I just posted a new blog entry: Recommended Tools For Case Modding

Quote: I'm asked frequently by those who have just starting Modding "What do I need for tools?" What I've done is list the most common tools used at Mnpctech.com for modding cases with brief description. ...

You can find the full post here

OUTSTANDING post, Bill! I think this will need to be a sticky for the modding forum.

Wow! Nice to see what the pros use. I like the punch as it takes a lot of work and is pretty messy with the Dremmel to cut out those factory fan holes and put in a wire fan grill - especially the small hex holes which really restrict the airflow.

Yes please make the article a "Sticky" so we can refer back to it later when modding our next case.

Wiz

Nice Blog Bill - you probably remember me asking you about the 3M tape. Anyway one thing to mention here for people to be careful of. Rivets. If the case is steel, use steel rivets. If the case is aluminum use aluminum rivets. Putting steel rivets in aluminum or vice versa causes an anode/cathode effect that creates dissimilar corrosion from the different metals in contact with each other. One way around it is to insulate them from each other - paint the holes the rivet will go through with a primer and let dry before riveting. Granted for the short lifespan of many cases these days it might not be a problem in the life of a case but it's a good thing to know in general, for the times you have to repair aluminum gutters on your house, do some work on a car, etc.

I'll have to send you some pics of my shop once it's done for the shop blog too.

Russ Blakeman
RB Custom Services
Clarkson, KY

Good job, as usual. Thank you for your thoughtful list.

My only comment on the contents of the list- wouldn't a heat gun be more suitable than a butane torch? I don't work with acrylic myself, so I'll take your word for it on flame polishing, but I think the heat gun would probably have more general utility around the house and shop than the torch.

Quote: Originally Posted by fri2219 Good job, as usual. Thank you for your thoughtful list. My only comment on the contents of the list- wouldn't a heat gun be more suitable than a butane torch? I don't work with acrylic myself, so I'll take your word for it on flame polishing, but I think the heat gun would probably have more general utility around the house and shop than the torch.

The heat gun would work for bending and shaping acrylic, but it is called "flame polishing" for a reason. Well, I'm not sure of the reason, but the line just sounded to good to pass up.

A butane torch gets a MUCH higher temp in a very tiny area. A heat gun would never come close to the temps of a torch. And I think that is the reason, not so much the actual flame.

Thank you for clarfiying that Rich!

You can watch me use a torch to flame polish some acrylic in this segment taken from ghost rider project

Now, if you're crazy (or stupid) like me, you can use the torch to bend the acrylic.. I do not recommend this technique if it's your first time.. Take Rich's advice, use a Heat gun instead for bending acrylic.



Thanks Wizard! Glad you could find the blog

Quote: Originally Posted by rhblakeman I'll have to send you some pics of my shop once it's done for the shop blog too. Russ Blakeman RB Custom Services Clarkson, KY

Thanks for the tip Russ! Glad to you see you made it to the Blog.. I bet that shops gonna be nice

hi bill

i love your videos

the uchannel and grommets can those be bought from any good hardware shop or just your shop

thanks

nick

These two products, among many others are exclusive to our webstore. No other reseller or retail store sells our u-channel or grommets. Thanks for the post Nick

My photos are down for this post.. This datacenter in the new blurb is where all of my photos resided... I'm still waiting for ETA on getting them back online as of saturday.Luckily I have a seperate host for CaseModBlog.com

Quote: Texas-Based Server Provider Explosion Affects 9,000 Servers, 7,500 Customers Houston, TX (AHN) -- An explosion Saturday evening at a Texas-based, privately held server hosting provider has caused server outages effecting 9,000 servers and 7,500 customers. According to The Planet's website, at about 5 p.m. Saturday electrical gear shorted, creating an explosion and fire that knocked down three walls surrounding their electrical equipment room. No injuries were reported and no servers were damaged or lost. The Houston company, which provides servers for small and medium sized companies, said it has its entire support team working around the clock to get the servers back on line. They estimate they will be up and running by Sunday afternoon.

I posted a video on how to build a workbench on the cheap!

How to Build a Workbench For Case Modding