High Octane & Diesel

[BlackCat]

So this will be my first worklog here and hopefully not the last as I have way to many ideas for new mods. Funny thing is i barely have the insides for the cases i make but i make due with all the old stuff i have laying around. anyway on to the mod so heres how it all starts

One day i'm trying to clean up around the house and come across some gas cans i have been storeing for about 2 years. I got them from a friend while we were working HAZMAT clean up and he got them off a job and had no use and so he handed them of to me of course being a pack rat like myself i took them. So here they sat for 2 years through 2 moves i had lugged them around.
"Hey hunny i'm gonna get rid of these damn gas tanks unless you know anyone that wants them."
"Really i thought you were going to mod them."
this is the point at which i kick myself and kiss her for being such a great find. I hadn't even thought of it in the slightest.
So here are the annoying gas tanks that have become my next project.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0079.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0080.jpg

so i pull out my 3D sketch prog and get some rough ideas.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/gascan01.jpg
here we have the front intake fan.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/gascan02.jpg
rouch compnent and window layout
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/gascan03.jpg
then a little more components in there with some clear walls so i can see how it will lay out
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/gascan04.jpg

With this roughed out shape everything "looks" like it will fit in there lets hope i'm right. i'm useing a miniatx to save a little room. Sorry for the next part i got a little caught up with the design and cutting so i forgot to take pictures but here abouts how it went.
1. i snap a cut off disk onto my dremel and start cutting out the bottom plate this will hopefully end up being the cover for a slide out mobo and component tray.
2. I find out there is a lot of rust in this old thing so out comes the sander to get it cleaned up since it's all a bunch of surface rust anyway it should clean up really nice.
3. Realize that i am wasteing my time trying to get my hands and the sander in there and get the dremal back out to cut the window since it would open up a nice big hole to get in there. size out the window and get to cutting after i run out of cut off disks after about an hour i am now left with a 3/4ths cut window. luckily i had thought of this problem before hand and cut a deep groove all the way around just in case i ran out and so i grabed it by what was already hanging and very very carefully started to wiggle it back and forth to bend it out as i did the joint got weaker and weaker and thn finally snaped. a bit of clean up on the edges and phase one is complete. here are a few pics.
With a little edge molding in place i test fit the mobo tray, PSU, and the CDR
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0076.jpg
everything seems to fit in there just as planed and at this point i rant off to my friend about how my brilliant pre planing has made this project so much easier and he rolls his eyes at me. but the truth is if you plan well you can get things done a lot faster. and avoid cutting out the wrong side of the gas can yes the mobo is mounted upside down but this was honestly in the plan. i wanted the airflow to come in and over the harddrive then across the board then back out over the cards rather than getting trapped under the cards in the bottom of the case. so overall it did work out to plan just a diffrent design as my friends are determined i just screwed up. i guess the world may never know who to believe. anyway I will be testing out the diffrence with the second part of this mod. on with the show. here is another shot from above of the compnents inside.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0077.jpg
Over all the project is coming along nicely. I will post more when i get a little further along. tell me what you think let me know.

[FiZ]

Very cool idea. Would be perfect for LANs. Looking good man, keep us updated.

[Tos]

Awesome idea !! I'll monitor this thread

( plus that makes quite a nice LAN computer :D )

[lightprocess]

can't wait to see this finished. btw, what CAD software are you using?

[Goat]

looks kinda like sketchup
is there going to be a door on the side or just the window

[BlackCat]

your right sketch up the plan is to have a window on the side and a door on the back for access to ports unless any one can tell me where i can get some pass through wires for the mouse keyboard and graphics.

[Sobek]

Sweet job and a very cool idea. I would make two more (just cases, no internals) with the other cans and sell them.

How are you going to get the window in there?

[v3rt1g0]

LOL! This is great.

My reservoir would be a perfect match :D :D :D

http://images.kekeke.org/~mikeb/MikeB_Watercooling_Pics/DSCN0505.jpg

[linked 'cause it's a big pic]

[ness1469]

How much do those weigh empty and how thick is the metal?

[BlackCat]

actually to sell them is the point i am trying to make them in such a way that i would be able to offer them as custom cases on my website. (http://www.blackcatpcs.com) actually thats what i love to do is make computers into art. hopefully i will be updating this thing later today just have to find the camera again and get my pictures off loaded.

[BlackCat]

How much do those weigh empty and how thick is the metal?
they wiegh around 5 pounds once the window is cut out. which makes them perfect for lugging around. the metal is about 1mm-1 1/2mm thick but it's hard steel so it's incredibly tough. over all yeah the idea was to make a LAN case.

[Blackdog]

what'd you have to do to clean up any gas residue or anything that was left in the cans?

