[XcaliburFX]

Ok, I am Co-Leader of a UT/CS:S gaming clan and I have started a new project based on the clan logo and games we play. To be honest I am not sure just what direction this project will take lol. I intend to have it completed between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am planning a simple low level project, but I never know one minute from the next what I might do. lol Because ......... If you break it, you mod it.


I am starting with a Chieftec Dragon steel case.


The case is in great shape other than a few cosmetic flaws. This very sturdy case will make a great start.

Open wide, here comes the drill!!!


No, I’m not a dentist, nor do I play one on TV. lol

Oh no what have I done!!!


Just a few more rivets to go.

Disassembeled and ready for whatever may come.


Ok, looks like things are in great shape. Let’s make them even better.

[DreadedOne509]

I've seen many great mods that have started with that exact same case.
Seems to be a favorite of a lot of people.

Love drilling the rivets out and taking apart the cases almost as much as
altering them and re-assembling.

Good luck, look forward to seeing some progress soon.

[XcaliburFX]

Been pretty busy so, updates will be slow for a tad.

However, I decided to add a blowhole and was able to get that cut today.

There she blows!!!

Decided to add an 80mm blowhole to the case. Here's the starting hole.


Got Jiggy With It.

Cut out the blowhole with the jigsaw and then cleaned up the burs.



Test Fit

Checked the opening, and I think after some minor smoothing out, it’ll be perfect.

More to come.

[redrum00]

You really Leatherfaced that case with the drill. Keep posting.

[XcaliburFX]

LOL< most of that is where the scroll saw scratched the paint from the case. Once I sandblast it all scratches will disappear. I do need a new scroll saw though, mine seems to be getting rough. lol

Thanks,
~X~

[Mobius]

You could also invest in a hole saw that hooks up to your drill. So much easier and cleaner of a finish.

[XcaliburFX]

Well, the thing is I have a hole saw and that is normally what I use, however, it has grown legs and walked away it seems, as I could not find it. lol Of course being the "patient" man I am, lol, I couldn't wait till I found it or bought another. At anyrate, the hole is pretty close to being a perfect circle and with a tad of touching up with the dremel grinding wheel, it will be perfect.

Thanks,
~X~

[XcaliburFX]

I had originally wanted to have the side panel and fan grills laser cut with my clan logo. That however, ran into several obstacles, mainly no one to do it. Also, the side panels I ordered were sent windowed instead of solid. So, I decided on etching part of my clan logo into the acrylic. Tonight, I attempted to do just that. Below are a few pics of the acrylic before and after.

Disassembled and ready for fun.

The metal of course is the wrong color, but no matter so is the rest of the case. lol


One last look before things get ugly.


Laid out the stencil in photoshop, printed it, cut it out and applied it to the waiting window.


Not too bad for my first attempt at etching.



I used my sandblaster to do the etching. I did find a scratch or two that may need polishing out, but nothing major at all.

[DreadedOne509]

Very nice.
What did you use as a medium for the stencil?

[XcaliburFX]

Thanks

I used an inkjet vinyl decal material and medium grit sandblasting sand. Now, of course using this, I had to be several feet from it, as it is a bit too rough for it up close lol.

[XcaliburFX]

Ok, with things just not going my way with the special metal work I was getting done, I have decided to move on to take a different route. On the front panel I am going to be using 18 gage copper plate. Instead of inlaying it. like I had originally planned. I am going to use it to cover the center section of the front panel. I will possibly engrave it as well. Here are a few pics of the initial cutting process.

First I made a template of the center.

Drew out the cut lines.

Now to make the first cut.

So, far so good.

Now after the first piece is cut I test fit it to the door.

It is looking pretty good.

Now, cut the second section out.

At last, the final cut.

Now I test fit both pieces.

Oooooh, now I am liking the looks of this. Note; I skipped the first rung on the louvers and left the bottom edge, I did this for lighting effect. I hope. lol All in all, I think I made the right choice given my options at hand. lol

Perhaps I will add some engraving.

[Massimo]

Looking good. Please keep the updates flowing, this build has lots and lots of promise.

[XcaliburFX]

Ok, missed a few pics and an update, cam was down. At anyrate, here are a few pics after paint and some reassembly. Still not done, but I'm getting there.


Little copper Alien Heads for aesthetics. Was going to use them to attach the copper plate, but the studs were too short.


Bottom side of blowhole and Antec red Led fan.

Top view of case and blowhole, ended up using a BioHazzard fan grille since I could not get mine custom cut.




The rest of the pics are just of the case chassis. I still have to do some touch up spraying for the side panel openings and any scrathec that may have happened, but I am pleased. The side panels have also been sprayed to match the top of the case. They were drying so no pics yet, but they look great.

The front panel still has a way to go yet, and I have ran into a snag finding some more chieftec drive bay covers. Yes, frozen cpu has them, but I ain't about to pay 9 bucks each for them lol. So, I may have to fab some.

Until next time

[XcaliburFX]

Finally some dry weather and warmth. lol Got the copper plate attached and clear coated plus the front bezel painted. Fans are all installed 5 in total all Red LED. After a bit of drying time I will mount the alien heads and etc etc. and finish this puppy up.

[UnLawFulGod]

That copper looks AMAZING! Are you going to de-sticker the blowhole fan? I think it distracts from the cool look of the case.

[XcaliburFX]

Thanks!! Will probably cover that with carbon fiber.

[XcaliburFX]

Well, I think it's all finished. That is unless, I add some tiny something another before I ship it to the clan member we decided to award it to. lol At any rate ...... here ya go the finished case.










I know I skipped a bit of the worklog update here at the end, but I got way busy and well I just plain didn't have time lol. I sure hope the Clan member likes the case.

[avanish11]

wow it looks great!

[transporter45]

Great job man! That is a awesome award!

[beteks]

Nice Job!!!