Project:: Black Lightning

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

yes thats right another chieftec/antec mod! altho when this one is done you will hardly be able to tell. I am not going to devoldge too much about the mods planned, but you will see as I go along. Well lets get started on the pics.
The case
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/chieftech.JPG

I took this picture of a 3 foot by 3 foot sheet of aluminum i got for 12 dollars, ironicly the flash and minor bends in it kinda made it look like a lightning bolt going down it (and no that is not where i got the idea for the name, you will see why.....)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/sheet.JPG

The first thing to go was the door and those nasty looking finger holes around the bays.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bondo.JPG

and of coase one coat of bondo is never enough
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/more_bondo.JPG

and as for the top, I didnt want to go for a traditonal blow hole. So a rectangle is about as far away from a circle as you can get.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top_pre_cut.JPG

The rough cut before any filing or perfecting.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/pre_file.JPG

and after the filing (dont worry about the screw ups in the corners they will be taken care of, as you will see in tomorows post)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top_cut.JPG

There is going to be a false top to hide wires and other nasties.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/false_top_angle.JPG

and a shot from the side of the false top.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/false_top_side.JPG

Much much more to come, i will try to post an update every day (seeing as how i do nothing but go to work and come home and work on this case). As always i am open to suggestions. within the next 3 days you will have the jist of what I am going for. Until then you will have to do with these.

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok since I know you are all confused on the blow hole and false top, this update will have alot of pictures. I will be painting the case black but that is far down the road.

first off here is what will be in the rectangle hole.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fluke_in_place.JPG

then of coarse comes the bondo (rember when i said dont worry about the screw ups in the corners they will be taken care of) This will insure a nice smooth edge to the angled "flue".
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fluke_bondo.JPG

Then comes the sanding, just wanted to get a semi smooth feel to it. I always seem to do two coats of bondo to get it perfectly smooth (sometimes 3)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fluke_front_bondo.JPG

Then comes the second coat, to get out all the minor imperfections.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/even_more_bondo.JPG

then after sanding that coat I get (for the most part) the finished product. I will have to back over everything with a 200 grit sand paper to make it uber smooth before painting. But i am going to wait till right before I paint to do the whole case at once.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/front_bondo_done.JPG

Here is a downward shot of it.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top_bondo_done.JPG

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Now i know what you are thinking, that looks horrible. Well what I am doing with the blow hole now is adding this to the top of that.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top_windo_cut.JPG

I am adding a piece of lexan (that i will be tinting with car window tint on both sides at a later time).
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top_plexi_bolted.JPG

Those fricken bolts cost 4 dollars :jawdrop: and I had to buy 8 (4 are going somewhere else) but the nuts that fit them only cost 89 cents for 12 (and i needed 24). Anyways Here is a picture of how the lexan fits into the top.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/side_lexan_in_place.JPG

And a picture of it straight down. you can see how i left a a gap along the edges of it so that airflow will not be restricted (its about a half inch, so that one idiot at lan parties wont stick his finger in it)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top_lexan_in_place.JPG

And here is how the false bottom and the two 80mm fans (i know in the picture there is only one but you can see where the second one goes) fit into place with the blow hole. The fans attach to the flue and the lexan is bolted into the 2 outside edges of the fans.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/blow_hole.JPG

And the flase bottom will be screwed into the other side of the fans (with fan grills) so that you get a nice flush look to the under side of the top of the case.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/false_top_fan_cuts.JPG

I will be using 2 coolermaster quad white led fans in the top, so you get a nice white glow coming out of the sides around the semi litup tinted lexan. I hope this helps explain the top of the case a bit better. I know I was kinda brief in yesterdays post, but it would of taken me 10 pages to try and describe what i did. Prob sat. I will post the pics of what is going on with the front of the case. until then enjoy, and please feel free to constructivly criticize on what i have so far.

Jeeves

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok time for an update. I got alot done today (hooray for a day off). Now you can finaly see the direction the front of this case is headed. I have taken the front door pannel off (i hate bay doors). I have also cut the bottom half of the front panel off, but i left the sides of the front. That way i can mount the door as the new bottom, I didnt like the way chieftec cases have a real curvy bottom. On to the pics

I have cut out the center of the door and glued a sheet of aluminum in its place
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontbottom.JPG

using a piece of 3in pvc that i cut in half, and attached some straight pieces of plastic (spare parts from what was cut off) I was able to make an oval to fit into the front. I cut out the aluminum and squeezed the oval into place.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontoval2.JPG

Then as always bondo (this case is turning out to be more bondo than plastic)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bondofront.JPG

Then sand....and more bondo
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/morebondofront.JPG

after many hours of sanding and bondoing and sanding some more, i get this.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bondodone.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fronttogether2.JPG

On top of that oval (about 1/3in) will sit a piece of lexan (tinted of coarse).Here is the rough cut before sanding
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontplexicut.JPG

All sanded and sitting next to the done oval. you can see the bolts i will be using in the background (same ones as on top)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontplexi1.JPG

And of it just sitting ontop of the oval
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontplexi2.JPG

I also got some of the top front done, and will post those later tonight or tomorow. Unfortunatly most of the realy good stuff doesnt come till later. Until then

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

alright time for a good update. now you can start to see why it is called black lightning (well the case will be black.....) here is what is going to go on each side of the bays

http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/lightningtube2.JPG

and a shot of it without the flash
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/lightningtube1.JPG

Here is where it will sit (imagine one on the other side as well)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/tubeon1.JPG

Now what i had to do was remove the plastic caps on each side of the tubes. and it still did not fit right, so I had to cut down some of the case (right around the bay).
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/cuttube.JPG

And to control the dust (damn bondo) I had enigma hold a 120 finga choppa (he actualy caught his finger in it, but wouldnt let me take a pic :hehe: :hehe: )
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/gettofan.JPG

Of coarse i had to do the same to the other side (but i didnt take a pic of that) but here are the tubes test fitted into place. I also had to cut away some of the bottom. I will be bondoing over the bottom and top to keep that nice clean look. The blue stuff on the tube is just seran rap to protect the tube from getting scratches, it will be removed.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/lefttube.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/righttube.JPG

And I had to drill holes into the top so that i can run the wires through the top and into the flase top.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/wireholes.JPG

More to come

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I started this thread on bit-tech and here you guys go. Feel free to comment/make suggestions.

JEEVES

[HarryPleasure]

looks sweet! Cant wait to see the finished product. Nice work man.

[ShadowRap3r]

Looks awsome so far! Goin' nuts with the bondo i see...


EDIT - Whats another name for Bondo? I live in Canada and I want to buy some...but I cant seem to find it anywhere.

[3N1GM4]

Originally posted by ShadowRap3r
Looks awsome so far! Goin' nuts with the bondo i see...


EDIT - Whats another name for Bondo? I live in Canada and I want to buy some...but I cant seem to find it anywhere.


thats cause bondo is da' shit

[sector]

Originally posted by ShadowRap3r
Whats another name for Bondo? I live in Canada and I want to buy some...but I cant seem to find it anywhere. [/B]

Bondo is just a brand. It's a tough filling compound. Go to a local hardware store and ask for some Bondo. Even if they don't carry it they should know what you're talking about... and if they don't... God help Canada.

[Alexia]

Originally posted by sector
Bondo is just a brand. It's a tough filling compound. Go to a local hardware store and ask for some Bondo. Even if they don't carry it they should know what you're talking about... and if they don't... God help Canada.

They even sell it at Wal-Mart... do they have Wal-Mart in Canada?

[KINgGh0sT]

Originally posted by ShadowRap3r
Looks awsome so far! Goin' nuts with the bondo i see...


EDIT - Whats another name for Bondo? I live in Canada and I want to buy some...but I cant seem to find it anywhere.

Canadian Tire carries it, Just ask for Body Filler or something

[drewb99]

Originally posted by ShadowRap3r
EDIT - Whats another name for Bondo? I live in Canada and I want to buy some...but I cant seem to find it anywhere.

erm, Tim Hortons?

