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Update for today, and as usual, I didn't get as much done as I had hoped. But in my defense I had an excuse today. Car drama,
and some kid drama too.
Anyway, Been working on a special place for my ipod. A door, behind the vent, that will open and presto, docking station.
Here is the rough cut hole.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1144.jpg
And ipod for perspective.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1146.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1147.jpg
Filed smoooooth;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1150.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1151.jpg
This is the backside of the door. I am using 5/8" U channel for the ipod to slide in. Eventually I'll mount the connector in the bottom, too.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1183.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1184.jpg
(I realize I should have set it on the table, not on top of another panel, to avoid confusion. Oops)
Now, the putting a hinge on here is way trickier than I thought it would be. Hopefully you can get an idea why. Here it is closed;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1153.jpg
Here it is open;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1158.jpg
It lifts just a little in the back, so a straight hinge won't work. This kicked my butt all day trying to get something worked out. I tried making a hinge with a bar and lines cut in sheet metal, but it wasn't stable. So, I decided to try making an assemblage that would allow the door to slide straight out.
The concept;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...100_1175-1.jpg
mocked up in place;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...100_1176-1.jpg
and trashed;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...100_1177-1.jpg
Sigh. Came up with a different solution. It won't be hidden, like I wanted, but if it works, then it's what I have to do. It's a simple as just flippng the hinge around, and making a notch for the barrel. Here it's done on a scrap piece for testing;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1179.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1180.jpg
Here it is mocked up, to give you an idea of what it will end up looking like...
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1181.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1182.jpg
Oh, and for anyone interested, I have still been working on that pesky front piece. I don't make it focal point for now though. I work on it when I feel like taking a break.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1186.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1192.jpg
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Quick update today, not much work done.
I decided to make a groove where the barrel of the hinge will rest, instead of cutting a notch. This will make it more discrete, cleaner, smoother.
Here is the hinge resting in it's new home,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1197.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1201.jpg
And getting glued.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1204.jpg
That's it. Tomorrow when the glue is dry we'll see how it fits/works.
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This is one crazy looking mod, and looks like its given you a run for its money :P Good luck on it, subbed :D
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Thanks everybody! There is still plenty more to come...
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Here we go.
Been working on my ipod dock this week. I've been doing little bits before going to work. Little bits of progress that aren't worth posting about, but are time consuming nonetheless.
Here is the door, with the guide in place and sanded down a bit.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1255.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1256.jpg
Made a bracket to mount the servo;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1257.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1258.jpg
Ha didn't see that one comin, did ya!
Here it is all clamped up
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1259.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1260.jpg
Now the last step, glue on the piece for the armature mount.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1263.jpg
I did this last because I wanted to test out the servo first and determine the best postion for the mount.
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Here is a short, crummy video of the ipod door in action;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amAl-GEv9c0
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Ok, not much today. I have been waiting over a week for this, and it finally came.
It's a 5" lcd screen for use with various gaming systems
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1313.jpg
Kind of a cool little deal, too. Also came with a base to attach it to, whatever, as well as a cable for use with xbox or playstations.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1314.jpg
But I'm not interested in all that! Here's what I want!
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1319.jpg
Hmm. Not quite what I was hoping for.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1321.jpg
Here is where the monitor is going.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1326.jpg
The backside;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1323.jpg
This is going to be a challenge. I'll keep you posted as I make progress on this.
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Nooooo tragedy strikes!!
My trusty Dremelike has officially taken a dump on me.
Here is what I was working on;
The damn cutoff wheel jammed, and it broke the flex attachment, and I guess it was just too much for my old rotary tool to handle. Damn you, hard ass aluminum! Damn you.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1346.jpg
Some progress,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1328.jpg
Cut out the hole. Now, bear in mind, I will have to eventually cut this hole larger, to accomodate the mechanics for the doors that will cover it.
I started grinding down the fins behind the screen, so it will sit down flush.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1343.jpg
Eventually I decided to just cut the fins off. The don't serve any purpose, and they won't be seen back there.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1331.jpg
Plus it's a little weight reduction. win-win.
Idk if I'll be able to get a new one today... Still have to work on my car (again). Can't really put that off much longer or I won't have power steering anymore.
So, after 6 years of trusty service, it's time to give my loyal tool a proper send off....
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1348.jpg
Good bye old friend.
