ChilledPC Thermochill Rad Grills

[Mekrel]

Some time ago now, I completed my V1200 watercooling build to which I was 90% pleased with at first asthetically.

Over here in the UK, if going custom then I would say majority of people will buy Thermochill radiators because the price point isn't a concern over here as it is for our fellow watercoolers across the pond.

One thing that irks me though, is not a lot of stuff is designed around Thermochill radiators - ranging from cases and lastly rad grills.

It was the radgrill that was stopping myself from getting that 100% happy asthetic look from my setup, and I traded a few emails with Tom over at ChilledPC and we had a custom laser cut one done for me.

The results were great and really finished off my case (which has been now sold on, and wrecked by the couriers but lets not get into that).

You may have known for a while now that AC Ryan were going to make Thermochill Radrillz, but have not kept their word or promise - neither have they responded to any of my emails or a few shop owners I have spoken to. When they email ETA questions about them, they just get a generic price list back which doesn't even contain the TC Radgrillz.

So after seeing the good results of the custom job I had done, Tom and I came into talks for designing a whole range of Rad grills for Thermochill radiators. We had several advantages at this stage, one being that we all ready had one prototype in the form of my previous one and we learnt how we could make them better.

So I drew up the deisgns, 6 in total which gives users the option of:

Mounted (four corner holes for securing to case)

• PA120.1
• PA120.2
• PA120.3

Mountless (for users who don't want fans between the grill, obviously not having mount holes)

• PA120.1
• PA120.2
• PA120.3

Tom has now had prototypes made for them, so he can test them to see if they fit and mount how they should in different scenarios.

Here are the results:
PA120.1 Mount and Mountless




PA120.2 Mount and Mountless




PA120.3 Mount and Mountless




Close ups: These show the insane quality of laser cutting

[cyberspyder]

TIME TO POWDERCOAT! I must agree, those look INSANE!

[AuroraProject]

Sign me up for a 120.3 mounted right away!

[jabski]

cant wait for these. You and Tom have done a fine job

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

i wish that there were ones that worked with tapered screw heads. that would look sick

[Mekrel]

Tapered screw heads? Link me please.

We are not fully decided on screws yet as myself an Tom don't see eye to eye kind of.

I personally like them as they are now, as you can fit number 6 self tappers into the fan holes and 6/32 machine screws if you wish to tap your rad or shroud. The small hole enables socket cap head screws to be used and pan head self tappers.

Tom thinks the holes should be bigger, so normal fan screws can be used. He doesn't want to force long screws to be used.

He does have a point though, as people may use the .1 mountless as a stand alone fan grill (no rad to screw through).

So basically what is left to do:

Collate all the screws which we think end users will need. Tom is a believer of customer service and wants people to be given the mount options for different scenarios.

I think we should pictate the mounting options on the product page and then get people to select which one they will use. I think Tom will go with his idea.

Then to get a detailed manual made up.

I'm ok because I get to test a prototype which I can use my lovely socket cap headed screws with

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

well what i mean by tapered is that the screws sit flush with the grill, i haven't used fan grills so idk how others are but it seems like it would be a nice feature


so this without the gay torx slot lol



ps ill buy one of those, is there a list i can get on for a 120.3 grill?

[einstein_314]

well what i mean by tapered is that the screws sit flush with the grill, i haven't used fan grills so idk how others are but it seems like it would be a nice feature


so this without the gay torx slot lol



ps ill buy one of those, is there a list i can get on for a 120.3 grill?

It's easy enough to taper the holes yourself...I just did it this afternoon on my thermochill rad grill. Using nothing but a hand drill and a 3 fluted countersinking bit....

[Mekrel]

If you to to the ChilledPC site and click the image of the grill on the front page you will be sent to a contact us page and you can get on Toms list there.

It would be easy to counter sink them yourself, you could always ask Tom as he does a lot of custom work for people it seems and he might be able to do it for you, I obviously can't speak for him

[brinox]

this is just my engineering understanding, but arent tapered screws geared towards a snug fit via the differing width of the threads, the countering type being a parrellel with the thread distance remaining constant?

When i first read that, and then saw the picture i think you meant sink screws right?

and as einstein said, countersinking is all but hard - a power drill and the correct drill bit is all that is required.

My $.02 agrees, countersunk mounting holes are hawt, and useful!

i wish that there were ones that worked with tapered screw heads. that would look sick

[2k7zero]

Why can't they ever make it black? You guys will offer a black version right? Looking forward to this.

[Mekrel]

They will be offered in black yes, powdercoated.

