Custom Made Case U2-UFO "Replica"

Overclocker.com.au (OCAU) have a new case modding comp that i have entered, I thought I would also copy the log to XTremeSystems for those not members at OCAU to view as it might be of some interest :-) the main rule of the comp is stay under $200 budget :-S --->

From OCAU log

I have been a HUGE fan of the Mountain Mods U2-UFO PC cases (but not a fan of their EXORBITANT
prices, ~$AU580 delivered to Australia :-| ) I thought i would have a crack at making a "replica" for a fraction of the cost.

For those not familar with the U2-UFO range of cases here's a couple I will be combining attributes off -->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ies_pics_1.jpg

Click here for full size pics

The fan placement of the top case will be used in my "replica" with the inclusion of the black plexi top and side panels.

Today i picked up the aluminium and nylon corners i will use for the frame of my case along with a couple of sheets of 1.5mm thick aluminium sheets for the
front and rear panels of the case-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_1.jpg

Click here for full size pics

The aluminium tube and connectors are known as Qubelok, it is $AU27 for a 6meter length (the frame has ~6.25m of aluminum) The corner joiners
i forget the exact price suffice to say they are around $AU2 a piece. I decided also I would have the company that sells Qubelok, Capral
cut the tube to size for me, the black powder coat was $AU3 more than raw aluminum finish. The two 1.5mm aluminium sheets were $AU16ea. Total cost thus far
is $AU97.

Things still required for completion that I don't have are stainless steel dome head cap screws & I some mirror finish plexi for inner sides of case. The
3 black plexi for the top and sides I have in my stock pile. I will also need ~5 more 120mm fans (case will have 8 x 120's) and probably half a dozens 80's
my good mate Steven from SycoComputers will fix me up with some blue LED fans for a good price :: wink wink :: :-)

Shall be back with update soon :-)

This should go in the computer cases section, but
looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Looking forward to seeing this finished.

Love the idea, and my friend and I have been considering building a cube case as a summer project.

Anyone have an idea where we'd be able to find similar nylon joints in the US?

Quote:

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Anyone have an idea where we'd be able to find similar nylon joints in the US?

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DO you mean these

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Subsider

DO you mean these

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I've seen those, and may end up using them, but I like the idea of using prefab joints like the OP has to contstruct a frame.

Cool man, keep it up!

man i wish you lived in Sydney.........it would be awesome to get help from some like yourself with some things i have in mind

Excellent job! I've got a little collection of home brew cases also.

Metal interlocking systems in the US:

Aerocool Lubic components, if you can still find them.

80/20 components.

Or Mcmaster.com, search for T slot components.

navig

Update

I finished cutting the aluminum panels today, also cut the front openings for radiator, dvd roms and fan before moving on to organizing a removable mobo tray.

IMO the hardest part of making a case would have to be the motherboard tray, I decided not to tackle making one from scratch and thus doing away with copious amounts of swearing LoL... I have used a mobo tray from an AOpen case, nice and strong not flimsy like some of the generic cases, unfortunately though they don't cater for a 120mm fan so i have "redesigned" the tray somewhat-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_3.jpg

Click here for full size pics

I have loosely assembled it with a couple of bolts only for now, I still have to sand and undercoat it ready for painting. I shall cut the rear panel of the case tomorrow and fit the tray into the case, back with an update tomorrow evening :-)

Nice work!

Good job man , nice to see so many peeps getting into cubes lately :)

Cheers christopher3393 & Leeghoofd...Leeghoofd, I'm glad you made a comment
I followed the link in your sig to your custom cube fantastic work buddy very impressive :-)

Update

What a day :-| Fiddling about finishing off the rear panel and fitting up
the removable mobo tray thankfully it all went extremely well and I'm rapt
with the result, all nice and square best of all it all fits LoL. As always
here's a few snaps-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_4.jpg

Click here for full size pics

Obviously not all the bolts have been fitted, and wont be until final assembly.
I have 90% decided on getting all the panels powder coated, will finish all the fabrication make sure everything fits before ripping it down and sending it off to ma good bud Snapper for powder coating...in black as per usual hehe...

Tomorrow i shall cut the final lot of fan holes in the top and rear panel before fitting
the radiators, yes thats not a typo there will be two rads the 360 and a 3 core 120 that will handle the cooling of the hard drive caddy hehe yup, shall be making a copper based hard drive caddy capable of holding 6 drives in water cooled comfort, have 4 sheets of 3mm copper plate that is destined for the job...

Back tomorrow with next update...

Update

It's really starting to look more like a PC case now I think :-) I cut the
remaining openings today, the two 120mm fan openings on top
of the case, a 120mm rear for the radiator and the PSU opening :-)

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_5.jpg

Click here for full size pics

I think tomorrow I shall tackle the removable dvd rom caddy, time slipped
away today and i didn't get a start on it. I also wanted to fit panels on the inside behind the mobo tray...will get to it after the caddies.

