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Case Mod - In Progress BitFenix Pandora - Silent Oak

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by flix, 14 Sep 2015.

  1. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Hi everyone,
    I want to show you my latest mod.

    This project is based on a BitFenix Pandora.
    I really like the shape of that case. Anyway... I will do a lot of modding. :rock:

    - the oriantation of the case will be changed

    - the sidepanels will get a veneer

    - make a new top and botten for the case

    - the front will get a second revision out of aluminium




    The project starts by taking closer look over the case.

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    Not a perfect finish on the sidepanels. Some scratches are visible.

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    The Top Panel is really cool. You can remove it toolless.

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    I wanted to start with the most difficult part: the front.
    I hate to bend sheets without the right tools.

    Cutted a sheet of aluminium to the right size:

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    The first bending try was a big fail, it was not possible to do an even bend.

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    So I went to the hardware store an bought some materials for a new bending "tool".

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    Cutted a waste-pipe into two halfs...


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    ... and bolt it on some pieces of wood.


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    This attempt was also foredoomed, the diameter was wrong.
    But with the thrid attempt it works great. :)

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    So I continued with the metal sheet for the front:

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    After drilling I take a Dremel to make some more cuts.

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    In the meantime the veneer arrived, I thin it looks great. :)

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    For continuing with the front I had to to the frontpanel.
    So I designed some symbols, behind them there will be some capazitive switches.


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    It doenst work perfect but I think I can fix it.

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    Continued with the front.

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    test fit of the frontpanel:

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    After all of this work was done, I started with the critical work. I the bend went wrong all the drilling, dremeling and filing was for nothing.

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    But it works. :)


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    First test fit on the case

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    in combination with the veneer:

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    Thats it for now, what do you think?
     
    Last edited: 13 Feb 2016
  2. ChrisHowell

    ChrisHowell What's a Dremel?

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    Hey! - This is looking pretty cool. nice use of materials.

    I'm curious about how you shape the aluminium sheet, once you had the mould did you just use brute force/metal working tools to bend it round? Any heat needed to bend it?
     
  3. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Ohh sorry... I totally forget to continue this worklog here. :wallbash:
    I'm actually working again on this case so I will use this fact to continue the worklog. :)

    The first par I want to put the veneer on, was the backpart.

    At first disambled that part:

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    cut two parts of veneer to match the whole width:

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    No pictures from my first try... that looked completly crappy....
    I removed my first try and started the second attempt.

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    at the first try I want to use two parts, it was really difficult to agglutinate the parts cause of the curves. At this attempt I started with 6 parts and it worked much better:

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    cleaned the edges:

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    See you soon. :)
     
    Last edited: 15 Feb 2016
  4. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Hello,
    small Update. :)
    With every project I'm working on I have the same problems. Finding a matching name is the most difficult part of modding, I think. :idea:
    But this time I found a name for this project. I think "silent oak" will match the concept of this build very well. What do you think?


    To mount the new front a skeletal structure must be build, I cutted some aluminium into the right dimensions and cutted some threads.

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    assambled all the parts for a test fit. The alu sheet must be filed down later.

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    Test fit on the case:

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    Continued on the sidepanel.
    For a nice layout of the window I putted a mainboard in the case an measured the corect dimensions.
    After that the contours were marked at the sidepanel and cutted with the angle grinder and dremel.

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    After filing down the edges it looks much better.. :)

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    Later I will make an inlay window for it.

    That it for now. :)
     
  5. amagriva

    amagriva Minimodder

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    The mod has a distinct "Ikea" look (in a good sense, meaning modern and sleek...)
    Waiting for updates (tie a knot on a handkerchief and not forget 'em :D)
    Ciao
     
  6. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Hehe,
    I also like the "ikea" look, even if I think this case doesnt look like this.

    small update:
    Going on with the sidepanels.
    At first i roughly cutted the veneer to the right size and took my iron the fuse the veneer on the panels.