[BlackCat]

what'd you have to do to clean up any gas residue or anything that was left in the cans?
Welll since i was in the hazmat field when i started this i grabed these white pads that we used to clean up oil they are awesome because they soak up oil products but not water so i basically ran water inside them and the soaked out the gas that was left gas then sanded it down to get rid of the surface rust

[v3rt1g0]

I took a high power pressure washer to the inside of mine. Plus some pretty noxious cleaning agents. Still smelled a very tiny bit like gasoline. I've been told there is a big difference between just the smell and there actually being any residual gas.

[BlackCat]

I took a high power pressure washer to the inside of mine. Plus some pretty noxious cleaning agents. Still smelled a tiny bit like gasoline. I've been told there is a big difference between just the smell and there actually being any residual gas.
well yes and no the smell will linger yeah but if it doesn't fade off after a while then you still have some residue hiding in some crack which really isn't a problem unless your working with useing it as a res for your WC then you may end up with it adding a slight bit of gas to your water. Which if you don't know is not a good combo for WC since Gas is a oxidizer which may not strait up rust anything but can deffenently add to the potential for corrosion and other nasty stuff you don't want happening in you water cooling system. Over all i would HIGHLY suggest if you are useing it for water cooling rinse that thing out really really well, try and get everything out of it because even trace amounts of any oxidizer will shorten the life span of you wc compnents. If it still gives off any smell of gas then i would suggest leaveing in a well ventalated area open as you can get it so that if there is any gas left it will evaporate out. anyway i'm ranting now i'm ganna get back to work on this can .

[BlackCat]

So now it’s time to make this thing “Sparkle” literally but first lets handle the window. I cut a piece to fit out of some spare plexi and went searching for the right image to etch in. Then it suddenly hit me, “contents are flamable do not expose to heat or flame.” It’s a gas can what else would it have on the side but the DOT Symbol for flamable. so i got to etching with my dremal and here are the results.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0059.JPG
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0060.JPG
Next Step took some thought and some amazing ideas were offered up by several friends but only one took the prize. Mirror Finish. Not an easy task when talking about a gas can that was made out of very textured metal but I LOVED the idea and had to do it so... hence the birth of the High Octane mod. Hence why there are two names here i have a total of 4 of these gas cans so i desided i would make two diffrent project out of them. heres a few pics of the paint stripping process.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0100.JPG
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0101.JPG

I used this OFF paint stripper from krylon i believe and this stuff is truely amazing it bubbled off the heat treated enamal of this gas can. granted it didn't work exactly how it was supposed to since you should be able to simply wipe the paint off but it got it down far enough that i could take if off with a wire brush on my drill.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0104d.JPG

[v3rt1g0]

well yes and no the smell will linger yeah but if it doesn't fade off after a while then you still have some residue hiding in some crack which really isn't a problem unless your working with useing it as a res for your WC then you may end up with it adding a slight bit of gas to your water. Which if you don't know is not a good combo for WC since Gas is a oxidizer which may not strait up rust anything but can deffenently add to the potential for corrosion and other nasty stuff you don't want happening in you water cooling system. Over all i would HIGHLY suggest if you are useing it for water cooling rinse that thing out really really well, try and get everything out of it because even trace amounts of any oxidizer will shorten the life span of you wc compnents. If it still gives off any smell of gas then i would suggest leaveing in a well ventalated area open as you can get it so that if there is any gas left it will evaporate out. anyway i'm ranting now i'm ganna get back to work on this can .

Yeah I pressure washed it, and left it out in open air for a good two weeks at least.
There's still a very very faint gas smell to it after using it for several months.
It's probably coming from the rubber seal around the mouth of the can I'm guessing.

[BlackCat]

Yeah I pressure washed it, and left it out in open air for a good two weeks at least.
There's still a very very faint gas smell to it after using it for several months.
It's probably coming from the rubber seal around the mouth of the can I'm guessing.
yeah that is the most likely source as rubber tends to hold gas a lot more than the metal would obviously i would suggest replacing it if you can

[BlackCat]

i need some suggestions... I would like to keep the out side of the gas can fairly intaked so i was originally just going to cut a door in the back and hindge it so all of your cbales would attach and then you could close the door. The main reason for that being i wanted to keep at least most of the compnents and such on a removable tray. That way you could tip the thing over and slide out your entire system for any kind of upgrades or swaps. the door Idea is still the most likely but if anyone hase some suggestions for how to get the internal mobo soket to the outside i'm willing to listen. the only requirment is to not damage the phasade of the gas can to terribly.

Any suggestions???

[Poatree]

It would be REALLY amazing if you could find an old pump handle like from a gas station u kno? then have that somehow attached to the back, with the wires coming from the "spout" of it...

wee 1st post :)

[BlackCat]

hey every one i just wanted to say i will be posting more on this later today as i finally got the sanding pretty much done just have to get the pics up loaded it looks sweet. still looking for ideas on how to interface with the motherboard without actually cutting the back up to much all ideas are welcome.

