MWildd

Hello Guys! Long time no reply eh!
 
Firstly, I want to apologise for the appauling state I left this log in. Let me explain myself. I started this log over a long summer, expecting to complete by the time i had to move out for university. This, unfortunately, did not happen. I found that a week before I came to university the project was no where near completion and i needed my money for other things such as living costs. So instead of seeing this through, I unfortunately just left it.
 
Obviously this was the wrong choice, i could of easily taken some pictures and put them on here: but truth be told, the build didnt live up to my expectations, and I was a bit disappointed.
 
Now fast forward 6 months, and I now have a job. Im earning some good money, and am now able to get the parts that i wanted originally. More on that later.
 
So heres some pictures I just quickly took. VERY sorry for the poor quality.
              So as mentioned above, I now have a job, and money. So I will be able to get the parts that i wanted before.    I was initially going to just carry on with this case. But my brother likes how this one looks and I have decided to give this PC to him.   So, for my PC ill be buying pretty much all new hardware, including case!   So stay tuned for the next build log and I promise it will be complete and will include a fully custom loop!!    Peace guys

Hello Guys! Long time no reply eh!
 
Firstly, I want to apologise for the appauling state I left this log in. Let me explain myself. I started this log over a long summer, expecting to complete by the time i had to move out for university. This, unfortunately, did not happen. I found that a week before I came to university the project was no where near completion and i needed my money for other things such as living costs. So instead of seeing this through, I unfortunately just left it.
 
Obviously this was the wrong choice, i could of easily taken some pictures and put them on here: but truth be told, the build didnt live up to my expectations, and I was a bit disappointed.
 
Now fast forward 6 months, and I now have a job. Im earning some good money, and am now able to get the parts that i wanted originally. More on that later.
 
So heres some pictures I just quickly took. VERY sorry for the poor quality.
              So as mentioned above, I now have a job, and money. So I will be able to get the parts that i wanted before.    I was initially going to just carry on with this case. But my brother likes how this one looks and I have decided to give this PC to him.   So, for my PC ill be buying pretty much all new hardware, including case!   So stay tuned for the next build log and I promise it will be complete and will include a fully custom loop!!    Peace guys

Hello Guys! Long time no reply eh!
 
Firstly, I want to apologise for the appauling state I left this log in. Let me explain myself. I started this log over a long summer, expecting to complete by the time i had to move out for university. This, unfortunately, did not happen. I found that a week before I came to university the project was no where near completion and i needed my money for other things such as living costs. So instead of seeing this through, I unfortunately just left it.
 
Obviously this was the wrong choice, i could of easily taken some pictures and put them on here: but truth be told, the build didnt live up to my expectations, and I was a bit disappointed.
 
Now fast forward 6 months, and I now have a job. Im earning some good money, and am now able to get the parts that i wanted originally. More on that later.
 
So heres some pictures I just quickly took. VERY sorry for the poor quality.
              So as mentioned above, I now have a job, and money. So I will be able to get the parts that i wanted before.    I was initially going to just carry on with this case. But my brother likes how this one looks and I have decided to give this PC to him.   So, for my PC ill be buying pretty much all new hardware, including case!   So stay tuned for the next build log and I promise it will be complete and will include a fully custom loop!!    Peace guys

Loughborough 

haha thanks dude! just getting the update ready 
   
Thanks, so do i hahah

haha thanks dude! just getting the update ready 
   
Thanks, so do i hahah

UPDATE
 
so i made a start on the hinged door! i took the side panel that im going to be replacing and tested on that. Im replacing because of the horrid fan grills. 
 
Its a bit sketchy at the moment. 
 

So first off i dremeled the lip of the door off, so it can swing round 
 

I then cut 2 pieces out of the back panel, this is so the hinges can sit flush with the side and so the door isnt protruding out.
 

Pop riveted the hinges to the back panel. May change to bolts later
 

For the side panel to sit flat when closed i had to remove the pins that hold it in when sliding on. Shown above
 

Drilled holes in the door! some nasty scratches! but as said this panel is being replaced
 

 
ANNDDDDDDDDDDDDD its mounted. Was pretty easy to do in the end. 
 
From using it and opening/closing etc. Theres a couple things that i need to do. The back panel is pretty flimsy, so unless i have the other door on, the whole chassis flex's. So i need to reinforce the back panel, also the door needs some reinforcements as it is pretty flimsy now. But other than that it works great! 
 
