This is DIY Case Mod Guide for modifying your Corsair 350, 750 & 900D Front Air Intake Grill or any aluminum or steel case to help improve airflow to your Liquid or Aircooled PC system Tools & Supplies: Modder's Mesh, Round Sheet,http://mnpctech.com/case-mods-gaming-pc-liquid-modding-custom-computer-mnpctech-overclock-cooling-fan-grills/modders-mesh-perforated-aluminum-steel-honeycomb-grill-intake-front-fan-slotted-diamond-round-hex/modders-mesh.html In Order of Usage 1. Ruler or Measuring Combination Square, http://www.amazon.com/Empire-Level-E250-Professional-Combination/dp/B000ETUNEU/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371561237&sr=1-2&keywords=measuring+square *2. Pen & Black Marker, http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-30001EA-Permanent-Marker-Black-SAN30001EA/dp/B00584PWWO/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371565029&sr=1-2&keywords=sharpie+black 3. Phillips Screw Driver, http://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-TOOLS-68-012-All-in-One-Screwdriver/dp/B00009V431/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371561308&sr=1-1&keywords=phillips+screwdriver 4. 3" Painter's Masking Tape, http://www.amazon.com/3M-Automotive-Refinish-Performance-Temperature/dp/B0082LHVJC/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371561271&sr=1-6&keywords=233%2B+tape 5. Safety Glasses, http://www.mnpctech.com/Safetyglasses.html 6. Rotary Tool, http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-RTX-6-3-Speed-Accessories/dp/B0001GUDRI 7. Rotary*1.5" Cutting Wheel,http://www.mnpctech.com/DremelDisc.html 8. Jigsaw Power Tool, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D552934&field-keywords=jigsaw 9. 18 TPI bi-metal Jigsaw blade, http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-T118EF-Bi-Metal-Shank-Jigsaw/dp/B000628CZ2/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558431&sr=1-2&keywords=jigsaw+18+tpi+blade 10. Hand File, http://www.amazon.com/Nicholson-06601-8-Inch-Handy-File/dp/B00002N7RN/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558465&sr=1-6&keywords=hand+file 11. Blue Painter's Tape, 1" wide, http://www.amazon.com/ScotchBlue-Painters-Multi-Surface-70-Inch-60-Yard/dp/B00004Z4BB/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371561766&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+painters+tape 12. ScotchWeld DP-190, http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Weld-Adhesive-DP190-Translucent/dp/B0074N8N3W/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558594&sr=1-1&keywords=scotchweld+dp190 (Optional) 3M Applicator Gun EPX Plus II and mixing tip, for ScotchWeld, http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Weld-EPX-Plus-Applicator/dp/B001ANXYF4/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558713&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=scotchweld+dp190+applicator 13. Disposable Latex Rubber Glove, (for applying DP190 into mesh)*http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Helpers-Disposable-Lightly-Powdered/dp/B000DILNJ6/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558808&sr=1-7&keywords=disposable+rubber+gloves 14. Cloth or Rag, http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-14-Inch-17-Inch-24-Pack-WT24/dp/B000ICRJ4A/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371565083&sr=1-1&keywords=cloth+rag+shop 15. Modeler or Xacto Knife, http://www.amazon.com/Xacto-X3601-Precision-Knife-Safety/dp/B00009R8JZ/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558896&sr=1-4&keywords=xacto+knife 16. Red Scotchbrite,http://www.mnpctech.com/3m_scotchbrite_pads_red.html 17. Filtered Respirator Mask, http://www.amazon.com/3M-Low-Maintenance-Half-Mask-Respirator-Assembly/dp/B00004Z4EB/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558931&sr=1-1&keywords=3m+filtered+respirator+mask 18. SEM Self Etching Primer, Black, http://www.amazon.com/SEM-SEM39673-Etching-Primer--Aerosol/dp/B000PKZ3IY/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1371558960&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=sem+self+etching+black 19. Krylon "Rust Tough" Semi-Flat Black Enamel (or Plastikote "Engine" Enamel),*]http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-RTA9203-Semi-Flat-Preventive-Enamel/dp/B000RMTDAE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1371559001&sr=1-1&keywords=krylon+rust+tough+black+flat Corsair Factory Front Bezel Plate. Corsair gives you 3/16" gap around the plate from the factory for airflow. This modification will be huge improvement for cooling your system. The front plate pulls off without any effort. It's removed for accessing and cleaning the Corsair 900D's three 120mm front cooling fans and filter. You have option to remove the Four plastic mounting pegs, or leave them on throughout the entire modification process. It's your choice! The pegs are fastened on with Phillips head screws. The best tape is 3M Scotch 233+ Green tape 3M Scotch Green 233+ masking tape is used by Automotive Paint Professionals. It's highly conformable to curved surfaces on both metal and plastic. It has good adhesion in a large range of weather conditions. It will peel off without leaving any sticky residue. Most Auto Body Supply Stores should be stocking this tape. It's also readily available online. 