I have also managed to pick up a second new Swiftech MCP-655 for $AU80 bucks today which i was rapt about :-) will use this pump to power the loop that cools the hard drive caddy :-)

My best mate also gave me a price on powder coating will run into 60 bucks for the 4 panels and mobo tray... bringing total cost to ~$AU190...close to the competitions $AU200 limit hehe. Still, IMO its a cheap case for what it is and thus far im extremely happy with the progress.

Back tomorrow with more

Ciao for now

fast progress u got there

nice work

Jester how do you fit the PSU , just solely by the alu sheet on the rear or are you gonna make a support bracket ? My Galaxy is still in backorder but it weighs a ton too much to be supported by my acryl panels, one of the reasons I opted to mount it on the lower plate...

great looking project you have going here, that beast is going to be awesome.


I'm so looking forward to the next update :up:

Cheers for the positive feedback fellas appreciated :-)

Leeghoofd No support bracket required mate, PSU will mount directly against the rear ali panel it is more than sturdy enough :-)

I have again changed my mind regarding case colour and its means of application. I will now NOT be going for powder coating but doing a clear over base paint job. My mate has scored me some free silver metallic paint and a liter of two pack clear. The inside will remain polished ali and the qubelok will remain black. I also have planned for 10mm thick solid black acrylic surrounds foir the fan and rad openings, will also double as 'brackets' to hold the mesh in place, will recess it slightly so mesh fits on the reverse side flush, holding it against the ali panel. Removable tray inside will also be black, as will the removable drive bay caddy.

Unfortunately i didnt get any work done today was a little under the weather be back into it first thing in the morning and back with a finished removable dvd rom caddy at days end...fingers crossed :-\

Update

Started on the removable dvd/cd Rom caddy today, it was a slow tedious job
wanting to make sure everything was neat and tidy. I chose to use some
old right angle aluminum i had in one of my old LCD projector cases i made
few years ago and some 1.5mm aluminium plate.

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_6.jpg

Click here for full size pics

I will be swapping the nyloc nuts for nice shiny brass dome nuts soon as they are delivered (hopefully later this arvo) The caddy will be removable and held in place with thumbscrews. I still have to fix angle to the sides to hold the unit together, and obviously drill the mounting holes for the roms etc.

The whole caddy will be prepped, primed and painted with black two pac.

All in all i'm very happy with the progress, I shall finish the caddy off first
thing tomorrow and mount it to the case before progressing on to the interior center panel mounting.

Back tomorrow...

Nice one Jester :clap:

You should clean up the competition with that beast, can you make two please :fact: :banana:

Great looking case

Cheers fellas, hopefully will do ok in the competition no biggy though if i don't i will still have a nice new case for my efforts :-)

Update

Finished off attaching right angle to the rear section of the rom caddy today, resized the opening in the front panel drilled, tapped and fitted the bay-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_7.jpg

Click here for full size pics

Bear in mind the whole unit is still to be sanded, primed and painted in black enamel :: sigh :: I have a mountain of sanding ahead of me, my least favourite thing to do where modding is concerned yet one of the most important if you want a nice final finish on your paint work....agghhh

Will fit the internal centre panel first up tomorrow and then get onto some plexi work i think....

Back soon folks

That's some great work you've done! How many hours work approx to do the job? Willing to make another one? ;)

Good job so far

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Originally Posted by benny08

That's some great work you've done! How many hours work approx to do the job? Willing to make another one? ;)

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Cheers beeny :-) I would guess around 10-12 hours have been put into it thuse far mate, I do it in hour-two hour stints each day :-)

Update

First panel was permanently mounted to the case this arvo, the inner panel located behind the mobo tray was cut and fitted. Doesn't look much but took me good two hours to cut, drill and fit the damn thing :-S
Another hour was taken up drilling and elongating (by hand) the mounting holes for the dvd roms in the caddy.

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_8.jpg

Click here for full size pics

aside from riveting the side panels onto the case the fabrication side of things is pretty well finished.
There is still a :banana::banana::banana::banana: load to do though, that plexi work i mentioned yesterday will get underway tomorrow...

Back soon :-)

Looking good. Question though, the back panel has the PSU, then a single fan hole at the very bottom... Bunch of empty space there. Are you leaving room for a second PSU? I would personally cut another fan hole so you could fit a PA120.2 back there in case you get dual WC loops. Just an idea :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SparkyJJO

Looking good. Question though, the back panel has the PSU, then a single fan hole at the very bottom... Bunch of empty space there. Are you leaving room for a second PSU? I would personally cut another fan hole so you could fit a PA120.2 back there in case you get dual WC loops. Just an idea :)

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Yes it is for a second psu (in the future...been toying with cutting the hole now and puting a plate over it with a 80mm fan in it for the time being...) and there is also a radiator going where the 120 fan hole is for the loop that will cool the custom watercooled 6 bay HDD caddy i shall be making in a few days time, I believe I had already mentioned that earlier in the worklog :-) I picked up a second mcp-655 pump during the week for $AU80 for the second loop fella was selling all his h20 gear he had bought but never fitted, he had a 240 rad to but i didn't have the cash or it would have been earmarked for that panel instead of the 120...hella over kill I know..