Im also going to get some catches so the door stays closed.
 
In other things ive been doing today:
 

Front panel i/o is looking pretty good. If it turns out to look horrible idrc, as ill just remove it all together
 

The mounting for it is in ideal location though. Going to attach it to the side.
 

Also as shown in the other update, i cut the top panel so i can fit a 360 rad up there! This is after the cut 
 

This is after i filed it., Going to take a piece of sand paper to it aswell and maybe coat it with some black from the back side
 
 
 
So thats what ive done today! let me know what you think of the doors :D

UPDATE
 
So over the weekend i didnt get alot done! was way too hot to be using a heat gun! 
 
Took a couple small deliveries on friday! but im still waiting on my M3 tap.
 
 

Enough cutting wheels? been going through these like crazy so ordered 15 or so.
 
 

Ordered another 50 black pop rivets for when putting the case back together! got 50 for 3 pounds which isnt too bad i dont think
 

Also got 20 black m3 hex cap bolts! These will be for the mounting of ssds and reservoirs.
 

So i cut the right angle to size and placed in! looks so sweet! really clean 
 

So heres a Asus m-atx mobo i have lying around. I did a test fit and as you can see it doesnt fit because of the basement! Time for some more bending.
 

Heres another shot of how far out it is! need to move it down around 4-5cm
 

So half way through bending i push a little too hard and bahm! it snapped :'( so annoyed! i didnt have any spare either so i had to improvise.
 

Heres how i decided to fit it! im going to attach the front right angle also but the glue i used is super strong so its pretty rigid now!
 

So once i fixed it, i put it all into place to see how it looks and it looks sweeeeeeettttttt
 

heres a shot of how i got around the mobo problem! just bent it down and under rather than just down! im going to be fixing that gap also
 

Heres a view from the top! obviously a 360 rad will be here so i need to cut some of it away but for now im going to leave it 
 

mobo tray installed!
 

Fitted the ssd to the acrylic mounts i ordered! these are going to be sanded, then illuminated also.
 

Drilled 4 more mounting holes for my m3 screws
 

With the mounting holes
 

There is going to be 2 ssds in the final build, but im not sure where to mount them! Which one do you think? either here one above the other 
 

Here, both beside eachother lent up
 

or here, in the side wall of the basement one either end?
 

So here i started marking out what needs to be cut away for the top mounted rad.
 

And measured and cut the acrylic mount for the top rad!!
 
 
Thats all i have for now! let me know where you think i should mount the ssds!! Also if i mount the ssds on the floor, the reservoir will be on the wall, and vice versa! let me know :D

Basement Update
 
So as you saw in my last update i got alot of the acrylic for the basement! So yesterday i took another delivery of some matte black vinyl wrap! rather than painting the acrylic im just going to wrap it!
 
Heres some pictures of the first wrap!
 

Measuring out the vinyl so i dont waste any!!
 

Didnt get many inbetween shots but here it is wrapped! You can see i need to smooth down the closest edge!
 

Nice smooth finish
 

Started on some measurements for the front shroud! I always sit in maths class like "when am i ever going to use this in real life?" and low and behold i used some maths stuffs to figure out angles and lengths haha
 

I attempted to do some bending using the oven but it was not happening! so i shot out and bought myself a cheap heatgun! cost me like 15 pounds from maplin!! but will help me a great deal
 

Heres the first bend! its pretty dead straight and looks good! This is the basement roof! it has to bend down at the mobo side so it doesnt hit anything! more on that later!!
 

Heres the front shroud bent! As you can see in the bottom right i cracked it a little :( but no worries i have some acrylic filler i can use to fill it then sand it out! its going to be wrapped also so as long as its nice a smooth it will be fine!!
This picture here is with a 55mm gap next to the mobo (enough for a 30mm rad and 25mm fans) and a 30mm at the front! Obviously the 55mm was meant to be at the front but i have ample space at the front either way!!
 

Had to make a cut in order for this to fit, and i didnt have any acrylic cutting wheels left! so i had to use a normal wheel! and it left a pretty horrendous cut! but do not fear, sand paper is near
 

Once again wrapping another piece! 
 

