Update Time!! OK, I haven't done much but I went to Maplin and PC World today. I bought 2 red illuminated push buttons from maplin (I haven't wired the leds in them up to the cd drives yet). PC World had an offer on CCFL's - BOGOF so I got two red ones. These will be used later on It took a while to file the holes out for the new switches as I didn't have a big enough drill bit and I was only using a small file. I have wired one of them up so far and once I have soldered the wire to the CDRW the other one will be working (I still havent done it - lazy ) This is how the button panel is looking at the moment: I still need to buy some silver paint for the front panels and black paint for the sides to match my new keyboard I am definitely going to cut a window now I have bought the CCFL's so look out for that I still need to get a usb hub or header to put in the panel and the audio connectors.
great those switches have integrated leds? how much did you payed for each ccfl? i can get some in mexico for $80 (it would be like $7.5 us dollars). the switches your put there are for the cd drives, right?
The switches are for the CD drives and when I have time I will wire up the leds inside them to the activity led's on the CD drives. The CCFL's are actually neons! Made by a company called OPTX. I got them both for around £15 because of the buy one get one free deal (dunno what that is in $$) I really need to buy paint now - the beige is annoying me!
with the window; Cut out the big square thats there, then out of that offcut cut out the doughnut shaped bit and then have that in the middle of the window, would be 'different'
£15 is $26.63 US (live market rate as of 2003.12.30 23:00:30 GMT) Anyway, yeah I agree with fatboy, that would look "different", I like it
I have sanded one side of the case tonight (The sided which will have the window) I used quite coarse sandpaper and finished of with a finer paper. The picture isn't very good due to poor lighting but in real life it is smooth and shiny all over - I'll try and get a better pic later. Now I need some advice on paint: Do I need a primer? I would like a glossy black for the top colour what type of paint is good for this? I've decided that I am definitely going to cut the circle out now as I want one of my neons to go at the bottom of that side (behind the small holes) I think that I will put my other neon behind the "swoosh" at the front of the case
I am a retard when it comes to modding, so I mostly just lurk and admire, but I thought I may be able to help with the blurry pictures. Almost every digital camera has a setting called Macro. This will allow you to take pictures close up for the board. Even 5 y/o Digital Cameras have them. If you have a menu or even a dial on the camera for the settings, it looks like a flower. Using that and holding steady should get you some nice shots.
It looks nice an shiny indeed. I would reccomend using a primer, and a glass black paint. You can use a Krylon paint, or head out to an autoparts store and pick up some car paint.
Update!! I finished sanding down all the metal parts ready for paint!! And I have cut the circular window out of the side with a jigsaw (When I find a file I will make it cleaner!) I will fit some plexi in once I have painted the case. I sleeved my PSU cables with... none other than duct tape hah very ghetto It doesn't look that bad but doesn't look that good either, maybe I'll buy some proper sleaving some time! This is the view through the window to be, you can also see how shiny I managed to get the side! As promised for the front swoosh here is my lighting solution - I bought a white 3" neon! (pic is with it unlit) And heres a pic with it on in the dark without a flash (I think the green thingy is the power LED ) Here's a pic of the case from the front with the light on taken with a flash - note the new switch for the neons in the top panel One of the red neons I bought didn't work so I'll have get it replaced on Friday but I have one in the side atm and it isn't that bright but when I get the second it should (Pic taken with no flash) Heres a pic with the lights on using the flash Painting is the next stage so watch this space! - although I am starting to like the bare metal colour so I may just polish it Thanks Mondak for helping me with taking pictures - I used macro mode and they look much better now
that bloo plasic bit ont he front, maybe because of the camera, could be made better. Take it off and sand it so its 'frosted' then the light will be spread a bit more evenly and you wont be able to see the cathode
Yes...I had the same thoughts. I'd you take some rough, maybe 150-200 grit sandpaper and sand the inside of the swoosh, the light will spread out across it and not be so compact and sudden.
Looks great! Awesome sleeving And be light with the sandpaper on the front swoosh, too much and it'll look out of place once the rest of the case is done Otherwise, keep up the good work!
Thanks, I have sanded the inside of the swoosh down a bit and the light is more evenly spread now I have finally got round to stealthing the CDRW now (I will post pics tomorrow) I realised earlier that the one red neon that did work was only 1/2 working so it looks like I will be getting 2 replacements on Friday. Things left to do: Cut and fit plexi window Fit new neons Paint sides and top black Paint drive bays! Fit USB and audio conectors into top bay Tidy cables up a bit 69 Dude!!
I would highly recommend using primer prior to painting your color of choice. The primer will stick to the bare metal better than the paint. Esentially it just gives the paint a better surface to adhere to. As stated by Xiliqueirn, Krylon paint will work. Personally I think that Krylon makes a very good product. Alternatively, you could go to an auto parts store, or similar, and get some automotive paint. OK.. I'm done with that.. I like the mods so far. Keep up the good work... And have a Happy New Year!!
OK, I haven't done any modding today - too tired, but heres the pics of the CDRW stealthing that I did yesterday. This picture of the CDRW wiring is better than the DVD wiring (now I know how to use macro mode ) As far I as I understand one of the wires goes to live and the other is grounded but correct me if I'm wrong - it works so thats all that matters to me . Here's a pic of how the case looks from the front atm - I really need to buy some more silver paint!! I'll be getting me replacement neons tomorrow hopefully and probably getting paint on Saturday so look out for updates! I'm not 69 Dude anymore Happy New Year
Good looking solders there btw, just a random question, are you going to either reduce the size of the toggle switch on your little drive bay pannel there, or are you going to replace it with one that'll fit in better? At the moment it allmost looks out of place. Don't know though.
really nice stealth in there. you encourage me to stealth mines too. ill just wait my electronics shop to open again (damn holidays) and ill buy switches and some leds. congrats.
looking nice man, cant wait to see what the window is gonna look like when you have fitted it. you should leave your case in its naked state in all its freshly sandedness looks good just polish it up so you can see your reflection!