Update

I have spent HOURS making a new bracket to mount the radiator. The old one I had made for previous case wasn't up to scratch, it was 'butchered' and will now be a frame for a filter :-)

I have loosely fitted it all up for a few snaps for those interested in this build, please note it is all still to be etch primed and painted in gloss black...the thumbscrews are your standard run of the mill variety as per used on cases, I have simply cut the thread off drilled and tapped them with a 3mm tap. (incidentally-those seen on other parts of the case have had their threads cut off also and 3mm steel rod inserted into them and held in place with liquid weld.)

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_Pic_9.jpg

Click here for full size pics

A MOUNTAIN of filing went into both the bracket and filter frame honestly must have spent a good 3 hours on these two items, I am happy with them now though. I will be using the usual material some of you have seen in the past ie. filter material as per used in mig welders, i'm not sure of the micron rating suffice to say i have been using it for a few years now and it is simply BRILLIANT! Unfortunately it is also white and i have to dye it place before fitting it or it will stand out like dogs balls LoL. Fan wiring must also be re-routed to the other side...

FINALLY will get the plexi surrounds happening in the a.m tomorrow...Thankfully i have a PILE of 10mm plexi offcuts i picked out of the bin at PolyTech Plastics..

Back tomorrow folks :-)

Drooling again :) Still busy and working slowly on my cables lol... keep it up ...

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Originally Posted by Leeghoofd

Drooling again :) Still busy and working slowly on my cables lol... keep it up ...

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Haha thanks mate...im not looking forward to doing the wiring on my case much...

I finished sanding the dvd bay today so hit it with some etch primer and a firts coat of enamel. -->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...w/IMG_0455.JPG

Click here for full size pics

Will report back with an update when i have finished sanding the rest of the case and have some paint on it...

Update

I pop riveted all panels to the case yesterday I thought it
a good photo opportunity to see were we are in this project thus far-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ies_Pic_11.jpg

Click here for full size pic

Apologies the quality of the shots is a little off, the fellas were over for beers last night and these pics were taken later in the evening when many aforementioned beers had been consumed hehehe

Aside from hard drive bays we have a "useable" case Obviously needs some
doors to and a slap of paint here and there .... and some finishing "touches" still, but good to see progress is on track...

1 question, HOW MUCH FOR SHIPPING TO GEORGIA (USA).... Awesome work there

Man there's a lot of work there :eek:

Very well done aussiejester - one question, why doesn't there seem to be anyone from Melbourne here.

All the aussie wc'ing guys seem to be everywhere else but Melbourne.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffP

Man there's a lot of work there :eek:

Very well done aussiejester - one question, why doesn't there seem to be anyone from Melbourne here.

All the aussie wc'ing guys seem to be everywhere else but Melbourne.

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Who would live in Melb. by choice ???? :confused: :D

I personally don't like the cubes but once again, aussiejester, your work is just awesome...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alpha0ne

Who would live in Melb. by choice ???? :confused: :D

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ahhhahhahhha - really - it used to be the state with the politician with the biggest balls - but he's gone now...

I'm actually from Adelaide - but ants move around to different nests........:rolleyes:

Where I come from, we call 'em 'Mexicans'... south of the border ;)

But I'd never hold that against them, besides, I married one :D

[Disclaimer: No disparaging racial slurs intended, purely in jest fella's. Call me whatever you like, remarks like this shouldn't be taken too seriously in this arena. ;)]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alpha0ne

Who would live in Melb. by choice ???? :confused: :D

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Actually, I'm interested, cheaper real estate and way more performance pc suppliers and more cut throat pricing and availability ;). That said, WA looks (in true 'AJ' speak) 'real purrrrrty' ;)

Sorry to hijack AJ. As I mentioned on OzCaseModz, top work mate and coming along really nicely! Oh yeah, and jealous and all that. ;)

Absolutely, no HJ'ing intended...
Hell, if I had AJ's obvious engineering talents, i wouldn't have paid a bloody fortune in shipping costs alone to get a "cube".

hhhmmmmmmm, something about cubes, the Borg obviously dig them :D

For some reason i think box cases just look well not exactly good but not fugly i just perfer towers.

They migth not look good to you but are so practical to setup and to test hardware... and as I swap loads of hardware to test and have fun with , this is ideal....

