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Project CheckMate by E.E.L. Ambiense

Okay....another update. Not too much here, but a necessity regardless. I shall perform this update in a Peter Lorre voice. :confused: (a little bit of funny trivia...Peter Lorre actually starred in one episode of the TV show "Checkmate" during the 60s, oddly enough!)

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Let's take care of the window cuts now. I've made my stencil using the acrylic's design to verify everything will mesh correctly. I've placed it on the side panel to figure out where the heck I want it, as well as making sure I have enough clearance to remove the panel correctly without it hitting the chassis itself with the 'pull back and lift' style panels.

sidewindow1.jpg


That looks about right. Let's mark out the holes and cuts now.

sidewindow2.jpg


There we are!

sidewindow3.jpg


Everyone has their own method for cutting panels, whether it's using a jigsaw, a rotary tool, or even a scroll saw. I tend to use a rotary tool on such thin materials, especially since I love using the EZ lock reinforced discs. :naughty:

sidewindow4.jpg


And after a couple mins, I have this. Normally, I'd mask everything off with masking tape, as I've mentioned previously, to cut down on marring the panel. Here, it's not really necessary since the whole panel's getting blasted and coated anyways. I've cut probably a hundred of these things, so it's not a big deal to worry about it, but you really should develop a habit of taping things off.

sidewindow5.jpg


And after three more cuts and hitting it with a flat-file to remove burs, I have this...

sidewindow7.jpg


Now, let's drill out the holes as well...

sidewindow6.jpg


And all done. Bravo.

sidewindow8.jpg


Now, let's toss it aside and prepare for the next stuff!

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Until the next update, I got nuthin'. :thumb:
 
I think you're off by 0.04 mm there on that one cut ;)

Nice work! :D
 
You're most welcome! :D

(no seriously, nice work :) )
 
Alrighty. Don't have a whole lot of time as I've been busy reflecting and enjoying this Memorial Day here in the States. Met with the parents and grand-parents for some 'red-neck cuisine' at the Cracker Barrel® at 9 am this morning, and many who know me personally know I'm a night-person; i.e. I went to bed at 4:30am, so I was a wee bit cranky. :hehe:

Anyways, didn't get a massive amount done as I've been working on other commitments. But I do have the acrylic done and did some test-installs and other stuff. So here's three pics for your viewing pleasure.

Front panel....still need to mark out and cut the panel for final install.

front_test1.jpg


Did a test-install of the side panel acrylic.... buttery-smooth! But I also found out I'm out of my longer #10 screws for the fan install, so I need to place an order with McMaster-Carr. :sigh: I only had some 1 1/8" 6-32's and some nuts so that's how one fan is hanging on there, lol.

sidewindow_test1.jpg


I think this system is really going to be rather cool-running and quiet when it's all done, considering I've added 5 fans over the two that the stock case has.

And finally, the top acrylic.

top_test1.jpg


I have some other stuff, but I didn't photograph it, lol. I apologize. I'll get some more stuff going soon though.

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Until the next update, I got nuthin'. :thumb:
 
Another update has coalesced. Let's get to it before it liquefies, shall we?

Last we left off, I needed to cut the front panel and drill to allow placement of mesh for opened airflow from the exhaust fan. Let's do that.

Marked for drilling...

front_mark_drill1.jpg


But first some removal of stock materials here.

Removal of the stock LED bevels is as easy as tapping it out with something pointy. I use an Exacto knife.

front_led_remove.jpg


Removal of the stock switches is as easy as a slight tap with a heavy hammer. What does that remind me of?.... :eyebrow:

front_stockswitch.jpg


There we go.

front_stockswitch2.jpg


And drilling holes for acrylic mounting, as well as the mesh attachment. All in one! ;)

front_mark_drill2.jpg


Using my little easy-to-read stencil...:rolleyes:

front_markoutcut1.jpg


...I begin to mark out where I need to make my cuts.

front_markoutcut2.jpg


Now, after digging around in my piles of tools for like 20 mins, I finally found my ole nibbler. I need this to cut away just a smidge of the metal inside the stock power switch hole, because one of the mount-screws goes right there. With the mesh behind it, the nut will be easy to mount on the back.

front_nibbler1.jpg


And after some temporarily-loud noise, I have this. Cuts don't have to be absolutely perfect or anything since it's behind the acrylic. But it's a good idea to clean up the cuts, etc. so you don't skin your knuckles....or something else that happens to be in the way. :eyebrow:

front_cut1.jpg


Now, let's do a little test-install of the mesh and stuff to see where we're at.

front_mesh1.jpg


In this case, simple 6-32 screws with nuts. Sturdy and easy to use.

front_mesh2.jpg


front_threading1.jpg


Flip her around, and we have this...

front_testassemble1.jpg


And now let's drop it on the front of the case really quick, shall we?

front_testassemble2.jpg


Perfect! Let's look at that mesh in there...

front_testassemble3.jpg


Nice.... I'm happy with it.

Now, let's do a little test of the slotload DVD drive, shall we? :D (Sorry, no Youtube embed code on this site! Must click through if you want to view it...)

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Until the next update, I got nuthin'. :thumb:
 
Alrighty, here's a little mini-update, as I've been working on other commitments. Let's get to it, shall we?

Since I'm going to be running this loop as a 't-line style' setup, I won't be having a reservoir. But that doesn't mean I need to do it with an actual t-line, right? Let's put a fillport in.

