The project case is a sunbeam transformer, i have had it for 5+ years and it is time to mod it. so far i think i am going to do flat black inside and out with bright green accents (wow did not realize it was this dirty until i saw the pictures)
stock case

beginning dissembling the case




Couple of the ideas


The back panel i am planning on etching into the paint, here is an etching i did for my son's case about a year ago. Mine will not be a dragon, i am thinking about doing a skull with some tribal work and have matching or similar tribal work on the top and front.


More pictures and updates to come soon

P.S.
Any ideas of other mods to try?

I don't know if you already had it planned, but any time I have the cutting tools near a case I always clean up the front and rear cooling fan areas. The factory fan position hole patterns never give good airflow so I always remove as much metal as possible to clean them up and then run a simple fan grill to keep the fingers out.

Good to see a new case mod getting started. Good luck and have fun.

Quote: Originally Posted by vf1000ride I don't know if you already had it planned, but any time I have the cutting tools near a case I always clean up the front and rear cooling fan areas. The factory fan position hole patterns never give good airflow so I always remove as much metal as possible to clean them up and then run a simple fan grill to keep the fingers out. Good to see a new case mod getting started. Good luck and have fun.

the back has a nice wide mesh that has great air flow, i will try and get a pick of it. the front fan i may have to cut up the hdd cage some. the main problem i am having right now is that the case is thick steel and my hole saws just will not cut threw them, any one have any ideas about that?

dremel for all cuts and holes.

hopefully you plan on removing all the needless bits from the side panel (everything except the latch area) and mounting the fan on the window itself.

Quote: Originally Posted by piscikeeper dremel for all cuts and holes. hopefully you plan on removing all the needless bits from the side panel (everything except the latch area) and mounting the fan on the window itself.

i am using my dremel. I am not sure yet if i am going to cut away most the side panel i kind of like it like it is but i think it would also look nice if it was one large solid window

Yea i would probably go with a solid window i think that would look better also. And dont forget to use the re-enforced cutting disc's on your dremel tool. =)

Ok just a quick update
i have the top hole cut and some of the parts in primer but i had to spend the entire weekend work on my car so i have not got a lot done. on a side note i got 2 cooler master 120mm green led fans in today, i will have pics up soon i hope. The fans are supposed to be 90 cfm at 19 db. here is a link to them Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER R4-L2R-20CG-GP 120mm Green LED Case Fan - Case Fans

I had an old (might still) Transformer case of my own. Come to think of it, I think I finally recycled it to the dump. One mod I always wanted to do on it, though, was to cut the metal "design" off the side window and make it a plain box. It only had one fan hole in the middle, and the rest was flak as far as I was concerned.

update time. i have most of my holes cut and most of the case in primer. i have not had a lot of free time to work on the case but here are some picks of what i have gotten done.






The screws are temporary, i will remove them before painting

Some bondo work, sloppy i know but hey i have not played with bondo for about 12 years so i am i little rusty lol


When i get some more free time i will take some more pictures to post

looking good =)

I have had some progress and one or two set backs on my project and I have finally got time to take, edit, and upload some pictures. Most of the case is either painted or in primer with the exception of the door, it is still not where I want it to be but with any luck I can work on it this weekend.
Here are some pictures for you all
Back panel (one more coat of paint and it will be ready for etching)

Chassis painted and reassembled


Front fan cover, fan cover insert, and CD tray bezel


Fan controller, before and after disassembly more pictures coming soon


Five year old 120mm fan (nasty)


Same fan after I took it apart and cleaned it with some mean green


I also went ahead and cut the window

Now the set back, never try to paint when you have had a lack of sleep. I was super tired and did not think about the front bezel sitting near an open window where it could catch condensation and this is the result



We that is all for now, when I get a chance to work on the case some more I will take and upload some more photos. Until then every one have a great weekend and be safe

Ok... condensation bad... - Unless you work that into your final design. could look quite cool...

Quote: Originally Posted by BeetleMan Ok... condensation bad... - Unless you work that into your final design. could look quite cool...

yeah it could be a wild look but it just is not what i am going for. i will have to sand her down i and redo it

nice to see the side panel opened up, the original fan hole would be a pain to hide. since you like the design though, you could paint it on the inside of the new window, or etch it into the plexi.

if you etch it then you could edge-light using led's that contrast against any interior lights.

the original window is formed so the metal sat flush on the window, i am thinking about doing something with that. i have the front bezel sanded and re-primer-ed , the feet are painted just waiting on them to cure so i can add a second coat. The door is on hold until i get the rest of the case done(really want to get my rig back in it) but it is coming along nicely. A friend gave me some scrap acrylic and i and thinking about making some fan grills because i really want custom skull grills and as of right now i don't have the extra cash to buy them off of mnpctech (i really like the ones they have just money it tight with two teen boys in the house lol teen boys = waking stomachs)