[spidy]

Can't wait to see the new pics :cool:

[TMOA]

cant wait for the pics :) one idea i had what about finding a mount off a jeep and or truck and using that to house the mobo and all , also the nozzle idea was not a bad one :)

Ill think somemore about the non destroying the back thingy...lol

[Oneos]

Hey this looks really cool.

Just wondering what prog did u use for the sketch?

[BlackCat]

Hey this looks really cool.

Just wondering what prog did u use for the sketch?
look back on the first page


Ok so finally i was able to find the time to get my pictures uploaded sorry it's taken so long but first off the sanding took for ever, and then theres the fact that i started another mod which i will be posting in a little while in the worklogs. anyway so on with some pics

First i started out with a wire brush on my drill to remove the rest of the paint and get it down to the bare metal then i started with the base plate to make sure i didn't gouge the metal with the sand paper i was useing since that would just make more work for me in the long run.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO//IMAG0102b.jpg
A few hours and some wire brush work for the hard to get places and here it
is half of the paint gone.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO//IMAG0106f.jpg
After a few more hours and a few more grits the True shine slowly starts to emerge and now we’ve got it down to a chrome like apperance. Looks good but still not the goal I have in mind.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0110h.jpg
While sanding out on my porch I got a visit from a cute little praying mantis. I guess someone approves of the idea.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0022.jpg

Looking much better starting to get that chrome like apperance with some spots of the mirror like showing through
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/IMAG0023.jpg

So after a lot of putting it off I finally just got down to business and finished up most of the sanding here are some pictures of it.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/Picture_058.jpg


And after about an hour I got this image looking pretty good if you ask me but not there just yet.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/Picture_061.jpg


And a couple shots from the out come of this session of sanding.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/Picture_060.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/Picture_062.jpg


As you can see it’s looking pretty good overall the mirror like shine is coming out but the texture is a pain to work through. Over all the sanding takes a lot of work as you can’t do it for to long or it will heat up the metal and start to discolor it and then you have to let it cool back off and come back and take off the discoloration.

[BlackCat]

So the final sanding session, pretty much went from 400 to 600 to 1200 grit to
take it down to a nice clean smooth surface. so after about 5 hours of
sanding it finally comes out pretty sweet a few spots still have to be
hand sanded down to a nice shine but the bulk is done. heres a few pics.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/9-16-04_008.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/9-16-04_009.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/9-16-04_010.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/9-16-04_012.jpg

Over all other than the detail work in some of the parts i couldn't get the sander into the sanding is pretty much complete. next i'll start actualy putting the computer in there.

[antoniohawk]

That is one amazing sanding job. Keep up the good work man. :)

[BlackCat]

basically i used the same premiss of lapping a heat sink start out with a grit and slowly work up to the highest you can get

[ColinR]

You mentioned pass through cables on page 1. How about wireless keyboard and mouse? Maybe wireless for the lan. Note that the metal may interfere with the signal, so putting the receiver somewhere plasticy (like near the window). Fo the monitor lead, monitor extension cables (male one end female the other) should be pretty easy to come by. Where you mount it is up to you - wherever it goes you'll be breaking up that fantastic finish :(

Good work. Btw, how eco-firendly was that paint stripper? Do you have red grass now? :D

Edit: Something just struck me when I was looking at that panel leaning against the chair - a set of dog tags to go with the military feel!

[BlackCat]

the paint stripper is some pretty bad stuff but no my grass is still green... mostly. :D most of can basically came off as this gunk rather than how the can says it's supposed to. so most of it was scraped up and disposed of with a paper towel and a putty knife. the dog tags are deffinently an interesting idea. maybe one with typical name and such plus the modders name make a great contest piece and poof all the info right there.

[BlackCat]

so here i am trying to work out these on switches i don't know if you can see them but on the top front plate of the gas can right behind the opening there are two holes. one is ment to hold the screw on lid and the other to be honest i have no idea what it does. so i figured i would throw the on/off switch in the hole seemed perfect place for it and it would work with the can it's self rather than drilling a new hole somewhere. the hole it a hair to small... :o not a problem just find myself a drill bit to fit it I've got the tools hell there everywhere (much to the displeasure of my girl but my workshop is my office the porch and the living room at times what can you do) i go on the hunt for a bit that will fit, no problem, pop out the first set of bits, the one i need is missing go firgure. Head to the tool box where they end up if they don't make it back to the case, not there either. ok, ok, next option that monster set someone gave me a few years back where is it... closet... pull it out obviously someone other than me has been useing this set because yet again a lot of the bits are missing. ok.... hmmm.... i know the old reliable fall back..... DREMEL.

