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Scratch Build – In Progress Battle Dragon Bag - Update#30 - 9/4/12

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Gentleman_Dingo, 30 Sep 2011.

  1. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Battle Dragon Bag Case sponsored by:

    TT eSports [​IMG]

    Click Image To Case Mod Store
    [​IMG]

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    Greetings!

    It’s that time again and I’ve got that modding itch. This new project was inspired by TT eSport’s Battle Dragon Bag.

    [​IMG]

    http://usa.ttesports.com/products/product.aspx?p=22&g=ftr

    When I saw this bag my eyes glazed over and I went to that happy place in a modder’s head. I couldn’t see any reason why you’d only want to tote around peripherals in that bag. Why not put a whole desktop in it? Why not make a desktop-monitor combo that easily fits inside this bag? I can make a sweet computer that can be easily toted around in the Battle Dragon Bag. When I spoke with a representative with ThermalTake eSports, they seemed excited by the idea.

    To start things off, I made measurements to determine exactly how big I could make the computer case and still be able to fit the various components in the bag as well. I took into consideration that I can remove the middle partition of the bag then reattach it with Velcro. I've even consulted with a seamstress who can do it for me. The case height needs to be statically set to 12" (30.5cm). The length and width can be modified as long as the proportions oscillate inversely. The maximum length is 20" to a 5" width and the maximum width is 6" to a 18" length. I've designed this case to be 18.5" long by 5.5" wide. I've also designed the case to have the motherboard set reverse in the case. What this means is if you look at the open side panel of the case the I/O ports will be on the right side, rather than the traditional left.

    The first picture is a view of what will be the front/top/bottom panel and the back I/O panel. The middle strip will be a piece of illuminated red acrylic that will run the whole perimeter of the case. It will be lit up with two custom made red LED strips. Both of the power and reset switches will be Vandal LED switches. The fan/radiator port on the front of the case will be framed by a MNPCTech Overkill "Honeycomb" 120mm Fan Grill.

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    Overkill "Honeycomb" 120mm Fan Grill

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    The back panel will show the Thermaltake TTeSports logo. The TTeSports logo will be back-lit with lighted piece of clear or red acrylic. The front panel will have a window with a Chinese dragon etched into the window and a small Tt trademark in the lower right corner.

    [​IMG]


    Here is the general layout of the case components. I've left enough space to work with either air cooling or water cooling. The video card will be placed horizontally with the motherboard using a 5" PCIe flexible extender ribbon. Originally, I made this design for an enclosed water cooling system, so I’ll probably have to shuffle the hard drives around if I install a reservoir and a pump.

    [​IMG]

    First question people have asked me when I describe this project is: Why not just buy a laptop? Simple answer: a good desktop will have more power than ANY laptop on the market. I like power.

    So… what do you guys think? I apologize in advance for the simplistic drawings. I’m working on learning Sketchup and figuring out how to make represent my ideas in a better fashion.
     
    Last edited: 8 Sep 2012
  2. tobyak

    tobyak What's a Dremel?

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    watercooled???? you are officialy insane dude... SUBBED
     
  3. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Yeah, a while back I asked around about doing watercooling in a device that can be dropped or banged up. There were a couple of good suggestions. Now that the idea is a bit more concrete
    (TTeSports approved the designs) people can see why I was asking the questions.

    http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=216074
     
  4. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    *cough* Cygnar *cough*:D
     
  5. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Yes, Dad, I know. If I owed my own foundry it'd be done by now.

    Doesn't mean I can't have something going that doesn't require outside parties.

    Done with GwassGween yet? ;)
     
  6. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Update #1: Material Gathering

    I received my first two packages!!!

    An extra special thanks to:

    TT eSports [​IMG]

    The first package had the bulk of the ingredients:

    [​IMG]

    Battle Dragon Bag
    Shock One Gaming Headset
    Big Water 760+ (with CPU block) Water Cooling set
    TR2 RX 1000w PSU
    2 Thunderblade case fans
    And a top I/O port assembly from one of their cases to add to this scratch build.

