Case Mod - In Progress *** PHINIX AURORA *** - 12/10/14 - Grand Finale !!! It is done...

Ha! I can imagine!
I was shocked when my daughter sent me a text from her mum's phone for a first time. That was a real hit My first thought was like - aha.. so there it is.. I won't even know when I'll start getting texts saying "How are you dad? Everything ok? Do you need anything?"...
They grow so fast... too fast...

 

Hi guys, I have a small update for you today.

This is work I done last and previous weekend, so you can see how little time I have for my modding during the week

First dvd measured up and mounted - I had to measure depth of the dvd drive - how deep can it go to touch acrylic front panel.
I drilled two holes in white shelf and screwed it down.




Also mounted whole drive cage/reservoir acrylic spine and mounted this white beautiful reservoir I got from EK.






Then I tried out front panels bits, not finsihed, but wante to see how it will look so far...




That was two weeks ago, now what happened yesterday...
I had to align and mount this sweet little Scythe fan controller.
So first tried it out with just alu front panel bit...






I had to mod this controller metal cage, cause it was getting in a the way of front acrylic panel and needed to install it right behind top alu bit...






That is better, filed down sides and got rid of front bits...




Then I cut out some small L shape alu bit so I could easily screw it down to the acrylic front panel middle bit and to the controllers cage.
You can see here, it will be mounted below the controller cage...




3mm thick acrylic panel will be enough to hold it down. I had to drill and tap those holes





Now I'm waiting for new screws to be delivered for this - I ordered very short 4mm M4 screws for this to be mounted.


In the meantime, have a quick look at front panel - top bit covering dvd will be glued to the acrylic bit behind, so it's only lying there.
Name bit, middle grill and bottom triangle are screwed down. Acrylic bits aren't finished yet, some edges need to be filed down and sanded, will do that later.
So it's just a wee mockup for you
Imagine all black bits being white and white light glowing behind those blue acrylic bits... there! This is how it's going to look like when I finish it

 

Nice front and nice work all together.
I'm looking forward and am excited about the other interior work you've planned for this build

 

Thanks.
Everything will look a lot better when it gets powder coated, white satin

 

Muito bom o seu trabalho. tudo combinando, estou acompanhado..

 

That front looks sooo good
Not totally convinced about the white reservoir yet though..

 

Thanks.
Res needs to be white, you will see it when all gets powder coated satin white.


I was busy last month (jury duty and my mum's visit), but I'm planning powder coating the whole case in next 2 weeks. Almost all aluminium work is done now, next step will be coating it and then putting it all together and wiring it up. Then water cooling loop will be next.
Should finish it before summer vacation

 

Ohhhh, can't wait to see how that finish turns out!

 

Update time.

As I mentioned before, all metal work is done.
I started to dismantle the case and clean it up with high grade sand paper before I send it to powder coat place.

Let's see what has happened in last month.
Here is how it looked last time.




Top panels are ready, only need to screw them down.




Holes drilled in first piece.




Then acrylic piece measured and drilled.




Second piece was straight forward, same steps here...




...and all screwed down. Job done




Top panel ready to go, still need a hole for fillport....




Now here... slight change in mounting of front panel. I really didn't like the way it was done in first place - M3 thin screws going through the front alu, acrylic, then front panel.. too many layers and hard to find a hole in almost 30mm thick front panel.
So I added M4 threaded inserts to those acrylic mounting blocks and decided that front panel will be screwed from the sides! Brilliant!






I tried out dvd to see how it aligns.. looks perfect to me...




...and front covering bit.. will be glued at the end.




Now the controller - here is how it's gonna be mounted.






It sticks out too much, so I trimmed it a bit to make sure it will fit in the radiator cage.




Now these little beauties...
Seriously, those feet are so sweet I'm not gonna powder coat them. I will keep them clear, cause the shine so nicely
Yes... I like feet...








Drilled and mounted.






I tell you, fast mounting cutting wheels are bless....




I had to make some small gaps for dvd cables on the top of that plate.




I also had to make these - small acrylic blocks with threaded inserts for mounting top panel.
Case frame drilled and ready for mounting...




That is it for now. Next week it will be all packed and sent to Tom in ChilledPC for powder coating goodness...


Now, I still don't know where I'm going to mount power switch !!!

Any ideas ????

 

maybe on back of the chassis, Mike?


and coincidental timing on your update, we just finished making more of the Diamond Knurl PC Case Feet yesterday!
 

 

subd.

just love you acrylic work

 

You're right Bill! Power button is going at the back

I gotta say, those case feet are AWESOME!

Cheers I'm not the expert in acrylic, but have to say I like to work with this material.

 

Cool, Looking forward to seeing next update!

 

I really like this build but the front panel looks awesome!

 

While I'm waiting for the case to be powder coated, I wanted to show you what I have received from Monsoon Cooling company. There is no need to introduce this brand - all watercooling enthusiasts know it very well. Their innovative compression fittings rule on all forums.
They kindly supported my Aurora project with these items:

• 3 kits of white compression fittings
• 2 white 45 degree adapters
• 6 white 90 degree adapters

Here's a full box







Each set has its own key tool and two sets of gromets




..all boxes emptied




water cooling p*rn











All will complete water cooling loop in my Aurora. They will look awesome with blue tubing.

Now we just need to wait for case to come back from coating.
Tom from Chilled PC is also cutting left side panel window. Of course design is matching front panel.

 

Last weekend Tom from ChilledPC emailed me that case is done, nicely powder coated and ready to be sent. I'm going on holidays now for 2 weeks so Tom will send the case to me upon my return. That means I will show the results at the end of this month. I can only imagine how this case is going to look like coated all in white

Next step will be putting the case together with all the custom parts, soldering all the lights for the case (mostly front panel), then mounting hardware in it, building the water cooling loop and that's it! I wanted to finish it in July, but it looks like it's going to be August now

 

lookin forward to seeing the new powdercoat finish!

 

Me too Bill!
I'm back from holidays and case should be with me this week.

 

And finally I got all the stuff back - look how many pieces it is!




Original front panel




Fan grill/cover ring looking sweet in white




Custom front bits that will cover original panel




Here's a side panel with cut out window and mobo wall...




All pieces again




..and front pieces including top dvd slot




Now it is time to put it all together. Tons of screws, nuts, rivets waiting to take part of this sweet little case

Will post the progress soon, I'm really busy all the time, going on a wedding next week.
I will be working evenings building it for final stage. Stay close!

 

put it together!