I will hpefully get some new pics up either today or over the weekend.

[XeRo_Dark]

too sexy....... :D :D :D

[XPCSniperXX]

Wow that sanded one is beatiful! I love you idea by useing gas cans. Makes for a great lan rig. I may wanna do a mod like this someday. Great work and keep it up! :D

[Tos]

Damn, I'm getting tempted to follow your path and mod an oil barrel we have laying around ( 120L automotive oil barrel, stainless steel ) that will prolly need some shortening but hell, it would make a kickass case + nice screen stand :D

[UnknownSouljer]

Are you gonna cover your case with something after all that sanding and polishing? It looks great, but I would be very worried about oxidation...

[Garage81]

this is gonna look sick when its done, awesome sanding man :D

keep the updates often!

[XPCSniperXX]

Are you gonna cover your case with something after all that sanding and polishing? It looks great, but I would be very worried about oxidation...

I am curious about oxidation too.

[Hobbes874]

I love the polished look of the gas can! Looking like a great mod!

[XeRo_Dark]

awh it woulda looked so sexy if it was still bubbly :D lmao....... actauly that would look kinda cool if you could get it to stay bubbly like that, though the bubbles would have to somehow harden almoast like a plastic or somethin, but hey that would be a cool idea.

[BlackCat]

awh it woulda looked so sexy if it was still bubbly :D lmao....... actauly that would look kinda cool if you could get it to stay bubbly like that, though the bubbles would have to somehow harden almoast like a plastic or somethin, but hey that would be a cool idea.
actually your the third or fourth person to say that remember i've got four of these gans to play with maybe i'll give it a shot on one of the others

[ColinR]

A guy called ColdDawg (maybe Cold Dog) did a polish job on a Next Workstation cube. He coated it with some sort of lacquer. When I saw the poor machine "in the flesh" at had mucky finger prints all over it :( . I thought it was quite a big case when I saw his worklog but it was actually diddy.

[BlackCat]

so sorry i have not posted of late, i've been busy helping family pack up thier house. Anyway in my spare time i have been doing a bit. first let me say i will get pictures up as soon as i can get them up on my web site. But i've run into a bit of a snag in the design first off the edges are rounded taking up a lot of room that i had neglected to compensate for in my sketches. therefor a few things aren't working out right. The Mobo and the PSU fit just like they should even the HDD fit in there the problem is with the DVD drive by the time i put in the mounting for the Mobo and then the window in the damn thing is stuck up there this does not lead for easy exchanges by ANY means. So i have been trying to figure out where i can mount it or get something smaller. You guys have seen the sketches all the way to the mirror finish i have on the thing. any ideas? I've got a few of my own that i will be trying but more are always welcome.

[spidy]

If the DVD is your only problem just go with a slim drive. It's easy to hook up and it's great for tight spaces. Look here at newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-154-017&depa=0)

[BlackCat]

that was actually exaactly what i was thinking down to the model and website (well that one or maybe a slot loader so i could just cut a small slit somewhere.) ;)

[BlackCat]

Ok so i think i'm going with this drive
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=27-154-020&depa=1
If someone knows were i can get an adapter to convert this drive to an IDE interface it would save me a loft of time.

[theshadow27]

http://www.idotpc.com/TheStore/Peripheral/_Spec.asp?Product.id=658&Cate.id=11&Product.status=green

[Captain Colonoscopy]

Great mod, looks absolutely fantastic so far. The sanding job is phenominal.

I have a question for you. I'm working on a mod right now that I had to strip the paint off of for powder coating. Half way through the de-painting process I decided that I liked the look of the bare metal better. I would like to know the process you went about to do such a fine job of sanding and polishing your case. I re-read the beginning of your thread but I don't see anything about what materials, specifically, and the process involved. Did you sand the whole thing by hand after you went at it with the wire brush or did you use one of those sanding disc jobbies you can get at the hardware store? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Look forward to seeing the end result.

[BlackCat]

the process basically went a little like this
Off paint remover
Wire brush on my drill
then the sand paper on a power sander it's better to use one of the orbital sanders rather than a disk sander because the disk sander will leave more swirl marks where as the orbital you can polish it out fairly easy.
then just step up in sand paper gits i started with 120, then 200,400, 500, 600, 800, 1200 to get the finish i wanted

if anything i suggest you take your time with it it's annoying and tedeous but stepping up a grit just to find out you missed a spot wastes a lot more time.

