First get all your tools together... I don't have all of them in the picture cause I could't find them all when I started working. I used a Dremel with cutoff discs(I used the 409 ones) The 1/16" and 1/32" Engraving bits. And some numerous grinding bits. A straight edge of some kind, I just used a ruler. A pencil of a different color then your 5.25" bay window. And also some fine point markers, for marking the window. DO NOT USE PERMANENT MARKERS, use something that can be removed from plexi\acrilic\fingers EASILY. Some good tunes, something to drink/drink while taking breaks(not alcohol... I wouldn't want someone to get drunk and start "modding" their fingers ) A glue gun for glueing the window in. Safety Glasses I would suggest them, I didn't use them much for doing the plastic, but I was cutting a metal washer for my brother and the thing snapped and lander right under my eye. If I hadn't been wearing the glasses and the piece of metal had gone a half inch higher... Well my new nickname woulda been "The one Eyed Modder"

Anyhoo on to the project... In the first pic, notice the I marked out the window hole with a green colored pencil. Do that using a ruler\straight edge.


After you do that whip out your dremel and stick a cut off wheel in it. Since I am not all that experianced with the dremel I cut a little short of the lines, so if I messed up I would have a little room to play with.


After I got it roughly cut out, I just went back with a cutting wheel and a grinding bit and fixed it up to how I wanted it.


Next go into Photoshop(or something similar) and type out the words you want in the format you want, and then mirror the image, so its all backwards. After that center it onto the window and tape it there. It should look something like this...


Grab a fine tip marker and start tracing the words on the opposite side... It'll look something like this


Then whip out your Dremel again, and attach the 1/32 engraving bit(I don't think you need the 1/16 at all for these small letters) And carefully etch out the letters, don't do it to deep right away, but kinda trace it out untill all the marker is gone. The go back and make it nice and deep(not THROUGH the plexi mind you) When your finished it'll look like this...


I forgot to take a picture off the cracked glass tracing, but just find a pic online of some cracked glass. I did a image search on google to find it. Then place your window on the picture so the side you have been etching on is facing up. Then just trace it out on the glass with the marker. When you etch it out, don't etch it as deep as the words you made. It will have a better look to it. The etch that is the deepest will have the bolder look, so if you have the letters etched deeper. Then they will stand out twice as much. It will look like this.


After your window is all etched out put it in the 5.25" bay cover and make sure it is centered fairly well. If you cut it perfect(like I DIDN"T) then it should fit in there snuggly. But if you don't have it cut perfect, then just center it as best as you can. Then start putting Hot Glue along the edges and push it down with your fingers(if your tough enough to withstand the burning) or with a pencil eraser. It'll look something like this...


And this...


And this... Oh well you can't see this one too well since I don't have any LED's at the moment(but that moment is getting shorter by the day)




This is like my first Tutorial so if you have a question or a problem either tell me or **** OFF!!!! Lol jk.
Anyway have fun, this is a real unique mod that is different everytime you do it. Mostly cause you can use diferent words, fonts, lighting themes, etc. AAAANNNNNDDDD its as easy as heck to do. Note I will add the final pic some time after Tuesday, that is when the final touch is coming(hopefully)

Nice desk :p lol

What kind of flower is that? O.o is it real?

Quote: Originally Posted by Nerdz ... What kind of flower is that? O.o is it real?

Looks like an Amaryllis to me

edit - nice work Shikaku

Nice work

sweet mod ...................

Nice work and good details on the tools and technique.

Nice writeup for a drive bay filler mod. Pimps out there can definitely get some use from your techniques!

this is probably the best small mod to try out before you go to anything bigger

nice job i might have to do this

Nice job. Even a noob like me can pull that off.

this is definitely something I am going to try when I get some free time

Brilliant! I am doing a very large scale computer mod right now, and I was trying to think of creative things to do with the Drive Bays, and putting a window in one never crossed my mind. Great Idea!

Very nice work

I guess no one reads the guides anymore...
http://guides.pcapex.com/modding/kay..._technique.php

Nice little guide though.