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Custom Aluminum Case

Here is a good thread with quick disconnect info, Easier to do the watercooling with the removable tray that way.
 
The polycarbonate sheet and film arrived today! I snapped some pics to show how much it diffuses.

Here's a quick pic of the paper model next to my G4 tower. There's quite the size difference!

Next2G4.jpg


Here's the test light: the left speaker of my JBL Creature:

Creature.jpg


And here's a pic with the polycarbonate film taped to my keyboard in front of the light (approx 1.5" away):

CreatureDiffused.jpg


The light is not very bright, mind you. The LED(s) I use will be much brighter. I might frost the back of the back sheet of plexi (ie the side of the "sandwich" of plexi furthest away from the aluminum side panel) so a little more of the light gets reflected to the front (and the film) and then put the LEDs on the top, sides, and bottom.
 
That stuff looks pretty good! Is that stuff clear? I've never seen polycarbonate before (as far as I know), I'm going to have to get myself some of it.
 
Polycarbonate and Lexan are basically the same thing. The film is translucent - when objects are really close, they're easily seen; as they move further away, they become blurred. If I stick a page of text under the film, I can read it as long as the film is almost right on top of it. As I pull the sheet away, the text becomes unreadable.
 
Lexan isa GE brandname for Polycarbonate. If you see "Hyzod" or "Tuffak", that's also polycarbonate. It's all pretty much the same, just different manufactures.

Aqua, this looks awesome.
 
I just wanted to post, so this thread keeps updated in my userCP - REALLY NEAT LOOKING PROJECT. I've got a G4 sitting under my desk next to my pc(s) as well. Interested to see how this thing turns out...
 
Originally posted by dewhite
I've got a G4 sitting under my desk next to my pc(s) as well. Interested to see how this thing turns out...
Click to expand...
Hey lets start modding that thing!:D

Originally posted by Aqua_Geek
Polycarbonate and Lexan are basically the same thing....
Click to expand...
Okay thats what I thought; I have a pic that I want to turn into a transparency but I also was thinking about "backlighting" some parts of it.
 
Thank you for all the positive comments and helpful suggestions! I really appreciate it!

I am contemplating increasing the depth and height of the case by 2" or so. This would make the case comparable in size to the Lian-Li PC-71. It would also allow the much-needed room for the compressor and cooling components.

I think I finally have almost everything ironed out...

Just one quick question, though. On the G5 case, the holes on the top/back/front panels stop half an inch from the edge. Is there any way I can achieve this same effect or am I just going to have to live with the holes extending to the edges (and around the 90 degree bend)? Does that make sense? I could probably get them cut out of a plain sheet in the pattern with the WaterJet (which I will more than likely use in lieu of the laser cutting) when i get the rest of the stuff cut. Couldn't I? How much more expensive would that make the cutting? Along that same line, McMaster only has aluminum "decorative" sheets with 2 different size holes. I'll have to call Benner and see what they have.

OK, one more quick question. As far as a removable motherboard tray goes, how should I go about achieving mounting it in the case? Should I put in guide rails (ie a 1/2" thick bar of polycarbonate with a groove cut out of it)? I will more than likely have an aluminum panel running horizontally (if looking from the side) underneath the PSU like I mentioned in an earlier post. Should I just take an aluminum or polycarbonate L-shaped piece, mount it to that panel, and use it as a rail to rest the tray on? How do I keep the friction down between the two pieces? Or should I even worry about it?
 
As far as the G5 look, I'm not to sure except to say maybe getting a piece from Perforated Metals Plus and marking out the pattern then use a drill press or something like that to cut out the holes. I know this guy used a removable tray for his mod.
Oh one last thing, the case looks alittle "thinner" then the G4 case maybe you should look to widen it as well. This is shaping up to be quite an awesome mod!
 
Speaking of modding G4s and getting distracted...

