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looking great . : )
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Water system: Project: Silver Ocean
- Thread starter mechatech
- Start date
TheOneGreatX
Weaksauce
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I think the second logo is the best.
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This looks great!!!
Keep it up.
Keep it up.
cornelious0_0
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TheOneGreatX said:
Ditto, very nice.
I've shown the logo's around, cant seem to get a majority response. So i'm making the final call the 3rd one is the winner. For its simplicity, goes well on everything i'll stick it on, mouse, mouse base, keyboard, reservoir, radiator, front of case, dvd drive cover and whatever else i can think of.
Quick updates from now on. This is ALMOST done.
Keyboard and mouse base get their share of blue...
washed keys
keyboard blew up
final coat of blue paint
Rest of this will be up soon..
the 3rd one is the winner. For its simplicity, goes well on everything i'll stick it on, mouse, mouse base, keyboard, reservoir, radiator, front of case, dvd drive cover and whatever else i can think of.Quick updates from now on. This is ALMOST done.
Keyboard and mouse base get their share of blue...
washed keys
keyboard blew up
final coat of blue paint
Rest of this will be up soon..
TheOneGreatX
Weaksauce
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- 116
are you planning on painting the keys, or leaving them?
mechatech said:I 've shown the logo's around, cant seem to get a majority response. So i'm making the final call
{snip}
I think you made the right call--I like that one the best.
How are you going to make the decals for you quick launch keys? I've got a Saitek keyboard that has the command pad that I use mostly for WinAmp. I was thinking of doing the same thing. All I was going to use was simple stick-on labels--perhaps you have a more elegant solution???
cornelious0_0
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mechatech said:
Nice, I can't wait, this project is getting nicer by the day.
Hey hey, another update..
First of all i'd like to say thanks again for all the nice comments.
I love how the keyboard turned out!
My decal paper came from http://www.beldecal.com/
I arranged all the graphics on one sheet of 11x17'' decal paper and printed it out.
The way the paper works is, after it's printed you have to clear coat it with several coats, several as in at least 10 coats of paint(not heavy coats), i should have done more.
I added some test dots to the sheet, after like 8 coats i tried out a dot. If you don't have enough coats of clear on it the inkjet ink will smear all over and dabbing the water off ruins it.
I printed more graphics than i needed just in case one messed up.
Then i just cut out each piece. It is a good idea to cut away as much excess white paper as possible.
Just plop the decal in some water, wait 1 minute and take it out. It slides right off the paper and onto whatever you want it on.
OK, so its not Preamweaver, i fixed the D after my wife came over and said whats the P mean? I dont actually look at the letters while i'm working the artistic magic.
These were so tiny i used needle nose plyers.
Sticking the logo on the base.
In this picture you can see the reflectiveness of the paint.
the mouse decal didn't workout as well i hoped. Surface was a little too curved and the ink smeared (not enough coats of clear). Also, i left way to much extra paper on it.
Well this was fun, just like a puzzle, i had to cheat for some keys.
Here it is, the finished keyboard.
I couldn't decide what icon i wanted for the 1st quick launch key. I'll link random programs and stuff to that key. The gun icon will be used for any particular game i may be obsessed with. First game will probably be F.E.A.R., i havn't played it yet. 3rd button is of course Photoshop, 4th is Prea.. i mean dreamweaver. then Flash.
First of all i'd like to say thanks again for all the nice comments.
I love how the keyboard turned out!
My decal paper came from http://www.beldecal.com/
I arranged all the graphics on one sheet of 11x17'' decal paper and printed it out.
The way the paper works is, after it's printed you have to clear coat it with several coats, several as in at least 10 coats of paint(not heavy coats), i should have done more.
I added some test dots to the sheet, after like 8 coats i tried out a dot. If you don't have enough coats of clear on it the inkjet ink will smear all over and dabbing the water off ruins it.
I printed more graphics than i needed just in case one messed up.
Then i just cut out each piece. It is a good idea to cut away as much excess white paper as possible.
Just plop the decal in some water, wait 1 minute and take it out. It slides right off the paper and onto whatever you want it on.
OK, so its not Preamweaver, i fixed the D after my wife came over and said whats the P mean? I dont actually look at the letters while i'm working the artistic magic.
These were so tiny i used needle nose plyers.
Sticking the logo on the base.
In this picture you can see the reflectiveness of the paint.
the mouse decal didn't workout as well i hoped. Surface was a little too curved and the ink smeared (not enough coats of clear). Also, i left way to much extra paper on it.
Well this was fun, just like a puzzle, i had to cheat for some keys.
Here it is, the finished keyboard.
I couldn't decide what icon i wanted for the 1st quick launch key. I'll link random programs and stuff to that key. The gun icon will be used for any particular game i may be obsessed with. First game will probably be F.E.A.R., i havn't played it yet. 3rd button is of course Photoshop, 4th is Prea.. i mean dreamweaver. then Flash.
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I really like the keyboard. If I ever find a keyboard worthy of painting then I might do the same.
My dvd drive face plate is all white. Here is what i did to make it fit the theme.
