Wellmet,

I have decided to finally retire my HP AMD2400 and build myself a computer. I already have the hardware ordered, DFI mobo, AMD 64 3800+ dual core, RAID0 HDs, 2x 7800GT VGC, etc...

This is the case that needs modding:CHENMING CMU-AL-602-BK-W Black/Red Aluminum


Something is still missing though. I already planned on doing some modding, which will include both sides of my case having etched Dragon pics where the side behind the mobo will be a UV red arcrylic panel. Insides will be all UV sleeving,mobo and LEDs.

My problem was the case front. The front is pretty freakin ugly. But recently I decided that I need to turn those stupid wannbe alien eyes into dragon eyes and nostrils, along with some scales, maybe small horns. Now to do this I need to sculp them and have them jump off that door. Now the medium I am going to need is something lite and sturdy. I first thought of Bondo, but a couple autobody friends of mine said it's integrity declines with buildup. I was stumped.

At work today a friend there said his wife uses something called Sculpy http://www.kjpcrafts.com/premosculpey.html. Polymere clay which needs to be fired in the oven to set. He said it is easy to work with, lite and strong.

My question to you guys is, have any of you used this stuff? If so, what can you tell me of it?

Thank you for any thoughts.

There are several projects that have used the Sculpey. One of the more famous ones is here. Do some looking and see what other worklogs have it, too.
Good luck, and happy modding!

Very much appreciated. This site is awesome with all the modding work shown.

Thanx

Quote: Originally Posted by Kreagan Now the medium I am going to need is something lite and sturdy. I first thought of Bondo, but a couple autobody friends of mine said it's integrity declines with buildup. .

Sculpty is a great product. It's a awesome medium and an easy material to work with.

But just to set the record straight (especially for those people that can't get their hands on Sculpty), the comment your autobody friends made about "integrity declining with buildup" is only partially true.

Bondo is merely a liquid polyester resin with a filler to convert it into the paste or putty form.
If properly reinforced with metal wire or a material like chopped fiberglass strands you can achieve much thicker buildups and even come very close to achieving structural properties.

In our shop we use a material almost identical to Bondo with the exception that it has an additive which allows it to withstand temps up to 350 degrees F. In the past we routinely made mock-up structures the size of large automobiles that consisted of a metal rod and mesh skeleton covered with up to 4 inches of this Bondo-like material. The Bondo material was then hand shaped using templates (and plain old sculpting talent) to replicate the shapes we wanted. These mockup were then used as a model from which to cast fiberglass molds. Tolerances were +or- .020". This technique isn't used anymore but these models still exist and are in great shape.

If properly reinforced, a Bondo structure can be quite large and thick. But, as it gets larger it will need a properly designed skeleton. The Bondo also needs to be applied in gradual layers or it will exotherm (heat up) and shrink. With the right planning and design, there is no reason you couldn't make a computer sized structure that would be stable. A small item could be reinforced with small pieces of chicken wire, tongue depressors, or metal bolts.

The real downside is that Bondo doesn't give you the working time like a material such as Sculpty which will only cure under heat.

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