Since a mod I'm doing means I'm going to have to take everything out of my case, I might as well do everything else that needs doing at the same time. I've been intending for ages to put an illuminated graphic on the motherboard side of my case. Using my mad photoshop skillz, I've illustrated my idea. I'll cut a hole in the case panel and into that hole will go a peice of clear acrylic (green) behind which will be a graphic I've printed onto OHP acetate (not very skillful I know, but I'd rather something look good and have taken no skill than take hours and still show that I have no skill!). Behind this, I'm going to put a string of connected LEDs to illuminate the image (maybe some tracing paper will help to diffuse the light). What I was wondering about was the molding that I should use around the graphic and also around the blowhole I cut ages ago but is currently running with no moulding or fan guard. My case is coloured black and a sort of matt silver (not chrome-like). Should I just use black or should I try and make chrome moulding matt like my matt plastic silver case front?

The photo illustrates the silver colour of my case front (ignore the drives; they're a separate project that's already sorted!).

I'm gonna forget about the moulding then, and make this my very own project thread. It'll be like a blog that no-one reads.

Case objectives;

stealth drives - I will use the original blanking plates and a coat hangar cut into peices to make a crude hinge so I can open close the blanking plate door (I wanted to use push latches as well for this but failed to find any small enough)

illuminated graphic - I will use a frameless window (although I am worried the window will fall out during transit)

blow-hole grill - something along the same lines as the graphic (max payne / noir york) I think. If I can think of something I'll make my own grill by making a custom mold.

Graphic; loading screen taken from Max Payne 1


Provisional project title; Noir York ^^^^


I've bought 50 LEDs (specs) off Ebay to illuminate the image (not planning on using them all!). I was hoping someone could indicate the appropriate configuration. I figure I'll hook them up in series with a limiting resistor or two plugged into one of the floppy leads coming out of my PSU. The spec sheet says 80mw but I've no idea how many that means I'm gonna need for a dim glow from my graphic. I don't want it to light up my room. I just want to accent the lighter features of the image.

Phase one of my grand plan has been a failure.

Lessons learned;

high rotary speeds melt plastic
practise technique on mum's computer first
keep it simple (stupid!)

My plan although simple in design, was very difficult to impliment since it depended on accuracy which I couldn't reach with a wobbly old ruler and a felt tip pen. Also, without the proper rotary tool attachment, I was forced to drill at a slight angle which made it difficult to slide in the section of coat-hanger in at 90 degrees as required.

I intend to regroup and try again. I'll buy some replacement blanking plates from eBay and use the time-tested approach of just sticking the blanking plate to the drive door. Bummer...

Quote: Originally Posted by username#132 Phase one of my grand plan has been a failure. Lessons learned; high rotary speeds melt plastic practise technique on mum's computer first keep it simple (stupid!) My plan although simple in design, was very difficult to impliment since it depended on accuracy which I couldn't reach with a wobbly old ruler and a felt tip pen. Also, without the proper rotary tool attachment, I was forced to drill at a slight angle which made it difficult to slide in the section of coat-hanger in at 90 degrees as required. I intend to regroup and try again. I'll buy some replacement blanking plates from eBay and use the time-tested approach of just sticking the blanking plate to the drive door. Bummer...

Bummer dude - Shame that you had to learn the hard way (heck, most of us have too though - consider it a "rite of passage" )
The trick is to persevere and take what you've learned with you for the next attempt - which it looks like you're doing anyway.

Maybe shell out a few dollars and invest in a steel rule (or better, a compound square) and a few more rotary tool attachments - it may cost a few extra bucks, but will save you time, materials and mental anguish - also, testing a new idea is better on scrap materials instead of on the good stuff (that's MY latest lesson learned )

Great job not giving up! Give it another go and post some pics!!!

Thanks for the pep talk, MasterP! Definately gonna get a set square before attempting accurate measurements again.

I'm leaving the bays alone pending further brain-storming and moving on to the graphic.

Below is the side panel with the offending company logo.


This is the chassis with what appears to be a support feature, highlighted in green. This feature is about 4-5 mm in height whilst the space between the side panel and motherboard tray is about 8 mm. The plexi is 3 mm in width and I intend to have half of it jutting out of the side panel (i.e. not flush) so hopefully it wont be necessary to remove this 'feature'.
To the left you can see the carnage that was my attempt at flip-out drive bay covers.


I imagine about four LEDs will be sufficient for the glow I want, but I'm not sure about the graphic. I've altered the hue/saturation and brightness/contrast of the original to create two additional options;

Original


Slightly darker


Darker and with sepia hue


I think the original one has more detail but I'm affraid it'll be washed out by the LEDs...


Plan:
I cut a hole in the side panel. I insert my plexi (gonna need something to hold it in - hot glue?). I glue my graphic acetate to the window around the edges. A few LEDs wired to the floppy power connector illuminate the graphic. Tracing paper will diffuse the light.

Can anyone forsee any other issues with this plan?

This photo shows (in theory) the area marked out for removal. Unfortunately, a couple of minutes into cutting, the cutting wheel shattered and now I can't unscrew the screw from the mandrel. This is the second time this has happened and now I have not more mandrels!! Has anyone else had to deal with this?


Also, in the photo you can see these black plastic things that came with my new workbench. They plug into the holes in the bench but I can't work out what they're for?