Work is coming along nicely, good job.

Firstly THANKYOU for all the supportive comments very much appreciated :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffP

one question, why doesn't there seem to be anyone from Melbourne here.

All the aussie wc'ing guys seem to be everywhere else but Melbourne.

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HAHA... i wouldnt have thought Melbournites would need to watercool their pcs its sub zero temps year round there aint it :-P :-P :-P

Things have slowed on the construction due to lack of $$$ and materials...that came to an end today :-)

I purchased the remaining materials required for the completion of the case.

Firstly a visit to Polytech Plastics
and a HUGE thankyou for great deal on the acrylic plexi-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...w/IMG_0598.JPG

Click here for full size pics

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...w/IMG_0599.JPG

Click here for full size pics

For the sides of the case Black Tint 10mm thick plex...BIG chunk
of 20mm clear for the watercooled hard drive bays,
6mm solid black for the fan opening surrounds/mesh frames. And lastly 60mm clear tube
for a couple of custom reservoirs for my dual MCP-655 pumps :-)

I also had a squiz about in Bunnings for a suitable handle for the top of the case, came across this-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...w/IMG_0600.JPG

Click here for full size pics

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...w/IMG_0601.JPG

Click here for full size pics

It is solid aluminum, i also picked up a couple of stainless steel
30mm long stainless bolts that will go through the Qubelok
frame in the middle of the case and into the ali handle...

Lastly... a new blade for my bandsaw :-) So I'm set to go again.

I decided to hold off on the painting of the case until I
had the doors mounted as holes required for mounting the hinges will need to be drilled.

Hopefully back later tomorrow with a pair of mounted plexi doors ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AussieJester

HAHA... i wouldnt have thought Melbournites would need to watercool their pcs its sub zero temps year round there aint it :-P :-P :-P

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:rofl: hang on sunshine, we have all 4 seasons over here, unfortunately all in the one day sometimes :rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffP

:rofl: hang on sunshine, we have all 4 seasons over here, unfortunately all in the one day sometimes :rofl:

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ROFL so true ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by soccerswim8

any more updates?

absolutely amazing work. simply beautiful. words cannot describe it

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Cheers mate and yes there has been some progress however I haven't added it to this thread as yet ( i shall on completion) I have been working on the hard drive bay for the case and as it is watercooled I thought i would also make a thread in the Liquid Cooling section of XtremeSystems, you can checkout the thread here if you like :-)

Update

Back again peoples, with only a few days to go till the OCAU modding comp ends
I thought I would start back with the updates. Things have progressed along nicely
with the case now etch primed and ready for it's metallic silver and clear coat finish-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ies_Pic_12.jpg

Click here for full size pics

The case was prepped for paint using 400 grit, i wanted a nice rough finish for the etc primer to 'bite' into. Protec industrial grade etch primer has been used, this :banana::banana::banana::banana: its incredible, really holds to the metal beautifully providing a superb 'foundation' for painting...I believe it is horribly expensive though, luckily this was donated (thanks to PolMac Trailers) It has had a dust coat and 3 additional coats of etch primer, it is
now ready for a coat of spray putty a light sand and final paint. OH...also as some might spot the hinges have also been added & the black tint plexi doors hung...

I have my fingers crossed for good weather we have had miserable weather all weekend
and needing at least 20 degrees to paint 2 pak i might have left the run to late...we shall see :: wink ::

Back soon ya'll

OOOHHH looks pretty nice, I like that color.
Awww too bad you're not in the US, on ebay I can get giant (I mean GIANT) sheets of polycarbonate dirt cheap or gigantic plexiglas (acrylic) sheet from orchard supply hardware for reasonable prices...Being in the US is just awesome, I was in china for a while and like getting electronics was a total nightmare...
I just bought a real big piece of delrin and I'm hoping it comes by this thursday...:)

Hehe, nice work mate, but some paint isn't going to be enough to beat me in the OCAU comp ;)

I have some things to say.... just to put you off guard ;)

1. I don't like the hinges mate. C'mon, you can do better than that.
2. Are you painting the case 'intact'? I am surprised.
3. Some of those edges/joints look like they could do some more attention... tlc ;)
4. Top etch job... you 'da master painter :)
5. I hope I actually get a 'functional' case together by comp. close or there'll be no competition for ya'

Good on you AJ! Top job as usual.

Cheers
GAM

ps. I wonder if the fish are biting today :devil:

ROFL

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:fight

looks for popcorn :D

WTF GAM

you sell Thermochill in Australia :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

have you actually got stock :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dinos22

WTF GAM

you sell Thermochill in Australia :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

have you actually got stock :eek:

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I've got a few 120.3's in the next shipment available. I think the stock quantities on the site are fairly accurate. Should be here in the next few days. ;)

AussieJester all i can say that your ufo replica is one high quality build, one of my favorite projects here in XS. can't wait to see it finished.

