Case Mod - In Progress Project: RockBox HTPC Mod

So after all of the experience I gained on my first mod, I decided it was time to mod a second case. This one was going to be for my HTPC in the basement. I already had a theme in mind, all I needed was a case. . I ended up going to Milwaukee PC on a whim, and I found this beast for only $50.



Front Panel Straight from the eighties



Side View


The faceplate obviously had to go, and I didn't like the finish much either. I started to do some planning on paper. No the neatest drawings ever, but they work for me.

Top
Inside FrontOutside Front


I completely dissassembled the case so i could start working on it. Here it is in all of its naked glory.



Just the Inside


The Guts


I started to sand the paint off of the top and bottom panels, I think I'm going to try and go for a brushed finish. Will post pics later. Comments/Advice welcome. If you want to see more pictures, I have a picasa album just for this mod. I will probably update that first since it requires less work than a post here. View The album Here

 

Nice! The brushed finish looks killer, as long as you can keep it uniform on all the surfaces. I love how the top panel turned out

 

RockBox...
Why does that remind me of my iPod?
*Turns on iPod*
*Looks at screen*
Oh, yeah! It is the modified firmware i use

 

Dangit i knew i heard it somewhere. Oh well, guess ill have to change the name then. I suppose i should have googled that beforehand.


Anyways just consider this mod unnamed for now then I guess. Here is the brushing that I promised earlier. (i had it done just didn't have good pictures of it until now.) I ended up having to do it all twice because I decided to clean the metal with vinegar. All of the metal turned brown instantly, and it wasn't something that could just be wiped off so i had to re-sand it. Im considering resanding it all because the lines aren't that straight.

Side by side comparison about halfway through



Two Panel Comparison (not all the way done)

Final Outcome on both panels



I'm currently working on the window, and i was going to etch the name into the acrylic, but since the name is already taken I'm not sure what I'm going to do now.

 

Looking hexual (not sure if I can say that with an S on here)

nice and clean

 

No, infact the name is great.
It's the perfect name for that theme, unless you're afraid of TM's

 

Very nice start, brushing looks great. How did you do it?

 

I Basically just secured it to my workbench and clamped a square to it in order to make straight lines. I used 100 to 400 grit sandpaper (I had to remove the paint on top too though I think you should probably use a finer paper if its just bare metal.) I got some good tips fromthis guide here.

Anyways, here it is, the update you've all been waiting for....


I finally got around to cutting the hole for a window. It took awhile to get it all edges straight but it looks good now. I cut the acrylic for the window too, but I didn't glue anything yet. It's just taped in there right now.



As you can see it got a little bit dented there. I think its repairable, but I'm not really sure how to do it. Tips would be appreciated though.

Also I painted the inside of the case completely black. This is just a rough coat though. I'm still working on wet sanding it.

Angle picture



Front



Inside


That's it for now (sorry!) I'm going to try to post back here Friday or Saturday though. By then i should have it wet sanded/clear coated and the window finished (I'm not done with it yet, but that's a surprise) and then its on to making the front faceplate form scratch.

See you soon, and thanks for all of the compliments!

 

man I think you should add primer, paint don't look so good. I can't see from the light spots some craps But that will be under the motherboard so who care. Nice work man. Keep the good work up.

 

Looking good, will be following this.

 

nice. looks pretty good so far

 

Really nice

 

Ugh, your completely right. I was wet sanding and about to put the clear coat on and the painted just started bubbling and cracking. So i Had To sand it all down and re prime it. The Primer is drying right now, and i also frosted the acrylic window. Will post pictures after I'm done painting the chassis. I've Started on the face plate as well. Just wanted to give you all on update since its been awhile. More to come I promise! Thanks for all the compliments.

 

Nuguns Don't worry, You are welcome. Take your time in the mod, I learned that the hard way too, Don't RUSH your self. And Take it Easy. I'm looking forward to the new update