BTW sorry i haven;'t updated lately first my service went out for a few days and second i've been waiting for parts. i will hopefully update later today or tomarrow. Thanks for the interest

[Captain Colonoscopy]

Thanks for the fast response. I was thinking about using steel wool or scotch-brite pads to give the "grain" a uniform direction and then just polishing the crap out of it. Thanks for the info. Good look with the rest of your mod. :)

[BlackCat]

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO//9-26-04_007.jpg
So there are these two holes up top in the handle a perfect place for a Power button and possibly the Restart button. ( I say possibly since the buttons are not exactly hard to push and what would be worse than having someone bump the button and restart the whole system.)
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO//9-26-04_010.jpg
Here’s my buttons I originally got them for a completely diffrent project but they seem to work to perfectly in this case. Unfortunatly the whole I wanted to use is just a hair to smalle So we must make it bigger. So after searching the house and finding nearly every one of my drill bit sets missing the exactly bit I needed I did what any good modder would do...

Pulled out the dremal and got to work.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/9-26-04_011.jpg
So here the button is installed looks pretty good but I think it will end up getting painted silver to better match the tank.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/9-26-04_012.jpg
Here’s a side shot of it.


http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_009.jpg
Time to get some air into this monster. placement.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_011.jpg
Masked out and marked for the center hole.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_013.jpg
Pilot hole Drilled no problems right on the dot.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_014.jpg
And here through half the drilling with the 3” hole saw I say again, ALWAYS make sure your battery is FULLY CHARGED BEFORE you start (waits for 30 minutes while battery recharges.)
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_019.jpg
Whole nearly completed take it nice and easy at this point worse thing to can do is rush it or you might end up with a jagged edge when the hole saw starts jumping.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_020.jpg
All done perfect hole now I just have to clean up the edges get rid of the burrs and smooth it out a bit.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_022.jpg
After some grinding with the dremal and grinding stone it’s done beautiful.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_021.jpg
Time to mark up those pesky screw hole. I grab my cheap extra fan grill and use it as a guide. Marked and ready.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_023.jpg
Drilled them out gave them a quick double check with the fan grill everything lines up. Pulled off the masking tap and found that the hole saw heated the metal up just enough to melt some of the sticky onto the can (the slight dicoloration on the left side there) no problem we will just clean it up with some goof off or something.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/10-7-04_024.jpg
One fan down time to work on the other. Looks pretty good if you ask me.

[ProphetSix]

Damn! Good job. This is really starting to look sick. I hope you're planning on using aluminum fans for this case. I think plastic would just look fugly after all the work you've spent on the polish. Also, if you're gonna paint the power button, I'd think the chrome paint they sell would be better then just plain silver. Something like this (http://www.krylon.com/main/product_template.cfm?levelid=5&sub_levelid=12&productid=1775&content=product_details) from Krylon would be sweet. Maybe chrome for the power, and brass or gold for the reset.

[G.I. Jesus]

why dont you use the flame fan grill? BTW it looks truly AWESOME!!!!!

[BlackCat]

planning on useing the flame fan grills and diffrent fans than those in the pictures just haven't gotten the order yet so still waiting on them.

[themark]

I love this mod, and the way it's going, but I have to say I visualize a better button solution than the cast-off's you've got in there now. After all that polishing (a work of art), I suggest a button in line with your theme. How about...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/197524/Starter.jpg

http://www.handa-accessories.com/s2000-03.html Near the botton of the list.

It's a bit pricey, but worth it for the effect I think. Either this, or some of those flip-up toggle-switch covers they use on fighter jets. They would really hot-up your controls.

[BlackCat]

actually now that you mention it i am thinking about adding a tubular lock key switch. personally i miss the days when you could lock a system up. but it would have a chrome finish that would fit perfectly and it would just add some cool to the thing but we will see if i can get it.

[BlackCat]

hey guys i appreciate the support first and for most. It's been taking a bit long in these "final steps" (as is it could be complete its a mod) The interior layout ended up a bit tighter than i would hve liked so i had to redesign the interior from the ground up.

couple of changes first off with the slides in place it makes a regular CD Drive nearly impossible to fit comfortably so i've changed to the slot loading slim drive which will also allow me to not have to hack up the exterior as much as i thought.
but again the placement became an issue. the power supply has moved from the top to nearly the bottom since first the Mobo cable couldn't reach and second i want to keep the interior cables tiddy. My order for fans and grills has gotten delayed due to a lot of bull with the address so thats holding it back to :mad: . also been thinking of a few more mods and so thats been taking a bit of my time (don't worry i plan on posting every mod on here as a worklog) so hopefully we will get some nice days out here so i can do some of the final cutting outside (foot and a half of snow currently) I will post more Pics as soon as i have some to post.

[themark]

Hey Black Cat, how about posting some of your trials and mis-trials fitting it all in? This is a worklog after all ;) Mis-cues are sometimes the best learning tools, and I for one, am really interested in the process you're using for fitting all the bits in there. You did take pictures... didn't you?

[altec]

well the windows has got to get some cleaning but looks cool none the less hope to see how it comes out.

