Project Illuminated - XtremeSystems Tribute

[alphadog009]

Oh cool I was thinking about building my own cnc but other projects have taken the front seat instead... I seems to be a pretty valid investment but my friends dad owns a body shop with loads of fabricating tools so I have no real reason to... H
just out of curiosity, what have you used in the past as far as parts and pricing goes???

[xaxis]

How long has it been since you placed your order.... just trying to get an understanding of how much time to expect to wait if I put in an order for one...

Looking at the invoice, I placed my order on the 14th of May (this was my first order for the MM Pedestal base) then about a week later I placed my MM Ascension Extended order. Now if I believe things are much faster if you don't order any customizations (for instance power coating... I also picked the Ascension CYO which is a semi-custom grab and bag of which panels you want)...

With that said, I think it's difficult to get an accurate time fix when ordering from Mountain Mods because I believe there shipments are dependent on their bulk manufacturing cycles of case parts. So someone could make an order, even with all the custom fixings they desire, and have it delivered much sooner simply because all the parts are in stock and MM isn't waiting on a bulk manufacturing ordering... Now ... I could be entirely wrong about this and I by no means know the internals of MMs operations, so it's just semi-speculation... Anyhow, a 1.5 months (or more) is trying my patience to be sure. .... In the end, I won't mind as long as my order is exactly as I requested and delivered in PERFECT condition. Otherwise, well... I'll be sure to create a very detailed thread entailing any potential mistakes, errors, problems I've had with my experiences with Mountain Mods.

I hope I don't have to do that.

[jpm804]

I'd be dying too if I had to wait for a case that long .. especially with all those parts dying to be installed ....

Look forward to your review and can't wait to see some updates on your Torture rack when you get back

[xaxis]

Oh cool I was thinking about building my own cnc but other projects have taken the front seat instead... I seems to be a pretty valid investment but my friends dad owns a body shop with loads of fabricating tools so I have no real reason to... H
just out of curiosity, what have you used in the past as far as parts and pricing goes???

With access to a shop and all the fixings you seem pretty set and I can see how building a CNC could be placed on the back burner... however, my previous "creations" were always for the sake of fun... I just wanted to see if I could do it really cheap (with enough precision to etch PCB) ... Results for the "poor man's" builds: worked, but they're real slow, and require near constant adjustments.

For the "hardware store" projects, simply lots of cheap aluminum angle iron + lots of skateboard bearings for the linear ways + long (awful precision) acme 1/4" lead screws with simple hex nuts affixed to a given way and with the end of the lead screw attached to a stepper with a coupler... Stepper blocks and pillow blocks = half inch acrylic cut manually with dremel. Control logic = custom electronics slop job. Oh and half inch acrylic plates (for the x and y axis at least).

If you want to make something that works just fine for a lot of purposes but isn't top notch, Thompson makes some okay linear motion gadgets and more but IMO for the best parts (expensive also) see THK: http://www.thk.com/us/ .. They make everything! well... almost. But even so, you need to do some research and learn about what is what because there's a big difference, say between HSR and SR LM Guides for example.

Anyway, it's all fun stuff in my book.

I'd be dying too if I had to wait for a case that long .. especially with all those parts dying to be installed ....

Look forward to your review and can't wait to see some updates on your Torture rack when you get back

Yep, I can't wait to get back to produce some updates. Having build withdrawls.

[alphadog009]

yeah the benefits of having my own cnc are amazing and i would do it just for the "fun" factor of things...

[Aielman]

Just stumbled on this thread. All I can say is Good Lord.

Definitely will be watching this one. Looks good so far.

[xaxis]

Update:

I recently was able to find 2 more Feser.480 Radiators, meaning I now have 3, which will be installed on the underside of the top panel. This puts me at 6 radiators in the MM Ascension and 2 Feser Monstas in the pedestal below, so 8 radiators thus far. ... also, I'm debating whether or not to buy two more Feser.360 rads... I also bought 3 more pumps and think I'm going to by 2 more tonight, we'll see.

Shipping News: I've been informed by Ben at MM as of the 6th of July that I should be receiving shipping notice by the end of this week. While I do feel that this MM order is taking more time than what I expected, I realize that doesn't mean a heck of a lot, for my expectations were based in non-reality and not on the inner workings of MM's process and also to Ben's credit, I have been a difficult customer: I've made several changes a few weeks into the order, I didn't hesitate to send lots and lots of questioning e-mails where I nit-picked over many details, and all the time he has indeed been quite professional and kind.

Side Panel News: Dave of (UN) designs is continually and patiently waiting on me to provide the details of the custom side panels. I had been gone a few days however I've most certainly been taking my time. It's hard to make a decision on something of this nature without being able to visualize everything together, so I've been slowly creating a sketchup design that I will then transpose my panel designs onto, in order to give myself the perspective I feel I need. Anyway, I would just like to give a big thanks to him for his patience, helpfulness, and understanding! Not to mention the rad grills he produced for me turned out exceptionally and (I think) they will most certainly be one of the aspects that sets this MM Ascension apart from others.

