Case Mod - In Progress Project: Circuit Board Case Mod

Well where to start. Ive been aroudn the BitTech Forums for months now and never got a chance (more likely too lazy) to create an account, so it was about time. I got an Hp slimline http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/hp-pavilion-media-center/1995-3118_7-31974372.html a back in 05 and to tell you, it was ugly, it overheated, it had random crashes, seems like time for a mod to me. Ive been around tons of forums for ages and have never seen a circuit board case mod. i mean, circuit boards look cool, why not put them "on" the case? The closest thing ive seen to it is http://http://www.themodnation-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=120. Anyway i had the idea to redo the whole case and make it something worth the space on the top of my desk.
So heres what i started with.





Removed the front panel, placed it safely in my garbage can. Taped Up the Side panel to get ready for cutting.

Tools of trade. a dremel wannabe from black and decker.



And some safety. If i had a nickle for each time i almost lost an eye from not wearing goggles, id have about $ .50.



I drew up the design for the side panel and began cutting.





And 45 minutes later . . .



Cutting corners.



A close up of one of the corners.



And the left overs. i have an idea for the bigger piece and a new front panel.



Thats all for now, ill have alot more up by friday. i have loads of ideas, but can anyone guess how to fit an atx psu into this case?

 

Interesting. Buddy I will keep my eyes on this project. Sounds promising well done so far

 

I had more time today than i thoiught so why not mod a bit more?

before i star heres a look at some of my plans for the case (if you can understand it). this isnt everything, mostly the front panel work







i started filing down the edges to a nice smooth finger safe edge.

Who wants to play clean your case or kill your hardware?



while the time i had lasted i took care of these two annoying "fingers" at the bottom of the case that were used to help hold on the front panel.



After some wannabe dremel goodness



I started on the new front panel so i took the piece of scrap and it was the perfect size.



after some filing.



Now i had to file down the sides of the memory card reader holder to fit in its new place.





After some cutting didnt yet file.



Now it was time to fix the hybrid 3.5 and 5.25 dvd and hdd cage that came with the slimline.







The idea is hdd normally slides into the cage with no problem and is held in with a screw but . . . i lost(threw out) the cage so i have to make a new way to mount the hardrive. so i just marked up the side of the cage with 3 holes in the same spots as teh hardrive and drilled them out.

but before i put it in andscrewed it all together i did just one more thing with the help of this.



who wants to buy hdd vibration dampeners when you can make one with those cheap mouse pads?

i just marked up the pad with my rules and went at it with my razor.



drilled 3 holes in the same spot.



and the finished prodect. btw those are my plans on the bottom can anyone guess what that small box is going to be?



thanks for reading. ALL question/comments are welcome. tips too.

 

seems like a nice project

btw, using the mouse pad as dempeners, never thought of that , but i will keep it in mind

i will keep following this one, good luck with it

 

I am SOOO stealing that mousepad idea

Looking good so far

 

[ProjeKt] Circuit Board HTPC Mod

Its been about 2 weeks since my last post, so here's whats new.
You can add like another $ .35 to me losing my eye.

I started work on the front panel.

What i had last time.



After some marking up and cutting for the spots of the DVD drive and Memory card reader.



Lets just turn for a second. The now faceplate isnt going to be mounted right onto the old spot for the front panel. But actually it will rise out about 2 cm. this will serve two purposes. looks cooler and the holes int eh front will be used for ventilation.

the DVD drive being pushed up. (the MCR will be pushed up and super glued level with the DVD drive.)





The new panel will be held up with nuts and bolts. it sound kinda plain and generic. but i have some plans for them to make them stand out.



The bolts were just slid into place in existing air holes and held there with the nuts & washers.



Here is a close up.



A peek here.



One there.



and the money shots.





Thats all for now, but seriously, the case looks way better in person, due to the ""AMAZING"" lighting in my room they didn't come out right and my hand was shaking because i played chicken with someone till i got bruises and started bleeding and shaking. anyways, they look better in person, and hopefully i wont have to wait as long again to post more. soon ill started modding the MB and hopefully itll start coming together soon. all questions comments are welcome.

 

Looking great so far dude.. Can't wait to see it finished.

 

looking nice

Have you decided on a colour scheme yet?

 

Looking good, and I like the raised faceplate idea... but you need to find some way to hide those nuts.... bondo maybe? or if you're going for the metal look how about smoother headed bolts?

By god, there's a lot of innuendo there.