Ohh yeah ps, I set my stuff up on the table while I went to the store, and when I looked at it, that would be a sweetass place for a monitor. Not many 3.5" bay devices to use, for the most part anyway. Just sharing an idea, mebbe someone can use it :up:
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1333.jpg
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I decided to go a different route for the screen. I need to have room for the hinge mechanics, so a flush mount won't work. I decided to cut out the whole area and recess it. Basically, it will kinda look like the main drive bay area. After a couple of ill advised, not carefully planned cuts, I have this;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1372.jpg
Not what I was going for. At all.
Soooo, I started cutting out what is now the bottom section, since the front piece is now two pieces. Sigh. Then this happened;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1375.jpg
Grreeeaaat. Sure that's what I was going for. Here is the line I was cutting along;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1374.jpg
The idea, like I said, is to cut out this whole area. It will be covered by doors.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1377.jpg
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So, made a little progress today. Turns out, that piece breaking made it easier to cut right. (See the focusing on the positive part there?) Here's those two pieces;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1381.jpg
Now, I have been puzzling over what material to use to build the new back and mount the screen. I didn't want to use sheet metal, I would rather use plastic, and a good plastic epoxy. Then it hit me, just use the casing the screen came in! So, trimmed it down a bit, and it will fit as such;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1386.jpg
Maybe that will provide a little clearer picture as to where I am going here, too. Now, of course it still needs more trimming, and I will fill the various holes so it looks like a solid piece, but it's perfect cause it's already ready for the screen to be mounted.
All this speak of the screen, I will sequay into bad news. Here is my screen;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1391.jpg
Yeah.... and that's all it does. So that sucks. Nothing like some bad news for a change. Hey, could be worse though.
Anyway, came across something the other day that finally struck me for use as mesh. I have been searching and searching, cause I just wasn't crazy about the usual suspects. Walking down the isle at My Friendly Local Neirbourhood Home Depot and my wife said, "Hey what about this?"
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1388.jpg
It's a screen filter for hood vents that are over stoves. Pull the frame off and the layers apart,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1389.jpg
Voila instant modders mesh. Holes are too small to really see through, but light can come through, and the holes aren't round. Yay so that's settled!
Till next time....
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Here is one thing I need to do, this part broke. Some jb weld to the rescue there.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1459.jpg
What I actually have done so far,
glued the piece for the monitor in place. Here I used a plastic epoxy instead of JB. I thought I would spice it up a bit lol.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1469.jpg
Then I cut it to the right length to match up to the heatsink. As you can see here, the cuts far from match up nicely. Oh well, I'll get it smoothed out, I always do.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1460.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1458.jpg
Now I have to make more cuts and stuff, and some of the areas I will be cutting away are actually areas that show me how the two pieces line back up. So, I got everything lined up pretty, then drew the outilne on paper, so now I have a template, should anything happen.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1457.jpg
Then I started cutting away even more of the heatsink, to acommodate the pcb that's larger than the screen.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1471.jpg
That's as far as I got then my dremelike started smoking pretty good. Whoopsie, guess that means I need to take a break. Oh yeah if you havent figured it out, I got a new dremelike. The ol' Black and Decker RTX, as well as a new flexshaft. Here is a pic I took trying to capture the smoke;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1465.jpg
I really like it. Smooth, quiet... course my Craftsmen dremelike was older than three of my kids so I guess anything would seem quieter and smoother. My flexshaft is quieter, too. Think my old one was no good to start with maybe.
One more thing, I cut away this section on the side. Gonna put wire mesh there instead, and make it blend into the sides of the heatsink. The other side is cut identically.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1463.jpg
Left me with this nifty lookin piece of scrap.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1464.jpg
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Finished cutting out the material in the back, to make room for the pcb.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1473.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1474.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1478.jpg
And, just when I was finishing the last bit,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1472.jpg
Dammit! This crap is going to fight me every step of the way, I swear. Can be fixed, but more pita....
Now I need to cover and build up the bottom. Recognize this piece?
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1476.jpg
No? How about now?
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1477.jpg
I'm after the bottom of this. It has the angled front, like the rest, so it should match up nice...
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1481.jpg
Or not.
So, here's the little bit of plastic I cut off the bezel for the monitor to the rescue.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1483.jpg
Obviously it's not level, but that will get fixed. All in due time.