Wow....you sure have put a lot of time and effort into your build !

and it really shows.....!

Nice work, can't wait to see the final product

Cheers for the positive comments fellas much appreciated. I have another update to do but before I do I best let members here know I have withdrawn from the OCAU modding comp. Two reasons behind this but the main one is ineligibility due to breaking the $AU200 budget limit for modz in the comp. I am ~20 bucks over it and still require a good 30-40 bucks worth of stainless steel caps screws to complete the assembly. Yes I could have skimped and gotten by just to make the budget but its not the way I like to do things, I like to to the job once and do it well, I see absolutely no point making sacrifices to win a small competition (would be different if there was prizes of value on offer though :-P ) Obviously I will still be finishing the case so for those following this worklog don't stress should see it complete sometime over the weekend now i don't need to rush it :-) OK then--->

Update

Fine weather today allowed for the spraying of the metallic silver enamel. I firstly taped up the case so as the inside didn't receive any 'unwanted' over spray before letting fly with the Protec enamel-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ies_Pic_13.jpg

Click here for full size pics

This protec paint is fantastic stuff, industrial paint usually used in the motor vehicle body building industry, it is extremely hard wearing and very fast drying, it is touch dry in under 5 minutes and additional coats can be applied upto 4 hours after initial coat (after which 24 hours drying time is required before additional coats) The case has now had a dust coat and 4 heavy coats. I also took a close up of the paint to help show better the metallic flek in it which can't really be seen in the above pics-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...our_sample.jpg

Click here for full size pics

I will let this dry for 24 hours now before hitting it with 6 or 7 coats of 2Pak clear gloss, this will then be cut and polished. Unfortunately the above pics don't do justice to the colours, IMO its fantastic and really gets 'set off' by the matt black interior.

Thanks again for the kind words, I shall be back with another update tomorrow ...

Ciao for now people ;-)

Looking absolutely fantastic mate :D - I'm going to go and rub my cleaning cloth a bit harder over my U2 to make myself feel better :p:

great work!

I like it more then the u2fo, and you get propls for making it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffP

Looking absolutely fantastic mate :D - I'm going to go and rub my cleaning cloth a bit harder over my U2 to make myself feel better :p:

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You have a damn fine case yourself they(UFO cases) are the reason this worklog exists! I would happily pay what you did for one IF i had the money unfortunately my disability support pension doesnt 'pay' very well LoL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by teyber

great work!

I like it more then the u2fo,

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Thanks mate appreciate that :-)

Update

Just a small update today fellas really due to a comment made in another forum this worklog is also on. It was mentioned the colour was nice but not as 'shiny' as my usual finishes, I reminded the poster that it was only the base coat and had clear to follow. The first of half a dozen coats went on yesterday & i took the following picture to show it will have some shine....ALOT of shine hehe-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...a/IMG_0691.jpg

This is untouched straight off the gun, it will be sanded today lightly with 1200 grit wet and dry allowed to cure again then painted with another heavy/"wet"coat of 2Pak clear gloss tomorrow (weather permitting)

Back soon :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AussieJester

You have a damn fine case yourself they(UFO cases) are the reason this worklog exists! I would happily pay what you did for one IF i had the money unfortunately my disability support pension doesn't 'pay' very well LoL

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Great job Jester, silver = my fav case colour :clap:

I'm in the same boat as you re disability pension and not getting the 500 bucks everyone else got has me steaming :down: :mad:

very nice color, it really compliments the black interior. :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AussieJester

This is untouched straight off the gun, it will be sanded today lightly with 1200 grit wet and dry allowed to cure again then painted with another heavy/"wet"coat of 2Pak clear gloss tomorrow (weather permitting)

Back soon :-)

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Perth Forecast
Issued at 11:20 am WST on Saturday 2 June 2007

Warning summary
Nil.

Forecast for Saturday
Fine. Light to moderate E/NE winds.

Precis: Fine.
City: Max 21

Forecast for Sunday
Fine. Light to moderate E/NE winds.

Precis: Fine.
City: Min 8 Max 21

NO EXCUSES :p: Need a picture of the 2-pak finish - I believe it will be fantastic based on your workmanship skills. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffP

Perth Forecast
Issued at 11:20 am WST on Saturday 2 June 2007

Warning summary
Nil.

Forecast for Saturday
Fine. Light to moderate E/NE winds.

Precis: Fine.
City: Max 21

Forecast for Sunday
Fine. Light to moderate E/NE winds.