3M Scotch *233+ tape has a premium price compared to other tapes, but it performs the best* The 900D front plate is made from Anodized Black aluminum. We're going to retain this factory finish. Use Measuring Square or Ruler, to measure out 1" framed border around the Corsair's 900D plate Put on your Safety Glasses, before using any Power Tools. Using Rotary Tool with 1.5" Cutting Wheel, to make four incision cuts on each of the four sides. This step is necessary, before you can use the Jigsaw to remove the center. Using Jigsaw with 18 TPI bi-metal cutting blade to remove the center of the plate you measured out. The center section of the plate has been cut. Using Hand File to fix and clean the jagged edges of the cut out. You'll want to remove the masking tape, so you can better view your progress with the file. Modder's Mesh, Round,http://mnpctech.com/case-mods-gaming-pc-liquid-modding-custom-computer-mnpctech-overclock-cooling-fan-grills/modders-mesh-perforated-aluminum-steel-honeycomb-grill-intake-front-fan-slotted-diamond-round-hex/modders-mesh.html I'm attaching Round Modder's Mesh[/b] to the backside of the front plate. Measure out piece of Round Modder's Mesh to 15" LONG by 7.25" WIDE. Use Tin Snip or Metal Cutting Shear to cut the Round Modder's Mesh Attach the Round Modder's Mesh to backside of the front plate with Spring Loaded clamps. You can also use small C-clamps. Apply Painter's Tape around the edge of the mesh on back on front side of the plate. This is to help prevent any ScotchWeld DP-190 epoxy from running off the Modders Mesh onto the plate. [img=http://www.mnpctech.3dpixelnet.com/picture_library/CPUHood1lbwb.jpg[/img] I'll be using ScotchWeld DP-190[/font][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]for*[/font]attaching the Round Modder's Mesh to backside of the plate. You'll need to wear Latex gloves, when using the ScotchWeld DP-190.*You can manually push the two cylinders of Epoxy in DP-190 Cartridge onto a piece of cardboard. Then mix the two epoxies together with a long wood nail or pop-rivet.*Otherwise*3M sells a ScotchWeld Applicator Gun, for $70.00 with spiral mixing tip, for ScotchWeld Wearing latex glove, use your finger to evenly smear the ScotchWeld DP-190 epoxy into the perforations of the Round Modder's Mesh Use a cloth or rag, to wipe off any epoxy run-off from the sides of the plate Wear filtered Respirator Mesh before applying any paint. Apply paint in well ventilated area, preferably outdoors with temperature around 72F I'm painting the backside of the mesh first, starting with coat of SEM brand self etching primer. Allow it to cure for one hour before applying Krylon "Rust Tough" "Semi-Flat" Black *paint. Allow "Rust Tough" to cure for 24 hours. Mask off the front frame, and repeat same steps for painting the front of the plate. After 24 hours, remove the tape. Close up of the bezel plate. Step back and admire your work! You can use this technique to attach Modder's Mesh to create cooling vents in other panels. Please share any questions or comments!
This is a great little mod! Reckon it'd work well with a 250D's front panel? I'm pretty tempted to do a shaped cutout myself now.. Plus since there's a fan filter behind it, there's no downsides!
Since posting this guide I've had people asking me to customize their Corsair front plate. A better solution than me doing each one by hand is cnc milling the ventilation holes. So we played around with different test pieces until we nailed down the right steps to mill the factory plate without splintering or cracking the plastic panel on the back. Here is the result with 350D version, and next will be 750D, then 900D, once I find cheaper resource for bulk ordering the factory plates, and listing them here, https://mnpctech.com/mnpctech-clear-case-pc-panels/corsair-350d-plate/ CNC milled 1/4" diameter ventilation holes into a replacement Corsair 350D Mid Tower Front Bezel Plate. The ventilation area of holes on this plate measures 5.25" x 7.25", but I can extend it on the 750D & 900D version.
I had a customer send me his 750D front intake plate. It also has the plastic backing, which makes milling both the aluminum and plastic tricky. I'll post our results this week.
We had to make larger fixture for drilling the ventilation holes in the 750D front plates, but turned out pretty good!, http://mnpctech.com/mnpctech-clear-...750d-cnc-milled-vented-front-bezel-plate.html
That mesh mod looks sweet - I'm tempted to try something similar on my DS Cube. I'm just worried about the soft touch coating - could be easy to make a mess of it.
hmmm, I've never worked on a DS cube, but maybe you could find a used DS shell on Ebay, to experiment on first, before slicing into yours?
Great guide! Great job with the pictures and the high detail. The final product looks pretty awesome too!
Nicely done, the one downside of the CNC way is the edges of the holes aren't anodized anymore, with the mesh it was less visible because it was painted. Still very nice though
I've been looking on ebay for the last week or so - no joy. I might just go for it but I was wondering - you do think a hot knife would be better than a jigsaw? It is plastic after all.
Thanks for the feedback guys!.... @Spreadie, I've never used Hot Knife, but will suggest experimenting with it first. For cutting plastic, I use Rotary Tool with cutting wheel for plastic, then file down the edges Edges, after Hand filing and sanding