I would also like to thank EVERYONE at XS for baring with me by allowing me to post boring posts such as this that don't include lots and lots of pictures.

[Rise]

well, this is certainly an xtremesystems and seemingly a worthy tribute

but damn man, what needs 8 fuggering radiators?! keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome of this one!

[rwurdig]

Ha im getting a hard time to buy one if u buy too many rads i accept donations
Kidding just keep the good work cause theres no price for personal satisfaction.
Cheers.

[xaxis]

UPDATE:

I'll be getting the cases in a few days!

Also, I've decided on the color for the rad grills. I'm not going to powder coat them and I'm not going to have them detailed at a body shop. Instead, I've decided to have ALL the rad grills, the motherboard tray, the bay trays, the (UN) brackets, the radiators (if possible), the CPU block and every last screw, bolt, and nut NICKEL COATED IN BLACK SPARKLE, in the same black sparkle nickel coating as the 3 GPU blocks I will be getting:


I've scouted out a number of companies that can do the job but if anyone has any recommendations or knows of someone or a company who can professionally nickel coat the large quantity of items I intend to have coated in Sparkle Black, please let me know.

I'll have to sandblast a number of the components beforehand and I wonder about the wisdom of doing this to my radiators. I don't want to damage them, I may have to only nickel coat the outsides and protect the inner radiator, I'm not sure.

So, that's my decision. If anyone has any compelling reasons why this is a terrible idea I'm most willing to listen. I hope to have the case assembled with all 42 Enermax Twisters buzzing away (at the least) and pics flowing out no later than a day after I get the cases. ... I'm one happy camper, it seems action is finally taking place!

well, this is certainly an xtremesystems and seemingly a worthy tribute

but damn man, what needs 8 fuggering radiators?! keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome of this one!

I actually purchased, besides those already mentioned, 4 other Feser.480s + 2 Thermochill.480s (15mm) + 2 Thermochill.360s (15mm) + 2 Thermochill.240s (15mm) and have 2 extra Feser.240s I've not yet decided what to do with... All for upcoming builds though for sure. Plus, whenever I see Feser.480s anywhere I get a little insane just because of their rarity ... well at least in my luck with finding them. So now I'm stocked up for a little while.

Ha im getting a hard time to buy one if u buy too many rads i accept donations
Kidding just keep the good work cause theres no price for personal satisfaction.
Cheers.

Agreed.


EDIT: Oh yeah, one other minor update: I purchased a Chicago TIG Welding unit + accessories as well as a plasma cutter. I've been plotting out a custom CNC design after all (this time it will be done more than right) and I'll use the other CNC I bought for PCB and acrylic milling. The CNC I'm working on I intend to be a 6' x 4' with 4 axis and a tri-head design... Co2 laser, Plasma, and rotary milling. ... I only wish I was a little bit more insane to attempt a DIY water jet machine but even I have restraints.... I think a DIY water jet of any kind would be just scary. ....

[millertime359]

Damn that is pretty

[xaxis]

... This isn't even a teaser, this is just me being stupid, STUPIDLY EXCITED~~! And naturally I have to go babysit my niece... Hrmmm... Guess I'll have to teach her how to use the TIG welder to complete a case display pedestal I've been working on. Two years is a good age for that right?

[xaxis]

I promise I'll change the hue back to normal and stop making one photo updates (for the most part) after this post. (The "female presence" in "my" house has horrible tastes when it comes to pillow coloring.)

All the parts laying flat on the floor (along with many other parts not shown) will be sand blasted and then nickle coated sparkling black. This is one of my next tasks.

MM sent me a flawless case. The packaging was incredible. I don't think I've ever spent more time UNPACKING anything in my entire life. The Pedestal for this Ascension will arrive in a few days.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

the nickel is a great idea Wil I considered fiishing the inside of my case in nickel but a budget cut me out of that - for you its perfect!

[jpm804]

Build it ALREADY!!! J/K .... can't wait to see this built with the nickle coated goodness

[xaxis]

the nickel is a great idea Wil I considered fiishing the inside of my case in nickel but a budget cut me out of that - for you its perfect!

Thanks. I also wanted/want to simply have the entirety of the inside of the cases in nickel, however I need to come up with a method of sand blasting one side of the panels while protecting the other side from harm. That shouldn't be all that much of a challenge.

The only other thing that crossed my mind was will the company doing the nickel coating to coat only half such a thin panel. The powder coated side would need to be covered up with some type of sealed barrier material. I was going to drive up to Sac today and drop at least the grills off to be nickel coated, ask questions in person, etc, but there's a huge cost savings for doing all the panels at once at every company who offers the service that I've spoken to, so I'll probably wait until I get the MM Pedestal for there are some parts on it that need be nickel coated as well.

