan at any given short notice. AND the mesh that you see is indeed a metal mesh filter.... this is what I used - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=2276

FingerMeElmo87 said:

It would be if I installed a 100watt regular light bulb to go along with it.


Shadow_Ops_Airman1 said:


Actually I looked at that fan originally at my local pc store... BUT..... decided not to because it had NO LEDs....... I needed and wanted LED fans with high cfm.