[ShadowRap3r]

Alrite thanks for the suggestions.....































WHERES URE TOOK EH?
NOOO DOOT ABOO IT

[hardwired]

loving this mod!

[IceTeaBag]

Those lights look amazing . . . I'm definitely coming back to this one.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Bondo is nothing more than a body filler. Any automotive/hardware store should cary something of this nature (even in cannada). you could also order it off line if all else fails.

http://www.bondo-online.com/about.asp

I believe you can order direct from them. I hope you can find some body filler becuase no great mod is done without bondo!

JEEVES

[Gibo]

Interested to see how this one turns out. I have a similarly themed mod going on (using a plasma disc instead of the tubes though).

[Qtip42]

when something can't be done right.........................bondo the shit out of it :D




heheh

[jayjaya29]

Looking good there man. Will keep up with this project, seems like a great idea. Good work.

[PaulMuaddib]

http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/gettofan.JPG


OMG he has THREE HANDS!! I need one of those.

j/k man... nice work so far... please keep us updated.

[Heath]

Originally posted by PaulMuaddib
OMG he has THREE HANDS!! I need one of those.

j/k man... nice work so far... please keep us updated.

4 if you count the one holding the camera!

[SB22]

I haven't had the pleasure of using bondo yet, but isn't it supose to be bad to use it to fill in such deep spaces. Won't it cause cracks and mess up your paint, or is that all just a myth. I was always under the impression it was intended for minor surface imperfections.

Good job though, i like what your doing with the front of the case:D

[3N1GM4]

Originally posted by SB22
I haven't had the pleasure of using bondo yet, but isn't it supose to be bad to use it to fill in such deep spaces. Won't it cause cracks and mess up your paint, or is that all just a myth. I was always under the impression it was intended for minor surface imperfections.

Good job though, i like what your doing with the front of the case:D


lol looks like me and him will be finding that out soon enough :D lol btw thats my hand :D

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

it will only crack if there is movement, but the large areas i am filling in are not flexible areas. I have had a few areas crack (damn electric sanders) but have been able to fix them with some glue or more bondo :D . I do not believe that it will effect the paint, but we shall see

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

NEED HELP

I need a good water block for my agp and for my northbridge. I am not sure wich ones to get tho. I have a zalman block on my cpu, but the zalman agp blocks look prety crapy. I am leaning towards swiftec for the northbridge, and i kinda want the danger den (no plexi) for the agp. Can anyone think of any cheaper, but good, water blocks. thanks.

JEEVES

[hardwired]

i've got no gripe with that.

you could go DD for the nb as well, if you want, but it doesnt really matter. if memory serves, the DD attaches better.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

well the reason i was thinking swifttech for the northbridge was becuase it looks alot like the zalman block i have now. Also i am looking for a new radiator. I am looking at the 120 black ice. If anyone knows of any radiator for around 50 dollars (that is good) let me know.

[hardwired]

everyone knows a dtek heatercore will slap down a BIX like a redheaded stepchild any day of the week.

it costs a HELL of a lot less, also. you can get similar for under $20 if you are less concerned with appearance.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

asthetics does not bother me, I am going to be counter sinking the radiator under false bottom. All you will see is the the grill on the floor of the case. Do you have any links to a site that sells the heatercore. I was also told to get a (i believe it was) a impala heatercore from autozone.

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

problem.....heatercore is 2in thick, and i need it to be around 1-1 1/2in. We will have to see what can be done about that. also right now i am debating on wether or not to order an aqua tube (it would be around 140 shipped) but i think it would realy be worth it. if anyone know where i can get an aqua tube for cheaper in the us please by all means let me know.


JEEVES

[ClayDo]

Originally posted by JEEVES/whohasmyname?
problem.....heatercore is 2in thick, and i need it to be around 1-1 1/2in. We will have to see what can be done about that. also right now i am debating on wether or not to order an aqua tube (it would be around 140 shipped) but i think it would realy be worth it. if anyone know where i can get an aqua tube for cheaper in the us please by all means let me know.


JEEVES

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2997650903&category=1467#ebayphotohosting

found this one on ebay for hella cheap dood.. $6!!

:D

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

aquatube (http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/imgs/blueresassy.jpg)

thanks man but this is actualy what i am talking about. lol......


JEEVES

[ClayDo]

i know, thought id give ya a hard time while your at work.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

i didnt even realize it was you :rolleyes:. it did make me laugh tho.

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

just to let you all know i will have an update this weekend.

[maxelhombre]

Looks great so far

[Adisharr]

Nice work so far.. I really like these mods :)

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Originally posted by Adisharr
Nice work so far.. I really like these mods :)

Thanks, and i like your table pc. What kinda of lcd is that on it. Is it just a 5in screen?

JEEVES

[arkaine]

Keep us up to date on this one, the projects seems sweet..

I'll check up on your work later.. good work so far :)

[Hack_light]

Looking good.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Originally posted by arkaine
Keep us up to date on this one, the projects seems sweet..

I'll check up on your work later.. good work so far :)

thanks I will try to make an update tomorow after i work on my case (hopefuly i can work on it). I have a ton of things to do tomorow. if not tomorow then defanitly sun.

JEEVES

[GOD'SlittleSERVANT]

you must have tons of free time :eek:

[M4d-K10wN]

Hmm, i'm going to do some filling in on my project too. Originally, i was going to use artist's putty, but it seems bondo would be better. The problem is it comes in so many varieties, which one do i get??

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

It realy depends on what you want to use it for. For larger areas I would recomend the Fiberglass reinforced bondo. For small areas the regular bondo would work. You just have to be carefull about not bending the parts that are bondo'd. If you move them they will crack away from the plastic/metal. And word of advice dont buy bondo at home depote, they charge 15 dollars for a little ass can that cost 7 at autozone.

JEEVES

[M4d-K10wN]

They sell it at home depot? And i was just starting to wonder where to buy it...

[Atragon]

They don't sell it in the Home Depot in Ottawa, Ontario at least... :(

I need some for a mod I'm working on... (I'll start a thread on it when I get around to it... ;) )

[ThePianoMan]

they should have it @ any car shop

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok sorry for no update last weekend but once again i had no time to work on it. I had to build a friends case sat and was busy all day sunday. but tomorow i will be working on it and i figured i would let you guys know that i have ordered alot of stuff for it yesterday/today. The best thing i got was this

http://i22.ebayimg.com/03/i/01/a9/a9/db_2.JPG

:D :D :D
JEEVES

[DRJ1014]

ok keep us posted

[TheMostWantedPolishTwin]

that's some seroious modding... I'll be waiting for updates :D

[Kckazdude]

Jeeves
Looking good so far. Never did like those cases becuse of the door/front panel and I never could get it right in my head how to mod them to my liking. This is giving me some really good ideas. Keep the pics coming.

[SEALTeamSix]

Linky Linky to Bit-Tech Worklog (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=55141)

-SEAL

[3N1GM4]

yes, me and jeeves have our logs on both bit tech and [H] but i prefer [H] because people actually reply here



edit: BLARGITY BLAR!!!

[SEALTeamSix]

;) Keep up the moddin', it looks great!

-SEAL

[SarverSystems]

Damn you. Now I'm not gonna bid on that VFD. I just had a strange feeling someone from here was bidding on it.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

first let me say that i didnt post that pic until i had won it, becuase i was afraid someone from here might try to bid against me. Those damn displays are hard to find! Ended up paying 71 dollars for it (my max bid was 75, so i am happy).

Now time for a long over due update.