Done very nicely, but can you see the scratch?! :( im going to rewrap it nearer the end! as with most other parts anyway!
 

Here is is in place! the scratch and awful cut are pretty noticable but as i said im going to sand a rewrap!!
 

Also i dont have to worry about having a perfectly straight line as i will be using some right angle to clean it up! Dont know whether to brush the right angle or paint it black! what do you guys think??
 
Thats all i got up to yesterday! Today i might try and finish all the acrylic work and maybe if i can the front fabrication so i can paint it soon! 
 
Thanks for looking :D
 
 
 

Acrylic Update & Inverted ATX
 
So today i took delivery of a order that i put in for some custom cut acrylic! I also made a start and pretty much completed the inverted atx mod! Hope you enjoy
 
Obviously i need to do some cleaning up of cuts etc but this is how it looks raw so hopefully will look factory when finished!!
 
The whole inside chassis will be getting a new coat of paint, its not powdercoated anyway so i can just sand it back and repaint! also all the metal im adding, acrylic etc will be getting painted!!
 

First up i dont think ive ever posted this pic but its the whole case taken apart! lots of rivets lost their lives today :(
 

Been putting this off for a while because i didnt want to mess up but today i took the plunge! havent fully finished it but at the moment it looks like the front i/o panel will fit!!
 

Well atleast the headphone and microphone jacks fit :D
 

Also cut the mesh to shape so i can fit the black acrylic in!! Used tin snips but cut my hands up fairly badly. All in the name of modding
 

Fits perfect, also looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttttttt
 

Heres where the acrylic is going to sit! im going to either glue it in or have it as snug as possible
 

again, been putting this off but made a bit more progress and its not looking too bad
 

After waiting around, my parcel came  :D  :D  :D  :D
 

Shoutout to plasticsheeting.co.uk!! amazing service, delivery did cost me but it was next day! amazing! also all the dimensions are pretty bang on
 

Gimme da arcylic
 

Also it was packed so well! definitely going back to these guys when i need to 
 

3 bits of clear for ssd mounting, youll see my idea later
 

clear for the mobo tray
 

Had no idea what this one was or why i ordered it but it was like 3 pounds so hey ho
 

Side to the basement, clear again
 

Roof to the basement, again, clear.
 

Gloss black for the roof mod
 
Inverted ATX Mod
So i didnt get any shots whilst cutting! was too focused on getting it right!!
 

Heres the mobo back plate cut from the back of the case
 

Had to find a way to mount it back on, so i made some right angle metal pieces the right size, drilled some holes anddddddddddddd they were my solution
 

Also had to drill some holes in the back plate. Also terrible paint job by corsair, painted once assembled by the looks
 

And bam! Here it is! looks pretty sweet in person! cant wait to get a mobo mounted in there
 

From the inside, you can see where i used the brackets i made earlier. theyre going to be painted black. Also theyve been attached using pop rivets.
 

Here ive got the mobo tray installed and the front of the basement! the basement lid needs a little bit of work but im too tired to do it today
 
The tray is very sturdy as ive attached it to the metal brace as you can see
 

Word of warning, go slow when drilling acrylic! it cracks very easily! as you can see here. not to worry! its being wrapped in vinyl
 

So because i cant be bothered to cut and bend the rest of the acrylic today, i got some cardboard and but it in to show what im aiming for now!!
 
Im not 100% sure whether im going to make ssd brackets so they sit on the basement floor at a slant or whether im going to mount them to the sloping wall.
 
If i do mount them on the wall then the reservoir will be laid on the basement roof or vice versa
 
So thats all the pictures i have for today! 
 
VIDEO
So ive had a youtube channel for a while and havent posted in ages! so i decided to make a quick video of my just rambling about the project and whats happening over here! feel free to watch
 
Go easy on me for the channel name! seemed like a good idea when i was 15. 3 years later...not such a good idea
 
 
http://youtu.be/-Aez_1DGmiI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thats it for now guys! thanks for looking!
 
i look forward to your guys' feedback :D
 
 
 

Sleeving Update
 
So I got some paracord in! Was going to go for mdpc but i have worked with paracord before and quite frankly prefer it.
 
I went with black sleeving. I was going to have a blue streak in the 24 pin, but then i decided to go all black because there is no colour in the rest of the build, apart from lighting.
So by keeping everything black, just by changing the colour of the lighting, i can effectively change the whole look and feel of the system.
 
