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Case Mod - In Progress ANGEL - Lian-li PC-A05N Mod

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Pazu, 28 Sep 2009.

  1. E.E.L. Ambiense

    E.E.L. Ambiense Acrylic Heretic

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    Excellent work. Man, there are A05 projects popping up all over now! It's a fun lil' case to work on.
     
  2. woody_294

    woody_294 Wizard Ninja :P

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    Subbo'd! Looking good :D
     
  3. bagman

    bagman Minimodder

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    thats some really good work, very neat
     
  4. 500mph

    500mph The Right man in the Wrong place

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    Looking great! I suppose the front panel will be painted black?
     
  5. Pazu

    Pazu What's a Dremel?

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    Thank you guys. :) The A05 is really a great small ATX case to work with.

    Yes, everything exterior will be powder coated. I tried to mask off work pieces to try to not scratch the anodized parts but it's utterly futile. So I've given up on the idea and will powder coat.

    Paint is too fragile for a PC case exterior IMO.

    Thanks! Updates soon.
     
  6. dark4181

    dark4181 Ero-sennin-tebayo

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    Looking nice to far.. We're seeing a lot of A05's lately. I'm actually thinking about one myself.
     
  7. Nutman

    Nutman Never stuck with stock

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    Subscribed! And nice work so far - I like the saw, but wouldn't use one myself (too slow to use, I fear). Nevertheless, you just gotta applaud dedication like this.
     
  8. Pazu

    Pazu What's a Dremel?

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    Happy feet

    Thanks guys. :) Ya, it's a slow tool.

    Some more updates.

    As I said before, the design of the case shifted the PSU to the front and therefore further away from fresh air flow than a normal case. This is a little worrying because the PSU is easily one of the hottest unit in a normal PC. I decided that it should have more access to external air intake.

    Also, I want to keep a positive air pressure in the case. Meaning, more intake than exhaust so that dust cannot creep in so easily (kinda like the McLaren factory :p ).

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    Always measure and confirm.
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    Starting the cutting process.
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    File and file.
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    Forgotten to take pictures of the completed section again. :p

    This intake would have an air filter too. It's just some cheap plastics ones but so far, I found to be more effective.

    The filters are about 10mm thick. Meaning the default case feet are useless. I know, I know, who uses the default el cheapo case feet?!?? Well, I'm cheap.

    I got a bunch of these cool looking aluminum feet from a bunch of Shuttle PCs from work. They are optional and no one at the office bothered to install them.
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    By some simple mods, I can now use them and raise the height of the base to accommodate the filters.

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    Of cos, what case mod would be complete without a side window mod? Again I choose to have some simple designs.
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    Using 1.5mm thick acrylic here. Since it's not load-bearing, the thickness is not important. I chose the thinnest without it being flimsy.
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    That's all for this update. :)
     
    Last edited: 9 Oct 2009
  9. Goose360

    Goose360 What's a Dremel?

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    This is looking great!
    Everything looks very clean and professional
    awesome work! :thumb:
     
  10. Oreon_237

    Oreon_237 CHEA BRO!

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    def.. some of the cleanest cuts ive seen done manually.
     
  11. GravitySmacked

    GravitySmacked Mostly Harmless

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    Looks great so far, keep up the good work :thumb:
     
  12. stonedsurd

    stonedsurd Is a cackling Yuletide Belgian

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    Man, I am loving those fret saw cuts :thumb:
     
  13. The boy 4rm oz

    The boy 4rm oz Project: Elegant-Li

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    Those feet are very very cool, I really like them.
     
  14. Pazu

    Pazu What's a Dremel?

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    End of the fab

    Really thanks for the kind comment guys. :D

    Update time.

    I decided to make some logo for the case, something to suit the theme and something that I like.

    I've always liked the wing design. With help from my wife, I settle on a mechanical wing design.
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    I had wanted to cut out the design so that I can put a LED behind it, the natural choice was acrylic.
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    I had some sample carbon fiber around so I thought it'd be cool to use it on the case. Like so:
    The dust from the carbon fiber really stings the skin. Like tiny needles. Now I know why these aways warning labels that comes with working with CF. It's really dangerous (to breath in).
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    So in theory I should end up with something like this.
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    So in order to diffuse the light from the LED, I thought I should engrave the edges of the wing design. Big mistake. :(
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    The engraved piece look like crap and doesn't go well with the clean lines of the case at all... With help from a fellow Singaporean, I managed to have the logo piece laser cut and engraved. Much much better now. I'm happy. :D
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    Guess I'll find use for the CF pieces in another mod. Haha.
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    I mentioned before that I would have my rad mounted externally. I didn't like mounting it behind the case like my previous case because it really makes the case way too long and not to mention the poor air circulation. I decided to make a custom mount for mounting it on the top of the case.

    This 2 pieces took me the longest time, wish I have a laser cutter. :(
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    (Man, I hate repeated work...)
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    After bending. This is how it's roughly going to be used.
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    Basically, this is the bulk of the fabrication work. Group shot of the parts that's going to the powdercoater. :)
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    Until it comes back, keep the comments coming!
     
    Last edited: 9 Oct 2009
  15. coolamasta

    coolamasta Folding@Home CC Captain 2010/11/12

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    Nice work so far bud, interested to see the end result :D
     
  16. Guest-23315

    Guest-23315 Guest

    This reminds me of Darkened project, Orange Monster...

    Have some stars..

    Except this one might get finished..... (touch wood)
     
  17. Reverse

    Reverse Reverse/srvR

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    I need to get out my fretsaw
     
  18. The boy 4rm oz

    The boy 4rm oz Project: Elegant-Li

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    The logo is extremely cool, as is the fan brackets, fantastic work mate, reminds me of how much I need to get myself a coping saw.
     
  19. GravitySmacked

    GravitySmacked Mostly Harmless

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    Lovin that logo.
     
  20. Nutman

    Nutman Never stuck with stock

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    Fantastic work.
     

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