I decided I'm going to put it on the back panel up towards to the top next to the PCI slots. Why? Well, here's the thing; I wasn't planning on having a truckload of expansion cards in this thing. I'm talking, like, well....one. The graphics card. :) So I don't really need to worry about clogging up the PCI slot area. Although, it really won't be a problem anyways. Check it out.

Here's what I'm going to be installing. I had it laying around collecting dust, so I figured I should use it up. I also made a simple little acrylic plate (two of them) for it to go on the back.

fillport1.jpg


I'm going to be putting it here.

fillport2.jpg


....er, well, here to be a bit more accurate! ;)

fillport3.jpg


After marking out roughly where I need to drill/cut/saw/chew...

fillport4.jpg


...I went to work on it. After a few minutes of doing the dance, here we are.

fillport5.jpg


Just a test-install. The screws are bit long, but it's what was close to me at the time. I'll probably swap them out with shorter ones, or even acorn nuts on the ends or something. Who knows.

fillport6.jpg


If you're still confused, I'll simply be running a bit of hose from this fillport curving down to the other fitting-hole on the GPU's waterblock that would normally have a stop-fitting on it (which because of the inverted-ATX setup, will be on the 'top' of the card here, and the GPU itself will be in the 'bottom-most' PCI slot). Problem solved. And it'll make it relatively easy to feed the loop when time comes to get it all set up!

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Until the next update, I got nuthin'. :thumb:
 
Very nice worklog so far, I'm loving the attention to detail.
 
Here's another little one, but only because the work done was time-consuming. I'm tired and I'm building up a migraine, lol. I didn't get much sleep last evening, because I was helping Hank and the gang at Performance-PC's move over to their new (read: bigger by far) location, as well as build shelving & stocking product in the right places. Those poor folks are working like 3 weeks straight without a day off! And I mean 10-12+ hrs a day too. One day was grueling for me so I can only imagine what it's like. Ugh.

Anyways, here's the mini-update.

I kinda got the panels coated, finally, and began assembling stuff. I have something else planned for the front and side panel acrylic, so I'm holding off on finishing those. I did get the top done though. I began assembling the rad/fans onto it as well as the acrylic. I decided not to put in the modder's mesh inserts over the fans for the time being. It makes it not fit totally in with everything else, but I'll get a bit more airflow though (obviously). Who knows; maybe I'll put them in because looking at the pics it's beginning to bother me! :LOL:

top_test1-1.jpg


And lights-on....

top_test2.jpg


top_test3.jpg


yes, even the socket screws are coated white. ;)

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Until the next update, I got nuthin'. :thumb:
 
Alright, first thing's first.

As some of you that are present on other forums, and may have figured out already, CheckMate was nominated for MoTM for May over at B-T. I'm going to state first that it's an absolute honor yet again. Among all the projects I've done since I began modding, I've only just recently began posting the then-current projects on the internet when I registered on B-T a couple years back, in which two of those projects logged on B-T were previously nominated for MoTM. As some may recall, I'm a bit of a 'modding hermit', and I've only just started to come out of my shell a bit by registering and posting, lol. It's Hank B. from PPC's that really started nudging me to post. So this is all still new to me. I just do what I do. So when I wake up to find something like this, it means a lot to me. And it's not something crude like stroking the ego or anything. Like a lonely housewife, it's just nice to be appreciated once in awhile! :D

So once again, thanks to B-T from the bottom of my heart for the nomination. I'm comfortable with my MoTM Loser-Status, and I've already updated my sig there to reflect that. ;) But in all seriousness, it's a total honor, my friends. Thank you ever so much!

If you haven't already voted, get over to B-T and place your vote (assuming you meet qualifications!) NOW. Please, vote for anyone, since all nominees are quite worthy of the status. Well, except for one. ;) Vote! It's your right!

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Now, for the lil' update!

I've been busy with other commitments, as well as getting waaaaaaaay overdue cleaning out of the way. Man, it's quite nice being able to find a damn 3/8" barb fitting when I actually need one without having to clamber through mounds of crap to find it! Take it from me, don't clutter up your work-area. It sucks, and when you do it, God kills a little puppy.

Just to show I haven't been totally idle, here's a little peek into where things are at right now.

I began assembling the chassis proper and getting things wired up. I also installed the castors on the case. Wow, it's weird having a case that can move with literally a fingertip.

assembly_test1.jpg


Some of you eagle-eyed folk will notice the 'XXXXXXXX' is a little bit too high, because with a fitting there it runs right into the bloody rad. :duh: That's one mistake that sucks, and I hardly ever make any when it comes to measurements. I know what happened though; I forgot to zero out my caliper. Stupid. Absolutely stupid. Don't just rely on numbers, also eyeball things! But it's okay; it's fixable. I'll just make new plates to cover all those rear holes on the chassis instead, with the fillport lower. Problem solved!

I also began work on prepping the motherboard...

mobo_1.jpg


Pop off the socket protector...

mobo_2.jpg


CPU dropped in, and was about to push out the TIM, when something occurred to me...

mobo_3.jpg


I don't want to use the stock EK-Wave I was going to use. It's too.....stock. So I started messing around, after some measurements taken, etc. And I came up with this...

cpublock_concept1.jpg


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Until the next update, I got nuthin'. :thumb:
 
What a tease of an update! haha

I was hoping for at least 3 more pictures :p Even if they were just of your newly cleaned work area or something.

Custom block looks slick! I will be back!
 
That block idea looks soo sick, I really I wish had half the talent in your left pinky, you are just that damn good. Keep up the amazing work.
 
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