They need some sort of coating as they are mild steel anyways.

I think Tom is also in talks with his laser cutter about aluminium ones for brushed anodised versions, it's all about demand at the moment for him. Can't be putting down money on bulk cuts (as it's cheaper the more he gets done) untill he knows the demand is there.

[jabski]

i think there will be be big demand. A good thinking to wait and see thou

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Sorry i don't know the technical jargin for screws lol
the head of the screw is tapered lol, but i guess countersunk works too.

i have never used anything nicer than a wire grill so idk how these things work, it just seemed like it would be a nice standard feature, maybe it would set y'all above the pack a little more. as far as i know there arent many features a fan grill can have so why not take the extra step to increase quality. If there is one thing about watercooling that is true, it is that people who buy thermochill's are probably those who are in forums which will recommend the grills for their high quality... make sense?

[tw33ter]

They will be offered in black yes, powdercoated.

They need some sort of coating as they are mild steel anyways.

I think Tom is also in talks with his laser cutter about aluminium ones for brushed anodised versions, it's all about demand at the moment for him. Can't be putting down money on bulk cuts (as it's cheaper the more he gets done) untill he knows the demand is there.

my lian-li would love to meet the brushed, black anodised one

[septim]

for tapered screws you'd have to have thicker rad grills...

[MaxxxRacer]

looking good. what material are they made of?

edit: nvm.

FWIW, its more expensive to laser cut aluminum because aluminum likes to reflect the laser more than the steel does apparently. I came across this issue when I was working with Chilly1 to create the XS grills.

and if IIRC the size we made for the 2-302 radiators actaully fit thermochills. It was by accident but still kinda cool.

[welshtom]

Yea as you say Maxxx Alu does ruin the laser apparently.

So these will be mild steel for now.

Any suggestions welcome, they are still in the "prototype" stage so we can change small bits.

They will also be available in USA for all you Americans

[MaxxxRacer]

if its possible, please anodize instead of powdercoat.. powdercoat doesnt look nearly as good IMO.

[welshtom]

if its possible, please anodize instead of powdercoat.. powdercoat doesnt look nearly as good IMO.

The powdercoat finish on these will be perfect

Until we establish a manufacturing capability for Aluminium we wont be able to produce them. However I am working on that so fingers crossed

[Mekrel]

Ha, once upon a time I downloaded an application which used it's own database to price anything you drew up.

Every time I used steel and went to quote the fabrication it always gave me the tip that aluminium was a cheaper option.

Now I know why it wasn't when laser cutting was involved.

Sorry i don't know the technical jargin for screws lol
the head of the screw is tapered lol, but i guess countersunk works too.

i have never used anything nicer than a wire grill so idk how these things work, it just seemed like it would be a nice standard feature, maybe it would set y'all above the pack a little more. as far as i know there arent many features a fan grill can have so why not take the extra step to increase quality. If there is one thing about watercooling that is true, it is that people who buy thermochill's are probably those who are in forums which will recommend the grills for their high quality... make sense?

I see what you are saying and the quality is already at a very high level. The old grill I had done only for myself didn't have rounded edges but I learnt from the application I spoke about above and from Tom that laser cutting 90 degree angles doesn't work very well.

These have rounded edges now and the close up shot of the PA120.3 grill shows how smooth it is. Powdercoating I know will compliment these well, anyone who saw my powdercoated Lian Li PC343B will know the quality of the powdercoating offered by Tom.

[Pete]

Really glad this is working out lads, i have been following it whilest i was out of the uk with so much exciment. Can't wait to have a load in my rig

[Jedda]

I delayed ordering thermochills last night, because the grill situation seemed problematic.
How fortuitous to discover your project.
Assuming costs aren't TOT, I'm up for two.
The pix hint some consideration of emblazoning with 'Thermochill' is in the wind? My vote would be for unadorned.
Cheers

[Mekrel]

The grills will come with no sort of engravement of any names, but will be supplied with stickers if people so wish (according to Tom).

Tom is basically not wanting to alienate anyone from buying as far as I can tell.

I'm not sure what the pricing will be as it's not even known how much one is each (not that it concerns me) and also screw cost which should cost a lot at all still hasn't been covered untill after this weekend.

[welshtom]

They will come with a "Chilled PC" sticker (about the same size as the ones that come with the thermochill rads)
If you want to use the sticker on the grill or your case it would be great , but i'd prefer to give the choice than ruin the look of the grill.

The pricing is not available yet - but I can say it will be very attractively priced, especially as it includes all the mounting hardware