    The second package had a Dell Monitor that I will be adding to the mod. I have some ideas that include a swing arm. So far my preliminary warranty voiding has come up with some interesting results and ideas. *plot* *scheme* *plot*

    [​IMG]

    I made some runs to the local plastic and metal vendors picked up the .5” square rods and .25”x.5” rods for the framing, one REALLY big sheet of aluminum 8’ long sheet of .25” thick aluminum, and a smaller sheet of thinner aluminum. I picked up all my aluminum at $3 USD a pound at scrap prices (w00t! basically saved .50 to 1.00 a pound). The .5” thick piece of acrylic was free!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    I decided to hit up a new acquaintance of mine that has a plethora of laptop HDDs. I was able to get a Seagate 7200rpm 500GB HDD for a decent price. I will also be using the Intel 510 Series 120GB SSD I received at PAX Prime 2011 in the BYOC.

    [​IMG]


    I'm just waiting on one more package to arrive. In the meantime, I'll start working on the frame. Stay Tuned!
     
    Last edited: 3 Oct 2011
  7. RedManc

    RedManc What's a Dremel?

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    Bitchy! I like it.

    This is an interesting idea, its going to have to be super light if its being carried around all the time, nice idea with the laptop hdd's.

    Im looking forward to seeing this one progress .. subbed :)
     
  8. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Lookin good! and shipped yr goodies out today.... you'll see why I like the glasses, very comfortable :D
     
  9. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Well you sold me with the going out and still being socially acceptable in them. I kid you not, if I had a dollar for every time I was in Home Depot/Lowe's looking like an idiot because I forgot the safety goggles were on my head I would be a very very rich man. Or a very good Dr. Horrible impersonator.
     
  10. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Update #2: Another Package!!

    I received the other package I was expecting!!!

    An extra special thanks to:

    Click Image To Case Mod Store
    [​IMG]

    MNPCTech was nice enough to supply this project with some pretty killer stuff.

    First and foremost is the Overkill Honeycomb 120mm Fan Grill. This will end up being right on the front of this case and the center piece for a head on view. Online pictures of these grills only give you a portion of their awesomeness. These aren’t some flimsy piece of low gauge aluminum. They’re chunks of heavy-duty, in-your-face style. They’re clean, solid, and absolutely flawless.

    Overkill "Honeycomb" 120mm Fan Grill
    [​IMG]

    I can’t wait until the frame is all welded together so I can slap this baby on. Here’s the in-person, unboxed view:

    [​IMG]

    Next out of the box was everything I needed to give my cabling a little extra style.

    PC Cable Sleeving
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Of course, you can’t do your sleeving properly if you don’t have the tools. Since I already had a heat gun, MNPCTech was kind enough to fill a gap in my toolset:

    ATX Molex Removal Tools
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    To help me set my acrylic in the case, I’ve asked to put the Tape of the Gods to the test. I’ve seen the videos. I’ve heard the hype. Now it’s time to work the magic.

    Scotch 4010 Mounting Tape
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    The last thing in the box is quickly becoming my favorite item. After getting these glasses, I decided to take them for a spin. I had to run to the hardware store for some home improvement items, so I accessorized. I even got a compliment from one of the contractors at the store asking me where I got my safety glasses.

    Safety Glasses
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    I've placed them next to my old pair so you can see the difference.

    [​IMG]


    Now I’m just waiting for the seamstress to finish up with the bag and to complete the welding on the frame. Once these two things are completed you’ll start seeing the work log take off. Thanks for reading!
     
  11. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Lookin forward to seeing more updates and Yes, the glasses are comfortable, I love them :D
     
  12. Yeoo

    Yeoo Minimodder

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    Waiting eagerly, looking nice
     
  13. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Update #3: It begins.

    I just got the bag back from the seamstress after she removed the inner separator.

    Link to unmodified Battle Dragon Bag
    [​IMG]

    She’s still working on taking that insert and making it so it can be put back in with Velcro and so it can double as a monitor pad. I appreciate all the work she is doing for me because for all of my abilities, sewing is pretty low on the talent scale.

