Ok here is my first attempt at modding. The victim: A Coolermaster ATC 110 Phase I: The window A pretty typical laser etched window. Cut out panel glue window in place with 2 part epoxy no trim for a clean look. Phase II: The floppy cover I didn't like the look of the seperate bay covers so I decided to make a single panel. I came up with the idea of plexi and light it from the side with leds, but what to do for a backing? paint? well here are the pics of that attempt along with the first try's at cutting the slot. So my buddy Netdisruptor says "put some aluminum behind it" those words will haunt me. Oh it looked sweet but how to fix it to the plexi? I tried epoxy. Worked great untill I tried to file a little and it seperated. I was left with an unsightly spot when it was lit. You can kinda see it in these pics bottom right. and how it will look when lit (you have to use your imagination a little as I don't have the leds mounted yet.) Phase III: The 5 1/2 cover Ok I finally got some (crappy) pictures scanned. Here is the mostly finished project I still need to do the cables other than that its done. Time to play with it. The top bay cover is a plexi cut out with a slight sanding on the back to emulate brushed aluminum. Crystal fontz lcd and some blue coolermaster fans.
the name phase shift, does that imply a vapochill or anything of the sort in the future for this box?
nope was just sitting around thinking I need a name and all I could come up with was well I'm doing it in phases but perhaps a vapochill unit is a future mod hmm..... TravelerX
text update I wish I had a digital camera so I could update this log more often. Got my cold cathode the other day and have all the parts for the 5 1/2 cover done. Decided to remake the floppy cover as I had cut a rectangular hole for the eject button and after making the top panel and round buttons for the burner and dvd rom figured I better match the floppy. Was going to use round aluminum stock for the buttons, however it blocked my side lighting. So I decided to go with plexi, but I couldnt find any round stock plexi so I made my own. Wait till you guys see my lathe I'm still waiting on my rectangular leds from Netdisty. ok that's it for the lame text update.
for the floppy cover u could use mirror plexi. it is plexi but with a mirror coating on the back. i dont know where to buy it (i get lots of it from work) but u could try a company that works a lot with plastic.
My new coolermaster TLF-R82's showed up today. Whoohoo! fan link edit: Nice fans after I plugged them into a different power supply. If you read this post earlier forget anything I may have said. I was a bit hasty.
Well I have pretty much given up on the face plate lighting scheme as I just can't get it to glow evenly like I had wanted. I tryed everything I could think of to get the leds to light the panel without casting noticable light patterns. I ordered a LCD screen that should be in tomorrow and I will finish the project and post some pics to end my project log.
Nice work! I like how the 2 fans in the front bezel are somewhat "stealthed" behind the filter when the lights are on, but when it's dark they shine through. Cool! ~Davy
I don't plan anymore mods to this case right now. I know it looks pretty plain but I like the clean look not to flashy. I do however have some plans for the wifes machine. Thinking about a green Matrix type theme I'll try some more off the wall mods to that one (it's a cheaper case).