Did some more work on the top and front today. Unfortunatly I am going to have to wait for all the stuff i ordered to arive before i can get on to the truely hard stuff (electrical work). But here are the pics of the top
I sanded all the nasty blue paint off down to the beutiful aluminum.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/sanded.JPG

Then I covered it up with filler primer.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/primetop1.JPG

Unsatisfied with the way it turned out, I pulled the bondo back out(god i hate that stuff now) and did some touch up. and sanded, and sanded, and sanded (my finger tips are raw)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fuckingbondo.JPG

After that i added another coat of primer to see how it turned out. Alittle better, but still needs some work before i paint it. (nothing big tho so it will prob wait till right before i paint).
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/primetop3.JPG

Now on to the front. I Put the door in a much better place. I used some plastic epoxy. Stuff worked great it melted the plastic together beutifuly. Altho I am still going to be adding braces on the back side to give it some extra strength.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/glue.JPG

And here it is all put together (well for the most part). Now you guys can start to get an idea of how it is going to look. I still dont have the front lexan on (it is going to attach to the frame) Infact I might go work on that now.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fronton.JPG

Well that is all for now. Since 1 of my packages will be getting here fri, I will be able to work on that this weekend. You guys are going to love what it is, I just hope it works as i plan. I hate ordering things online, you are never positive of what you are getting.

Until then

JEEVES

[Tanis143]

Why the VFD? IMO they are too expensive, and need an EL invertor, which is another thing you have to pay for and another power drain. I like my lil 2x16 I just got wired up and running, nice, bright and big :D

[M4d-K10wN]

Displays are obnoxcious. I like scales better! Ye olde fashionede waye.

[SarverSystems]

WTF are you talking about an EL invertor? What?

VFD's require NO invertors, draw extremely small amoutns of power (about the same as your power and HD LEDs) and aren't expensive.

Every single thing you've said in your comment is false.

Yeah, the 800 and 800A are expensive, and nearly impossible to find, but the 2X20 and 4X20's are a dime a dozen!

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Originally posted by SarverSystems
WTF are you talking about an EL invertor? What?

VFD's require NO invertors, draw extremely small amoutns of power (about the same as your power and HD LEDs) and aren't expensive.

Every single thing you've said in your comment is false.

Yeah, the 800 and 800A are expensive, and nearly impossible to find, but the 2X20 and 4X20's are a dime a dozen!

Thank you SarverSystems, I have a 4x20 that i hooked up easier than an lcd. And lcds are not nice and bright, and the contrast on them suck ass hard core. Have you ever looked at a vfd next to an lcd. Plus what I got is a GRAPHIC vfd, that means that I can draw pictures with it, or have it say anything i want in any font. Can your lcd do that. Right now I have a 16x2 lcd in my case right now (custom el backlit, yes i have a converter) but a graphic vfd looks 10000000x better and I can do so much more with it. Just look at these pics of some of the stuff you can do.
http://www.icehw.net/article/graphic_vfd/spec.jpg
http://www.icehw.net/article/graphic_vfd/osc.jpg
http://www.zapwizard.com/lanpc/VFD-Divx3.jpg

and Tanis143 I can make this vfd display scales if you like.;)

JEEVES

[XtuRmN8r]

yeah, I hear you about those noritake VFDs.. seksiness indeed. they are so damn expensive tho, I wish I would have acted on those $16.50 ones on ebay a year or so ago... now people want insane prices like 70.. if I find one for like under 35, I'd jump on that shizzle.

[Tanis143]

Ok, I admit, I was wrong about the VFD needing an invertor. But, for the price you paid for a VFD, I would have gotten a PSX off ebay and used it as a second video screen. Cheaper for one, does streaming video in full color, and I could use coolbits in that display to replace a LCD or VFD.


And one more thing:

http://www.wildstar.net/~erosbot/casefull/lcd04.jpg

LCD's can be nice, big, and bright :)

[SarverSystems]

But will it work as a 2nd display if you are already running dual monitor? Not being a smartass, I really wanna know, cause I am running dual monitors.

[Tanis143]

It should. It would run off the rca video output. If you vid card as the dual heads out plus a video rca jack and your running windows XP, three monitors should not be a problem. And if it is, a very simple way to fix that is put in a cheap pci card with video out. For reference, MaximumPc did an article this month on doing that exact same thing, though they were gearing it towards three full size monitors that either mimicked each other, or as you asked, dual full size displays with a third smaller one.

[ra-odin]

Originally posted by SarverSystems
But will it work as a 2nd display if you are already running dual monitor? Not being a smartass, I really wanna know, cause I am running dual monitors.

You could always put in another video card - then it would be a 3rd monitor :)

[edit] Wow.. I read really well. Sorry for duplicating that info Tanis :)

[Tanis143]

Originally posted by ra-odin
You could always put in another video card - then it would be a 3rd monitor :)

[edit] Wow.. I read really well. Sorry for duplicating that info Tanis :)

Lmao, tis ok, with the posting times I think I hit submit just a tad sooner than you, but not by much :)

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I thought about going with a 5in lcd, but i did not want another monitor. I wanted something that could stand alone and display stats and other info. And the way I am mounting this display I could not use an LCD. For what i wanted and what i am using it for, a vfd works perfectly (and simply).

JEEVES

ps I hope you didnt take my post earlier as hostile, i was realize i very animated in proving my point. sorry if I offended anyone.

[Tanis143]

Nah, no offense taken. Everyone gets touchy when thier own opinion is questioned. Especially when the question is based of wrong info (which I had). It will be interesting to see how you mount it and how it works.

Oh, and a little tip, if you do something cool like adding a lcd/vfd to your case, and your wife likes it, be prepared to be asked to build her one *my wife likes my lcd, now wants one, but askes that I find a purple backlit one:p *

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Just do it using uv leds, that would give it a purple glow and light up any responsive materials near by.:)

JEEVES

[Tanis143]

That is a thought, or just use a purple tinted led. How hard is it to replace the led back light?

[M4d-K10wN]

Unless it's EL-backlit...

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Originally posted by Tanis143
That is a thought, or just use a purple tinted led. How hard is it to replace the led back light?

real simple. you just desouder the old leds and then resouder the new ones in. you might have to sand down the tip of the led to get an even distribution of light. I did this with my digidoc, it had nasty orange backlighting. So I replaced them with blue ones.

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

just an little teaser, i recieved 2 of my packages today. one of them is my vfd:) and the other is some stuff i needed (switches and what nots). I will post update sun of my vfd on and the work i get done tomorow. until then

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

All I have to say ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!! :mad: . Well time for a long over due update. Must get you guys back up to speed.

Ok time for another update. sorry its been awhile but yeah someone had to work on the site (J/k :p )


I got my vfd last weekend (noritake 128x64 800A graphic vfd) and got it wired up and running so here are a few shots of me just playing around with it, trying to find a screen I like. Right now I am using lcd studio and liquid mp3, but I am not 100% happy with either right now. So if anyone knows of a better program for this model please let me know(preferably free versions).
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/vfd7.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/vfd2.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/winvfd.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bscreen.JPG

Ok I also got to work on my fanbus, I ordered a simple 6 fan 3 position controler.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/blscreen.JPG

It orignaly came with blue/red leds, ugly, so I got some of these to replace them.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/ledbag.JPG

Pulled out my trusty radio shack desouldering iron and went to work. First thing I had to do was remove the back pcb as it was in my way.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fanbusback.JPG

Then I was able to get to soulder on the back. Removed the leds from the board.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fanbusnoled.jpg

Next the switches had to go. the whole thing wouldnt fit where i need it to.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fanbusnoswitch.JPG

Next I had to soulder wires onto each one of the leads, 18 for the switches and 18 for the leds. here are the switches all wired up.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/switchtail.JPG

Now I dont have all the leds wired up as I wanted to make sure everything would fit in first. So I took out the case front and drilled the holes for led holders and switches. dont worry they are all on there straight, the picture just looks like ****. And the switches are all in diffrent positions.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/switch1.JPG

They all fit (had to cut down the back of 4 of the led holders but the leds still fit in). here is a close up of the back.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/backswitch.JPG

And another pic of the back, you can see all the wires for the switches (they will be sleeved dont worry). the pc board will be up in the false top where all the fans will connect to it.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/backfanwire.JPG

This weekend I will be finishing the fanbus and mounting the vfd and if my package gets here i will be mounting the power button, dvd button and led, dvd burner button and led(the leds will be more blue/white).

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Going to be just pasting from other sites so yeah some things might sound kinda funny.

