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Case Mod - In Progress Dragon Reworked [looking for ideas]

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by David, 25 Feb 2012.

  1. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    I have finally decided to start work on my old Chieftec Dragon case.

    Currently, I have very little in the way of an overall plan for it, so I'm looking for ideas and inspiration.

    Here's the old girl
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Even without a clear idea of what I want to achieve, there's nothing stopping me making a start; so, after ten minutes of rivet drilling, I'm left with this...

    [​IMG]

    And this...

    [​IMG]

    I will be watercooling, so I do plan on a 360 rad in the roof and a 240 in the lower front panel.

    I'm currently degreasing and cleaning the parts, and I'm either going to paint them or send them for powder coating. Clearly I won't be doing any of that until I make the required cuts and holes.

    Anyone know the costs of powder coating, and a good company to use?
     
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  2. improprietary

    improprietary FT03 is a bitch to watercool

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    ooooh the memories.
     
  3. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Slight change of plan. I have (will have) two 240 rads spare pretty soon, so I'm putting a 240 in the roof, instead of a 360; for now.

    [​IMG]

    30 minutes with a jigsaw and file, plus around an hour's hard graft with an emery pad, and the difference is striking...

    [​IMG]

    My arms feel like they're gunna fall off. I am so unfit.
     
    Last edited: 26 Feb 2012
  4. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    as I was reading the first post I was thinking that's just crying out for a rad in the roof and you done it...Nice start, i love these cases.

    It's got to have a window in it as well.
     
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  5. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    When I decided on a 240 for the roof, I was torn between the mounting I've gone for and maybe fitting a couple of fat 240s side by side with vents cut in either door; but doing it that way means dropping the PSU back down on to it's bracket, and I'm planning to use that to mount the pump(s).
    It'll be getting at least one window, Jeff - anything to reduce the amount of sanding required for those side panels. :D ;)

    That reminds me, I need to find some flat u-channel edging; and I have to research the best way to remove acoustic matting. :rolleyes:
     
  6. RedManc

    RedManc What's a Dremel?

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    My 2cents on this is NEW FEET! but they new roof looks great, where are the Rad templates from ?
     
  7. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    The old feet are consigned to the skip, they were pretty nasty, and I have a set of casters spare... I have thought about recessing them in the case floor so it sits lower down, but I'll have to measure their swivel circumference, to see if it's worthwhile, or even possible to do without hindering mobo placement.

    The rad templates are from MNPCTech. Clicky

    Cheers!
     
    Last edited: 26 Feb 2012
  8. AK71

    AK71 What's a Dremel?

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    Oo, looking forward to this. That case certainly brings back a lot of memories
     
  9. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Mmmm biscuits

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    I have much love for these cases, all i am going to say is 'keep it pure to the design' its a classic case which needs love and attention
     
  10. kaiter

    kaiter What's a Dremel?

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    Nice post thanks for sharing.
     
  11. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    I know what you mean, and it is a little difficult when throwing ideas around.

    The idea is that it will remain, and be recognisable as, a Dragon. However, if that means I only give it a lick of paint and throw a bit of fairy dust on there, what's the point? On the other hand, this is my first project log, and skills and budget are not exactly boundless.

    A perfect example is the front door and fascia panel - that is what identifies the case. So, my problem is how do I make changes to the front without destroying it's identity?

    I have a lot of thinking to do.

    Thanks for the comments, guys.
     
    Last edited: 27 Feb 2012
  12. matiss

    matiss Minimodder

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    Damn i´m getting old *memories*. Nice idea putting that good old trusting case to a new job. I should revive mine too ;)
     
  13. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Mmmm biscuits

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    My old dragon

    [​IMG]

    That was 7 coats of Ford Mexico yellow, each flatten and buffed, the main chassis painted black. I miss the case as it ended up in a skip after uni as I had no room for it :waah:

    However I do have another one :D shown bellow in my old render farm.

    [​IMG]



    With yours I would extend the hole pattern on the side panel into something interesting and back-light it
     
  14. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Nice looking Dragon!

    Interesting idea about the hole pattern. I'm going for a window, but there's nothing to stop me making a pattern on the other panel. Food for thought, thank you.

    In other news, I'm praying for the rain to hold off this weekend, so I can make some more progress. I don't have a garage, unfortunately, and the shed is rammed.
     
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  15. adidan

    adidan Guesswork is still work

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    Had any ideas yet mate? Or is that asking too much? :)
     
  16. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    I'm still stripping it back to bare metal at the moment, mate. And building up the courage to try removing the acoustic matting. ;)
     
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  17. KidMod-Southpaw

    KidMod-Southpaw Super Spamming Saiyan

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    Looking good, nice start. Can't wait for more! :thumb:
     
  18. adidan

    adidan Guesswork is still work

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    Do it man, there's sun in the sky, just do it! :)
     
  19. tr3

    tr3 What's a Dremel?

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    How is the modding going, as I have the same GIANT case doing nothing......

    Tr3
     
  20. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    The project is on hold at the moment, but by no means abandoned.

    It's mostly stripped back to bare metal and the foam matting is gone, but all the bits are in a box in the shed for now. I have some designs made out for the side panel lighting, but I need access to a pillar drill to do them justice - there may be an old one up for grabs at work, I'm just waiting for a decision from the gaffer.

    Also, my mate is building a proper spray booth at the bottom of his garage - so I'm hoping to give it a really good paint job.
     

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