I used to be obsessive compulsive, I designed everything out in AutoCAD, had a binder filled with print outs of the ATX form factor specifications, and all the dimension drawings ear tabbed for quick reference. Out of these attempts of my planning my first custom cases, nothing materialized. I quickly found out, I am one helluva designer. I also found out the reality is I have a dremel, cordless drill, a jig saw from the 1960s (no orbital action), a pop riveter a tape measure. That's the tools that I find I have any use for in this scenario (if we want to talk about auto mechanics though... ohh boy).

If I just had a breaker, a few benders, and such.... ohh or a CNC and a laser cutter what I could do*. But I don't, so I've come to learn I've got but one way to go. I match my tolerences to the tool's capabilities. This means I just eye ball now, and mark out off of references/templates and remove and add as needed. I'm having far better luck. Who'd have thought, I go against the classic "Measure twice, cut once" saying, and it all works out far better, and I'm less frustrated to boot.

I'm tired of everyone trying to be neat and tidy, I'm goin' grunge y'all. I've wasted so much time attempting to make window cuts that don't need trim using jewelry files. If that's the look you want, by all means, but this is a hobby. Lets keep it fun out there folks, my obsession was my frustration. Now I say screw it and send the sparks flying. I'm enjoying myself far more, the planning is fun... but if you've been planning your mod for more than 3 months without doing anything..... Something to think about.

I swear I need to write a book called "Modding For The Rest of Us"

Iateronmly

*No "G-code" requests. It's not universal, and if you don't want to pay what a machine shop quotes for set-up, that's your problem.

I think we need to see your tolerances down to 0.001".............Don't give us this "I'm going grunge crap"........then you'll start a trend.......OMG!!!

Haha I'm reading this after spending a good hour sketching out a mod I hope to do in about 2 months. You're right though, some of the most rewarding cuts i've had are the ones done after only an hour or so of prep. If inspiration hits, don't let the details get in the way =P

"Speed Modding" could be a new sport

Gentlemen..start your Dremels!

I still dont get the whole modding thing. So you added a few fans and painted the case, go you. If you foam at the mouth because you want to modify something to look different then ok. If you foam at the mouth because you see a premod and scream "what did you mod?"... thats another story.

Hmmm, maybe you have found part of the source of my frustration as well.
My main one though is that there are not enough hours in the day.

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break I still dont get the whole modding thing. So you added a few fans and painted the case, go you. If you foam at the mouth because you want to modify something to look different then ok. If you foam at the mouth because you see a premod and scream "what did you mod?"... thats another story.

Nice way to crap in a thread..so anyone here that has an intrest that you "Don't get" is wasting there time?

"Go You"? WTF is that? You parent's must never taught you to apreciate other people's intrests, even if you see it as a "Waste of time"

Did "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" ever occur to you?

Do you go to your friends and say "Man why are you doing X, I do Y and it's kick ass..therefore you suck"

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break I still dont get the whole modding thing. So you added a few fans and painted the case, go you. If you foam at the mouth because you want to modify something to look different then ok. If you foam at the mouth because you see a premod and scream "what did you mod?"... thats another story.

Quote: PCApex - Hardware News, Reviews, & Mods

Please note the three descriptive words for the site. This is a general hardware/modding site.

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break I still dont get the whole modding thing. So you added a few fans and painted the case, go you. If you foam at the mouth because you want to modify something to look different then ok. If you foam at the mouth because you see a premod and scream "what did you mod?"... thats another story.

Whoa dude, who peed in your corn flakes?

You have an awful lot of posts here for someone who is slamming modding!?!?!

You're making Ohio look bad.

Well i have to say first, you have a point lateronmly, the off the moment mod is the most exciting, but small amount of thought at least are good, like when i think of something i start walking the good 200ft walk to my basement (three floor and stairwell on oppisite side of house) and think of what would make it better and worse, but then i think wow what an idea and start running

now there is a bit of sadness in your post post_break, i figured you had some respect for modding and our communitie of the modders, but that was a bit harse

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break I still dont get the whole modding thing. So you added a few fans and painted the case, go you. If you foam at the mouth because you want to modify something to look different then ok. If you foam at the mouth because you see a premod and scream "what did you mod?"... thats another story.

Why do people mod their cars? Thats how I have always thought about it.

\

Why do people mod anything? It's tradition I think.

The definition of man is "modder"

First we modified our spirits, minds, and bodies. Then our tools, our environment, our world. And now nearly everything we use.

Quote: Originally Posted by The Amish Kid Why do people mod their cars? Thats how I have always thought about it. \

Good comparison, it also explains the pre-mod hating. We modify, and then folks bring in premods to the gallery. Do you bring in your Chevrolet SSR and try to enter it into car-shows right off the dealer floor? Many premods are fine cases in their own right - but in the gallery, it's not what you buy, it's what you build.

Quote: Originally Posted by Iateronmly Good comparison, it also explains the pre-mod hating. We modify, and then folks bring in premods to the gallery. Do you bring in your Chevrolet SSR and try to enter it into car-shows right off the dealer floor? Many premods are fine cases in their own right - but in the gallery, it's not what you buy, it's what you build.

It's interesting you should bring up that example...........Back in the late 90's, when I had my 70 Mach 1, I'd enter alot of car shows..............and you know something, there was always a few that brought the brand-new Camaro or Firebird right off the showroom floor and win the show...........Funny how most of the judges based their scoring on cleanliness.

Quote: Originally Posted by joecoin You're making Ohio look bad.

LOL acording to you that was MY job....lol but for once we agree....

Post you need to chill bro...and crap somewhere else....

Quote: Originally Posted by Iateronmly I designed everything out in AutoCAD,

I'd like to check out a few of those .dwg files :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Slaymate I'd like to check out a few of those .dwg files :-)

I'll see if I can find my old files on CD. I had a very impressive design for an entirely passively cooled system (aside from a pump). Rather art-decoish. Sadly it'd have costed in excess of 1k to have machined.