Ok sorry for no update, but i was busy building a computer for a client as well as being uber sick all weekend long. I did get a few things in the mail this weekend as well as picked up some stuff at frys.
I got this camera for 30 bucks off of ebay, everything works I just need to pick up a charger and a sd card.

http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/P1010045.JPG

And becuase it didnt come with a usb cable, I decided it would be cheaper just to get one of these ($4.95) and build it into the new case :rock: still not sure where to put it tho i might stick it on the side of the case or on the front between the 5in optical and the 3.5 bays. I AM OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE TO PUT THIS. ( :idea: mabey on top front so you have to stick down in)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/P1010046.JPG

And I got a 160gig hdd for 90 dollars no rebate :rock: :rock:. I also got this case from the people i was building the pc for, they wanted me to just upgrade this one. but i saw way to much potential for this case to let it go to a family that would not appreciate its true beauty. So as soon as me and enigma are done with our cases we will start on this beast (we are thinking a warhammer 40k theme, imperial guard).
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/newcase.JPG

I was just going to take a pic of what used to be in that case but alas the batteries are dead. It was an intel 486 dx2 :eeek: and they wanted me to just upgrade that thing :hehe: . They just got a brand new pc for 400, not a bad price for a new pc......i am rambaling about nothing (too much Hydro DP Syrup, robiteson on steroids) anyways yeah my stuff from futurlec came today so wen i will be doing quite alot so expect an update wen night. until then PLEASE GIVE ME SOME IDEAS ON WHERE TO MOUNT THE CARD READER.

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Alright got some work done today, wasnt as much as i wanted but it was some. First I ran up to Michales to get some of this, cost under 5 dollars due to 40% off coupon the cashier gave me :rock:
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/krylon.JPG

You ask, what do you need that for. Well I saw on modthebox.com that someone used this to tint thier VFD so I said HELL YEAH i am going to do that.So first I masked off everywhere but the screen
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fronttape.JPG

And just to be on the safe side I went ahead and masked off the back too.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/backtape.JPG

Then it was outside to spray on my filter.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/1coat.JPG

After the first coat it looked alright, but I didnt think that would filter it good enough so i put on a second coat.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/2coat.JPG

Let that dry for about 2 hours or so (went and got my car inspected, yay for more money out of my pocket just to prove my car is driveable).
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bluefilter.JPG

Drum roll please
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bluescreen1.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bluescreen2.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bluescreen3.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bluescreen4.JPG
I think It looks damn good, well it looks much better in person (and after a second glance at the pictures it looks like the top right is filtered more than the bottom left. But it is not I just sat here staring at it to see if it was and its not. Now i just have to find a use for the rest of the can :worried: . And for all of you who are wondering you can remove the gel like film it with a razor blade, so it is not permanent.

Next I moved on to the switch area. Kinda layed all the switches and buttons where i wanted them. Then i measured everything off (twice).
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/buttonalign.JPG

Then i drilled out all the holes (dont worry about them not being perfect i will be putting a transperency, where all of it will be blacked out and have each switch and button labeled)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/holecut.JPG

Next i installed them all just to see how it will look. starting at the top left to right they are dvdrom button, dvdrom led, dvdburner button, dvd burner led, on/off keyswitch, inside cathodes switch, lightning tube switch.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/switchin.JPG

Then I went ahead and cut out the hole for the card reader. I decided I was going to put it in between The 3.5 and 5.25 bays, it just seemed like the perfect place. With all the "busy"stuff in the same place it keeps the center of the case the focus point.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/readerin.JPG

Then I cut the plexi that will be tinted and in front of the VFD in the 3.5 bay.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/plexcut.JPG

Sanded it down a bit just to make sure it fit snugly into place.
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/pexinplace.JPG

And a shot from the back
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/backplex.JPG

That is all I was able to get done today as I have to install win and all the drivers/programs on this computer i just built for a customer :sigh:. I hate this part of the job. Anyways I will have another update this weekend, as I am starting to feel the end is near :clap: (well there is at least another month or so of work to do) But at least it is starting to come together. THanks for all the replys

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok here is a smal update, I have been extremely busy the past couple of weeks. Only time i get to work on my case is late at night, and i am usualy asleep (damn work). well all I realy have done is the fanbus, so here are the pics.

well I finaly got the leds all souldered up, so i souldered them into the pcb as well as the switches
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fbwiref.JPG

here is a shot of the back
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/fbwireb.JPG

then i made sure they all turned on. here is the blue side (12volt)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/blue1.JPG

and with the flash off
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/blue2.JPG

and the white (5volt)
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/white2.JPG

and with the flash off
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/white1.JPG

unfortuantly that is about all i have gotten done, but i will be recieving my aqua tube mon. So next week i will be finishing up the front of the case :clap: . So untill then

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I will post my latest update tomorow from work, altho i havent done much this weekend as i had to put black lightning on pause while I work on a case for my sister at texas tech, will post a link to its project log tomorow ;)

JEEVES

[DRxAndy]

Wow :D
Great work man! It's really looking quite sharp!!

[pistola]

awsome! can't wait to see it finished!

[DRJ1014]

looks wonderful. im trying to figure out if i should spend the money on one or not.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

In my next project I am going to be using a graphic lcd, you can get much smaller pixels. But for this project a vfd was a must, as it will be behind a piece of tinted plexi. The end result will be very nice I am going for a look of the graphics looking like they are just on the case. We will see how that turns out :)

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

Damn why didn't I think of using Bondo? I have a @#!$ can right here in front of me!
I've been trying to think of what to do with my Antec case, I hate those finger trenches. Thanks!
Sounds like you got a few ideas from Macroman. :D

[ClayDo]

no pictures of the aqua tube?

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/aquatube.JPG

there you bastard :p . But I am not going to show the work i have done to the case for it since i screwed it up royaly. You will have to wait to see all that this weekend.

JEEVES

[SteveOne]

wow nice work jeeves

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

thanks. Sorry for no updates but i have been busy trying to nail out project Texas Tech (http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=759128) WIll have it finished wen and then its back to this project this weekend coming up. Stay tuned for more updates

JEEVES

[EnforcerGT]

wow, i think you actually used more bondo on your rig than i did filling rust spots for my car. Great work so far. Im sure you've inspired many of us.

[Ch1m3r4]

question:

what were you using to cut the lexan and plexi?

I think I've tried most of the tools people have suggested, but have had little to no luck in making decent cuts.

tips/tricks please?

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

question:

what were you using to cut the lexan and plexi?

I think I've tried most of the tools people have suggested, but have had little to no luck in making decent cuts.

tips/tricks please?


I just use a dremmel and electric palm sander. Are you cutting lexan or the cheap plexi? Lexan seems to cut great, it just powders instead of melting (like that crapy cheap plexi). I used the sander to round off the edges for that oval shape piece for the front. The only tips I can give you is take your time and make small slits, dont try to cut all the way through on the first cut. Another way you could do it is just score the lexan and then snap it off.

JEEVES

[Ch1m3r4]

what bit on dremel?

thanks for info...I'm trying the cheapo plexi...good to know that lexan seems so much nicer

edit: can't just score and snap because of the shapes I'm going for...at least in my opinion it wouldn't work

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

what bit on dremel?

thanks for info...I'm trying the cheapo plexi...good to know that lexan seems so much nicer

edit: can't just score and snap because of the shapes I'm going for...at least in my opinion it wouldn't work


Just a normal cutting disk, just take your time. With the cheapo plexi it helps to cut alittle then let the melted crap harden and break it off, then cut some more. I found that prevents it from getting to bad. Also make sure you cut about an 1/8 of an inch away from the line and then sand/file it down to size. If you have a few extra dollars to spend then i would suggest getting some lexan, at home depot it was like 2 dollars more than the cheapo sheets.

JEEVES

[Tanis143]

Thats what I had to do, I cut about a 1/4" away from my finish line and then using a high grit sanding drum on slow speed I slowly sand it down. For sharp angles I use a graduated grinding bit instead of a sanding drum.

