Skull on Fire

[FlowGaming]

For a long time now I have looked at countless amazing mods showcased here on good
old [H] and I have looked on with envy. Here is my post to help level me up and become
known around here.

Skull on Fire

This is one of my latest creations titled "Skull On Fire" which is not fully finished.
So this is the on-going work log.


Here are a list of the planed stages for this mod

Stages
1) Drawing/Concept
2) Cutting Out Window
3) Cutting Test Flames
4) Taping and Drawing real Flames
5) Etching Window
6) Sanding Case and Top Fans
7) Taping, Redrawing, Painting Case
8) adding Window
9) Adding Lights
10) Making Custom Wires
11) Building
12) Water Cooling
13) Testing
14) bragging :twisted:
15) Building Custom Shipping Box


The Parts Used in this case will be
System Parts
e6600
DS-3 MB
eVGA 8800gtx
2x 74g Rapters
1x 320g Seagate
2g Gskill
Other Parts still deciding





Stage 1

For the first step, I took a little time and Planed my mod. It all started out one day in class
while half asleep listening to my teacher ramble on about his private life and things that he
has done and etc. I had always wanted to paint flames onto my computer case and OC
the hell out of that bad boy. Also I like to game with the lights off late at night, and I
wanted something that would jump out and catch your eye. I am not a much of a dark
person but I wanted skulls.

Also, while I was apart of Aquabox Pc, I had a few Ipods Painted. My favorite of which was
my Skull on Fire Ipod as shown here:

That was where the inspiration that lead me to create this monster

I selected the Lan Li 767 case since it was only $120 at the time and a very nice case.
Not many people have this case and I really don't think that it really got all the credit and
popularity that it really deserves. This is one hell of a case. I think that many major
computer case OEM's can learn from this design and simple style.

The Plain Case

As you can tell its a very nice slick case
me like

I then taped off the case and began to draw the blue prints directly. Starting with the front
door. (this is not the final idea. I am still working/thinking)

Then took of the side panel, taped it off, and began to work on it. While it is not my best
work it really didn't matter. I just wanted to get the general look of the skulls. Thats all I
really needed.

 

[FlowGaming]

Step #2

In this step I started to cut out the side window. Well I mean... my friend cut the side
window (he didn't want me to cut my hand off )

Then Sanded the Edges to get rid of all the sharp edges.

One by one. Lines where cut into the side window to get rid of the extra metal around the
skulls. I left a nice half inch around the first cut so that if the blade would had ever jumped
it would not have cut a good line. This was also a good way to make sure that my next
cut would also be clean.

one side of the skulls cut out

Now Both Sides done

Then I went back and put the side panel on the case and saw what it would look like.

Everything was going fine up to this point. I got my nice brand new hand dremal out and
started to cut out the eye holes. Well after about the second set of eyes I began to smell
something burning and brushed it off thinking it was the tape i was cutting through. So I
continued. Then my lap felt really really hot. When I looked down my dremel was on fire
and there was a huge fire ball on my lap. So i jumped up and threw it across the room and
padded out the flames.

Don't worry all good 8)
But I don't know why a dremel cough on fire like it did.

Anyway, grabbed a new dremel and finished the job. (I have cleaned the eyes at a lot more)

Now for a little self glory =]

 

[FlowGaming]

STAGE #3 Cutting Test Flames

It took me a while to try and think of a good idea to use on my window. I wanted flames
but did not know how I was going to implement them into this window. I came up with the
idea of cutting flames directly into the Plexiglas and beaming a light into the Plexiglas from
the edges in hopes of illuminating the etched parts.

So, I bought a nice think piece of plexi and was about to use it when I noticed it had a
huge scratch all the way across it. It was about 11 or so at night and just decided to have
some fun with it and FSU =]

Taped off the Plexiglas

Then with a razer blade cut out the outline of the flames and peeled off the tape. Took a
piece of sand paper and went to town.

Meanwhile my good old buddy Jason went looking for a LED of some sort to test with. He
could not find any and decided to put his skills to work and made one hell of a "Getto
Mod" as he called it:

Supply's
-3x AA batteries
- ~5x inches of painters tape
- few inches of wire
- replacement LED head

So with the sanded Plexiglas and Getto LED it was testing time

I went back and sanded a few differnt ways to test out differnt textures

I also made a movie of the flames in the dark that can be downloaded here
http://www.flowgaming.net/Tman/Computers/Skull_on_Fire/Test_Ideas/Test_Flames_Movie/


Thats going to look SOOO NICE =D

 

[FlowGaming]

I have almost finished the real side window. I will post that as soon as I am done.
(maybe tomorrow sometime)

 

[JonCl]

Nice vid! That LED is bright! Nice work too. This will be fun to watch... subscribed!