Precis: Fine.
City: Min 8 Max 21

NO EXCUSES :p: Need a picture of the 2-pak finish - I believe it will be fantastic based on your workmanship skills. :)

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ROFL just good enough not meant to spray 2Pak when temps under 20 degrees i have been told ;-P Be more the point of if im not to hung over have the lads over as i type this just finished doing our best to eat a paddock of cowz and half a rain forrest think we keep ol Jim and Jack in business sometimes :: hiccup:: hehehe do ma best though mate ;-) :: buuurp :::

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AussieJester

ROFL just good enough not meant to spray 2Pak when temps under 20 degrees i have been told ;-P Be more the point of if im not to hung over have the lads over as i type this just finished doing our best to eat a paddock of cowz and half a rain forrest think we keep ol Jim and Jack in business sometimes :: hiccup:: hehehe do ma best though mate ;-) :: buuurp :::

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hmmmmm, steak & bourbon :slobber: of-course, on a bbq :up:
When I come over for work to Perth next I will drop in and eat some of your wonderful culinary delights :p:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoffP

hmmmmm, steak & bourbon :slobber: of-course, on a bbq :up:
When I come over for work to Perth next I will drop in and eat some of your wonderful culinary delights :p:

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You wont believe this but my brother rang up (out of the blue) haven't seen or heard from him in MONTHS and he's on his way up for few drinks and another barby this arvo LoL Let us know when your in the West mate and we can catch up for a drink and chat no probs at all, met a few people I have met on the forums...LoL including my now ex-wife LoL

Update

I cut the first coat of 2Pak gloss back with 1000 grit and have applied another 'wet' coat -->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ies_Pic_14.jpg

Click here for full size pics

Will be same routine tomorrow, another very very light sand with 1200 this time as there isn't any 'orange peel' to speak of, before repeating with more gloss, I want this looking like you can dive into it when its finished IMO its well on its way...

Back soon folks :-)

Dammit Jester I'm going to have to paint my Tj05 internals black now after seeing yours and how good it looks :clap: grrrrrrrr

Its in pieces ATM as I'm putting the rad 'up top' :)

Damn,
I just wet myself, the paint job is looking very nice indeed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AussieJester

You wont believe this but my brother rang up (out of the blue) haven't seen or heard from him in MONTHS and he's on his way up for few drinks and another barby this arvo LoL Let us know when your in the West mate and we can catch up for a drink and chat no probs at all, met a few people I have met on the forums...LoL including my now ex-wife LoL

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Sounds like barby heaven at your place :p: Yeh thanks mate, I will give you a hoy when I'm over next - which is at any time as we seem to have installation works happening all the time over there.. :D

very nice

Very nice job there m8 :)

f*cking excellent job there mate... im really digging the paint job, and the case itself looks awesome..

Come on! Less slacking more working!

I'm looking forward to seeing the result of this. Hence why I actually had to search threads made by you! :)

HAHA ah Mekrel I have been trying to save some $$$ for new PSU for the case as I want to get all the wiring done next, you shall be one of the first to know when i have that aforementioned psu and wiring is underway...as is case is finished awaiting components ;-)

What PSU are you going for if you dont mind me asking?

I'm wanting to go for a single rail Silverstone Olypia 750w, going to buy off performance PC's as they custom cable braid stuff. Did a hyper PSU around 3 years ago, do able but very hard I found.

My PC343B build is coming along now. Designed a pump holder and it's been laser cut. Should be ready some time next week. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mekrel

What PSU are you going for if you dont mind me asking?

)

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Undecided at the moment, when I have some dollars together I'll start to get a more serious about choosing, that said I do like the Corsair 620watt unit and the price for me is within easy reach, I would also drop a Enermax Galaxy DXX EGX1000EW in a heart beat if i can afford it, this would ensure a lil 'future proofing' for a few months :-| ....doubt this will happen though, my limited finances are already divided between my pc gear and r/c Helicopters...the choppers winning of late LoL...damn gravity.

Getting a Corsair this week. It's much more convieniant than my Tagan. Modular and 150mm long helps in a tight case.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you treat your rad fan holes in this build. There's not that many silver cases with rad grills around. Heaps of black builds with grills on top and front but not many silver, paint or brushed al. My build has a top mounted PA120.3 and it's holding me up atm. Don't like the chrome grill against brushed al much. I'd use three wire grills but it'd take cutting good neat holes or look crummy.
Those choppers are bloody addictive.
Up at 7AM this morning? hee hee
Worth it to see red and blue on the podium but would've liked to see Rossi on the same tires. Then we'd have had a three way battle instead of an aussie walk over.

I'd buy the Hx620 ASAP Jester as PLE wont have too much stock and they (Hx620) usually sell pretty fast

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Originally Posted by Jedda

Up at 7AM this morning? hee hee

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6.55 actually TV on channel 10 ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jedda

would've liked to see Rossi on the same tires.

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GOD NO! Nobody would see which way he went :-| Heaven forbid he gets a lil patriotic and decides he wants to ride for Ducati he would be unbeatable.

