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Case Mod - In Progress Project: Destiny [Update 11th August 08]

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Skidd, 18 May 2008.

  1. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    [​IMG]

    Project Destiny is a case modification I am doing to replace the plain white box my girl friend uses everyday, I wanted something that would suit her style while not being too big for her to carry to lans and back. So I settled on a TJ04 case by Silverstone, being in South Africa this case is very hard to come by and as a result of that this will be a rather unique case as well. I hope you guys enjoy the work I'm going to put into this project and I also hope you feel free to give me some criticism and support where its needed :thumb:

    Updates:
    18th May 08
    31st May 08
    2nd June 08
    16th July 08
    2nd August 08
    6th August 08
    7th August 08
    11th August 08
     
    Last edited: 11 Aug 2008
  2. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    So here we have our victim for the project, the Silverstone TJ04
    [​IMG]

    Inside looking a bit stock standard with horrible blue/purple tool-less bay holders
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    Bit of sideways action here, everyone turn your head 90 degrees left, nice front bazel and good quality too :)
    [​IMG]

    Silverstone it is indeed :p
    [​IMG]

    Getting naked, the left side panel comes off as one piece and the right side and top another, not a problem for me at all.
    [​IMG]

    Ok so now for the likes of the case

    Already punched out 120mm fan holes, for the rear and front fans
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Awesome brushed aluminum bay covers
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    "Diamond" cut on the side panel window and slightly oversized to the cut in the metal. Very nice indeed.
    [​IMG]

    Stock fans look real good, don’t know if I’m going to use these or not yet.
    [​IMG]

    Only two problems with the case but still a bit disappointing, no case feat which really isn’t a problem because I plan on making new ones anyways and this huge scratch on the side, which again nothing a bit of paint work won’t fix :wink:
    [​IMG]

    Last but not the least the grill I had lazercut placed on top of the templete Im going to be using to cut the top of the case (bit of AC Ryan Advertising here :lol: )
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    So here we have the front panel, I removed the buttons and led indercators.
    [​IMG]

    This is what I plan to do.
    [​IMG]

    So I turned it around and tapped it up.
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    I then centered a fan and using my best gusstamite I came to this marking.
    [​IMG]

    So this front panel is no joke, I dont want to scratch the front of it and its 5mm thick aluminium. A little too think for a dremel so Im still deciding on how Im going to go about cutting it.
    [​IMG]

    So since I was not planning on doing any cutting I decided to see how the radiator is going to fit into place.
    [​IMG]

    I put my test PSU in place, Its a short unit just to give me an idea of how much space there is for me to play with.
    [​IMG]

    So I turned the case upside down and slotted in the radiator where I want to mount it.
    [​IMG]
    Not much room there hey?

    There is a little lip on the top of the chassis that I could get rid of, would give me around about another 1cm for the radiator.
    [​IMG]

    This is what I am hoping the end result will be like.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    So I got some time today after writing my exam and passing it (98% :blob7: ) to do some modding on the case.

    So first thing I did was bend a peace of metal on top of the case to make a little more room for the radiator.
    [​IMG]

    Which was flat like the one on the bottom of the bays was.
    [​IMG]

    Then I tapped up the top of the case and got my template in place after doing some careful measurements.
    [​IMG]

    So the cutting begins (actually half way there :wink: )
    [​IMG]

    Giving the dremel a bit of a rest
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    And finally after some more cutting its out
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    Sies dirty, nothing my trusty leaf blower wont sort out though.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Hes the cut and a lot of sanding down to do to get it into shape.
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    After about 45min I was done with it and this was the end result
    [​IMG]

    Some casualty to the paint job which isn't a train smash I am going to repaint anyways
    [​IMG]

    So thats it for this update, I have found someone to CNC the front panel for me which will get done next week.
     
  5. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    Update time guys :)

    Here we have the radiator in place just to check clearances
    [​IMG]

    As you can see I'm clearing a normal ATX PSU by about 1/2cm
    [​IMG]

    On the front of the case its right up against that bit I bent out.
    [​IMG]

    Closeup of the mounting hardware I am using
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    These ones that are standing up conflict with the radiator, I'm going to have to shorten them...
    [​IMG]

    A nice side shot of the grill attached
    [​IMG]

    I then moved on from there and decided to mount the cooling blocks. Here we have the motherboard I managed to get for free.
    [​IMG]

    Gigabyte is one of my favorite brands.
    [​IMG]

    And the CPU, nothing really special but its good enough.
    [​IMG]

    First thing I did was remove the standard northbridge cooler.
    [​IMG]

    Got the Swiftech MCW30 out and placed the 4 cushioning pads on it that came with the kit.
    [​IMG]

    And here we have it mounted.
    [​IMG]

    The CPU was next and as always the installation went really smooth. Swiftech Cheesecake.
    [​IMG]