[BlackCat]

actually the window posted is the first one i did out of some scrap i had laying around after trying to clean it up and not really getting anywhere I desided to just forgo sanding and such and make a new one out of a fresh sheet of plexi.

[altec]

oohhhhh ok cool :D

[BlackCat]

Ok so i've been doing some work on it and things were going pretty well till an idea FAILED misserably :mad: :mad: :mad: . So anyway heres some pics for you guys new layout and such. (still no fans or grills :rolleyes: but supposedly they're on there way now.)
Ok first to pics everything but the window in place (nothing solid just mock up)
This first pic you can see the new layout motherboard in place loose light placement (which is actually around the window on the upper wall in this pic.) PSU there at the bottom.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04009.jpg
next another pic of the PSU and there you can see the CD slot drive on bottom don't know if you can see it but the pins are really tight there against the tray.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04010.jpg
so to solve this pin problem i'm going to cut out a passthru so you can get to these pins without pulling the entire thing out.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04012.jpg
A quick pic of the slide mounts that the tray will rest on this will allow the entire tray and all components to slide out the bottom for easy access and trade outs.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04019.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04020.jpg
after a few holes drilled and the passtru cut and tray placed on mounts (not secured yet):
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04021.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04022.jpg
so everything was going well then i went to mount the slides in place since i didn't want to deter from the outside apperance i thought ok how about we secure a few small bolt to the inside. In theory this seemed like it would work wonderfully. allowing me to secure the entire inner workings without drilling any holes.
so out comes the good old JB WELD this stuff has worked for me many times before time for it to do it's job again. got the JB the bolts and the paper to mix this stuff on time to get to work.
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04023.jpg

Mix it all up goo up the bolts really well avoiding the threads of course put them on the marks everything going beautifully now we just take a pic and go to bed since it has to set for 4-6 hours over night being better.

http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-01-04024.jpg

So i wake up today and deside to mount the slides looks good they haven't moved all night (two cats in the house you never know when things are going to dissappear on ya)

Line the holes up looks beautiful they are perfectly alligned so i start to bolt it in.....
SNAP!! the first one i try to tighten the nut down pops off... well that sucks lets try the other maybe that one just didn't have enough surface gooed. switch to the other side and start off this sides looks fine no sudden snaps everythings holding. bit of a stress test i push down slightly trying to get a feel if it will hold the tray and all components POP!! both of them pop right off with the slightest downward push.

So.... much to my dismay that idea will not work so at this point i give up my dream of a spotless exterior and give up to a few bolt heads on the outside. Stablility in my opinion is a bit more important than keeping the exterior perfect. besides the bolts will line up nicely with the exterior X on the other side giving a nice accent to it.

Now if anyone out there hase a better idea speak up quick cause i'm itching to get this project moving along so i will hold off till later tonight before i put a drill to it if anyone has a better idea.

[themark]

OK, I got a suggestion. I think your problem here is that the JB-weld lacks surface area to adhere to the steel when applied just to the top of the bolt. I suggest making a thin plate (or giant washer) and counter-sinking a tapered bolt inside it (see pic). This way you'll in essence have a bolt with a huge head, to glue to your wall. I'd really like to see you keep your flawless exterior on this, especially after all your polishing. Don't give in to the dark side! ;)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/197524/OctanePic.jpg

[BlackCat]

beautiful illistration thanks for the suggestion It's worth a shot so off to it

[themark]

You're welcome B-Cat. I had one other thought after looking at this again. You might want to bolt the whole assembly together (tray/tracks/bolts/big washers) all tight and smooth and then glue the whole thing into place. That way you can be sure the alignment is perfect, and that you won't glue a bolt or some other potential mishap. As I recall, once JB weld is set, that's it, and this may be such an occasion. Good luck, and post pics when done!

I'm all excited that I might have actually had a good idea on this. :D

[altec]

OK, I got a suggestion. I think your problem here is that the JB-weld lacks surface area to adhere to the steel when applied just to the top of the bolt. I suggest making a thin plate (or giant washer) and counter-sinking a tapered bolt inside it (see pic). This way you'll in essence have a bolt with a huge head, to glue to your wall. I'd really like to see you keep your flawless exterior on this, especially after all your polishing. Don't give in to the dark side! ;)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/197524/OctanePic.jpg

om if you want a tip to go with that sand the plate and gas can with 60grit in the spots were the jb weld is going helps the jb weld bond

[BlackCat]

yeah was alredy planing on sanding it given that a smooth surface wouldn't bond very well

[altec]

ya just wanted to tell just in case :D

[BlackCat]

just a quick update it did work unfortunatly one side was held off by the curve just enough to not let most of the JB connect the two pieces so yet again i must wait another 6 hours while it dries (AGAIN!!!) oh well thank you very much for bringing up the idea

[altec]

well you can poprivit it

[BlackCat]

so the JB worked fine, found out that the metal pieces i was using for "washers" bridged so well that it didn't let the JB touch except in the few spots so after redoing it it worked wonderfully. no problems. I will be getting pictures up of the progress hopefully tonight but we'll see. in the mean time I thought i would show you a sketch of the control panel (I.E. the passthrough ports) It will be mounted behind a slide plate (i hope) on the back side of the can as to hide the ports when not in use.
http://www.bcpcs.com/assets/images/ControlP01.jpg

ideas??? thoughts????