I think I may have come across a more local company that can also offer a better deal. Negotiations are in the works but I'm surprised that they all seem surprised when they realize I'm talking about a computer case. They all say it shouldn't be a problem but also say "why do you want to do that?" ... seems like a dumb question to ask a potential customer... anyhow.

Build it ALREADY!!! J/K .... can't wait to see this built with the nickle coated goodness

Yeah... BLAST the lack of teleportation devices + time travel technology. The lacking of the two techs is really steaming me! I mean what the heck, I could have had this build done thousands of years ago by now!

[dro]

FYI, after blasting you have only a window of 4 hours max for further surface preparation (primed/painted/coated) before contamination occurs on the surface

what was the surface profile suggested by the nickel plating company?
SA 2.5?

I am really interested in gathering info's on professional nickel plating

[Blizzy]

Build it!

[xaxis]

FYI, after blasting you have only a window of 4 hours max for further surface preparation (primed/painted/coated) before contamination occurs on the surface

what was the surface profile suggested by the nickel plating company?
SA 2.5?

I am really interested in gathering info's on professional nickel plating

Huh, I'll have to ask about "contamination", I don't believe I know what you mean by that??? I admit I don't know much about sand blasting or plating techniques in general more than what I've been researching over the past few days.

Though I was intending on using an SA3 surface prep for all the aluminum (that is if the standard even accurately applies to aluminum and just steal. I don't have a clue what SA2.5 entails, haven't seen such a standard spec online, though haven't looked yet.

As for the copper surface prep, well I don't know yet. Whatever the case, something gentle I would imagine, but powerful enough to do the trick.

I didn't realize sand plasters were so inexpensive so now I'm waiting for harbor harbor freight or one of the other hardware stores to open so I can go check out some sand blasters and by one if they have what I want. I intend to get a underhood blaster. To me, it's worth spending a little extra in order to not deal with the mess + buy protective equipment (though I could probably just use most of my welding gear if I did get a bottle sandplaster.

As far as copper prep goes, well, I can't even imagine what "contamination means" unless you're referring to copper's tendency to become more rigid when applied pressure hits it, in which case annealing would solve that easily. I really don't think a sand blaster is going to detriment the copper in the radiators however to the point where annealing is even remotely needed. I should mention, I'll only be blasting the side enclosures of my rads, not the fins within, I'm going to cover them up with painters tape, then cardboard, then more painters tape.... If that's not enough in tests I'll cut aluminum to cover either sides fins.

Do you have any experience with copper surface prep?

Build it!

I am, I am...

[xaxis]

HELP HELP HELP. I need 500 feet of white MDPC 4.4 sleeving... I can except nothing else but the best. Nils wherever you are, I beg of you!
EDIT: Seriously though, 500 feet. Unless you happen to have a silver/gray color, in which case 250 of each. (wishful thinking?) I just gotz to have the best though. Can't stand other sleeving.

All apologies, this is again, not a mod, but I just had to show all the fans together one more time before I rip them to shreds, soldering, rewiring, throwing away boxes, etc.





PS - I'm currently at a powder coating and plating company hanging out and getting a grand tour of how everything works... I'm learning some stuff but I had no idea how much effort and how many different steps and the depth of art/science behind the entire process.

Anyway, I'm not getting anything coated today. Just chatting it up with I believe the owner. A real mellow fellow.

We're trying to see if what I want to do is possible.

[Rumpus01]

hello hello i'm just a mellow fellow.
right on dude this thing is going to be crazy no matter what you do haha

[MomijiTMO]

Jesus christ, how much have you spent on fans alone?

Seriously.

=___=


/jealous post

[xaxis]

hello hello i'm just a mellow fellow.
right on dude this thing is going to be crazy no matter what you do haha

I've got enough crazy for me and my builds, but that's not what I want this time. I just want perfection.

Jesus christ, how much have you spent on fans alone?

Seriously.

=___=


/jealous post

Well with the twisters, I actually lucked out and found a phenomenal deal from a random retailer I dug up on google who was selling them for $10.50 each and no shipping!!! So compared to the (I can't remember exactly) but around $18.00-$20.00 they were going for on sites like frozen or ppc... I saved big. How much did I spend total? Exactly as much as I needed to for all the fan slots + 3 extra pullers for the monstas... Put simply, an Xtreme amount... Bt you also must realize I live under a bridge in a shanty that's made out of consumer electronics.

[RADCOM]

As Mr Spock would say "fascinating" the off topic discussion re solar panels was very interesting too. suscribed

[pingpong1455]

@xaxis whered you learn to rewire (im guesing lengthing) cables

i kinda wana learn for my build so no ugly extensions