Also because i havent bought in my psu yet, i started on the 24 pin extension, which will be used anyways. 
 
So heres some pictures:
 

Heres the sleeve! only got 5 metres for now, free shipping so why not order again if need be
 

The extension cable. All black cables which is nice
 

First cable done! I used staples rather than buying a tool! Was as easy as always.
 

Pretty poor focus of the heat shrinkless attempt. Apologies
 

Making some head way. Got a few more to go
 

Putting the in one by one! Ugly white connectors at the moment! They will be replaced with black ones
 

Absolutely love the heatshrinkless look  :D
 

Beasted through and got a load done in around half an hour!
 

A little not so great macro shot
 

And done!! What do you think of heat shrinkless?
 
So after i'd done i didnt like how the wires crossed over, nor does anyone for that matter! So i decided to sew them!!
 

This is about half way through, you can faintly see the sew! Black so you cant really, which is nice
 
 

First pass done! Yes it dips at the right hand side,but unless your close up, you cannot see it 
 

This is after 2 passes! And as you can see perfectly straight cables!! Looks amazing in person!!
 
 
 
 
 

Thanks man, hope it turns out like them tbh.
 
Haha keep an eye here then! :D
 
 
Thats sorta what i was going for, aswell as stealthy, not alot of colours other than black
 
 
Thanks man :D
 
 
 
UPDATE
 
So ive made some progress with the front panel mod. 
First i went and bought some sheet aluminium. I bought 2 because i thought id mess up, but alas i havent!
 
So here comes some pictures!
 

 
so this is my build that started in the 300R but unfortunately got put off due to college work and stuffs. Pretty disgusting i know.
 

 
So before i started i needed to add to my tool collection. Going to be doing a fair bit of metal work so needed a range of files and the case will be coming apart so need some way to assemble it again.
 

 
Unfortunately i didnt get a before picture of the panel, but i think you can imagine what a flat panel of aluminum looks like!
 
So i first bent the sheet into the shape of the front of the 300R fascia. Trust me. Without an angle bender, this is a nightmare! Took a while to figure out how to bend it and what to do it with! But i got there.
 
 

Heres the panel sat ontop of the original front panel. Bend looks pretty on point to me.
 

 
So i go to use my drill to make the mounting holes, and it doesnt charge. So heres what i replaced it with! Getting pretty expensive already.
 

So heres the first bolt mounted. Im using the same mounting holes that are already on the 300r front panel, just for convenience more than anything.
 

Bolt front a different angle
 

Got the second bolt drilled and screwed in.
 

Had to take the front panel power button assembly out to find where i had to drill my hole. Pretty simple mechanism when you look at it in action.
 

Drilled an initial hole, just need to use a round file to get it to the right size and shape.
 

Quick bit of filing. Looks kinda sketchy, but trust me it got better a little bit later.
 

 
Started to do some initial measurements and sketches. Remember, measure twice, cut once.
Had to use a compass in order to get the same curves in each corner. 
 

 
Cutting templates drawn. You can see the slight dent, accidentally stepped on it. But not to worry, it gets cut out later!
 
Time for cutting. Bring on the dremel.
 

 
Heres the sheet after being cut. The bottom triangle has already been filed and sanded so looks sharper. But after ive done the top theyll look the same! Everything seems to be lining up at the moment.
 
I didnt get as many before and after shots as id like but i suppose these will do.
 

 
Heres the panel stood infront of the front panel. This isnt bolted on, hence the difference in lining up. 
 
I didnt actually get a shot of it bolted on so stay tuned for that!!
 

I also got the black acrylic for the front panel!!
 
 
So thats all i documented so far. I have done some more, ie installing the acrylic etc, but havent yet got pictures.
 
Stay tuned as i should have all but the painting done hopefully by tomorrow!!
 
Thanks for checking this out guys. :D

Whats up guys! So this is the start of project Desire!

So this project is going to be based around a Corsair 300r. Yes, a small 'budget' case. But my mission is to take a lower end case and fit all the things a high end build would have, and still look tasteful.
This build will, eventually, be cooled by a custom water loop. Emphasise on the eventually. I am only a student, therefore rely on earning my money from a part time job: but i am on summer holiday therefore i can work loads and earn the money i need. At least thats the plan.