If that stupid heatsink hadn't broke in half it would have been an even cut. [/expletives]
Then I'll sand this excess plastic down so its nice and flush....
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1484.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1485.jpg
Also, I got to use my "modders mesh." Working out pretty nice, I think.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1486.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1487.jpg
Here's a little sneaky-peeky at what's in store here.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1490.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1488.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1491.jpg
That picture was a nightmare to capture, so I took several, so you can get the idea. It looks sweet.
Got lots and lots of JB Welding to do tonight. Gonna fix the broken part I showed, fill the holes in the bezel by the monitors, and two parts of the front bezel for the mini-case.
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Lots of gluin' Filled in the speaker grills;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1507.jpg
Added some reinforcement behind the monitor bezel;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1510.jpg
Yay for globs of glue!!
Also fixed the broken part;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1504.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1501.jpg
I will slowly drill out the old useless glue, and refill with new, so it is nice and sturdy.
And, as far as this piece goes. I'm gonna nickname it the hemorroid cause it's such a pain in the arse! But see the difference in height? Thats cause it broke while cutting it. I decided that I am going to wait until I get another tool so I can make a nice straight, level, even cut here. So that's all for today.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1512.jpg
Sorry for the picture quality, light in living room is broke.
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man this is insane lol. i would never have that much patience with my case. I know i nearly flew off the handle when i spend about 15 minutes to get a really hard lock nut in place :P. Are you sure those panels are aluminium? they seem to be extremely hard to cut for aluminium, or is it an alloy? Keep up the good work man! Can't beleive no one else is commenting or commending your efforts! It looks like just a bunch of cuts for now, but i can see how it will look once its finished. It's going to turn out friggin awesome :D
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Thanks man, I appreciate your comment! I think people are waiting to see what come of it. Unfortunately even I don't have a clear picture of what the end result will, be, with a few exceptions.... I like to say I am taking an artistic approach to this. I literally still have a couple things I haven't figured out...
Anyway I am still catching up over here, so with that being said here's another chunk of updates....
I did this-
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1565.jpg
sure, that part was easy. The part that was time consuming was soldering in extension speaker wirefor some of the speakers, cause the wires weren't long enough. Specifically the rears. Ironic, since my room is tiny.
Also, I had to work on my car. Trying to fix a door lock that isn't working right. Boy I'd like to shake the hand of the engineer who designed...... And next week I get to replace a blower motor. Oh what did I do to deserve this?
Anyway all I really did was sand and file. Woohoo who doesn't like doing that?
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1560.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1559.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1561.jpg
Nice and smooooth. I was going to cut out wire mesh for the sides, but I decided to wait until I get the bottom re-attatched so I know it will blend well.
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I do have some exciting news; parts!
Courtesy of NZXT
,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1641.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1642.jpg
A brand spankin new whole front fascia. The took a look at my work and sent me the part I asked for free of charge.
Thanks NZXT, you guys rock!
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First, I cut a hole in the mobo tray for access to the cpu cooler. Not exactly foward thinking, but it's a nice addition.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1656.jpg
I flared out the sides around the screw mounts, just in case. Ok just for the heck of it.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1662.jpg
Speaking of the cpu cooler, I decided to add a layer of plexi to make it a little thicker, and hold more pressure against the cpu.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...30-2009092.jpg
I also cleaned up the edges of the various cuts. I had planned on filing them straight, but I decided that sucks so I just used my dremel.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1664.jpg
Not too bad, actually. Not perfect, but close enough for government work. The edges are not sharp at all, but I probably will give em a little sanding, just for fun. (huh?)
Gots to do me some measurin. I'm taking measurements for the 'wire channel.' I had some pieces actually cut for this already, here's an older picture of it;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_0299.jpg
but I decided to incorporate the ram cooler into it. So, I measured, and I cut and I drilled and her we go,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1657.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1658.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1659.jpg
a ram cooler. Or, as the say in France, ze ram coola
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1661.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1673.jpg
I will file the holes square, (sound familiar?) and I will put spacers between the fan and the panel, so it wont restrict airflow. I may put some mesh in there, to better hide the fans .
Speaking of mesh, (like the seque's here?) I am kinda thinking of using this panelling for the right side. Too many times the right side goes neglected, ignored. I am thinking I'll use this, with some mesh behind it so you can't see through it.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1665.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1646.jpg
I had also took the heatsinks off the mobo, to replace the TIM. I had heard it helps.