 

[devil_trigger]

Oh dear lord...I think I just shat myself....

I'll be sending you my side panel ASAP bub!

JKing of course. It does look amazing so far though, so keep up the good work!

/subscribed

 

[FlowGaming]

Thank you very much guys =]
You have no idea how happy I am that you guys like this. For I have been working hard on it
and have put quite a few hours into this bad boy.


Also, this may be a little off subject but was filmed during a break. I think you will like it =]
Holy Flame Balls Batman :O

 

[oneil]

Nice little workshop you got there.. keep up the good work!

 

[Arcygenical]

God I love LED lit etched windows

 

[craigbru]

Great work man!

 

[alik4041]

Nice job. I can't wait to see the skulls when they're done

 

[digital_exhaust]

Wow...um.. holy shit...That is wicked cool man. I'll be watching this. Nice work.

 

[NebulaD]

Looks pretty damn sick so far! I can't wait to see the finished case.

 

[Mr_And3rsson]

i realy like the them of this mod, i'm into this kind of stuff to ^^
nice work on the cut-out, looks good

 

[P3N1X0R]

sickness dude

 

[WarMace]

I like how you sanded the flame, I was going to use my dremel to etch my name in some lexan, but your way looks more uniform!

Im not surprised your dremel caught fire, mine gets super hot and when i first got it it was fine. I now wonder if it needs lube or something...

 

[WarMace]

Also, this may be a little off subject but was filmed during a break. I think you will like it =]
Holy Flame Balls Batman :O

Is that bondo?

 

[FlowGaming]

warmace
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlowGaming View Post
Also, this may be a little off subject but was filmed during a break. I think you will like it =]
Holy Flame Balls Batman :O
Is that bondo?

I think thats the name of it. Its the stuff you use to smooth out dents and out stuff like I did
on my my friends PowerBook

warmace I like how you sanded the flame, I was going to use my dremel to etch my name in some lexan, but your way looks more uniform!

Im not surprised your dremel caught fire, mine gets super hot and when i first got it it was fine. I now wonder if it needs lube or something...

First time using it. Only used it for like 5 min before it cough on fire

 

[AlphexHunter]

Awsome job there and its only the beginning can't wait for the finished product! Subscribed!

 

[FlowGaming]

Sorry guys no progress up date yet


Though I am currently working on the next phase and have a few questions for ya
-are there any good LED tutorials that are simple?
-can someone link me to 1 or 2 really good UV colored 120mm fans?
-I have another idea for something that I want to add to this case. Though its going to be way
to hard for me to hand cut out. I really don't want someone else to help me but... are there
any good sites that do laser work/in graving work?
-where can i find honeycombed mesh?
-where can i find colored Plexiglas?


like I said a few ;P



Thanks guys/girls

 

[Exanimis]

Great work there, hope all goes well.

I have a post in the main part of cases about where to get stock aluminium and plexi also

 

[FlowGaming]

big update due tomorrow ;D

 

[FIDDYOWNZ]

I love this mod. Give me one. Please. High Five.

 

[Willsonman]

Sorry guys no progress up date yet


Though I am currently working on the next phase and have a few questions for ya
-are there any good LED tutorials that are simple?

-where can i find honeycombed mesh?

Thanks guys/girls

LED info:
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showpost.php?p=650636&postcount=8
Resistor calculator:
http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz

Honeycomb mesh:
http://www.crazypc.com/products/200.html

Hope that helps some... looking good.

 

[FlowGaming]

Thank You VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!
that helps a lot!!!!!!

Also I think I find out what my next mod is going to be after my other planed mods
I have not been here in forever!!!

 

[Willsonman]

yeah, that place has some weird stuff... it too has sparked an idea for the case that will be barren after I finish my current mod... no hints though

 

[FlowGaming]

to bad this will be an about 2x months
I still have this computer, a 3+ TB server, SFF, 2x more watercooled computers, xbox360,
and a laptop to go before I can start on this idea, lol. (all will be done in about 2x months or
soo. So, mod a week when I have more time) hint* hint*


("bumps" are also welcome to keep this thread alive. If you want to see more mods
and things that I can do, this will help to let me know so I can mod more for ya )

 

[FlowGaming]

OOO SNAP!!!!!!!
I totally for got to post a section to my work log!!! lol

Here is the section that will answer your questions and also tell you more about my mod

The Skipped Worklog Update

So now the skulls are cut out and things are looking good. My next step is to take my
huge piece of plexi and cut it to the correct size for the window.

