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Case Mod - In Progress ZdMods | Project 720 | Started on the top - Oct 17

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Meelobee, 12 Dec 2013.

  1. Meelobee

    Meelobee What's a Dremel?

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    [​IMG]

    Hello again :)

    Now that I've finished Project 180 I've started a new build which I'd like to share with you :)

    The victim this time is a Dell XPS 720. An all aluminum case (3mm) and in my opinion one of the best looking cases ever. I've spend quite some time looking for a good undamaged one, and about half a year ago one was offered on a Dutch marketplace and after some emails and a drive to The Hague I picked up the case. The previous owner removed most of the hardware so it was just the case, perfect for my modding needs!

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    Some of the remaining hardware, the cpu heatsink and some ducting
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    It's a big case, Project 180 fits inside it, the radiator is a EK-XT360
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    Without plastic front
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    First thing I did was strip the case. Went quite fast because the case doesn't have an internal chassis, it's just the front and back panel that hold the whole case together. So it was a matter of drilling out some rivets to take apart the entire case
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    Because Dell made the case as a BTX the orientation of the I/O panel is upside down and has to be replaced. On the left the original backside and the front on the right
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    I've replaced the front and back by 3mm aluminum panels and attached those to the original brackets on the top and bottom
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    Up next, het openingmechanism on the sidepanels!

    On the original case the left panel is fixed to the top and bottom and can't be opened. This is a problem because I want to be able to reach the backside of the mobotray, so it needs to be changed.
    On the right panel there is a big metal bracket with the opening mechanism on it, this makes the panel click into the top and midplate of the case. Because I'm not going keep the midplate that part of the opening mechanism isn't needed and can be removed from the right panel and I can use it for the left panel. (On the picture this part is already removed)
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    The metalbracket was glued to the panel with some sort of ubertape, almost impossible to remove, but using a heatgun and a putty knive I got it removed
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    I've cut the bracket into 2 pieces, the lower one already has an alu strip that will be used as the handle to open the panel
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    That's it for now :)

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    Last edited: 17 Oct 2014
  2. NJB Mods

    NJB Mods What's a Dremel?

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    Can't wait for the result!

    Keep it up mate!
     
  3. Primum Agmen

    Primum Agmen What's a Dremel?

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    I'll admit I'd never heard of that case, but it looks great. Curious to see what you're going to do with it.
     
  4. Meelobee

    Meelobee What's a Dremel?

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    Cheers guys :)




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    On with the show!


    The bracket was cut in two and I've glued back onto both sidepanels with epoxy
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    Glued an chairprofile (I suppose it's what you call it in English) to the bottom side of the left panel
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    The profile hooks on the original brackets on the bottom of the case
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    And now it looks like I'm back to where I started. The case looks stock again, except this one has sidepanels that both can be opened :clap:
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    Up next, the front of the case!

    first I gutted the plastic front panel and removed all the unneeded parts
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    Then 8 pieces of U-profile (13x13mm od) where cut to size
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    The u-profiles were glued to a strip of alu with epoxy. There is a 6mm gap between each profile
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    Both ends of each profile filed to an angle, so the profiles fit perfectly in the front
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    And this is how the whole assembly looks in the front. 2 Smaller pieces of u-profile that fill the gaps will be added on both sides
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    To finish the front I got some 10x10mm plexi rod
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    The plexi fits perfectly in the u-profiles
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    The plexi will be frosted and have leds in the top and bottom, but how exactly is in the next update! :p

    Thanks for watching! :dremel:


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    Last edited: 21 Dec 2013
  5. The_Crapman

    The_Crapman World's worst stuntman. Lover of bit-tech

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    Awesome. There were absolutely TONNES of these cases around codies when i worked there and always thought they were a perfect blank canvas for some modding. Glad you've taken one up as i've loved pretty much everything else you've done. Looking forward to this progressing.
     
  6. mansueto

    mansueto Too broke to mod

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    I'm liking where this going. I always loved the look of the older xps cases, so I'm excited to finally see one being modded!
     
  7. SiZZiGY

    SiZZiGY Nano Evolution in progress...

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    Love this case :naughty: Very nice choice :D
     
  8. hero1

    hero1 Minimodder

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    hmmm..nice stuff! Subbed!
     
  9. whyte

    whyte What's a Dremel?

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    good lord.. always impressive. so happy youre starting another build now that 180 is finished :)
     
  10. MeddlE

    MeddlE Norwegian Blue

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    Here we go again (in a good way).
     
  11. Ianovski

    Ianovski Rawr!

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    Love your previous mods so let's follow this one too! Love the idea for the front, curious how it'll work out.
     
  12. Asouter

    Asouter --------

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    Nice old case, I'm looking forward to seeing this progress :) subbed
     
  13. Egami

    Egami Why is the dremel on fire?

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    Looks like everyone's again seen the case and knows what it is except for me lol. :hehe: Well, couldn't have hoped for a better modder to take it and start baking! Totally subbed! :thumb:
     
  14. GamerIDGoesHere

    GamerIDGoesHere www.^.com

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    There's a lot of potential with that case :thumb:. Got a colour scheme in mind?

    Also subbed :)

    - Dan
     
  15. Meelobee

    Meelobee What's a Dremel?

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    [​IMG]

    On with the show!

    Continued on the front. Added 2 shorter pieces to the rest of the U-Profiles to complete the front. All profiles are filed to size (Which was a pain in the ass job, as the corners are round and at an angle.)

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    On the top the alu profiles fit align perfectly to the plastic front.
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    On the bottom there are some small gaps between the alu and plastic, but this won't be visible in the end. The plexi bars in the profiles are cut short, so there is room for the leds
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    Made a logo for the front of the case. The 2 small bars above and below the text will be the same color as the plastic edge they align with. Giving the front 2 'sections' again.
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    And I've cut the hole for the 3 radfans in the front (360 rad)
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    In the case without the front
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    And with front
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    Thanks for watching! :dremel:


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  16. Zsolt Guriga

    Zsolt Guriga What's a Dremel?

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    Very clean work :thumb:,looking forward to see:)
     
  17. B NEGATIVE

    B NEGATIVE All Hail Kim Jong Magoo!

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    Those XPS cases...the only valid reason to own a Dell.
    Jesse had great results with Plastidip and that case
     
  18. imersa

    imersa Parvum Princess

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    Lovely thus far.
     
  19. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    Agreed, i remember seeing then and liking the case and thinking it's a case with great potential, going to be watching this one, it's off to a great start.:clap::clap:
     
  20. Furball Zen

    Furball Zen Shut up and Mod

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    In as well.
     

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