I took off all the stickers and the sony logo, I had to lightly sand the front to remove the logos.
Here's a before look
I peeled the plastic part off and measured it. Then made my own graphics for it.
The white face plate was also painted black.
I glued the face plate plastic back on. When i did it kinda screwed it up. It's been removed and fixed, so the next time you see it, it might look slightly differen't.
I took off all the stickers and the sony logo, I had to lightly sand the front to remove the logos.
Here's a before look
I peeled the plastic part off and measured it. Then made my own graphics for it.
The white face plate was also painted black.
I glued the face plate plastic back on. When i did it kinda screwed it up. It's been removed and fixed, so the next time you see it, it might look slightly differen't.
Fantastic! I love the way that all looks.
You've got your own "branded" computer now!
When you say "clear coat" are you talking about the Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear High Gloss spray the website recommends or are you talking about something more heavy duty (like automotive clear coat)?
You've got your own "branded" computer now!
When you say "clear coat" are you talking about the Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear High Gloss spray the website recommends or are you talking about something more heavy duty (like automotive clear coat)?
cornelious0_0
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Turning out very nice, more pics!!!
cornelious0_0
[H]F Junkie
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mechatech said:As you can see, the side panel is assembled, anybody notice that.
Nice, movin' right along...keep going.
bmxfelon420
n00b
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- Jan 22, 2006
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looking good, if i had a 3 outlet block i wish that there were Y connectors that had the 2 outlets parallel instead of in a Y, for a setup like yours it would make it easier to route.
Think i'll have to disagree with that one. The Y connector makes it easier to route the hoses so they miss hitting the video card. When i get the hardware installed this should be easier to see.
Unfortuantly I'm waiting for UPS to deliver some goodies, scheduled to arrive on the 30th
Thats kinda slowing things down a bit.
bmxfelon420
n00b
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true, its kinda hard to estimate how it will all route when you can only see from pictures, I guess it all depends on how its set up.
Also, have you considered making a shroud for the radiator? You could duct it into the case, to make it double as a case exhaust.
Also, have you considered making a shroud for the radiator? You could duct it into the case, to make it double as a case exhaust.
I thought about making a shroud between the fans and the radiator, but the gap is so small i'm not sure how much it would help. The PSU sits right below the back half of the radiator, so drawing air up through there wouldn't work, but i do have the big hole below the front half, its covered by a square mesh covering with a filter on it. This should suck some air out of the top of the case.
As far as making a shroud for that duct, I dont know if it would help cool the radiator by blowing warm case air over it. I have 2 fans on the back of case for blowing warm air out, so the case should have some nice airflow.
As far as making a shroud for that duct, I dont know if it would help cool the radiator by blowing warm case air over it. I have 2 fans on the back of case for blowing warm air out, so the case should have some nice airflow.
This part turned out much worse than i hoped. Pretty crappy actually.
Something will have to be done to fix it up
Feed the metal to the mighty dremel tool!!
The idea was that the blue LED fan behind it would shine bright blue through the clear area. But the center of the fan is covering most of the logo, so not much blue.
Plus without the computer on, It just looks flat and impossible to see.
I don't know what to do with it really, The Praetorian logo has raised polished metal that is really shiny.
Any help is definatly welcome.
Something will have to be done to fix it up
Feed the metal to the mighty dremel tool!!
The idea was that the blue LED fan behind it would shine bright blue through the clear area. But the center of the fan is covering most of the logo, so not much blue.
Plus without the computer on, It just looks flat and impossible to see.
I don't know what to do with it really, The Praetorian logo has raised polished metal that is really shiny.
Any help is definatly welcome.
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Frost the plastic by sanding it with a good rough sandpaper.
Give the edges of the plastic a slight bevel (semi roundish).
Reprint the logo you make EXCEPT only print the circles and letters, leave the black background out of it so that the black circles and letters show up on the illuminated frosted plexiglass. OR make a stencil and paint the circles and letters onto the frosted plexiglass.
Wire up an LED directly behind the logo. Since the plexiglass is frosted it will illuminate well. Dont use too bright of an LED though, it would blind you!
Give the edges of the plastic a slight bevel (semi roundish).
Reprint the logo you make EXCEPT only print the circles and letters, leave the black background out of it so that the black circles and letters show up on the illuminated frosted plexiglass. OR make a stencil and paint the circles and letters onto the frosted plexiglass.
Wire up an LED directly behind the logo. Since the plexiglass is frosted it will illuminate well. Dont use too bright of an LED though, it would blind you!
paradoxblue
Gawd
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looks ok. maybe paint the acrylic black? or find a edgings like a rubbed edge or something to glue round it?
Just posting to say I like where you've gone with this rig. I like the logo, and what you did with the mouse and keyboard.
On a side note, it's good to see another non-chicago modder. I'm located in Urbana, IL.
Anyway, keep it up. Can't wait for the finished product.
On a side note, it's good to see another non-chicago modder. I'm located in Urbana, IL.
Anyway, keep it up. Can't wait for the finished product.