Here's an early pic of a G4 case that I bought off eBay and modded. Sorry about the crappy pic, I didn't have my Sony F717 back then :D

G4BottomWindow.jpg


I cut probably 7-8 lbs of steel off the case in the form of windows! I think I went through 23 cutting discs on my Dremel - those windows took FOREVER to cut! I also took some denatured Alcohol to the side panels and removed (most) of the paint. I got distracted, though. I couldn't decide on which mATX board I was going to buy to put in it. I also couldn't figure out the whole back I/O panel situation. It now just sits in a cardboard box with packaging peanuts...

I guess that this G4 case counts as my first mod. So technically this G5 case is my second mod. Maybe I'll actually finish this one... :p
 
So...you..uh..still have the G4 case aye..have you ever thought of maybe selling it..ahem.;)
Sounds like it's ready to go too.
 
Yeah, I've thought about selling it. I bought it off eBay for $180 though, so I wouldn't sell it for anything less than $200 because of all the work I put into it. And I don't think anyone is willing to pay that much for it. :(

I could be wrong, though...
 
Originally posted by raideon
this stuff looks really cool! has anyone tried it yet? Doesn't look too much more than pipe soldering/braising.
Click to expand...

I read somewhere yesterday that 5052 Al (the stuff I'm planning on using) welds great but braising doesn't work too well... That's OK because I'm planning on getting it welded anyway.
 
Originally posted by Aqua_Geek
Yeah, I've thought about selling it. I bought it off eBay for $180 though, so I wouldn't sell it for anything less than $200 because of all the work I put into it. And I don't think anyone is willing to pay that much for it. :(

I could be wrong, though...
Click to expand...

What kind of mod did you do to it? Pics?
 
Not to turn this into a G4 discussion, but for the I/O panel on mine I shaved out the inside edge of the case between the IO area and the first card slot. It still looks the same from the outside, but does not require removing the sound ports on the mobo. For the IO panel I used aluminum gutter guard. This allows some ventilation and looks very good. Unfortunately, it is now sitting in the corner as a spare case (i.e. for sale)
 
Originally posted by vudoo
What kind of mod did you do to it? Pics?
Click to expand...

Disclaimer: all these sizes are measurements from the picture in my mind and may or may not be correct. :D They are only a close approximation.

I basically cut a 4"x8" piece out of the top, 2 pieces out of the side opposite the fold-down tray (a 6"x8" one and a larger one - you can see the larger one in the pic; you can also see the left cutting line for the smaller upper one in the pic). I was thinking of putting a fan hole in the bottom, but never got around to it. Like I mentioned, I took some denatured alcohol to the side panels and they are basically clear; there is a little bit of paint in the corners and some scratch marks in a few places - nothing an hour of work could fix.

It still has the HD trays, the 5.25" and the 3.5" drive holder, all the feet, all the outside plastic (including the part of the front panel that covers the drives) and the large side panel fan.

I can get some pics when I go home this weekend.
 
Sorry to disappoint, but I forgot to get some pics of the G4 case when I went home last weekend.

Along the lines of the G5 case, I will not be able to purchase the chiller until this weekend and the aluminum will have to wait until my next paycheck (2 weeks from today).
 
Good luck with your aluminum case. Too bad there arent any bad G5 cases out yet.
 
wow I really wish the search feature was on

I just built a computer about a month ago and I had the same idea of either attempting to make or mod a G5 case.

I love the design but I'm a n00b to case building and I thought it was a little more than I could handle

good luck in the build
 
Originally posted by Notquiteanewbie
I just built a computer about a month ago and I had the same idea of either attempting to make or mod a G5 case.

I love the design but I'm a n00b to case building and I thought it was a little more than I could handle

good luck in the build
Click to expand...

Any thoughts? Anything I may have overlooked in the design? I am also a n00b to case building - this is my first built case and only my second modded case. I guess you learn from experience, right?

Thanks for the support! It is greatly appreciated.
 
Hows the update going?
I was looking through some other forums for software to help better emulate the look of OS X better when I ran across this thread.


