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Project:: Black Lightning

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.
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.
falsein2.jpg

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).
falsein.jpg


And a shot through the fan hole in the front to show you how much room it gives me down there.
bottomroom.jpg


And you ask, what on earth you need that much room for? Well my radiator, 120 fan, and pump of coarse
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.
radin.jpg


and another shot
radin2.jpg


then of coarse had to see it with the door on.
radin3.jpg

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)
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.
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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!
 
siege said:
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
Click to expand...

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.

gigglebyte said:
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!
Click to expand...

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
 
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
 
gigglebyte said:
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
Click to expand...

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...
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
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.
pumpholes.jpg


Then I cutt he slitts for the screws for the optic drives and then painted the cage.
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.
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.
 
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.
 
Sobek said:
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.
Click to expand...

Those holes are on the floor of the inside of the case and will be seen. But........
JEEVES/whohasmyname? said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
Thanks for the info. I do know what a grommet is and at least it will cover your mess up.
 
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
 
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 :)

frontflash.JPG

frontnoflash.JPG

top.JPG

frontpannel.JPG

inside.JPG

inside2.JPG

radiator.JPG

top1.JPG

profile.JPG

inside3.JPG

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
 
: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.
 
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
 
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.

lightningtube2.JPG



JEEVES
 
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...
 
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
 
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:
 
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
 
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.
 
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? :)
 
Captain Colonoscopy said:
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? :)
Click to expand...

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
 
JEEVES/whohasmyname? said:
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
Click to expand...

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