Casey Stoner and Chris Vermulen did Australia proud today, If Casey stays on the bike he will take the World Championship this year I believe, regardless whether Yamaha find some more speed when they fit nematic valves for more HP over the mid season break... He has won and been competitve on all track types in the dry and wet, yes he has the best race package but lets not forget the tank full of ability he has, critics/commentators have finally realized to its not JUST the bike that sees Casey on the top of the World Championship ladder ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jedda

Then we'd have had a three way battle instead of an aussie walk over.

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meh...I don't mind watching a couple of Aussies battle it out for 1st 2nd and 3rd In fact, with a bit of luck Ant West will work his way to the pointy end of the field ;-) Aussie 1 2 and 3 maybe :-P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alpha0ne

I'd buy the Hx620 ASAP Jester as PLE wont have too much stock and they (Hx620) usually sell pretty fast

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Cheers for the info ;-) although it doesn't affect me, I rarely buy anything local (outside of wholesale) other than blank dvds , everything is either from the east or overseas ;-)

Same here but very little stock of the HX620 AU wide :)

Time has come to mount some hardware into this case...a step towards that today ...

I have put together a plexi rez over the last few days and just mounted it up
tonight... also, the planned 120x1 on the rear of case is now history a 240 rad will take its place...Extra hole marked and will cut tomorrow, have also marked out a rad shroud in 20mm plexi for the new 240 rad...

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...sivor_800x.jpg

Click here for fullsize pics

Ordered a rad today hoping it gets sent before company closes for christmas break..

back when i am :-)

Good to see ya log back in action mate, keep it up !!! Really amazed by that paint job, my new cube still needs some finishing touches, you gave me some good idea's (again )

Greetzz !!

Great work, later today you'll see what it inspired me to do...

wow...nice work here!!!!

Today I finally finished the water cooled HDD rack i started months ago. Initially i held the unit together with bolts that screwed into tapped holes in the plexi, this was not satisfactory. The bolts were 5mm in length and the tension required to pull down the gasket to seal the unit caused cracking around the thread holes, to fix this situation I have used longer stainless steel socket bolts and dome nuts to suit that go right through the plexi. Here's a few pics of the completed HDD rack-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ries_pic_8.jpg

Click here for full size pics

As can be seen I have also added an aluminum outer panel, i thought the unit looked somewhat "unfinished" with the straight plexi. I have leak tested and pressure tested the unit without issue this afternoon i am now happy with it and shall move on tomorrow to the second radiator shroud for the rear 240 rad...

note* The 1/2in clear tube connecting the two halves will be replaced with 7/16 tubing before use (waiting delivery)

Very nice work as usual AJ!http://img26.exs.cx/img26/2245/thumbsup8de.gif

Holy Crap, that's a nice way to WC the drives. But, how much heat actually goes to the sides of the drives? I see all these coolers that only cool the sides of the drives instead of top and bottom, wondering how much it helps.

Majority of the heat is side/underneath for HDDs. Very nice case AussieJester!

Kickarse work AJ, looking tops!

Can't wait for the imminent finale. :D

Cheers
GAM

Thanks fellas appreciate the comments ;-)

Gam she aint far away now buddy ...not far at all ;-)

Updated

I mounted the HDD unit today using thumbscrews before I moved to making a plexi shroud for the 240 size radiator that will grace the rear of the case. I have mounted it using 4mm button socket botls and brass dome nutz-->

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...fan_shroud.jpg

Click here for full size pics

I thought the D5 could do with a lil blinging up also, polished 0.5mm aluminium to the rescue :-) I also found some neat feet when i went to JayCar earlier in the week to pick up wire and connectors, the feet I presume are for stereo gear, 4 of them cost ~AU$7 they have rubber on the base to prevent scratching of the surface the pc sits on also, they are mounted with 4mm button socket bolts and brass dome nuts :-)

Things still todo...grills for top to fans, I must also drill the hole for rez hose inlet on top of the case, I will be making a filler myself (more on that soon) I also must fit the Bulgin power button on the front of the case before starting on the plethora of cable sleeving there is to do :-S

I have ordered Tygon hose from Gammods today such is the Gamsters commitment to service after he missed the pick up for express post at his local PostOffice he went driving to another post office to ensure the hose was sent today so i will see it by the weekend a service you wouldnt get from most shops! Gammods 10/10 ... From PC Case gear i picked up ASUS DRW-2014L1T 20X DVD/CD SATA LightScribe burner to fill the vacant spot in the bay along with some pruuuurty blue 90 degree sata cables...

Not far away now kiddies hehe...back tomorrow...

