Project - Dragster - Stage 1 Mod Completed - *6-08-05* **Lots of Pics**

Table of Contents:
Just wanted to make a table of contents for visitors to easily visit each update (click on the link to jump directly to that update)

Update 01 - The Project Start - Dragon Cut Out
Update 02 - 04-17-05 - Tribal Top Panel Cut Out
Update 03 - 04-24-05 - Scissor Door Side Panel
Update 04 - 05-06-05 - Side Panel Window Cut Out
Update 05 - 05-18-05 - Tribal Top Panel Acrylic and Carbon Fiber Wrap
Update 06 - 05-22-05 - Ghetto Tank-O-Matic Mount
Update 07 - 05-23-05 - Custom CD Cage Cover
Update 08 - 05-27-05 - VFD Mod and Installation
Update 09 - 06-01-05 - Watercooling and Hardware Installation
Update 10 - 06-08-05 - Stage 1 Mod Completed
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Hey folks.

I've always been amazed by the greats mods here at Bit-Tech, so I wanted to post some of the progress of my mod here. It pales in comparison to the other mods here, but I hope that everyone enjoys it.

Basically the "THEME" behind this mod is Dragon and Speed Hence the project name of "DRAGSTER"

So enough with the chit-chat, and here goes somes pictures of the start of the mod:

Here is the CoolerMaster Centurion 5 case in its orginal form (sorry.. real pics of the case is not available, so I had to borrow these):





I decided to disassemble teh case, completly and get rid of the HD Drive Cage. I need the room for some other gooides



Here is some progress shot of the dragon cut out for the side panel. I decided to move away from cutting into the side panel. Here goes some progress pictures:



Rough outline of the dragon:


Here is a bit more detail:



and is the dragon competely cut out



Here is how the dragon looks on the side panel:



Please note that the side panel and the dragon isn't complete yet. I still have a few more thigns to do to it, before its completely done. (i.e. polish it, mount it, and so forth

I just wanted to post my progress so far. I hope everyone likes it.

As always, comments and feedback are always appreciated.

Take care,

SAD

 

Sweet.

 

looking very good man cant wait for u to get onto other parts of this mod hope u do alot more soon. As for that dragon all i can say is ;P

 

That dragon looks really nice.

 

Very nice, I have always been fond of dragons. Did you use just plain sheet metal for the cut out? I really like the idea of modding without chopping up your case too much.

I'm keeping my eyes on this one. Can't wait for an update.

 

that dragons pwnSs

 

Hey everyone. Thanks for the positiive feedbacks

I was working on the dragon a bit more last night and designing the top panel.

I hope to have the dragon finished by this weekend Stay tuned for more updates and pictures of course

SAD

 

Top Panel Cut Out - 04-17-05

Hey everyone, sorry about the slow update, but here is an update of my project.

As you saw in my earlier update, i cut a dragon from a sheet of alum. I had more alum left, so I wanted to also cut a design for the top panel, since the only thing I currently have plane is as 120mm blow hole for the radiator.

Since the blow hole was going to be in the middle of the top panel, I wanted to make a design that would complment and integrate with the large gaping hole.

So here is picture of the progress of the top panel. All cuts were done using one of these ---->

Please note that the design still needs to be smoothed and sanded, but you will get the general idea of the design.

So here goes the pictures:

Here is the picture of the bare alum sheet I used, nothing special. Just remaining material from the dragon cut out.



Here are some progress pics of the dremeling action on the tribal blade design:





Here is a picture of the tribal design cut outted, along w/ it placed on top of the top panel. You can get an idea of the size.




Here are pictures of the top blow hole being cut out. I know it is ghetto template, but it worked Also here is the pic of the tribal design sitting on top of the panel w/ the blow hole.







Here is a picture of how everythign will look, with the tribal cut out, and the raditor in the blow hole. The design will sit flat on top of the panel. I still need to smooth the edges and paint the top panel before I complete the final mount, but here how it will look.





I hope everyone enjoyed this update. As always, any comments and feedbacks are greatly welcome and appreciated.

I hope to post updates on a more frequent basis, but we will see.

Take care everyone.

SAD

 

Did you really freehand that top tribal design completely, or can I just not see your pen/pencil guidelines in your photos?

Great metalwork, regardless. That dragon is awesome, and the tribal blade is slick - getting something like that totally symmetrical is tough!

 

Awesome dragon + blade design..

Keep it up man.. This has some potential

 

i remember for the dragon he made a stencle firsti guess he probably did the same he he just flipped out round for the pic.

v nice cuts sad just need to make u get this case finished(or atleast upto the paint!)

 

wow, that's some nice dremmel work! Are you going to clean up the edges, or is the rough cut part of the design?

 

And chrome it

Nothing is better then a little chrome

 

yeah nice ****!!

 

Thanks everyone for the very quick replies.

Let me clear up the "Freehand" thingy.

When i meant freehand, all I meant was that I didn't use a computer to cut the tribal design out, wheter it was Laser, Water, or CNC.

I just used my trusty dremel and my hands.

I did sketch the design on the back side of the alum, so I had sometime to follow on my cuts.

I didn't think anyone really cared to see it, but here it is:



The original tribal design was something I whipped up in photoshop, which I then transferred to the alum sheet.

Don't worry about the edges, I will be cleaning them up in the next day or two, and hopefully I will have time to polish it and give it a Mirror finish

Anyoen ahve any tips or guidelines on how to polish alum to a mirror finish?

I look forward to hearing from everyone.

SAD

 

The dragon is sweet, the blade is sweet, the whole thing is sweet keep on goin

 

How to polish alum to make it shiny?

Hey BT'ers,

I need some help and suggestions.

I want to polish the alum dragon and tribal blade to make it look nice and shiny.

I wanted to know if anyone had any good suggestions on how to do that, or maybe point me to a tutorial somewhere.

Any help or suggestions will greatly be appreciated.

SAD

 

Start off with 220 grit, sand get the paint off, then go up and up and up to around 2000 grit. should be pretty dam shiny and mirrory by then so just use some rubbing compound and then put clear coat (otherwise it will rust)

heres some of my crappy polishing













theres scratches cuz i used 80 grit at first to get the paint off LOL

220 should be fine though

 

WOW

It will take a long long time for you to make it all shiny but it should look real nice afterwards.

Good luck, I'll leave my eye in this thread

 

How thick is that alum sheet you used?