So as mentioned above, funds are limited. Therefore this project log may stretch for a while. Not years, but maybe months.
I am going to start by performing the case mods, because they're the cheapest, and most fun. But i also already have a system for the time being.
So at the moment, expect lots of mod updates, and in the future lots of hardware updates.

Below i have put together a list of the components that I plan to use. But this list is subject to change.


The Parts:
Case - Corsair 300R
Motherboard: Gigabyte z87-UD3H or Asus z87 Sabertooth
CPU - Intel Haswell i5 4670K
RAM - Corsair Vengeance Pro (So Sexy)
PSU - Anything above 700W
GPU - Either a 770 or a 670
Storage - Already own a 60gb ocz SSD, either 2x samsunjg 840 120gb pro's or 1x kingston 240gb


Cooling:
Cpu Block: EK Supreme LTX Copper Acetal WB
GPU Block: EK FC670 CSQ Copper Acetal WB & EK FC670 CSQ Backplate
Reservoir: Bitspower Z-Multi 250mm Water Tank Res : Clear
Pump: 12V DDC Pump
Radiator: XSPC RS360 360mm Rad & XSPC RS240 240mm Rad
Tubing: Chromed Copper Pipes

These parts will change, especially the cooling parts, as i cant predict where i will be funds wise and what will best suit my needs.

The original Case:
This is a picture of the stock 300R, just incase you havent come across it before.

Overall its a pretty nice case. For £60 you get what you pay for and a little more. When I first bought this case i was like woah £60 is a little dear. I've never paid more than 30. But i don't regret the spend and definitely wouldn't spend a dime less in the future.

I'm not going to write a full review cause theres plenty out there, but its a pretty solid case as far as features go.

The Vision:
Now, i'm no sketchup pro, therefore i stayed as far away as possible. Instead i went to what i know, Photoshop. Some of these renders are a little sketchy but they are only to give you an idea of my vision.
So here are a couple sketches i've put together of what i intend to do, and a little description to help explain my ideas.

The Front Panel:

So this is my proposed front panel. I am going to use a piece of aluminum to cover the original front panel. There is going to be alot of rounded corners in this build, hence the rounded triangles. So for the mesh im going to use the original front panel mesh on the 300R, because i like the silver corsair logo and want to keep it. For the black acrylic, you guessed it, im going to use an opaque black acrylic. I dont really want this to act as a window, hence the opaque acrylic rather than smoked. Also i am relocating the usb and headphone ports, just because i think they look better on the side.

Side Panel -

So again with the rounded corners. Ive split the window into 2 sections, just because i think it makes it look a bit cooler. Unlike the front acrylic this is going to be smoked. So when the system is off, you cant see in, but when lights are on you can. Up top your probably wondering what is protruding out. Unfortunately, corsair didnt really design this chasis to fit a H100/radiator up top. So instead of just having fans or a rad planted on top, i thought id make a feature out of it. So im going to be using metal spacers to elevate a piece of black acrylic up, and then extend the roof section to accomodate a 360 radiator, currently only holes and space for a 240mm. This elevation technique will also be used on the side panel windows, dont ask why i just think it will look cool.

Theres also some other features that im going to be vague about until actually doing, just because im not 100% on the design yet.

Inside -

So this is ,obviously by far, the most vague render. I couldnt really envision it in photoshop so i thought id go barbones and just show a vague layout. The res placing is almost definite. Unless i come across problems down the line. But the loop, flow etc is all just ideas. I am going to use alu or acrylic to section off the bottom and front, removing the drive cages and 5.25" bays. This will make room for a 240 in the front.

So those are the main ideas and things that i am going to do. I hope you like! If anyone has any ideas/improvements, please feel free to leave your suggestions down below!

I have already made a start on the front panel and the sectioning of the internals, so expect an update soon!

And heres a rough little render of it all put together:



Thanks for looking :D

No no. Hasn't stopped completely! Had a busy couple of weeks!
 
Let me explain. So a couple weeks ago I found out i got into university! My mum and dad helped me buy myself something...that i will not disclose yet. But for a bit its sort of taken my focus off of my pc. 
 
but anyway...so for the last couple of weeks i have had work (real, office work) and other work (software design work). Alongside all of that i have been rushing around trying to get stuff together and organised in time for me moving out of my family home for the first time!
 