Tools Needed
-SawZaw
-Tape
-Pencil/Pen
-Ruler

I first made sure that there was no imperfections on the piece of plexi that I was going to
use. After that I covered it in tape so that nothing would damage it after I took off its POS
factory protection cover! After that I measured the dimensions that the window had to be
(make sure it is bigger then the opening and will allow you to connect it to the case! lol)
Went back to my plexi and measure the dimensions.

(sorry can not find pictures of this process)

After everything is marked its time to CAREFULLY CUT!!

The tool:

hint* It is a lot easier if you cut the plexi running the blade towards you

This is not how you do it!!!

So now that it is cut out, I put it on the backside of the side window and made sure that
everything was the way that I wanted it. (the nice thing is that since the window is inside
this case all messed up cuts are hidden for the most part. Though mine came out PERFECT!)

Everything Came out PERFECT. The next step is to draw the outline of the window onto
the taped plexi. that way you know how the window will line up in the end. So line it up
on the back side and then holding it in place flip it over

Then trace the outline of the window

Not you take the pencil and begin to draw da flames

Now with a sharp Razer Blade begin to cut out the flames. (how well can you stay in the lines?)

Now carefully pull up the the tape thats covering the area that you want to be etched

Checking how it looks

There she is =D

Now start sanding

I sanded with a fine scratch pad and regular sandpaper. Depending on the type of plexi
you have will great impact what you use to sand it with. My test piece was very soft and
my fine scratch pad did a very nice job. Though the piece I actually used for the window
it was a lot stronger and I used 400 grit sandpaper. I also used some 800 grit to smooth
it out and then took the fine scratch pad to it to buff it out a little bit.

Honestly the best thing to do is just test it out. Things really changed between the 2x
prices of plexi. The first was easy and fast the actual piece I used took forever and was a
lot harder.






UPDATE* Finish Flames



Final sanding the Plexi

Though, I did run into a few close call scratches. If you ever try this yourself. Be very very
careful. You can easily pull up an edge and mess everything up

Removed the Tape

I then placed the plexi behind the skulls to see what it would look like finished

Then for your Teaser here is 1x LED lighting this baby up in a well light room

Now here is a teaser for the next thing Im CURRENTLY working on

I really hope you guys are enjoying viewing this mod as I am building it. This really is a
work of passion and love rather then labor. I really am enjoying this creation, and I guess
thats the most important thing

Next Update Coming Soon

 

[Arcygenical]

Oh god I love purple.

It's by far my favourite "glowy" colour.

 

[AMD_RULES]

Holy Shit
how did i miss this worklog, Flowgaming?
Nice job so far...I gotta try this shit some time

haha

 

[Exanimis]

Excellent work again


Can you elaborate in detail as to how you did your plexi etching? which grit or tip worked the best for you and such.

Looks like you used wool with a polishing compound

 

[AMD_RULES]

Excellent work again


Can you elaborate in detail as to how you did your plexi etching? which grit or tip worked the best for you and such.

Looks like you used wool with a polishing compound

yes plz do tell us and also, any tips on how to make those flames would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[FlowGaming]

OOO SNAP!!!!!!!
I totally for got to post a section to my work log!!! lol

I updated the work log above me and put things in order

 

[blendingnoise]

subscribed just to see the side panel all done. Can't wait to see the whole thing all lit up.

 

[FlowGaming]

why thank you

your support keeps me moding

 

[alik4041]

OOO SNAP!!!!!!!
I totally for got to post a section to my work log!!! lol

I updated the work log above me and put things in order

Makes a lot more sense now thanks

 

[FrEaKy]

that looks friggin awesome bro, I love it!

 

[darkangel74]

Love what you have done so far. Keep up the good work.

 

[Top Nurse]

Very cool mod with the case cut for eyes and the sanded plexi is looking so nice Can't wait to see the painted skulls with their see through eyes!

 

[FlowGaming]

well today sucked :/

Lets see....
-Research 2 poet's. Read 2x of their poems each. Write a page about each poem and list
more then want I want to type today + a break down of each. Write your own poem. Talk
about it and break it down.
-15x pages of physics worksheet back and front
-1 day math lesson and test tomorrow
-physics test tomorrow over back holes, starts, red shifts, etc that we learned about a few
months back.
-Research the date you where born. What happened? things that have happened in your life.
Things that you have done. (Very long detailed list of whats need.)

Now I am not one to complain very much. Though I only have 3x more days left of school
and this all gets dumped on me today!!!!

I want to mod people!!! thats all I want to do!!!



Anyway, quickly going to work on the top radiator and cut it out. Though its going to be
tough. Since it is some very very very thick metal and there's 2x layers of it.


Worklog later tonight



Also, is there anyone that knows LED's very well? I really need to have a few questions
answered. I have no idea what I am doing and was wondering if there was someone out
there that could help break things down for me and go over them with me till I got them.
I really do need help. Thank You!