Scratch Build – In Progress Aftiel Project: Updated Today

This is my very first true case mod ever. I have torn apart and painted other cases (ill show a pic) but for this case I'm going to just make it from scratch. I wanted to apologize ahead of time (DISCLAIMER) for any imperfect careless impatient work.. as i am a very busy person and can't allow too much time away from my life. This project goes out to all the modder's and their cases.. you've all inspired me very much and i love and appreciate all the artistry and hard work put into every piece.. no matter how dull.. or how little. So this mod will be what i believe to be the start of a big trend for me. I imagine it will take me several tries to perfect this case design but after all... thats what this is about.

The Inspiration: Aftiel (angel of Twilight) my favorite time of day!!
Sorry about the pic. This camera actually takes decent photos but the flash is regrettably broken. This is a quick sketch of what i sort of had in mind for the look. just a start right? =)
A sketch:


I found this warhouse near me that carries everything one can think of in all sorts of metal stock. so i bought some sheet aluminum, angle aluminum, aluminum tubing and square cut aluminum to design the frame and case panels out of...
Sheet stock:


Square Stock:
Sorry this is already after it was cut to length and primered.


Angle Stock:


Aluminum Tubing:


I got straight to work on taping off, cutting, sanding, filing and spraying the first coat of primer to the PC top Plate and the Side Panel. Sorry these pics weren't taken during.

Top Plate:


Side Panel:


I used a Jigsaw and a dremmel to cut and remove the metal.. then a file and some crappy sand paper to help soften the edges. these pics make it look waaay better than it is hahaha. (if offended by lack of perfection please refer back to disclaimer:top of thread ) I've just ordered a ****-ton of parts from various sites because at this point i dont have the time or know-how to build the watercooling and pc components from scratch. Today im going to work on the first Acrylic cuts. Here's a pic with the sides and somewhat of a frame taped together.

Starting to take shape:
Top View:


Side View:


As you'll notice the frame is going to get in the way of the exterior accents (these should be pretty cool :later) so im going to have to cut the frame to compensate. the frame is just allll up in the air right now hahaha.

Need to remove:


Parts going in the case:

Bulgin switches:

Lian Li back panel:

VGA water block:

Pump:

Fillport:

Radiator:

New PSU and System controller:


So here's a few of the newer updates.. really not much to show.

mesh for the bottom plate inside:


I used the mesh i bought to encase the Psu Mobo backing:


Putting this peice of @#*% together haha:


So unfortunately my roomate stole his camera back for the week we left on tour (oh yea, im in a band)... therefor i didnt get too much completed and there really arent many pics of the painting and peicing together ideas. still not sure about the frame so i taped everything together once again to come up with the bolting points. Aside from that i painted some parts with coats of primer and then black paint:


the back:


The front idea:


Side shots:



So anywho the bad news is My band is leaving for tour in a few weeks for 5 months on the road crossing the states a total of 3 times!! including all of Warped Tour. So youll all have to wait for updates but on the road ill keep track of yours =)

Our new van and trailor =) more room = more fun =)



-Rome
MORE TO COME!!

K so i took some time to quickly put this together.. you'll get the basic idea although i will spend much time eventually really dolling this baby up. cause the dvd player is sitting on dvds for petes sake! =)
The pictures i took show just how much work a scratch build really needs. soo many rough edges and dents to be sanded and filled. misaligned screw holes and spots that chipped from throwing your tools =). these cases are works of art and the tedious time spent perfecting them (unfortunately in which i haven't) definitely won't go without admiration. anywho i really hope you all like the general idea.. my plans for the inside will be paneled flowing plexi cut into bent strips running throughout. they will be sanded to create a frost look and detailed so when lit it will somewhat resemble the patterns found on the outfits of the programs in the movie "Tron". yea.. pretty sick =) all cables will be hidden and im going to then use 3/4 inch painted black aluminum square stock with holes drilled in them to fit my 30 some white and amber led's. not to mention lighting the flowing panels. i havent figured out where to fit the reservoir so any suggestions thanx.

so here's the case a bit more put together:






looking cool. sooo much work to do though....

so here it is with the liquid cooling/cable mess (note the entire inside will be amaazingly clean and lit up and futuristic looking)

the front:



the Mobo side:





the top:



side view:



insides:



and thats all there really is for now. stripping the whole thing down to have it all sanded and powder coated very soon.. tinting the windows then getting to work on the insides.

 

HOT DAMN! That case is freakin' sick! The curves are sweet, the coolant and the paint job add a unique touch to it, just amazing, good job you've done here

 

I must say, I freaking love it.

The abstract look, and the wierd lines just make it look amazing.

Btw, more info on your band...

Edit: NM got the myspace link from your profile, listening now sounds pretty good to me, not exactly my style but Im still liking it

 

haha thanx

glad you like the music and the case. and thanx to everyone for the compliments. tell your friends to check it out too.. i really need help and suggestions. its just a start but i think its at least in the right direction.

 

Thats a great looking case. The curves and angles compliment each other, as well as the colors.