Thats great, Not alot of computer modders in my tiny town of hoopeston thats for sure.
Nice to hear from someone thats only an hour away.
Thanks!! yea thats the way i'm going to go now.
Sucks that radio shack charges like 5 bucks for 1 LED, i hate waiting for a .59 cent LED to be shipped though.
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Hey, I just frosted some plexiglass tonight... I got it to turn out really well.
Do you have an orbital sander? I used my orbital with 120grit. I sanded both sides of the plexi and it turned out great... glows really well.
Do you have an orbital sander? I used my orbital with 120grit. I sanded both sides of the plexi and it turned out great... glows really well.
I wish i had a sander, i think thats next on the buy list.
I hand sanded the piece already. Started with 220 grit then 600 grit. looks pretty good, can't see too many line marks.
Do you think it would be worth it to drill a hole for the LED or would setting it directly behind the plexi work just as well?
I hand sanded the piece already. Started with 220 grit then 600 grit. looks pretty good, can't see too many line marks.
Do you think it would be worth it to drill a hole for the LED or would setting it directly behind the plexi work just as well?
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mechatech said:
Um... the lighting would probably look a bit more even if you made the LED be a few inches away from the case badge. Maybe 2 inches if at all possible?
If you drill a hole or even put it directly next to it then the LED would seem like its just shooting right through the plexi.
You could try to put an LED on either side of the logo pointing directly at it. One LED on the left behind the bezel and one LED on the right behind the bezel. The end result could possibly look pretty cool if it works out like I see in my head.
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Ya know... if you sanded down the tip of an LED and put it directly next to the case badge it might look alright. Ive never done that before so I cant say for sure...
You could possibly make an angled piece of plexi like this:
/____\<--- angled piece
|____|<--- logo
The smaller flat part would have the sanded down LED pressed up against it... Im thinking that the shape like that would make the light distribute over the logo more evenly.
You could paint the angled part of the angled piece with some chrome paint to make the light funnel toward the logo as well... kind of like a headlight on a car. One side open to recieve light from the bulb, the cone shape to funnel the light, one side open to let it out.
Maybe? I dunno...
You could possibly make an angled piece of plexi like this:
/____\<--- angled piece
|____|<--- logo
The smaller flat part would have the sanded down LED pressed up against it... Im thinking that the shape like that would make the light distribute over the logo more evenly.
You could paint the angled part of the angled piece with some chrome paint to make the light funnel toward the logo as well... kind of like a headlight on a car. One side open to recieve light from the bulb, the cone shape to funnel the light, one side open to let it out.
Maybe? I dunno...
i see what you mean, I'll take that into consideration after i test it out with lights.
Space is the problem becuase the 120mm fan is right up against the back of the plexi logo. So putting the LED's on either side pointing toward it has to work
Space is the problem becuase the 120mm fan is right up against the back of the plexi logo. So putting the LED's on either side pointing toward it has to work
Mechatech,
This is just amazing, I haven't seen a Mod like this in a long while!
How about you show us what the fiber optics look like at the top with the light on.
I have been waiting to see this thing in the dark also.
Give us some dark shots, to show it glowing!
This is just amazing, I haven't seen a Mod like this in a long while!
How about you show us what the fiber optics look like at the top with the light on.
I have been waiting to see this thing in the dark also.
Give us some dark shots, to show it glowing!
cornelious0_0
[H]F Junkie
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Majin said:Give us some dark shots, to show it glowing!
Good call...bring it mecha.
Majin said:Mechatech,
This is just amazing, I haven't seen a Mod like this in a long while!
How about you show us what the fiber optics look like at the top with the light on.
I have been waiting to see this thing in the dark also.
Give us some dark shots, to show it glowing!
Oh yes, you can expect to see some really awesome dark shots of this thing soon.
The fiber optics look so cool i wanted to wait for the top to be done, so you get the full effect.
There will be new pics up tonight, nothing glowing yet though sorry.
I'm still waiting for monday, thats when i get the parts i need.
Finally some pics of the case assembled.
I decided to fill up the system all the way. As soon as i poured the water in i immediatly got some leaks around the reservoir fitting. Problem was i didn't have the worm clamp tight enough. Same with the other clamps. No leaks at all now.
Big problem though, didn't have enough blue CM fluid to fill it up all the way. I found out i could use water, so i put a little in there and it just looked wierd, didn't seem to mix very well with the blue water. So i ordered some more and some other needed things, thats what i'm waiting to be delivered on monday.
The big decal on the front was easier to put on than i expected, it actually looks much better than the other decals i put on.
I decided to fill up the system all the way. As soon as i poured the water in i immediatly got some leaks around the reservoir fitting. Problem was i didn't have the worm clamp tight enough. Same with the other clamps. No leaks at all now.
Big problem though, didn't have enough blue CM fluid to fill it up all the way. I found out i could use water, so i put a little in there and it just looked wierd, didn't seem to mix very well with the blue water. So i ordered some more and some other needed things, thats what i'm waiting to be delivered on monday.
The big decal on the front was easier to put on than i expected, it actually looks much better than the other decals i put on.