Alrighty I finally treated myself to a new system this summer. I made up my mind that I would mod the case I got into something original for me. I ended up going with the Lian-Li PC-60. I wanted a lighter color case this time and something without a premod window. After searching the web for pics to inspire me, I decided on a celtic looking spiral that I coincidentally have on a necklace pendant. So on Wednesday I figured out where my max viewable area would be and drew up a plan.

It had been awhile since I cut anything so I went ahead and did the blowhole first. I neglected to mask underneath my shotty piece of paper and left a decent knick in the side. I also had just enough time to start cutting out the large pieces in the spiral. Friday I worked a double shift so I didn't get to work on it at all. Today, however, I managed to fully devote my time in finishing up the cut in the panel. I managed to do it all on 1 rein disc, and 2 of the crappier discs. It would've been 1, but I put too much pressure and sent one flying across the room. I think in total I spent 4 hours on just the spiral.

Now I see some advice, because I couldn't get all of the inner cuts as good as I wanted. If you look at the closeup picture, you can see how it got mangled. What kind of tool can I use to clean that up? I'm kind of using barebone tools right now. IE..dremel, round file, square file, random sandpaper, etc. Can I get it done with that or should I pick up another tool? I have to go to Lowes or somewhere anyway because I need a can of air and some plexi for the side.

For the inside of my case right now, I'm in deadlock of debate between going with a cool green celtic flow for lighting and sleeving, or matching with my DFI LP.

Some other intro mods I'm thinking of doing include stealthing my black 5.25's to match the brushed aluminum, and adding a cd window or possibly enlarging the stock blowhole. For some reason the ventilation looking grill on top doesn't thrill me much. This is my first real mod so maybe if someone else suggested some ideas.

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Heres something Ive found that might help you..

I have a tattoo of "C74" on my inner-upper right arm.

As for your mod, fate; I'm no expert in Celtic work, but I really don't see that as Celtic. It doesn't give off the vibe at all. You could probably do a couple off the thing Nerdz posted, but most is a little too complex (for some general thought) to be turned into a cut-out.

You could easilly make that work, though. Just put some elbow grease in with those files you have, and then use your random sandpaper as a final step. Do you have the polishing bits for your dremel? Maybe that could help to get off those burrs.

Doesn't look bad, though! Even though the DFI Lan Party is a colorful board, that's just something you run into with modding. With enough lighting and a nice and intricate window (like you have) you could easilly divert the attention away from the board to the class of the mod.

Keep up the good work and...MOD ON!

Quote: Originally Posted by subdismal I have a tattoo of "C74" on my inner-upper right arm. As for your mod, fate; I'm no expert in Celtic work, but I really don't see that as Celtic. It doesn't give off the vibe at all. You could probably do a couple off the thing Nerdz posted, but most is a little too complex (for some general thought) to be turned into a cut-out. You could easilly make that work, though. Just put some elbow grease in with those files you have, and then use your random sandpaper as a final step. Do you have the polishing bits for your dremel? Maybe that could help to get off those burrs. Doesn't look bad, though! Even though the DFI Lan Party is a colorful board, that's just something you run into with modding. With enough lighting and a nice and intricate window (like you have) you could easilly divert the attention away from the board to the class of the mod. Keep up the good work and...MOD ON!

I understand what you mean as not seeing it as Celtic, as even I think of knotwork when I think of Celtic. However, one of the websites I looked at designs on had a brief history on Celtic designs and talks about a period where spirals and loops became a bigger part of art.

As far as looks go though, I would've loved to have done any type of the images he posted or other 'true' knotwork but the better design you have the harder it is to do. I don't think I have the polishing bits. I know I have some sanding and grinding ones. Both are pretty hard and not sure what they would do on the surface.

I hope you're right about the lighting. The cut keeps seeing in slightly restricted yet I'm hoping let's enough out for a nice backlit look when finished. Thanks for the comment

I found this one that looks pretty kewl.............

Quote: Originally Posted by Highperf15 I found this one that looks pretty kewl.............

The trinity thing looks cool

I think the design looks pretty kewl!

It definately needs some work on deburring it. Since you have a dremel and some grinding stones. I would use a grinding stone with low rpms and run it along the cut lines to debur and shape the cutout. If you set it on high rpm's it will strip metal faster than you think and you dont need that. When you get to the spots that are angled. Use your file to debur it. Since the grinding stone cant fit in that area.

It's always a good idea on your next project or adding more cutouts to this panel is to cut from the inside. This way if the dremel goes wild which it will of course. It wont show on the finished product on the outside where everyone can see.

I hope this helps....

Quote: Originally Posted by Rockin'male It's always a good idea on your next project or adding more cutouts to this panel is to cut from the inside. This way if the dremel goes wild which it will of course. It wont show on the finished product on the outside where everyone can see.

I didn't know if that helped, since I've only cut one actual window. I took the side panel off, and used it on the side without the powdercoating.

Another piece of advice: use masking tape to tape around your edges. This way, if and when the Dremel skips off track a little bit, it should just tread over the masking tape and not cut your side panel anymore. This technique is most helpful if you're cutting from the outside, but depending if you already have the cutting wheel in a groove, it may help, too. This also serves as a very clear reminder of where your boundaries are. So, for your next window, go out and pick up some masking tape!

Mod on!

Quote: Originally Posted by subdismal I didn't know if that helped, since I've only cut one actual window. I took the side panel off, and used it on the side without the powdercoating. Another piece of advice: use masking tape to tape around your edges. This way, if and when the Dremel skips off track a little bit, it should just tread over the masking tape and not cut your side panel anymore. This technique is most helpful if you're cutting from the outside, but depending if you already have the cutting wheel in a groove, it may help, too. This also serves as a very clear reminder of where your boundaries are. So, for your next window, go out and pick up some masking tape! Mod on!

I had the whole area masked lol, not super thick, but masked nontheless. I just took the pic after I took it all off. How many of you cut from the inside?

I agree with subdismal 100%. That spiral design doesn't look celtic to me at all. Looks more like something to do with vikings.

Quote: Originally Posted by Highperf15 I found this one that looks pretty kewl.............

Does anyone mind if I borrow the trinity sign for BloodRun? That would look killer on the front bezel!

Quote: Originally Posted by Kratos Does anyone mind if I borrow the trinity sign for BloodRun? That would look killer on the front bezel!

Go for it............

Quote: Originally Posted by Kratos Does anyone mind if I borrow the trinity sign for BloodRun? That would look killer on the front bezel!

Go for it dude I hope you can pull it off well, I'd like to see it

I have um these things in my room..







Maybe you can use them..or get some ideas...

Welp I had to work again today so I mainly thought of ideas. I did have enough time though to sleek out the front bezel with a couple stealth drive mods.

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Quote: Originally Posted by fate Welp I had to work again today so I mainly thought of ideas. I did have enough time though to sleek out the front bezel with a couple stealth drive mods.

Sweeeet work stealthing that drive..........