[CrimandEvil]

Hi Jeeves! I have a question.
I Bondoed up the finger holes like your case and have run into a little quirk. I can't get the drive to secure. Have you tried putting on in? If so how did you secure it? I'm thinking of just rigging up something to the chassis but still not too sure.

[Kckazdude]

Hi Jeeves! I have a question.
I Bondoed up the finger holes like your case and have run into a little quirk. I can't get the drive to secure. Have you tried putting on in? If so how did you secure it? I'm thinking of just rigging up something to the chassis but still not too sure.

Not to take away from JEEVES project, you can take a look in my worklog thread (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=758655) and see my solution to the mounting problem. Not positive but I dont think JEEVES has come to his solution for mounting at this time.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

yeah, I am using risers to go into the side of the drive and then to the cage. You can no longer use those crapy clips. You will have to wait till this weekend to see how the front of the drives are going to look but let me just tell you they will not be stealthed

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

Thanks your link Kckazdude, Jeeves I hope you take a few extra pics of the cage then :D

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Thanks your link Kckazdude, Jeeves I hope you take a few extra pics of the cage then :D


Yeah I will when I get to that part....not any time soon. :(

JEEVES

[rogue_jedi]

this looks like it will be very cool when you finish it.

<-- needs money for modding projects

i've already done most of the cheap mods i can/want to do. being broke AND saving for a new processor sucks.

[ClayDo]

your still not finished!!?

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

your still not finished!!?


No it is finished, I just dont feel like showing you all the finished product :rolleyes: .

JEEVES

Dont forget the ratpadz (i have your ccfl)

[Hinokagutsuchi]

I've got a question on the keyswitch power button: Did it require any soldering? Where'd you nab it? I'd like to get one for my computer to replace the button I have now, but I can't solder that well.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

No the keyswitch doesnt realy require any souldering. The one I got uses screws to hold the wires into place. All you have to do is cut the two power switch wires and strip them, then hook them up to the switch. I picked mine up at fry's, but you can get them at radio shack (i think). if not radio shack then almost any electronic stores will have them, another way of getting them is by just getting an old AT case that has one.

JEEVES

[steve216s]

its been a while and no finished picture :rolleyes:

[bobsaget]

come on!!! I'm dying to see this case!!! :p


BTW: I really like your top blowholes idea.

[ErrOnReq]

Me too :-)

Good job so far. I like the top blow hole deally as well. Nice to see some fresh ideas.

[ErrOnReq]

its been a while and no finished picture :rolleyes:

Give it time. His mod doesn't revolve around your schedule. I would prefer that he take his time and do a good job rather than rush it just to keep people like you happy.

[3N1GM4]

if you havent noticed, we/he has been busy working on the Texas Tech Project... give him time, he does do other things besides work on projects all day... and this isnt a simple little window cutout or anything... sheesh :rolleyes:

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Give it time. His mod doesn't revolve around your schedule. I would prefer that he take his time and do a good job rather than rush it just to keep people like you happy.

You got it.

I am sorry for no update recently but as Enigma said I/we have been working on project texas tech (it had a deadline sooner than Black Lightning). I did get some work done yesterday but have not uploaded the pics yet. I am hoping to get alot done this weekend, but I am waiting on some more parts to come in before I can start on other areas. This project as turned out to cost more money than I had origonaly planned :rolleyes: , but dont they all. I thank you all for the replies and am pleased to see everyone is eager to see the case finished.

JEEVES

[Bad_Boy]

you are simply a god, cant wait for more :D

[ClayDo]

bah dont bost his ego like that.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

bah dont bost his ego like that.

he doesnt have to, I already know i am a god. lmao anyways dont you have some calls to take. :rolleyes:

JEEVES

[v3rt1g0]

Where did you buy your VFD? I can't turn up anything on google.
Any other places I should look around for VFDs?

[ClayDo]

Where did you buy your VFD? I can't turn up anything on google.
Any other places I should look around for VFDs?

ebay

[CrimandEvil]

Where did you buy your VFD? I can't turn up anything on google.
Any other places I should look around for VFDs?

http://www.matrixorbital.com/
http://www.pctoyland.com/prod_536.htm

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I got that one off of ebay for around 70. I didnt want to spend 100 dollars for a non graphic one. You can order them direct from noritake www.noritake.com (i think) but I am not sure of the prices. Just be care full when buying them as you need to make sure there is software for the kind you are getting.

JEEVES

[gies]

Looks really good...I'll have to keep that idea in mind for my VFD...thanks! :D

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok time for a long over due update. I was finaly able to get some work done. First I had decided to redo the top since i was not 100% satisfied with the orignal.
For some reason I cant seem to find my uploaded pics of the work to the top except for this one. I will try to upload them again tonight when i get home from work.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/000_0026.jpg

I also got some work done on the front of the case. Since i am going with an aqua tube in the front I decided to put it in the top two bays with an aqua bay (for suport).
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/aquatube.JPG

And a Pic of the started work on fitting the aqua bay into place. The front of the bay is going to be semi bondoed in. basicly I just wanted as little of a line as posible where the case meets the aquabay.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/000_0023.jpg

And then after alittle more work with the filler putty.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/000_0025.jpg

I also did some work to the bottom of the front with the filler putty, now the bottom of the front is smooth as can be.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/000_0024.jpg

and after some light sanding.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/000_0027.jpg

Like I said I will try to upload those other pics tonight. And this weekend I should be getting the top and front finished so be prepared for more updates.

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

I can't wait to see the final!

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok was able to get alittle more done this weekend. Spent most of today uncloging a sink :mad: that crap was nasty. Anyways....

Got the top done, but I ran out of primer. I am now completely hapy with the new top. It looks 10x better and is much much more durable. (pics dont do it justice you would have to come feel it for yourself.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/topagain.jpg

Then it was back to the front, got the bay covers in for the dvd and dvd-rw.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/baysin2.jpg

Then some sanding and more bondo.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/baysin3.jpg

then some more, was having a slight problem with strength of it as the bondo kept poping, but alittle epoxy fixed that up real nice.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/baysin4.jpg

Did alittle bit of filler putty work just to see how well it looked. I still have to bondo in the sound control hole and do alittle more filler putty work. But for all intensive purposes the bays are complete. once again the pics dont do it justice.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/baysin.jpg

Wensday I will be finishing the bays and then putting the lightning tubes into place. I will also be priming the top (and hopefuly the front). Until then.

JEEVES

[ClayDo]

needs paint.

[siege]

needs paint.

duh :)

lookin good man. I like the drive bays like that...not stealth but not just stuck in there. keep up the good work, can't wait till the next update

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok time for a small update.

First i wanted to test and make sure the lightning tubes were still working. So i pulled out the inverter (converter?) and plugged it in and tried to touch the two wires to the soulder leads. Yep it stil worked but when i pulled it away the current tried to folow it and then jumped over to the ground lead. After screaming a bunch of words that can get me banned if posted here I shut the power off to it and then...well see for yourself.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/burnt.jpg

As you can see it left a nice burn mark. so i decided to soulder the tube in to make sure it still worked (the right way). Man was I happy to see it still worked.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/itworks.jpg

Then i went and sanded alittle more and primed the top.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/topreprimed2.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/topreprimed.jpg

Here is a pic of the old top job so you can compare
http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/primetop3.JPG

Then i went back to the front to do a little more work. Of coarse I had to add more bondo. I also got the face plate to the card reader bondo'd in.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/cardbondo.jpg

Then of coarse sanded it down.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/cardsand.jpg

I also got the lightning tubes sealed off at the tops and bottom (dont want bondo getting in there). This weekend i will be smooting out the front (minor stuff, mainly just getting the little scratches out) and then adding the lightning tubes. The front is about 80% done so i am hoping to get the priming done this weekend as well. Until then

JEEVES

[Bad_Boy]

looking sweet!
now paint that sucker :D :cool: :D

[CrimandEvil]

Looking cool, I'm going to have to borrow that idea for my blow hole, if you don't mind. ;)

[siege]

nice top. Looks like it'll turn out nicely. keep it up

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Looking cool, I'm going to have to borrow that idea for my blow hole, if you don't mind. ;)

well you should realy ask enigma, as it was his concept to begin with. this project started out as a team effort, but then he started the micro atx case and left this one to me. He still does help out on the case every now and then, but for the most part i have done it all. lol this case has come along way since the origonal mock up of it, i will try to post a pic of it this weekend (enigma did it in paint while we were discusing what to do with the case like 6 months ago). It is kinda nice to see how this case has evolved and warped into what it is today (or will be when it is done).