Do you know that We Love Macs sell beautiful/good-looking Quick Silver G4 case for $199?

I ask for G5 case and i get this answer:

"Hello, we do have the G5 case, they are 199.99, you will need to call to order.


Thank You

Sincerely,
Kelvin Penny
Sales/Technical Support for We Love Macs 408-588-0077 (XT 332)or toll
free 1-866-636-6799
www.welovemacs.com
Yahoo IM: kelvin_penny
AIM: KelvinMemoryX

>
> "Martti Tiainen" <martti_tiainen@hotmail.com>
> ------------- Forwarded message follows -------------
>
> You sell G4 Case for 199$ . Do you sell G5 Case and if you sell it
> soon, what is price for it?
>
Click to expand...

Heres the site: http://www.welovemacs.com/info.html
And heres the page: http://www.welovemacs.com/g5casenps.html
 
Wow! Considering the price they are going for on ebay, that is a downright steal. So they have the side panels?
 
Originally posted by Xeese
Wow! Considering the price they are going for on ebay, that is a downright steal. So they have the side panels?
Click to expand...
Huh? Side panels? From what I can tell it's a complete case. They also have the G4 series cases for that price.
(Ugh- I need Coffee!)
....Okay I understand what you mean.
 
I wasn't sure on side panels since the only picture was the full frontal one.
 
Originally posted by Moros
I think LSU would look better than USC.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but I don't go to LSU. :D

CrimandEvil: WOW! Thanks for that link! Now I might just buy one and mod it... Hmmm...
 
Please do! Don't forget to post alot of pics!
Damn I'm building an HTPC and a G5 case would look so sweet! Too bad I need a new video card for D3 and HL2 (Damn video games!)
::sniffle:: I wish I could get one :(
Cool I just noticed that there in Santa Clara, Don;t you live close by? I think I have an Aunt that lives around there.
2800 Bowers Ave, Santa Clara, California, 95051
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by CrimandEvil
Please do! Don't forget to post alot of pics!
Damn I'm building an HTPC and a G5 case would look so sweet! Too bad I need a new video card for D3 and HL2 (Damn video games!)
::sniffle:: I wish I could get one :(
Cool I just noticed that there in Santa Clara, Don;t you live close by? I think I have an Aunt that lives around there.
Click to expand...

Well, I just did. I will probably sell this one on eBay and buy another one to mod (which would already be paid for by the sale of the first). Yeah, I noticed that they're in Santa Clara. Santa Clara is near the Bay Area - I'm 5 hours or so away, so I just had it shipped.
 
:D So when can we expect some pics? ;) I'm sure you could atleast get two more for your custom G5/PC.
 
Originally posted by CrimandEvil
:D So when can we expect some pics? ;) I'm sure you could atleast get two more for your custom G5/PC.
Click to expand...

You'll get some pics of the case when it arrives (Friday or next Monday). I'll be out of town this weekend, so no modding. :( Next week is wide-open (it's the week before Spring Break :cool: ), so I'll go buy a dremel at Home Depot and find somewhere other than my dorm room to remove the stand-offs and cut the hole for the back panel out of the back of the case.

CrimandEvil: check your PM.
 
I don't know if you have a Walmart near you but I've seen them go for around $30-35 there. I have go sometime this week (need some mod supplies) so I'll see what the price is like. I'm thinking of picking another one up.
Oh yeah, you have PM :D
(Damn I thought I need to get some sleep but that totally got the adrenline running.)
 
Originally posted by CrimandEvil
I don't know if you have a Walmart near you but I've seen them go for around $30-35 there. I have go sometime this week (need some mod supplies) so I'll see what the price is like. I'm thinking of picking another one up.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got a WalMart 15 min away. I didn't think about getting one there... Thanks for the price check.
 
Theres a G5 case on eBay right now- $51 with six days and 19 hours to go.
I'm going to be watching this one ;)
 
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