Here is my 790i digital nekked;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...30-2009077.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...30-2009074.jpg
now now boys, it's not polite to stare.
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Woot woot! Free stuffs! Got a box o goodies today from the Fedex man, courtesy of NZXT.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1716.jpg
New side panels, (I only asked for the right side but hey)
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1717.jpg
NZXT shirt. In case you haven't noticed, white isnt really my color, but I am happy to have the schwag and will for sure wear it!
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1718.jpg
case screws and of course,
the piece de resistance,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1719.jpg
a NZXT Sentry LX fan controller!
Here is a not-so-good picture of it next to my iMon,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1720.jpg
and one with flash
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1723.jpg
sorry, I had a hard time getting a decent pic, but it's a great match!
I am editing my first post to say "sponsored in part by NZXT"
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working on the right side panel.
Started with this, and cut it down to the right size.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1732.jpg
(that pic came out crummy)
Dammit all.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1733.jpg
Size down,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1735.jpg
existing panel cut,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1736.jpg
fits nice.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1737.jpg
Started filing down the edges,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1742.jpg
decided that sucks big. Time to call in the backup
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1743.jpg
oh yeah.
sanded down most of it,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1741.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1738.jpg
will sand down the rest later.
Here's the plan, brace it with strips from behind. Hold everything together with rivets while the JB Weld dries. After JB dries, drill out rivets, fill the holes and the gaps. Result; a seamless panel on the outside. Hopefully.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1747.jpg
A pic of it on the case so you know what it looks like;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1748.jpg
Also I am gonna put mesh in the slats so you can't see through it.
Here's how it sits right now.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1751.jpg
cheers
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Been working on the side panel for the minicase. Meh the steps were identical, with one exception. See, I took one regular side panel, cut out the middle section, then sandwiched the two together. Why? The result;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1814.jpg
A nice folded edge on both sides. This will ensure the side is nice and flush, top and bottom. I could not have done that by hand.
Here is the smaller side panel, with the last side all clamped up.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1826.jpg
Slapped a coat of bondo on it,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1839.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1842.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1840.jpg
Here's another side by side so you can see how the line up;
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1817.jpg
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And now, ladies and gentleman, for my next trick, I need a volunteer. Anyone will do, yes you sir, up front,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1849.jpg
come on down!
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1850.jpg
Now watch, as I turn one ordinary needle file and one ordinary jigsaw,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1851.jpg
Into the Mark Hardware Filing Machine 2000!
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1854.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1855.jpg
In action;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7d2Zos5FgY
mwahahaha!
you all remember the last time I filed a bunch of holes like that. To heck with that!
*note to self, do not have wife hold camera anymore
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Started out by working on something kinda simple. I call it the wire box, for lack of a better term. See, one goal of this project is to see no wires what-so-ever. The back of the case (where there is usually the most wires) is no exception. This box will serve to hide these cables. I am thinking I may add a hub here, to make everything accessible at this point instead of having to get to the I/O panel.
So this wasn't too complicated, just add some alum channel,
make a frame,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2917.jpg
curse, swear,
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2902.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2905.jpg
My first day back to real modding and it's like I never left. This stoopid piece broke during drilling.
That's ok, I will fix it, make it stronger, make it better.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2907.jpg
Anyway, here is that, attached and happy.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2908.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2910.jpg
I also started working on the upper front pieces. I cut and sanded the plastic and replaced it with wire mesh. Both sides will be identical. I also started blending this piece of heatsink into the front plastic. It will have a similiar appearence to the bottom.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2819.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2919.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2921.jpg
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2918.jpg
Just for funs, I hooked up this key switch. Originally I wasn't going to use it because it's too big, but I have changed my mind, deciding that it's actually perfect because it's big. So say hello to my new "on" button.
http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_2915.jpg
One more note, I have also come to the difficult decision to not use the front fascia, do to the exorbitant amount of problems and ongoing design changes. What I have decided to do instead is use this piece for experimenting on, and once I get everything figured out, I will make a final model. From now on I consider this a prototype. I already have the parts lined up, but I am not making a single cut on them until the prototype is done and I have everything figured out.
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wow, my god, that look more crazy! hehehe is getting very cool