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

http://home.graffiti.net/crimandevil:graffiti.net/LainLogo.gif
Thats the image I was wanting to use, reversing the black and white so that the text glows. I wanted the logo to look like the Falcone Northwest cases.
The inspiration first came from looking through Macroman's MacroBlack (http://bit-tech.net/article/63/1) case but I couldn't figure out how too do it right. I was trying to figure out a way to stealth a blow hole and have some sort of light up logo for my mod, I just can't believe that I didn't think of something like that sooner.

Tint some plexi and mod up something like what you have and use a CCFL 120mm fan is pretty much what I was trying to think of. I'm going to be using this fan controller (http://www.jab-tech.com/customer/product.php?productid=1810&cat=42&page=1) to control the effect.

What do you think?

[PawNtheSandman]

Course. Coarse is what your sandpaper is.

That front pannel looks sick but without the finger holes, how are you going to use the brackets for the optical drives?

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

This weekend i will be smooting out the front (minor stuff, mainly just getting the little scratches out)

Yes i know i used coarse sand paper.

Why would i want to use those nasty ass brackets? I am just going to be using longer screws to hold the drives in. I have already started to cut out the slits for the screws to fit and have tested it and it works just fine. :D

JEEVES

[v3rt1g0]

I like how you melded the drives in there :)


intensive purposes

LOL :D

..sorry

[3N1GM4]

Looking cool, I'm going to have to borrow that idea for my blow hole, if you don't mind. ;)

lol its fine by me, just warning you though, its not an easy one to complete lol

[3N1GM4]

I like how you melded the drives in there :)

lol and no one even notices it on mine lol

[ClayDo]

still needs paint.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Alright got alot done this weekend. First off I got the top off and primed and perfected it. I will start the painting on it this wen.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/topdone.jpg

Then it was back to the front to get those lightning tubes installed. First i had to put a very light coat of black paint on the back side of where the tubes will sit. Just in case you can see through the tubes when they are off. I did not spend too much time on detail of this area as they will be covered up (even if you can see through to the back it will be so distorted that all you will be able to see is color).
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/behindpaint.jpg

Then I had previously drilled holes in the top so that the wires can slide into false top.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/wirehole.jpg

Here are the two tubes ready to go, I put some apoxy on the tops and bottom of the tubes to prevent any sort of movement.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/tubesin.jpg

Then came the bondo (i am truely sick of this stuff, used way too much on this case. But it is holding strong) I first started with the bottom half.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bondo1st.jpg

Then after alot of sanding and bondo I got this
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bondo2nd.jpg

Then it was on to the top of the tube. I didnt realy want to show off the tip of the tube as it would not light up, so I bondoed it down to where the light starts.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bondotop.jpg

Then after a few more coats and sanding. Dont worry about the not so clean line on it as it will be cut off when the serain wrap comes off (I will use a brush to paint the exposed bondo)
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/topbondo2.jpg

And this is about how it is going to look. not to shabby if you ask me, but still needs work.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/rightdone.jpg

Of coarse repeat on the other side and you get something like this.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/botomdone.jpg

Then came the filler putty (I love this stuff)
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bottomfilled.jpg

And the top (forgot to take a pic before the filler putty)
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/topfilled.jpg

After some light sanding (and i do mean light, this stuff comes off by looking at it to hard)
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/readyprime.jpg

I decided to go ahead and give it a coat of sandable primer. I know it still needs some work in areas but I wanted to get a feel for how much work.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontprimed.jpg

Well it is not too bad but like I said there are still some areas that need alittle more work (that is why you use sandable primer). The primer is still wet so it realy looks like crap, but trust me it is not as bad as these pics. Just too tired to go back outside and take new pics. You will have to wait and see wen.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bottomprime.jpg

The top half up close looks realy bad around the aquabay, but most of that is glare from wet primer.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/topprime.jpg

Well that is about all i got for this time. Wen I should be able to get the front all finished up and hopefuly start on the painting. I will also start working on a very special part of the case that i dont think i have mentioned before. You will have to wait and see :p

JEEVES

[ErrOnReq]

Starting to come together really well.

As for the plastic wrap, are you going to cut down into the Bondo and then remove the wrap? Sorry, I for some reason can't get a good picture in my head of how that is going to work out. Not doubting you, just lost :P

[siege]

just curious...what happens when one of the tubes burns out or gets cracked or something? :)

when I first saw you bondoing over them I was like WTF. looks good

[CrimandEvil]

Can't wait. BTW where did you get the aqua tube? Everytime I check all I find are UK shops.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Starting to come together really well.

As for the plastic wrap, are you going to cut down into the Bondo and then remove the wrap? Sorry, I for some reason can't get a good picture in my head of how that is going to work out. Not doubting you, just lost :P

Yes i will be cutting the bondo when i remove the serain wrap, If i was to cut it off now the paint would hit the tubes. I will then use a paint brush and some black paint to get the little spots of unpainted bondo that will be there after cutting it away. Since it is not going to be a very noticble spot I am not too worried about the smoothness of the paint, just that it will be black.

just curious...what happens when one of the tubes burns out or gets cracked or something?
when I first saw you bondoing over them I was like WTF. looks good

Well if one burns out or gets cracked I will cry and then scream and do nothing. I am not expecting them to be damaged in any way as I treat my case like it was a....yeah. As my friend said but what if you drop it or something, I said if i drop the case the lightning tubes are the last of my worries.

Can't wait. BTW where did you get the aqua tube? Everytime I check all I find are UK shops.

I got it from www.snt-systems.com . Great place, fast and great comunication all the way through.

[XeRo_Dark]

That Mod Looks none other then beutifull so far. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Happy Modding :D

[Shadowspawn]

I'm curious about the filler putty you are using. I am working with bondo for the first time and have only used the putty to spot fill small areas. It appears that you are coating the entire bondo area with the filler putty...is there a reason for this? Is one method better than the other?

And nice work so far.

[ErrOnReq]

After I Bondo something, I cover the entire thing with a thin layer of spot filler. That way you fill spots you may not notice, and it is easier to sand the entire thing to a smooth finish.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I'm curious about the filler putty you are using. I am working with bondo for the first time and have only used the putty to spot fill small areas. It appears that you are coating the entire bondo area with the filler putty...is there a reason for this? Is one method better than the other?

And nice work so far.

The filler putty gets out all the little scratches left over by sandpaper. I am using a 150 grit sandpaper so it leaves some scratches. The filler putty makes everything nice an smooth. I would definatly use this stuff to fix minor scratches and imperfections in the bondo or other surfaces.

JEEVES

[Shadowspawn]

Ok, thanks for the info.

[CrimandEvil]

Thanks for the link! It's getting way to hot here and my PC is getting alittle too hot under the collar so I'm going to probably go WC for now. :rolleyes: Damn summer heat....
That a great price for one, all the price I've seen when into the $200s. :rolleyes:

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Thanks for the link! It's getting way to hot here and my PC is getting alittle too hot under the collar so I'm going to probably go WC for now. :rolleyes: Damn summer heat....
That a great price for one, all the price I've seen when into the $200s. :rolleyes:

No problem, that is why i got a nice discount (that and i will have his company name on the side of my case, you will see). But please dont go trying to get a discount for yourself as I am sure he does not want to sponsor everyone.

And I got a package in the mail today, couldnt wait had to show it off. I already have pump and zalman water block (yes i know its not a swiftech, but I actualy like the zalman cpu block better)

https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/000_0069.jpg

Oh and I ordered my new mobo and proc today from newegg, a gigabyte mobo with p4 2.4c. hopefuly what they say is true and this little baby can overclock like a mofo.