    I then moved onto the graphics card, a Asus 7900GT with a Zalman cooler on it. This used to be my old one until I went to a 8800GT.
    [​IMG]

    Removed the Zalman cooler and gave it a clean.
    [​IMG]

    Next got the Swiftec MCW60 installed.
    [​IMG]

    Final units done and ready for some watercooling.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The barb attachments I am still waiting for are EK units, I also have some Vandal Resistant switches and a set of Billet Machined Aluminum case feet coming from MNPCTech (If they would respond to my email!), and last on the list of stuff I am waiting for is a Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus 5.25" 6 Channel Multi Fan Controller in silver, 4 Evercool 120mmx25mm aluminum fans and another 4ft of Tygon R3603. :wink:
     
  6. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    ...How did I miss that?:hehe:
    Sorry! It had to be done.:D
    Nice gear. Are you going to get anything custom cut for the faceplate?
     
  7. The boy 4rm oz

    The boy 4rm oz Project: Elegant-Li

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    Nice start.
     
  8. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks for the replys guys. The face plate I am going to be using the AC Ryan 120mm strip radiator grill to mount the fan. Its nothing special but it doesnt have to be complex to look good. :thumb:
     
  9. MoRBiD

    MoRBiD Minimodder

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    Looks Good.
    Nothing Super Fancy.
    Just Simple Mods. Nicely.
     
  10. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    Update ;-)

    Well I got the front panel back from the Water Jet guys, and all I can say is there was no way I could have cut it any better myself.

    Sorry this pic is a bit blurry but they where kind enough to give me back the piece that came out.
    [​IMG]

    Here is whats now the front panel.
    [​IMG]

    Close-up of the cut. Very nice.
    [​IMG]

    I then quickly slapped a Radgrill onto a fan (please note this is not the final fan thats going to be used here) and it went in real snug like.
    [​IMG]

    It is a very tight fit with once its in and Clarence is minimal here by the front IO door.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And from behind it overlaps a bit by the fan which is fine.
    [​IMG]

    I then marked and drilled out the mounting wholes to mount the grill.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Gave it a quick tap to accept 4mm screws.
    [​IMG]

    And perfect, exactly how I want it to be.
    [​IMG]

    Sorry blurry pic again but you get the idea.
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Farmboy UK

    Farmboy UK Hungry for knowledge

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    Looks good with the RadGrill on the front!
     
  12. The boy 4rm oz

    The boy 4rm oz Project: Elegant-Li

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    I agree. Very nice cut. The grill suits the front perfectly.
     
  13. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    :thumb:

    Thanks for the support guys.
     
  14. Skidd

    Skidd What's a Dremel?

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    Update:
    I got the case back from the powder coaters. Had it done in a Matt black with a smooth finish and man its so nice to touch :)

    [​IMG]

    Then I went about remounting all the things I took off for the powder coating to take place, you will see I used 4mm Allan cap screws to remount them:
    Bottom little platform
    [​IMG]

    3.5" Bay
    [​IMG]

    Then I decided I was going to do some placement checking. First up the pump.
    [​IMG]

    Motherboard temp mounted so I can see the clearance of the reservoir.
    [​IMG]

    A little closer shot of the reservoir.
    [​IMG]

    and the back of the case. Going to paint the IO shield black but leave the chrome edging.
    [​IMG]

    So thats it for this update, still waiting for stuff to come back from the chromes, they taking their sweet time. Next on my list of things to do is get the power supply sleeved in black and start working on the cable management. The panels for the case are going to get a painting this weekend so you guys can expect an update next week. I am also going to be tinting the window on the case to give it a darker look. Will show you guys how I go about it so until then. Enjoy!

    PS: My GF got hold of the camera while I was busy LOL
    [​IMG]
     
  15. ComputerKing

    ComputerKing <img src="http://forums.bit-tech.net/images/smilie

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    hey man it looks very tight project. Every thing is perfect by 1mm , Good work buddy.

    I have one thing to ask you. How you did that?

    [​IMG]
     
  16. 12modderz

    12modderz L33T еÐ3!

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    Got quite a nice PL going here. Can't wait to see how it turns out. However have you actually designed it on paper or anything? Cuz I wanna know what design you have in mind lol!
     
  17. Stievius

    Stievius Industrial Design Student

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    He tapped a hole with these:
    [​IMG]
    (works quite well since it's thick alu)
     
  18. Stievius

    Stievius Industrial Design Student

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    doublepost
     
    Last edited: 16 Jul 2008
  19. ComputerKing

    ComputerKing <img src="http://forums.bit-tech.net/images/smilie

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    Stievius That's Cool but what they call them ? mean When i hit the Hardware store. What I tell him ?
     
  20. Stievius

    Stievius Industrial Design Student

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    Taps and Dies? :D
     
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