    Also, I just received the frame from Rusty with Hazard Factory. While he is a fine instructor for both welding and casting, my skills are not quite up to par for doing a professional looking aluminum weld. So I’ve hired him to get me started. And here’s the welded frame he created to my specifications:

    [​IMG]

    I’ll need to do some clean up around the couple of the corners but I am amazed how well he can weld. All of my attempts with steel and iron are usually pock marked and crooked.

    [​IMG]

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    Since I didn’t have any time to start work (received the frame 10pm in the evening), I started placing some of the parts on/around the frame to give me an idea of just how cramped this case might be… The Overkill "Honeycomb" 120mm Fan Grill is going to look AWESOME on this case.

    [​IMG]

    Overkill "Honeycomb" 120mm Fan Grill
    [​IMG]

    As one final double check I had to put the frame into and bag just to make sure it fits…
    [​IMG]

    …and it does. I can’t wait to get home from work so I can REALLY start digging into this project. Thanks for reading! More to come later this week!
     
  14. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Update #4: Prep work.

    Here is a quick little update. I needed to get everything ready for some serious work on this project. So I got all of my parts ready to be worked on. I cut two strips of 1.25” wide 30” long polycarbonate. I did two just in case I snap one of them in the bending processes. I’ve worked with acrylic but this is my first time with the polycarbonate. The people at Laird’s Plastics seemed fairly enthusiastic about the product (http://www.lairdplastics.com/product/materials/polycarbonate). I’ve also cut out the piece two pieces continuous pieces that will be the top and front plates. Each plate is 32” long and 2.75” wide (although I’ll probably cut it slimmer). The bottom plate will be one single piece 10.5” long 5.75” wide. Both the plates and the panels will be a thicker gauge (8 or about 1/8” thick) for protection for travel. This will cause it to be a little heavier but if I don’t like it I can always use a thinner gauge.

    [​IMG]

    I’ve also decided to void my warranty with the BigWater 760+. While I think this would be an excellent product for a comfortable ready-made case, I’m more interested in its individual parts. Before:

    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]

    I’m still debating (and leaning towards) doing a custom reservoir. I really want to utilize the handy “refill” indicator I pulled out of the reservoir. I might have to do some creative jury rigging to get the fan control to work with the Red LED fan I was provided. Also, I’ll have to find a use for the Thermaltake fan grill since I’m using MNPCTech’s Overkill "Honeycomb" 120mm Fan Grill in the front.

    And then my wife decided to pop in and take an impromptu picture while I was using the table saw to cut the polycarbonate… you can tell how happy I am that she went paparazzi on me. These safety glasses go well with the Vespa in the background… I get negative hipster points for selling off my two `73 Honda CB450s. I miss those old café beaters.

    [​IMG]

    My next steps are to shave down the inside of the frame so that the 120mm fan and radiator will fit snuggly. I will also have to cut out the groves for the polycarbonate in the columns of the frame so that the cover plates lie flat on the frame.

    Thanks for reading! More to come!
     
    Kiliv likes this.
  15. Kiliv

    Kiliv What's a Dremel?

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    This is awesome subbed cant wait to see it finished
     
  16. Vetalar

    Vetalar *learning english*

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    I can understand sponsorship etc... but bigwater??? :sigh:
     
  17. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    This will be very unique when it's finished :thumb:
     
  18. Blarte

    Blarte Moderate Modder

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    battle dragon bag.. sounds like my old girlfriend let alone a pc
     
  19. Gentleman_Dingo

    Gentleman_Dingo What's a Dremel?

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    Thank you!

    Actually, it's not as bad as it seems. The package is easily disassembled into it components allowing you to pretty much do as you please with the parts.

    Thank you, good sir.

    LOL, if only I got as much play out of my old girlfriends as I will from this PC. NOW WITH LESS DRAMA!
     
  20. Blarte

    Blarte Moderate Modder

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    Less drama and you can leave lights on without feeling a bit queasy lol.. WIN lol
     

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