Modding My first mod planning

I've been thinking of what to do as my first mod for a while now. My original plan was to make my dad's dream computer, but that's been put on hold for a while. After a few trips to my local comic store, I've finally decided on my next first mod project. I plan to do a bunch of simple mods to a mini case: cut and install a pretty little plexiglass design to the top, somehow add a sturdy handle to a corner, and then paint and fancy up the inside. Being new to all this, however, I've got a few questions to start off with, some slightly embarrassing because of my complete newbie-ness:

The first thing I need help with is the transfer of the design to be cut out of the top. I'm going with the Cobra logo from G.I. Joe, but, being a perfectionist, I don't want to try freehand drawing it on. I have a picture I can print out from my computer, but I don't really know how to transfer that to the case to use as my cutting outline. Is there an easy way to get a perfect picture outline on there?

The next thing is a problem with cutting the case. I really only have my Dremel to work with, as my dad doesn't collect tools aside from the very basics. After practicing with the cutting wheels, I decided they were too sloppy to use for the job, and I need to find something that will do it better. I spied a few shiny little tungstein cutting bits at the local Lowes that promised they could take on any task I had for them, but I'm a bit skeptical, as the cutting wheels whispered the same thing to me when I saw them at the store. Since I'm on a tight budget, the cutters are in my price range, so if they'll work for me I can get one. And that's also a problem too, because there are different types of tips on those shiny little cutters as well, and I just don't know which one will be the best. Despite what cases I'll be working with for any of my projects, I'm determined to get the tungstein cutters, because of their aforementioned shinyness. Shine shine!

Erm.. now, about Plexiglass.. Does it come in a dark red? I've looked around at a couple local home improvement stores, and all I've seen was clear. Also... how do I install it? My little case next to me has a window that it came with, but it's got little plastic tacks around the outside holding the window in, and I don't want my pretty new project to have that. I heard that kits come with a little plastic or rubber bit that goes around the outside and holds it on, but where could I find what I need? If there's a way I can avoid a little black outline and make it look as smooth as possible, I'd like to try it.

Just a random idea about the window: A couple years back when I thought about making a pretty window, I had the idea to use those little plastic beads from those lightcatcher kits I used to play with when I was little. You know, those little kits where you had this little metal outline, then you placed them on a cookie sheet, filled the holes with the colored plastic beads, and popped it in the oven for a little bit. When they came out and cooled the beads would have melted and you'd have a plastic suncatcher! I was wondering if there was a way I could try to use those for a window with a smooth, colored surface, but there's a big question I have about that. Would the inside of the case eventually get hot enough with basic cooling to eventually warp or melt the plastic? Just a question for anyone who's got some insight or maybe some experience with this idea.

A Cobra color scheme? I was thinking red on black, but maybe red on dark metallic grey would look nice too? I want to paint the inside too, even though I don't plan on having it show through the logo. Of course, I want to use red and black Cobra IDE Cables that I saw in a local computer shop. Those are just too cool to pass up.

Is there room to put pretty lights and extra fans in those micro cases?

I suppose I'll ask some of my other questions about this computer later when I can think of them again. I still have to choose what case I want before I can start, but I'd like to have a plan for how to work everything out before I start buying everything. Any suggestions for a case I should work with? I'm looking for something in metal, not plastic, preferably something cool looking. I've seen a few basic looking cases, I'm kinda eying a Chenbro micro-ATX at NewEgg, but somehow it just doesn't seem sexy enough for me.

I saw a single book on modding at a bookstore a while back. I can't remember the title, but it had a lot of tips on modding, cooling, and overclocking in it. If you know the one I'm talking about, can you tell me if it's a good reference book for me to get? Also.. any suggestions on where I might be able to find small groups of local modders that I could watch and learn from? My local cyber cafe is merging with a computer supply store and I thought I might possible run into some people there, but there's also the possibility that people wouldn't appreciate strange women sitting in the store waiting for someone to talk mod with. ^ ^;

A little question about something else before I go though.. My brother has a Warhammer 40k Necron Monolith that he says he wants to light up. He says he wants it to glow, and he plans to use a really small lightbulb. I told him he should use little LEDs instead, because they might look better, would probably generate less heat, and I really want to fiddle around with them. He wants the Monolith to have a menacing glow to it, for that effect, which one would be better, and where should the lighting be placed?

Thanks for any help you can give me guys. <3

 

to transfer the image simply mirror the image then print it and tape it to your case, if you use thin paper you may be able to have a sharpie bleed through and leave a small line on the case.

as far as cutting it you will want a few reinforced cut-off wheels and sanding drums, just take your time and deburr it when your done.

you can get plexi in a whole array of colors, just do a quick search of this fourm.

you dont have to use rivets to attach the plexi, you can use glue aswell

i have no idea what your talking about in your little "light-catcher" section so i wont comment

lastly, best of luck with this, id suggest searching the fourm before you start cutting to find any little tricks or part numbers to aif your quest

 

First thing I'd do is track down some of the suncatcher beads, and look at what temp you need to melt them. I'm going to guess it'd be somewhere in the range of 350F or about 177C. If the temps in your case get that high, melting suncatcher would be the least of your problems.

 

For good plexi: look up "Plastics" in the phonebook. Any plastic supply place will have a good selection of acrylic & Lexan sheet in lots of different colours. (Plexi is, I think, just a brandname for acrylic sheet)

The plastic place here in town (two blocks from my place!) has a very nice dark red. They also keep a lot of their offcuts and sell those; this is a cheap way of getting pieces to practice on. Many of their "offcuts" are actually big enough to make real case windows out of.

Maximum PC magazine sell a modding book. I've read their newish PC building book, which is very good, so their modding book might be a good buy. But there is also a mountain of information on the web - this website is one of the best I've found.

 

to transfer the image, get some carbon paper from a stationery supplier, put it between the case and printed image, draw the outline and hey presto clear image to cut out.