Present your case mods!

Question

Well, seems like there's no thread like this yet, so here we go:
Present any modifications you made to your machines, be it eye candy, extra features...
Here's mine. Base is a Casetek 1018 (same as used by Thermaltake in their Xaser III). Resprayed, big plexi window + small window on top, punched sheet covers for the drive racks and an engraving illuminated by two leds.
Clicky pictures:
I also uncoupled the HD rack, and I made up a quite effective way of doing that using rubber bedded screws to attach it to the wall of the case:
And here's my "archified" lap top again :
So, are there any other case modders out there in the arch community? I sure hope so ^^
Last edited by Shapeshifter (2009-06-14 19:59:16)

Answer 1

I really can't do that great of one, it's in a box to be sold ATM, but I can give the basics.
1) Get a box, any box that you want, as long as it is the right size for what you want (ATX, mATX microATX, etc). Three sides is the best.
2) Get some alimimum. Performance-pcs.com sells them in 500x500mm sheets. For the bottom sheet, cut it out to the size of the bottom that you want. In mine, I only kept it to the straight sides, didn't bother to fill the whole bottom.
3) Place the motherboard where it is going to go. This part takes planning as you have to see where it will fit in respect to the back plate, might be best to make that first (step 4). Where the motherboard holes are, mark and drill them out. Make sure you leave room for feet. Make four L brackets and mount them to the two sides of the case and the bottom of the tray.
4) Back plate, it's really easy. Now that you have the bottom, measure how wide you need the back to be and add ~2". Then bend the sides each in one inch, that way you can use those sides to mount the back. You might want to make a flap on the top too.
4) Back plate cuts. The motherboard cut is easy, take the backplate and trace around it and cut. Place in the plate and your motherboard IO should fit through it just fine. Do the same of any expansion slots. Now find where you want the power supply to go. Make sure it will fit, then with careful measurement, cut out the main hole and four mounting holes. But her in.
5) Top. I used mesh for two reasons. One, vents. Two, I could mount some SSD hanging from it. Now that everything is test fited, cut the top. It should be a simple cut for the exact shape of the top. You'll need four L brackets again. Mount it just like you did the bottom.
6) Everything fit? Cut a hole for the power switch, paint, do touch up, and get her going.
Remember that building your own is 90% planing, 10% work. I spent probably two days over sheets of diagrams and measurements before I made a single cut.
EDIT - I'm putting things to consider.
1) Heat. Will you need a fan in the back?
2) Size. Will it all fit? Remember that when the PSU is mounted and plugged in, so is the back plate meaning you only have access through the top.
3) Tools. You'll need a dremel at best. A jigsaw it good too. A file is a must.
The back plate and motherboard positioning take the longest, don't rush them.
Last edited by Reasons (2009-06-19 19:49:24)