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    after that, a lot of detail work must be done by using a scalpel and some sandpaper

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    second panel

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    Thats it for now. :dremel:
     
  7. HCP

    HCP Minimodder

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    This looks really good! :)
     
  8. hero1

    hero1 Minimodder

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    :thumb:Very interesting idea
     
  9. Cown

    Cown Minimodder

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    Looking good :D can't wait to see more. Are you going to keep the original wood color, or add some color to it? :)
     
  10. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Thanks. :thumb:

    Thank you :)

    not really an color but I use this for the finish:

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    I dont know the english word for it.

    Update:

    Going on with the window.
    For a sleeker look, I wanted to make an inlayed window. That wasnt that easy, but finally it comes out great.

    Starting with cutting some acrylic panel to the right size and added some curves to the corners.

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    Cutted and filed down:

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    For the milled edge I used a miller with a spacer disk.

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    The first fit wasnt perfect but after some sanding it fits very well.
    For making it by hand, I'm really satisfied. :)

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    See you :rock:
     
  11. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Some of the hardware I will use for this project.
    The Powersupply is a Corsair RM 450. I choose it because of the full modularity. At that point i didnt know that it will run complete passive. :) Very nice :rock:

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    Matching graphics card: passive R7 250
    No wonder... it is also really silent. :rock:

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    Noctua decided to support this project. The fans match the look of the case really nice. Thank you so much. :rock:

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    Already the packaging looks an feels very great and better than the usal fan packaging.

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    Scope of Delivery:

    - Low-Noise Adapter (L.N.A.)
    - 4-Pin Y-Cable
    - 30cm Extension Cable
    - 4 Vibration-Compensators
    - 4 Fan Screws



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    This fans are very heavy. feels very significant.

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    Great product, and i've tested a lot of fans in the last years. :clap:
     
  12. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    I continued on the new sidepanels.
    I ordered some acrylic sheets and cut it nearly to the exact measurements.

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    some detail work to match the contours better-

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    Have to do the same work with the second sheet...

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    I want to have a 5mm sheet for the stability but from the front view I dont want to see a 5mm width acrylic strip, so I took the router and milled some material.

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    fits really nice

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    Continued with some more cuttings:

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    added some veneer:

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    grinded the outlines:

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    rough cut of the edges from the inside:

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    some detail work with a scalpel and grinding paper:

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    Now I had to fill the cuttings with some alu sheets.
    So I cutted some alumium to the right sice and gave it a nice fit by using a file.

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    Fits, maybe not 100% but 99% ;)

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    Now the painful part follows...
    drilled the first hole:

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    and orientate a perforated plate on it:

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    Now I started the drilling massacre:

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    Test fit in the frame:

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    and in the case

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    see you :rock:
     
  13. hovek

    hovek “Can’t or won’t?” Sterling Archer

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    Top panel is awesome man. Keep it going.
     
  14. Jipa

    Jipa Avoiding the "I guess.." since 2004

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    Beautiful.
     
  15. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Thank you guys. :)

    Continued on the second panel:

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  16. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Thank you. :)

    I finally have to finish this mod...
    so lets go on. :)


    To close the gab between the frame and the new panels I had to cut some profiles to the right lenght:

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    Shortened one side by using a router ...

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    at the case:

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    I have to paint the black later.


    Besides that, I tested how the finish will look. :)

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    See you
     
  17. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Thank you :)
     
  18. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Looking good.:D The top panel is lovely.
    I'll admit I think you need to cheat on the power icons. Either a laser or a plotter cutter. If you can sand it clean ok, but it looks like a real hellish task.
     
  19. flix

    flix Minimodder

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    Thank you,
    I think the icons come out great (Take a look: 1, 2)but ath the end I didnt use them because the electric doesnt work reliable.


    Project is finally finished. :)

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    Big thanks to Noctua for providing so nice hardware.

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  20. arduum

    arduum Minimodder

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