Ok guys, I have an old case that just got thrown at me (with included P4 1.5ghz computer in it). Anyone remember those old Dell cases that open like a clamshell? Well, I was playing around in it, and realized that it really is a pretty slick case design functionally. Form, however, could use some work... Which got me thinking...what if I modded this ugly S.O.B. and put my main rig in it? Now comes the hard part, though. What the hell do I do with this? I can't find a better pic of just the tower itself, which is what I'll be working with. It's old and it's heavy, but it's a great case design as far as interior construction goes. I don't *think* I can just remove all the plastic, so I need to do something with that ugly grey on the front and top (paint or something, i suppose, but how do I paint on plastic and have it stay worth a crap?). The side panels where it says "DELL" in those grey circles will be busted out and it will instead be fitted with circular windows, possibly etched. Handles will be a must just because of the weight of this monster. The front will also get a nice 120mm panaflo to it for proper airflow. Other suggestions, plus tips on coloring that UGLY plastic are greatly appreciated.
Because it doesn't have any cutting done yet, so it's not technically a project log. The modding forum is where one is supposed to place projects not yet started, as well as general ideas, how-to, etc.
Because he actually has not started to "mod" the case. Once he starts modding, he'll be able to put this over in "Project Logs" for all to see... but for now, it is conceptual. Plastics coloring.... 2 ways to go there. Vinyl dye or Krylon Fusion paint. The Fusion paint is specially formulated to be sprayed onto plastic. Any painting you do on Plastic should likely have some form of plastic primer/adhesion promoter, the Krylon paint claims it does not need this step... I have never tried it on "straight" plastic... so I can't help you there. Also, the palstic will have lots of little texture bumps in it, something to keep in mind on your paint selections. Matte finishes will likely hide the texture a bit better than gloss, but if you were wanting something that was glossed out, you better get your sanding arm ready, and likely a thin layer of bondo to even out the bumps. Cut your windows where you want them before you get to the outside painting. Dell powersupplies are proprietary, so just remember that if you ever opt to upgrade the motherboard. If you use the Dell on a retail mobo, you'll likely fry it. Same also goes for replacing the PS if it dies, buy one off the shelf and plug it into this Dell mobo, and you can kiss the mobo good by (more than likely). Keep that rule in the back of your head. I'm about 90% sure of the above statements, but just pull the ATX mobo lead and compare it to a generic power supply, and I'll be willing to bet you'll notice differences in pin out. You dont want to push voltage where it's not supposed to go! I've got a similar case here @ work. Let me look over it and I'll toss some more possibilities your way! MOD ON!!!
Sweet, thanks Tech! See if you can find me any more info on the Krylon fusion line. I'm rather curious. Sanding and bondo may not be my thing, because this whole case would then require it to make it not look horrible. Let me know what you can find out. Also, see if you can find what would make it DURABLE. Most plastic paints I know scratch easier than any other type of paint. For the windows, I don't even think I'll be "cutting" per se. You know that stupid circular Dell logo on each side in the ugly grey color? That's separate plastic, it can even be wiggled around under the black side panel. So I'm going to break that grey part out entirely, leaving me with a nice, pretty round window on each side. I might wish to put an etch in there, even. Think your buddy would be interested? As for the PSU, I should mention...I am gutting this case down to the chassis to put my main rig in there. So I'll have a nice, proper Seasonic S12-430 in there, and an Abit IC7-G. This will no longer house that Dell P4 1.5 (the parts of that computer are about to turn into an HTPC)...it will now house a P4 2.6 running @ 3.06. Nothing will be a dell part except the case, which is really as it should be...
I've pinged him on this from other forums... he does not want to get himself into the biz of etching right now. Maybe later, but not right now, sorry. He is a bit too busy with personal life, as well as 3 other mods he is working, to start trying to "do more work". *shrug* I've heard of a laser etching company up in NJ though that you might want to look into... I'll try to find their link.
