Ultimate Case modding GUIDE - Submit your tutorials - Show off your mod!

[alpenwasser]

Btw, will this suffice: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1843/ele-194/12_Blue_UV_Reactive_Heatshrink.html?tl=g35c181s371

I'd say you best measure what diameter you'll need (probably different ones

for different bundles?), it's kind of hard for me to tell from here.

If you're unsure shoot an email to frozencpu's support, I'm sure they'll be

able to help you out more competently than I can.

[megadarkwood]

Man, I totally forgot about this! I can't update without your guys submissions!

[Dsgreek]

What if you dont have a sand blaster ? , can you sand the case with like a disk sander or something ? What grit would you recommend ?

[alpenwasser]

What if you dont have a sand blaster ? , can you sand the case with like a disk sander or something ? What grit would you recommend ?

It's certainly not impossible, but depending on what finish you're trying to sand

down it could be an enormous amount of work (I think stripping anodized alu parts

back to the alu with a sander would be quite a pain because the Alu-Oxide is very

hard), there are also chemical alternatives, depending on your existing finish. As

for the grit, you'd probably start out with a very rough one to remove as much coat

as quickly as possible, then finish off with whatever grit you need to make your

primer stick best (the primer I've used for some of my modding work recommends

400 grit). I've never done this though, so best not rely too heavily on my guesswork.

I think @ALXAndy might have some input on this, IIRC he has quite a bit of experience

with paint work. I've also heard @B NEGATIVE talk about making a painting

tutorial, so he may have something to say as well.

[ALXAndy]

What if you dont have a sand blaster ? , can you sand the case with like a disk sander or something ? What grit would you recommend ?

 

It depends how bad the finish is. Usually if it's paint then just start with a P400 and work your way to P600, then put down your primer etc. Make sure you sand with 600 between coats.

 

Paint needs a 'key' to basically run into (microscopically) so that it can hold onto the surface you are painting.

 

If it's bare metal just use an etch primer, then go about your business. For stripping paint from a case (down to bare metal if you're being really thorough) I would use one of these in a power drill.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-9099-Paint-And-Rust-Stripper-/111159990510?pt=Power_Tools&hash=item19e1a6d8ee

 

I stripped the entire roof of a car down to bare metal using one of those lol.

[B NEGATIVE]

It's certainly not impossible, but depending on what finish you're trying to sand

down it could be an enormous amount of work (I think stripping anodized alu parts

back to the alu with a sander would be quite a pain because the Alu-Oxide is very

hard), there are also chemical alternatives, depending on your existing finish. As

for the grit, you'd probably start out with a very rough one to remove as much coat

as quickly as possible, then finish off with whatever grit you need to make your

primer stick best (the primer I've used for some of my modding work recommends

400 grit). I've never done this though, so best not rely too heavily on my guesswork.

I think @ALXAndy might have some input on this, IIRC he has quite a bit of experience

with paint work. I've also heard @B NEGATIVE talk about making a painting

tutorial, so he may have something to say as well.

Stripping anodozing is ridiculously easy,soak the component in a strong solution of caustic soda and boiling water.

The anodizing will just fall off.

 

Like this:

 

 

Sparkly! In 10 mins!

[alpenwasser]

Stripping anodozing is ridiculously easy,soak the component in a strong solution of caustic soda and boiling water.

The anodizing will just fall off.

 

Like this:

 

<sparkly>

 

Sparkly! In 10 mins!

Yay for chemicals!

[Hikaru12]

Great basic video on how to make a window for your case: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZoE-zj0-k

[megadarkwood]

Great basic video on how to make a window for your case: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZoE-zj0-k

Its already there

[Arndroid]

Are there any others that have attempted the following idea?

 

I want to solder all the connectors on the motherboard to the back, and dremel holes for them in my case if necessary.

I have the soldering skills, and I hope I have a steady dremel hand on the day I am attempting it.