[themark]

Hey BlackCat, glad the washer thing worked out. Please post those pics when you can. Did you decide what you're going to do about the switches? Are you going with the keyswitch?

[BlackCat]

sorry i haven't posted lately Xmas and all then on top of that work and work around the house so i haven't had a lot of free time. i will try and get some progress pics up soon.

[Drunkinsquirl]

havent checked this thread in a while but it looks like coming along pretty well, nice job man

[BlackCat]

so just a quick update to say no this isn't a dead thread or project but ran into a few set backs

1. The huge order of a buntch of mod materials had some MASSIVE issues and ended up being rolled off. Outcome - didn't get some materials i needed.
2 Xmas came and went and money became a problem. Outcome - I'm broke and can't get the parts i needed.

So the project has been set back until money becomes a little less tight. but fear not i will get this thing done.

[Graphite]

I'm not sure if you have decided this particular route...making a mobo tray, PS holder and etc, but this site has everything you need. Making these items from scratch provides a tacky cosmetic appearance. The can/case itself is very nice just reffering to the inward parts. I don't know, if its an issue of measurements (hardware not fitting correctly inside the can) than I can understand this approach.
Nonetheless, here the link.
http://www.silverpcs.com/category/cases.lianli.lianlireplacementparts/?p=3

[elite.mafia]

This looks like an awesome mod, I think I'll watch it.

[DeViLdUdE]

Gas Tank Project -- VERY [LAN READY]

[stumpy]

just read through this log for the first time, looks great man, hope you get everything sorted out. Great idea....

[tsuehpsyde]

Yeah, keep this thread alive and finish up the project....the thing is amazing looking.

[Hom@R]

This thing looks awesome so far, I hope you can get it all together.

[BlackCat]

So i finally oredered a few parts i've been missing and a few i've desided to make myself such as the fans. so i' will be putting up some new pics and should be getting it much closer to finished in the next week or two.

[thewhiteguy]

I can't imagine cutting something that thick with a dremel, you are a patient man. This better turn out good, I hate to see an awesome gas can get cut up.

[BlackCat]

like i've said before i've got 4 of them total if this turns out good (which i can't see really not at thist point) the other will be modded in various diffrent ways. It's not like i ever use them anyway don't usually need that much gas on hand.

[pilotman2004]

Glad this thread popped back up to the surface, will definitely watch! Keep up the good work, I'm sure its gunna end up looking great.

[GodSpeed]

The slide rails did it for me, I'm a man that likes usable equipment. The gas can is a perfect box as you have a handle built in... Slide rails, never thought of that before.. This is being watched! :cool:

[DRJ1014]

wow that is a wonderful idea.

how much to make me one ;)

[shadow-13x]

Any updates?

ThE sHaDoW

[BlackCat]

So i got the parts but then the day i got them i also got an order for a custom computer so i have been working on that this past week and a half or so and will be for the next week... I will be posting a work log for that one as well and will link to it as soon as it's up.

[BlackCat]

Project Om 8 days to complete a complete custom case and computer

Project Om (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=868951)

[Goat]

what an uber awesome idea. loving this enclosure. sucks that it doesn't have PERFECT panels.....kinda dented in some places. are you gonna be able to straighten those out?? It would seriously look professional if you did that.
http://www.mentallyretired.com/h3/index.cfm/u_124852 (http://folding.extremeoverclocking.com/user_summary.php?u=124852)

[Ozone77]

Heh, personally, i would like the "aged and beat up" look.

Finish up with Om soon so we can get more updates :D

[BlackCat]

ok ok no more promising updates and not actually doing it i am uploading the pics right now and will have an update within the hour. sorry

[BlackCat]

So as i said before the JBWeld worked grat with those "washers" in

A few pics of what it took to get it to actually work...
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-12-04032.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-12-04042.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-12-04041.jpg

Then i couldn't resist the urge any longer so i wired the lights up to a test PSU i have and lit the baby up just to get a good feel for the thing....
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-12-04043.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-12-04044.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/12-12-04049.jpg

Window work...
Someone at one point on one of these boards mentioned it would be badass to make the window contain liquid to make the gas tank feel more real so a few pics of the window in progress...
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/2005-02-14035.jpg
http://mods.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/2005-02-14036.jpg

getting this baby not to leak is a pain in the arse but worth the effort for the effect it will have... well thats my quick little update i'll find some more picks of the progress since then and hopefully get another update out to you shortly.