I had planned having the watercooling complete and the cable sleeving done this weekend, well the watercooling is almost there the cable sleeving got a start but i need to gotto JayCar and pick up some of the small plastic molex connectors tomorrow im afraid :-( Possibility HIGH i will hit GAMods up again for more sleeving to

Here's a quick snap as I organized which way i wanted the tubing routed, get it right first time with this tubing at 22 bucks a meter

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...ction_Pic1.jpg

Click here for full size pics

(left rez will have an additional D5 connected the hose will gotto the 120x3 rad from pump outlet, then to gpu - cpu second rez...I am 2 brass fittings short, i will use ones from current system when i swap components over thus havent included 120x3 in loop ATM)

Now this is 7/16 ID Tygon tubing (using this size specifically because i DONT want to mess about with using cable ties or clamps) IMO now i have had the opportunity to use Tygon it is absolutely no better than the cheaper tubing such as Clearflex. And my trusty garden hose trumps them all LoL... but for the looks this Tygon does suit the bill...


Back tomorrow with hopefully the final update ;-)

Great stuff mate, though I don't think you can transport that beast out of ya house unless you are a pro powerlifter...


Keep it up !!

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Originally Posted by Leeghoofd

Great stuff mate, though I don't think you can transport that beast out of ya house unless you are a pro powerlifter...


Keep it up !!

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The case itself is very very light whats in it now though is starting to add up...

Been messing about with making extensions and sleeving them with FLEXO PET cable sleeving to work with the Aero Cool Gatewatch II im using in the cube case , it has temp probs for CPU GPU HDD and Case along with monitoring of the CPU GPU HDD & case fans. I have the Gatewtach buttons on CPU wired to 3x120 on front mount radiator, GPU has the rear 120 fan the HDD button looks after the 2x120 on rear rad and the top 2 case fans use the case button on the GATEWATCH... Leads for both pumps are fitted along with 2 cold cathodes ...All came out pretty neat and tidy i think heres a few pics...

http://myfoto.westnet.com.au/Photo/s...eving_pics.jpg

Click here for full size pics

I Have been toying with using the 520watt Antec True Power 2.0 i am currently using on my pc but have finally decided to grab a modular PSU. I picked up a Corsair 620W today hopefully be here tomorrow Thursday latest, will need to shorten a few leads no doubt to keep it tidy then i can load in the final hardware...

p.s yeah yeah i know i should have painted that poxy blue box :-S

Here's some snaps i took late last night, when i have the gpu waterblock fitted i shall polish her up and grab some nicer shots these are a bit crappy was a lil intoxicated at that stage of the evening LoL So to those that have followed this build -->

http://www.myfoto.com.au/Photo/snapp...w/IMG_0257.jpg

Click here for full size pics

http://www.myfoto.com.au/Photo/snapp...w/IMG_0272.jpg

Click here for full size pics

http://www.myfoto.com.au/Photo/snapp...w/IMG_0271.jpg

Click here for full size pics

http://www.myfoto.com.au/Photo/snapp...w/IMG_0267.jpg

Click here for full size pics

http://www.myfoto.com.au/Photo/snapp...w/IMG_0278.jpg

Click here for full size pics

The pictures definitely dont do it justice, i need to setup the camera for some nice night shotz after i give the case a good polish to get the dusk and smudges off it from hauling it in (and it weighs a bit now all full me mate reckons ...i cant lift it)

There still are a few little things to do thumbscrews for the doors for example (I still have a pair of gas struts courtesy of MAD from OZ Case Modz to fit to the doors also. Its very quiet imo the 8 fans kicking over at 1500rpm according to GateWatch 2 monitor with case temps of ~25 degrees (ambient ~20 so airflow is obviously not a problem shes flowing in cold and coming out...well pretty cold to LoL...Im sure as like me some are wondering "how does the watercooled HDD rack work" Well i dont know LoL the temperature probe for the HDD on the GateWatch 2 isnt working and my hand held has a flat battery :-S that all said to the touch, the HDD is noticeably cooler! One interesting detail, i pulled the Nvidia 8800GT super's heatsink off and got rid of the factory thermal compound and replaced it with AS5 in doing so knocked a mammoth 10 degrees off the gpu temp :-S Gfx card now sits on 29 degrees (stock settings ambient now 20degrees) ....anywayz
Shall report back when i have a gpu waterblock fitted and some better quality shotz...Im just happy its all up and running finally :-)

Thanks to those that have taken the time to look at this worklog and comment, alwayz appreciated thanks fellas

AJ

EDIT: I forgot to mention the green LED fans is being replaced this afternoon bloody thing lol

Just add that GPU to the loop mate and you will get some awesome scores for I4memory Hw bot !! yeha got the same weight issue as you, initially the case feels pretty light , but once all that hardware and water goes in it adds up... think i'm gonna grab ya idea of the front panel...

AussieJester,

As usual and as always, your ingenuity and talent shines through. You are a major asset here. I salute you.