 

But I was just wondering if there are any tips, and pics, so I could check out pictures really to see if it's worth it.

[megadarkwood]

Are there any others that have attempted the following idea?

 

I want to solder all the connectors on the motherboard to the back, and dremel holes for them in my case if necessary.

I have the soldering skills, and I hope I have a steady dremel hand on the day I am attempting it.

 

But I was just wondering if there are any tips, and pics, so I could check out pictures really to see if it's worth it.

I found this: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-94617.html

Might want to check it out, good luck!

[alpenwasser]

Are there any others that have attempted the following idea?

 

I want to solder all the connectors on the motherboard to the back, and dremel holes for them in my case if necessary.

I have the soldering skills, and I hope I have a steady dremel hand on the day I am attempting it.

 

But I was just wondering if there are any tips, and pics, so I could check out pictures really to see if it's worth it.

You might also be interested in this build log.

[Arndroid]

 

I found this: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-94617.html

Might want to check it out, good luck!

 

 

Hah, thanks, I really just found that link via Google.

I guess it is just double checking every pin and go.

 

I wonder if it will look clean or just look really empty now, haha.

 

 

You might also be interested in this build log.

 

Nice!

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r489/Bas_Kaandorp/Clean%20Build/36_zps095d566f.jpg

^This is a great idea to prevent screwing up.

 

I will go and try it in my upcoming build now for sure.

[dladdin]

hey people need a helping hand

 

would like to put a analog temp gauge in my rig for a up coming build

its from a skyline water temp but i would like for it to show my cpu temp ?

how can i do it!!!!

seen in on a build before but dont know how its done ?

please help !!!!

[AustinTheIntern]

seems legit

[E.Beadle]

Thank you, I was telling my girlfriend last night I wanted to get into basic modding for doing custom builds.  Thank's to this guide I can do more than just custom builds now. I'll be able to take some older cases and apply it.  Before I only could see how it was done via video. 

[sevs]

I strongly suggest adding SC's heatshrinkless sleeving tutorial to the sleeving section in the first post.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls364OqUNb4#t=360

 

It starts at about 6:00

[Harry76]

Do you need a modular PSU to sleeve cables?

[megadarkwood]

Do you need a modular PSU to sleeve cables?

No, but it will make it a LOT easier.

[jona095v]

^{Hey chek this out http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/195243-home-made-watercoold-case/page-4}

[Rohirrimus]

This looks like a good podforum to ask in,
Do you have idea how to mod case back door to make it fit cables (for cable menagment)?
I have no idea what to put there to make it look like a belly after i cut hole.

[megadarkwood]

This looks like a good podforum to ask in,

Do you have idea how to mod case back door to make it fit cables (for cable menagment)?

I have no idea what to put there to make it look like a belly after i cut hole.

So you want to cut a hole into the back panel and make it bigger? like add a hump?

[Rohirrimus]

So you want to cut a hole into the back panel and make it bigger? like add a hump?

Yes, My problem is when i put all cables behind mobo there is no way to close back door (case is thermaltake v4 black edition btw), so I want to cut that back door (like when you are about to make window) but i will not put plexiglass ,instead I ned to make something like a bowl shape(obviusly way more shalow and wider) ,and I dont know what to make it out of.

Sorry for my bad english, i cant find perfect word to describe what i want

[Rohirrimus]

Yes, My problem is when i put all cables behind mobo there is no way to close back door (case is thermaltake v4 black edition btw), so I want to cut that back door (like when you are about to make window) but i will not put plexiglass ,instead I ned to make something like a bowl shape(obviusly way more shalow and wider) ,and I dont know what to make it out of.

Sorry for my bad english, i cant find perfect word to describe what i want

This case have something simular to what i want on back door,only its pre-made.

[megadarkwood]

This case have something simular to what i want on back door,only its pre-made.

Now I understand.

 

Maybe use some sort of tupperware and paint it black? or create a box from some sheet metal?