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

Sponser? I don't even know how to go about that. :D LOL
I was referring to the cost of $70 instead of the average $120 I've been seeing.
BTW I can't see the pics but my modem (DSL modem) is pretty much crap so I have to reload and get back. :rolleyes:

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Sponser? I don't even know how to go about that. :D LOL
I was referring to the cost of $70 instead of the average $120 I've been seeing.
BTW I can't see the pics but my modem (DSL modem) is pretty much crap so I have to reload and get back. :rolleyes:

AGH I do dsl tech support for pppoe clients. I am sorry (truely i am) that you have dsl, I know how much pain you go through to try and make that dsl modem work like a cable modem :p . Who do you have dsl through and wich state do you live in?

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

Sorry, finally got hungry and decided to start making dinner (Mmmm stir fry, ramen, and tofu...WFT! Tofu?).

It works now, it's a Qwest/ MSN DSL (yeah I know :rolleyes: ) and I'm in Colorado. They moved all of the DSL stuff over to Qwest and I'm hoping to score a better modem off of them (MSN gave me an Arescom NetDSL 800 which just sucks).
...have to go check on food (still cooking)....

[ErrOnReq]

I have DSL through SBC and have never had a single problem. Fast too.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

god i hate msn, The company i work for (cant say wich one due to nondisclosure agreement, but lets just say its one of the big ones) gives out "complimentary" msn premium with there dsl packages. I hate it so much becuase everyone calls us and says I cant connect when infact they cant log into msn but IE works just fine. sorry bitching about customers again.....god i hate people

JEEVES

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I have DSL through SBC and have never had a single problem. Fast too.

your loop length must be low, do you know what it is?

[CrimandEvil]

LOL, I use to work in the Public Schools as a tech not bad work but it tends to drag you down when you have one technophob constantly complaining. I had a lady once ask me several times to install Win98 on a box that had NT4.

I think SBC might be in my area, I'll have to check but the only other game in town is Comcast Cable and I have numerous friends complaining about drop connections and such.

On a side note I guess theres no way to make tofu taste good, goes to show that I can't date vegetarians...again. :rolleyes:

Anyways your stuff looks good. I'm going to go out tomorrow and get some WC parts (summer is way to harsh on my little CPU :( ) I found a heater core for a Ford Mustang that I'm going to be using and I've got some barbs and clamps and such to get around town. The other stuff I'm going to have to order and wait for them to ship it to me. :(

[ErrOnReq]

your loop length must be low, do you know what it is?

not a clue. I assume I am closer to one of the stations than most people since I hear of more complaints than I care to experience.

[siege]

Sorry, finally got hungry and decided to start making dinner (Mmmm stir fry, ramen, and tofu...WFT! Tofu?).

It works now, it's a Qwest/ MSN DSL (yeah I know :rolleyes: ) and I'm in Colorado. They moved all of the DSL stuff over to Qwest and I'm hoping to score a better modem off of them (MSN gave me an Arescom NetDSL 800 which just sucks).
...have to go check on food (still cooking)....

I used to have that modem...what a piece of shit. Of course that was at my parents house. they got a new modem and switched to 1.5m DSL...I still get dl's 2x faster than them on cable and I've never had to reset my motorola modem in the last year :)

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

yeah the motorola modem is a good one. It is odd how there seems to be only a handfull of good modems out there, it is a shame that most ISPs dont send them out.

JEEVES

wow how this thread has turned to a dsl thread :) tomorow it will be back ontopic when i post the next update (until then...)

[CrimandEvil]

LOL Sorry about that. :)

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Man that was all my fault, I am the one that started asking all the questions :rolleyes:

JEEVES

[FiZ]

Just looked through this thread, looking damn good so far JEEVES.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Alright, got the false bottom in and rad mounted today. Didnt get as much done as i was planning (but when do you ever). Well here we go.

First had to measure everything out and draw it on the sheet of aluminum.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bottomdrawn.jpg

Then I cut it out with metal snips and then bent it where needed using the portable work bench. Had to take the bottom off to get it to fit tho, but once i got it in there it looked prety good.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/falsein2.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/falsein3.jpg

Then I had to stick the the door on just to see how high it would hit and if the door would still fit on correctly. Now keep in mind that the window will be tinted black so you wont be able to see the false bottom (well mabey alittle).
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/falsein.jpg

And a shot through the fan hole in the front to show you how much room it gives me down there.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bottomroom.jpg

And you ask, what on earth you need that much room for? Well my radiator, 120 fan, and pump of coarse
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/radroom.jpg

Used a 117mm hole saw to cut out the circle and then cut two holes and put grommets in there for the water tubes going to the radiator. here it is mounted.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/radin.jpg

and another shot
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/radin2.jpg

then of coarse had to see it with the door on.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/radin3.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/radin4.jpg

I also did some more detail work on the front, some more filler putty and sanding and then primed it again to see how it was looking. (have a hard time telling the imperfections when it is 4 diffrent colors)
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/front.jpg
Looking better but still needs some work.

And just for kicks i kinda tossed the top side and front on just to get an overall idea. It is not put together all the way and looks realy getto. But it atleast gives you an idea on how everything will fit together.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/gettotogether.jpg

Like I said didnt get near what i wanted to done today, but at least i got some done. I am hoping to have the bottom done and the chassy painted this weekend. As well as the front finished and painting started on it. I am actualy starting to feel the end is near (very happy about that, it was starting to feel like it was never going to be done).

JEEVES

[FiZ]

Looking very good!

[siege]

is that a stock side window? I hope you're not planning on keeping that :) I personally don't really like those stock plain windows, but that's just me. I don't know if you know this, but if you wanted to get rid of your window and don't want that handle either, the other panel will flip upside down and fit perfectly, so you would just need to find another one :) just a thought. looks good man

[YellowPeril]

looks pretty good to me. i like your bondo/putty work. seems difficult to get just right. i know i would screw it up royally.

[gigglebyte]

the work looks great right now but I am a little concerned about the rad placement :( I am wondering if you are going to have enough airflow in there to cool things off properly considering you will be pushing a lot of air into a fairly small place...I could be way off (considering I haven't done WC before but have read quite a bit on it) and I hope I am because it looks great!

[bored-sarcasm]

i cant wait until the case is finished. this looks badass already. nice work.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

is that a stock side window? I hope you're not planning on keeping that :) I personally don't really like those stock plain windows, but that's just me. I don't know if you know this, but if you wanted to get rid of your window and don't want that handle either, the other panel will flip upside down and fit perfectly, so you would just need to find another one :) just a thought. looks good man

Yes that is a stock window, and yes I am going to be keeping it. I mean yes I could just as easily get another pannel and cut a window in it, but what? I would prob just wind up cutting a square, so why would i spend more money and more time for the same window (basicly). The window will be tinted with limo black window tinting. So it wont be 100% stock, but I actualy like that window its big and will show everything off on the inside. As far as the handle, I have decided to keep that as it will be the only thing showing you it WAS a chieftec/antec.

the work looks great right now but I am a little concerned about the rad placement I am wondering if you are going to have enough airflow in there to cool things off properly considering you will be pushing a lot of air into a fairly small place...I could be way off (considering I haven't done WC before but have read quite a bit on it) and I hope I am because it looks great!

I forgot to mention that there will be a 120 fan under the radiator pulling from in the case through the radiator and out the bottom of the case. And there is enough room to make a shroud so less dead spots across the radiator. This will work just like any other radiator placement, just not as high profile.

JEEVES

[jayjaya29]

Looking sharp there man, it will all come together once its painted. Nice work.

