Case Mod - In Progress So Say We All - BitFenix Prodigy, UPDATED 11-1-13

A very good point.

 

ok last post of the weekend (I'm an addict)

I aim to get the majority of the metal cut from the case by the end of this week, as well as the acrylic window finished and installed

Depending on how the chat with Kustom pc goes I may also have the materials I need to complete both sides of the case

so looks like it may be snowballing soon only thing I need to fully look into is the powdercoating - not sure if I will need to strip the case to bare metal or if the engineering firm will do it for me (they are a local firm - I believe in supporting local business where I can)

 

Normally, if you do something yourself, you don't have to pay for it if someone else has to do it. Given that you care for keeping costs down.

 

Update 3/9/12

So today I managed to start cutting the case:




I am purposefully cutting slightly inside the lines - so I can finish it off nicely with a file/sandpaper later... as this is my first time cutting steel

Unfortunately it started getting late so only halfway through the cut - going to finish it off tomorrow hopefully

 

Update 4/9/12

Sooooo good news and bad news...

firstly good news - took my other side panel to local engineers and they can laser cut it, I just have to strip the coating off the side so they can - which might take some time but we will see. Oh and then provide them with a .drg to use. note cad programs are great but can be a b***ch to draw in

anyway bad news - well you know I told you like 100 times to wear safety glasses. Well also make sure you know where you leave your tools - as exhibit A here shows


that was in my foot (I'm going for the sympathy vote here) so I am giving up for the evening - hopefully more tomorrow

oh and a big thank you and shout out to Graeme from Kustom PCs - who took the time to provide me with good advice on the custom decals I am looking to get done

 

What were you doing wearing ketchup bottles on your feet mate?

 

Lol - Do I win a prize

Nope that's claret, only bit I intend to sacrifice to the PC case modding gods for now.

 

Maybe you should invest in a cricket box.

Sod it, the rate your going get fully kitted out like you're heading out onto the Oval.

 

Update 5/9/12

So just bought the last few pieces of 'stuff' I need from Kustom PC, Graeme is a very patient man .

hoping to get the side panel laser cut over weekend so spent last hour sanding the paint off the side so I can hopefully get it done over the weekend.

 

Stop cutting and hurting yourself - or your stuff - and show us more progress!

 

Happy to oblige, this is the outcome of last night

 

"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya... You killed my father prepare to die!"

Epic film , and a great idea for a mod. (although a little dangerous.......)

 

Looks like some nice cuts, but if you managed to get a hobby knife in your foot...

 

Update 7/9/12

Ok so I gave my side panel to the people who will laser cut it today, hoping to get that done by end of weekend. I am at colours most of the weekend so that's all that will be done I think

Once that's done all I have left to do is:

1. Finish cutting 'hole' in side panel and file to size
2. Cut acrylic window to size
3. Put etch in window (straight)
4. Measure and cut coloured acrylic
5. engrave motif into acrylic
6. Put Decal on acrylic
7. Sort out fixing strip
8. Airbrushing
9. Powder Coating
10. Rivet Case Together
11. Simples

As you can see not much left

 

Update to update

ok so I spent 5 mins in sketch up to give a bit more of an idea to you all what is inside my head.



This pic basically shows the colour I am going for the case as well as the side window. The main bulk of the case is going to be a silver bronze, with some parts (PSU/MOBO tray holder, mesh) white - so I can paint some stuff onto it

ayway I would appreciate any feedback (I reserve the right to ignore it) hopefully this case mod will be complete by end of September

Oh and here's a sneak peek of the goodies I got in the post today

 

Cool JS, I do like bronzey type colours.

Not entirely sure how the white would work with it if I'm honest but then I have no idea how you're going to be painting them.

How's the case for stability BTW, I seem to recall the article in CPC saying it was a bit wobbly on it's feet. Anyway to sort that or is it not really an issue?

 

Very interesting color combination. The red acrylic will turn into a window panel? Good job modding so far.

 

I'm planning on getting the case powder coated, including the white bits... but will be stepping back and seeing how it will look etc before forking out for that.

as regards to stability, when I had it assembled it wasn't too bad, the plastic 'feet/handles' were quite solid but if you push it/press on it they do flex. But I dont plan to use it as a beer stand (I currently use the lovely flat surface ontop of my antec 900 to rest beer - it has a fan it helps cool it )

with regards to the 'rattling' issue raised in the review - I havent noticed it when they were on - but I haven't had a system running in it yet.

anyway that's my lunch break gone - only 4 days until Half Life Source will be here