So i wont lie, i wasnt anticipating on getting into university. But now i have, im a student. So money is going to be a little tight. But the build will be completed! 100% to perfection i may add. Just may take a little longer
 
so i will be updating the thread, but be patient.
 
Im sure you guys understand moving out etc, starting uni and all that is a big thing and I'm gna be partying too much and drinking too much to step foot near a computer. 
 
So please, dont be discouraged. The build is still ongoing.

No no. Hasn't stopped completely! Had a busy couple of weeks!
 
Let me explain. So a couple weeks ago I found out i got into university! My mum and dad helped me buy myself something...that i will not disclose yet. But for a bit its sort of taken my focus off of my pc. 
 
but anyway...so for the last couple of weeks i have had work (real, office work) and other work (software design work). Alongside all of that i have been rushing around trying to get stuff together and organised in time for me moving out of my family home for the first time!
 
So i wont lie, i wasnt anticipating on getting into university. But now i have, im a student. So money is going to be a little tight. But the build will be completed! 100% to perfection i may add. Just may take a little longer
 
so i will be updating the thread, but be patient.
 
Im sure you guys understand moving out etc, starting uni and all that is a big thing and I'm gna be partying too much and drinking too much to step foot near a computer. 
 
So please, dont be discouraged. The build is still ongoing.

Yes you guys have the same idea as me!
 
My whole interior is basically black, black shrouds, black mobo etc. So my idea is anything that is metal, will be chrome (tastefully obviously) ie, the cpu block will be a ek supremacy full nickel block polished up, the pipes will be chrome plated copper pipes, the right angles will be polished ali etc etc.
 
Think it will look sweet :D 

With those pipes, get some chrome paint off of amazon! Also chrome paint needs a gloss black underneath it for it to really shine

Haha just noticed your 'made in 1995' t-shirt! Same here hahah

Another quick q. Today I was mucking about with my dremel and started polishing the basement right angle. It came out pretty sweet looking when in place!
So my question, again, is what do we think of chrome accents? I.e chrome blocks, tubing?!?!?, metal etc? Whad'ya think?!

same i think 3 or 4

Only thing I'd change is replace the window with one without fan mounts. That's pretty much
the only thing I don't like about the C70. But this would of course require some modding. ;)
Other than that I think this is a pretty nice build.

Thanks dude :D
 
 
Amazing i hope haha 
 
 
Haha thanks! & tell me about it! blue and silver look amazing together

UPDATE
 
so i made a start on the hinged door! i took the side panel that im going to be replacing and tested on that. Im replacing because of the horrid fan grills. 
 
Its a bit sketchy at the moment. 
 

So first off i dremeled the lip of the door off, so it can swing round 
 

I then cut 2 pieces out of the back panel, this is so the hinges can sit flush with the side and so the door isnt protruding out.
 

Pop riveted the hinges to the back panel. May change to bolts later
 

For the side panel to sit flat when closed i had to remove the pins that hold it in when sliding on. Shown above
 

Drilled holes in the door! some nasty scratches! but as said this panel is being replaced
 

 
ANNDDDDDDDDDDDDD its mounted. Was pretty easy to do in the end. 
 
From using it and opening/closing etc. Theres a couple things that i need to do. The back panel is pretty flimsy, so unless i have the other door on, the whole chassis flex's. So i need to reinforce the back panel, also the door needs some reinforcements as it is pretty flimsy now. But other than that it works great! 
 
Im also going to get some catches so the door stays closed.
 
In other things ive been doing today:
 

Front panel i/o is looking pretty good. If it turns out to look horrible idrc, as ill just remove it all together
 

The mounting for it is in ideal location though. Going to attach it to the side.
 