[gigglebyte]

I would still be concerened that there just isn't enough room for proper airflow...it would sort of be like taking your CPU fan and putting it right up against the PSU...I am imagining this like taking a water hose, turning it on and then putting your hand right in front of the nozel and see what happens...if there is enough clearance between the fan and the case then it should be fine....I am interested to see if it works though because it could be a very slick solution to a messy case

[3N1GM4]

I would still be concerened that there just isn't enough room for proper airflow...it would sort of be like taking your CPU fan and putting it right up against the PSU...I am imagining this like taking a water hose, turning it on and then putting your hand right in front of the nozel and see what happens...if there is enough clearance between the fan and the case then it should be fine....I am interested to see if it works though because it could be a very slick solution to a messy case

are you thinking that he is going to cut the bottom out or leave it intact?

he plans on cutting another 120 hole in the bottom to vent the air out through that...

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

there will be about a half inch clearence on the bottom of the case, hold your had a half inch from a hose and the presure doesnt drop (you just all wet). there will be 120mm hole on top (look at pics above) and also a 120mm hole in the bottom of the case. The radiator sits on top where the hole in the false bottom (see pics above) to alow air to go from in the case through the radiator. This air will be sucked through the radiator by a 120mm fan that will sit under the radiator (with a 120mm fan shroud as a ducting, to cut down on dead spots) and push air out the bottom of the case (not going to be sitting flat, it will have feet) where there will be about a half inch clearence so the air can hit the desk and then push out from under the sides of the case. I am not understanding your concerns, this is well above sufficent room needed for airflow. It is better than half of these people who put it in the front where there is little to no vents for the air to move through. I think you will understand it better this weekend when i have pictures posted of how it will work. I would draw you a diagram right now but this work computer doesnt even have paint on it.

JEEVES

[gigglebyte]

your description is fine....I saw the top portion but didn't know how the air was going to get out that is all :D

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok, I was just trying to clear up the confusion. Like I said this weekend you will be able to see it much more clearly.

JEEVES

[Veldrid]

Looking great Jeeves. That is exactly how I have my radiator setup in the Chieftec case I am modding, except I used mirrored lexan for the floor instead. I am planning on doing a bit more then just feet to elevate the case tho.

[CrimandEvil]

That looks awesome Jeeves!

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

very small update, was extremely busy this weekend and didnt have too much time to work.

First I cut out the bottom radiator hole so the 120 has somewhere to go.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/bottomblow.jpg

Then I cut the holes for the water tubes going to the pump. THERE WILL BE GROMMETS ON THEM. I have already tested with one of my grommets, just didnt take a pic of it. what happen was the drill bit i was using slipped and tore the aluminum.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/pumpholes.jpg

Then I cutt he slitts for the screws for the optic drives and then painted the cage.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/cagepaint.jpg

A pic of it prety much done, Still have to go over it with one more coat. And I still need to paint the false bottom and false top white.
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/cagepaint2.jpg

I did alittle more work on the front this weekend as well, but didnt take any pics. Nothing worth taking pics of, just small detail work. Of coarse Wen I will have more.

JEEVES

I will resize pics when i get home tonight, uploaded them late last night and forgot to resize them. I am at work now so I can not do it right now.

[Sobek]

Looks good jeeves. At least that messed up hole is on the bottom and can't be seen.

What kind of primer/paint did you use? ( I'm looking for suggestions for use on aluminum) I can't remember if you mentioned it on an earlier page.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Looks good jeeves. At least that messed up hole is on the bottom and can't be seen.

What kind of primer/paint did you use? ( I'm looking for suggestions for use on aluminum) I can't remember if you mentioned it on an earlier page.

Those holes are on the floor of the inside of the case and will be seen. But........
Then I cut the holes for the water tubes going to the pump. THERE WILL BE GROMMETS ON THEM. I have already tested with one of my grommets, just didnt take a pic of it. what happen was the drill bit i was using slipped and tore the aluminum.
If you do not know what a grommet is, it is a piece of rubber that goes around the hole. You can not see the rough cuts when they are on.

I used a normal sandable primer and, and an off brand white. The main thing with aluminum is just prime it, so that the paint will stick to the primer. It will scratch, but what paint doesnt. I tested a few methods on the back of the mobo tray, and the primer worked the best.

JEEVES

[Sobek]

Thanks for the info. I do know what a grommet is and at least it will cover your mess up.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I just thought I let you guys know that I have beed doing alot of painting/sanding/painting/sanding.... The paint is almost done, will have it done this weekend (ran out of paint yesterday :mad: and it was too late to go get more). I didnt realy see a point to show you guys the painting process as you have all seen it before (wet paint, dull sanded paint, wet paint, dull sanded paint) So this weekend I am hoping to get started on putting everything together :D . Still have alot of wireing to do, and some other little things here and there. But good news is this case will be done in 2 weeks (am aiming for this weekend, but doubting it as the more i think the more crap i have to do). but anyways expect an update this weekend.

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

:cool: can't wait for more.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Ok I must apologize for no updates, but i have been extremely busy. And a combo of missing camera and then no batteries in camera, leaves me with no progress pics :rolleyes: . But here you are, with out further adoo the finished black lightning! And yes this is from quakecon :)

https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontflash.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontnoflash.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/frontpannel.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/inside.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/inside2.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/radiator.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/top1.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/profile.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/inside3.JPG
https://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/falsetopin.JPG

these are just some quick shots i took from the byoc, I will have some much better, detailed pics of the finished thing up in a few days. until then

JEEVES

[CrimandEvil]

:eek: Wow!

[Falls Included]

awww quakecon...

did you see kyle kill the phantom?

[jayjaya29]

:eek: times 1000.


That is sweet, the raised bottom planel makes everything look real clean and organized. And I don't see a single wire.

Man thats awesome. The front bezel also came out nice too with the cold cathodes, or whatever they are.

[steve216s]

thats beutiful man congratulations it looks nothing like the original I have that same case but I couldnt do nothing that good hope your cothodes dont go out that be a bitch to fix

[flat4]

looks real good jeeves. nice work

[v3rt1g0]

Great job. That looks fantastic.

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Thanks, Yeah if they go out there is no replacing them :(. Just to clarify what they are alittle better (I know the pics came out kinda blury). They are these, lightning tubes.

http://home.comcast.net/~james.kelley2/jeeves/lightningtube2.JPG


JEEVES

[Destonomos]

for of u that don't know if i am correct those arn't cold cathodes with the lighting in them, they are car neon lights from streetglow and or liteglow... i forget which...

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

no your wrong, they are ment for computers. you can find them on many mod sites, as well as frys. but yeah you can get simialer tubes for your car.

JEEVES

[SB22]

Hey, it's finally done! ;) I've been following this thing on and off since the start. Good to see that you've finally finished your project.

Have any better daytime pics with a flash? Hard to really see any of the hard work you put into it w/ all the dark pics. Looks good at night though, i must admit :cool:

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Yeah those pics were from quakecon, they keep it real dark in there. My batteries are dead in my camera, again. And I keep forgetting to go get some more. I will prob have better pics of it up this weekend.

JEEVES

[cgrant26]

I like how you did the top recessed blowhole. Maybe you could make another plate to swap out when you get bored. This one could be all black as the offset lighting would be a cool effect too. If you were able to generate smoke over that with the black plate in place, it would give a cool rectangular funnel effect.

[bobwrong]

VERY NICE. I really like the way the front turned out. Great job.

[Captain Colonoscopy]

Just noticed this thread. Excellent work Jeeves. I'm always amazed at what a person can do with Bondo and some sand paper. Those lights die yet? :)

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

Just noticed this thread. Excellent work Jeeves. I'm always amazed at what a person can do with Bondo and some sand paper. Those lights die yet? :)

Not yet, but my vid card is :mad: . I keep saying I am going to take better pictures of my case but never got around to it. I will try to do so tonight, i swear. lol

JEEVES

[steve216s]

Not yet, but my vid card is :mad: . I keep saying I am going to take better pictures of my case but never got around to it. I will try to do so tonight, i swear. lol

JEEVES

cool I've been waiting for some pictures of this case in the light

[DR_K13]

1337!!!111
http://mentallyretired.com/h/index.cfm/u_DR_K13

[Moose777]

Damn, that thing is sexy as all hell.

Good job!!