[undeadsac]

this was looking to be an extremely good mod, what happened to it?

[Juicy_Red_Apple]

give us some updates.

awesome worklog :cool:

[altec]

give us some updates.

awesome worklog :cool:


Should of just let the thread die....

[Juicy_Red_Apple]

why do you say that :rolleyes:

[{bmf}CrackSmoke]

why this thing is friggen cool

[undeadsac]

I thought that this was a really nice/clean mod and would love to see how it was finished.

COME ON let's see it.

[SC385]

got this from his profile
BlackCat
[H]Lite

Last Activity: 08-12-2005 01:28 AM


i also checked out his website and looks like we have more up to date pics of the case than his site does... so i guess we wont see the end..

[Majin]

Well I hope BC see's that we have brought his WORKLOG back from the dead and he continues to give us something.

But since his own site doesn't have the up to date pick that [H] does, I don't think we will ever see this finished in all its LAN glorry!

[toymachineman19]

That's too bad, this looked like a sweet mod.

[BlackCat]

No it's not dead. I went through some hard times and was out of work so taking odd jobs and such to try and make ends meet. then i get a job and basically i'm either at home or at work and when i work it's for weeks at a time and i live on site. so doesn't leave a lot of time for modding but at least i have the money to keep it up now. i'll be home for a little while so i'll see what i can do and up date just for you guys. so i'll do what i can... but no promises yet

[themark]

Glad to hear you're back B-Cat and that Octane is still a go. I was wondering what happened to it. Hopefully you make some progress on it in your now limited free time. :cool:

[[DGN]Nexus]

when do you think that you would be able to start working on this one again.. it's awesome.

[pre1014]

best luck man, and the drawer hardware for the mobo is a great idea. Oh, and it looks great all polished up like that. BUT, it looks so good you barely know its a gas can

[BlackCat]

so as i said i got some more work done. i'll try and get some pictures posted today. for now i'm off to work.

[Humour]

:D

Woot! Its back... I cant wait to see some updated pics.

[[DGN]Nexus]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... this project gives me a boner :D

[BlackCat]

Yes i know it's been a very long time since i gave you guys some pics but working and liveing where you work isn't easy on the free time. But it's all better now i have my computer with me now. so here an update for all of you wonderful people.

So lets start with some of the pics i found of some of the older work.

First off i needed to make the fans a little more interesting than just plan led reds or plain black and since i honest didn't have the spare cash for either of those i took some old stock fans and modded then. If you can't afford it make it.

Here they start of with a silver paint job.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14038.jpg

Drilled some holes at about a 45 for the new lights.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14039.jpg

PERFECT fit.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14040.jpg

4 new red LEDs and all 4 holes drilled
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14041.jpg

1 all wired up and running beautifully and a shot of my kitchen in the backround. Looks sweet.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14042.jpg
Little shaky but you can see how well it lights up
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14043.jpg

Pic of the finished fan and my messy ass desk. Problem when you've got about 7 projects kinda going at once.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14044.jpg
Number 2
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14046.jpg
All wired up and thrown into the eventual homes. looks good to me.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14047.jpg
and the one up top.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14048.jpg
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14049.jpg
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14050.jpg

And look wat showed up in the mail thank god been waiting on getting these for months at this point.
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/2005-02-14051.jpg

With these new fan grills i couldn't just leave that old plan old black edge molding. so we went shopping and found some great chrome
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05007.jpg
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05008.jpg

So heres the old black stuff on there...
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05006.jpg
And the new stuff...
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05010.jpg
and a close up on it
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05011.jpg

Now to show off the new fan grills

The one up top... Looks nice
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05004.jpg
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05012.jpg

The one up front check out that shine you can see the design clearly on the desk. Awesome i love em... what you think...
http://www.bcpcs.com/worklogs/HO/02/03-06-05005.jpg

Promise to try and keep you up to date on te progress but be warned working 7 days a week and living where i work tends to hurt the time i get to spend on the mod. so it may be slow but it's not dead.

[Captain Colonoscopy]

looking fantastic, keep up the good work!

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/148779.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=148779)

[dj_2004]

Wooohoo its back from the dead! Keep it up man

[Tyklfe]

Amazing work, can't wait to see it come along!

[daedal]

That fan grill looks awesome there.
Nice swap on the molding too!

[u8myrice]

Amazing worklog and project. I have the exact same fuel container you do. I might steal your idea and make one. ^__^

[unhappy_mage]

Nice looking mod! Hope you can get a little time away from work over the holidays to relax...

and finish this! :D

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/150072 (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=150072&tm=33)

[lozaning]

lookin good i really like those fans