Also as shown in the other update, i cut the top panel so i can fit a 360 rad up there! This is after the cut 
 

This is after i filed it., Going to take a piece of sand paper to it aswell and maybe coat it with some black from the back side
 
 
 
So thats what ive done today! let me know what you think of the doors :D

The Aqua Computer Aqualis Copper Edition
Well, obviously this had to be done, I couldn't just have those naked steel parts
in my build. Pretty though they are, copper they are not... :D
The Central Pipe
For those unfamiliar with the Aqualis: It's basically a borosilicate glass tube (5 mm
thick, rather heavy, extremely good quality) with two Acetal caps on either end.
The difference when it comes to assembling the reservoir between this and a normal
plexi res is that it's not really possible to cut threads into the glass as you can do
with plexi, hence the central pipe. The pipe screws into the bottom and the top
cap and holds the entire assembly together.
Three possibilities came to my mind for copper-ifying this pipe:
make a new pipe from copper paint the existing pipe keep the existing pipe and make a mantle pipe from copper around it The drawbacks of making a new pipe are that the stock pipe is a very sturdy piece of steel (presumably). Not only would it be extremely difficult to find a copper pipe
thick enough to cut the required threads into it, but I would also need to go buy
another thread cutter. All of this deterred me from that variant.
Painting the pipe would probably have been the easiest approach, but considering
that copper paint doesn't really ever look like real copper (it can come close, but
when put up against an actual piece of copper you can spot the difference quite
easily) I didn't really like this idea all that much.
So it came down to the third variant. The problem with that was that I didn't really
have a copper pipe with the correct ID for fitting right over the steel pipe, and I don't
think I would have ever found one. Easily visible in this picture:
(click image for full res)

Working Around the Diameter Problem
Considering that there is a rather considerable dead angle when it comes to the
visible part of the central pipe I arrived at what you see here. I simply made a length-
wise cut into the copper pipe and sleeved it over the steel pipe. Works like a charm,
the difference is impossible to tell in the final build unless you have x-ray vision. :D
(click image for full res)

(click image for full res)

Sleeved...
The mantle pipe sleeved onto the stock pipe:
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... and Polished
Since there were considerable scratches in the copper pipe this took quite a while
longer than the copper face plate for the FC5V2.
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The Anti-Vortex Plate - Stock
This is the stock plate on top of the sketch for what was to become its replacement.
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New Plate - Raw Cut
The raw cut for the new plate:
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New Plate - Bent and Polished
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Copper Mounting Bracket
Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of this during manufacturing. Here it is bolted
to the reservoir. You can see that I still need to debur the mounting holes. Also my
apologies about the finger print, didn't catch that until it was too late.
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Bottom Cap Assembly - Back Side
This is the back side which won't be visible when it's mounted in the case. You can
also see that I've replaced the stock screws with shiny copper screws from Alphacool.
The steel screw can't be seen when it's mounted, so I left it as is since I didn't have a
suitable replacement anyway.
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Aqualis - Copper Edition
And this is the current status. There are still a few imperfections I need to file/sand
out, but for the most part it's finished.
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So long, and thanks for visiting...
EDIT: Just a quick note regarding tarnishing. As has been mentioned numerous times,
polished copper tarnishes very easily. Leaving a drop of water on the copper for a minute
or so already does the trick. So I will most likely give these parts a clear coat for
protection, if I can find a suitable product.

UPDATE
 
so i made a start on the hinged door! i took the side panel that im going to be replacing and tested on that. Im replacing because of the horrid fan grills. 
 
Its a bit sketchy at the moment. 
 

So first off i dremeled the lip of the door off, so it can swing round 
 

I then cut 2 pieces out of the back panel, this is so the hinges can sit flush with the side and so the door isnt protruding out.
 

Pop riveted the hinges to the back panel. May change to bolts later
 

For the side panel to sit flat when closed i had to remove the pins that hold it in when sliding on. Shown above
 

Drilled holes in the door! some nasty scratches! but as said this panel is being replaced
 

 
ANNDDDDDDDDDDDDD its mounted. Was pretty easy to do in the end. 
 
From using it and opening/closing etc. Theres a couple things that i need to do. The back panel is pretty flimsy, so unless i have the other door on, the whole chassis flex's. So i need to reinforce the back panel, also the door needs some reinforcements as it is pretty flimsy now. But other than that it works great! 
 
Im also going to get some catches so the door stays closed.
 
In other things ive been doing today:
 

Front panel i/o is looking pretty good. If it turns out to look horrible idrc, as ill just remove it all together
 

The mounting for it is in ideal location though. Going to attach it to the side.
 

Also as shown in the other update, i cut the top panel so i can fit a 360 rad up there! This is after the cut 
 

This is after i filed it., Going to take a piece of sand paper to it aswell and maybe coat it with some black from the back side
 
 
 
So thats what ive done today! let me know what you think of the doors :D