Hey everybody, over the past couple of days ive been thinking that i might take the leap into case modding,
im thinking something easy, maybe starting with the good ol'e beige box and maybe adding a window or 2 and some case painting, then ill move up from there.
So if some people could give me their 2cents and maybe a possible lists of tools and materials,
all your help would be appreciated for this adventure,
thanx

Welcome to modding.

tools:
Dremel ($70 for the 400 series XPR)
Jigsaw
Metal cutting jigsaw blades
Metal files
A lot of C clamps (3 inchers, the small ones)
Screwdrivers (phillips and flat head)


Materials:
Lexan for windows (200 times stronger than glass)
Bondo
Duplicolor paint/primer
Either wax and grease remover or Mar-Hyde wax and grease cleaner
220, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit sand paper.
Tack cloths
This link: ftp://ftp.sybex.com/4360/4360ch08.pdf (everything you need to know about painting)

The dremel is your number one tool. I use mine for every thing. For cutting steal though, you will need at least 8 Fiberglass renforced cut off wheels. (20 for 19.95 at home depot).

Good luck with your project. Be sure and check out the "Guide" section (http://guides.pcapex.com/)

Quote: Originally Posted by madxmodman The dremel is your number one tool.

All the tools listed above are spot-on, as are the supplies. Just disagree with that statement... Your number one tool is the grey matter between the ears. Your creativity and improvisation skillz can sometimes net you a better result than any power tool... Or sometimes not...

As far as the tools list, I would add:

Brad-point drill bit set (the BP bits are PART of this kit, same as I got. BP bits are great for not sliding off target)

Hole saw (something like this, but you'll want to find something like ~76mm/3" for 80mm holes, ~88mm/3.5" for 92mm holes, and ~116mm/4.75" for 120mm fan holes) As long as the mm size is under that of the fan you're installing, you won't end up with gaps along the sides between the fan housing and the cut surface...

Corded drill (self-explanatory, much more reliable than cordless sometimes)

MOD ON!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 Just disagree with that statement... Your number one tool is the grey matter between the ears. Your creativity and improvisation skillz can sometimes net you a better result than any power tool... Or sometimes not...

Good point... I forgot about that one.

(unless your creativity is, well, as is mine, none existant. But I'm 100% sure you can come up with something great .)

Have fun on your project! Be sure and start a work log when you get started. I'll be sure I watch it.

I think you forgot ducktape. Duck tape is the best thing ever made.

YOu can do alot with ducktape:

• Hide your wiring
• Make rounded cables
• Repair Electrical Work on your computet
• Duck tape more fans on your cpu cooler
• and many more...

You can get this and more the low low low price of 16 payments of $19.95. Call now and you will get this extra roll of duck tape, AND this 1 foot long peice of ultra mega ducktape thaty will make anything stick together. So for 16 payments of 19.95 You get 2 rolls of duck tape AND! ultra mega super ducktape!



Heh seriously Get duck tape.

I'm courious. Do you know what case you are going to do? If you do, a pic would be awesome.

Here's my actual input to what you should do to your case. The most specific case mod you should do, you've already mentioned. Do a window. The shape is completely up to you. Circle, rectangle, triangle, etc... I would recomend painting the interior of you case in addition to the exterior. Be sure and put a blow hole in the window, unless your own personal taste disagrees. The most important factor is your own creativity, as stated by grampanoob72. Don't do something that you don't like.

One of the most important aspects of your case is the drives. Your case just won't look right with those ol' beige covers with the green-blue pearl around it. Either stealth them (http://www.casemodgod.com/cmg/Howto-story--30.html) or paint them to match your case. (for working with plastics: http://guides.pcapex.com/pimprig_pai...h_plastics.php and http://www.directron.com/paintguide.html for disasembling the drive and preping it for paint) After taking care of the plain beigness of the drive covers, you might want to put a window on the top of your case for a blow hole or just for looks. After you get it cut, the first thing you are going to notice is the topmost drive. Ugly, gray, plain metal with the big sticker on it telling you that if you open the drive, you'll void the warranty. Cut a window. (http://www.casemodgod.com/cmg/Howto-story--24.html)

For the inside, just sleeve your cables, get some round IDE and Floppy cables (http://guides.pcapex.com/modding/psu...lish_style.php for sleeving your cables)

Probably the best advice I can give you is, well, check out the guides section. If you can't find what you're looking for, then you can always google it.
Good luck and KEEP ON MODDIN!!!

~madxmodman~

Everyone forgot about the most important piece of equipment you need -- Goggles or other eye protection. Flying mini flecks of metal or plastic in your eyes is not pleasant and you'll be lucky to retain your vision if one fleck gets in there so is important to get a nice pair of eye protection (i prefer the one that hugs your whole eye area rather then just ordinary lexan reinforced spectacles since stuff tends to hit ur forehead and slide down :p

Also if uve never fiddles with the insides of your computer, you should buy an anti-static wrist band. Static discharge on components is not as frequent as it used to be back in the old days but it can still kill a system, which is why i use a wristband, i dont work on any carpeted flooring, and i prefer hybrid screwdrivers that dont create any discharge when they rub with metals.

for the case i was thinking that i may use my old beige box (sorry no pics) or this one (its on special)
, a question was recently raised and i was thinking maybe someone could answer it (sorry if its stupid)
what exactly would you need the dremel for (ie. what other tools could one use? cause a friend of mine has an army of hardware)

thanx for the help

The dremel is used as an easy to use alternative to a jigsaw basically. A jigsaw requires a starting pilot hole to ger started sawing. A dremel will just cut right in. A really good example of dremel work is mnpctech's work. (http://www.mnpctech.com) And his dremel tutorial is exelent (http://www.mnpctech.com/Dremel.html). He also sells a lot of good supplys and parts. Be sure and check that site out. If all you have is a jigsaw, or that's all you can get your hands on, that should work, but it is pretty difficult to make right angle cuts, where as a dremel can cut right angles easly. When cutting steel, it is a good precaution to move anything you don't want black metal dust on somewhere else. Sparks DO fly while using the dremel. They should go to the left of the dremel. I hope that awnsered your question, if you have more, don't heasitate to ask.

Good points, mad...

I would add that it is a generally good idea to make sure to wear protective gear when using any power tool, at the bare minimum a sturdy pair of leather work gloves and a set of work glasses/goggles, with the eyes almost completely shielded from the front and sides (no, sunglasses are generally not very good eye protection from flying metal/plastic/plexi shards). Long pants (jeans) and perhaps a long-sleeve t-shirt can also help keep the flying debris away from

I can count on one hand the times that I've put that very advice aside in favor of "modding comfort", only to put on the goggles and gloves immediately after I end up with a shard or two embedded in my forehead/assorted other body parts... Now it is almost a ritual, I suit up before powering up...

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 I can count on one hand the times that I've put that very advice aside in favor of "modding comfort", only to put on the goggles and gloves immediately after I end up with a shard or two embedded in my forehead/assorted other body parts... Now it is almost a ritual, I suit up before powering up...

Amen to that man... It hurts when the little sparks fly up and hit you in the face, and better yet, your hand is in the line of fire of the sparks... pain... lol.

Also, supposedly, the sparks can burn through clothes. I don't know how true this is, cuz it has yet to happen to me. But, it is a good thing to think about.