GHETTO DELL...Side panel? HELL!

MeDownYou · June 19, 2015

Here is my old Dell kodibuntu machine that I've been using....

I wanted to make it look somewhat better than it does currently, so I want to add a side window. I found some plexiglass that was rather scratched up, but I didn't mind as I wanted to frost it anyway. I have some Led's to throw in it to illuminate the frosted plexiglass. We'll see how it goes.

Ok, so far I've prepared my side panel for cutting, and finished my plexi peice, I'll let you guys know as soon as I get the next part done cheers

SkywardKkalox · June 19, 2015

Gosh, I hope you have a mask when cutting the plexiglass, cause its harmfull to inhale it.

GL with the project, my teacher has a PC case for his office PC made from plexiglass. It looks sick.

Gikero · June 19, 2015

I have a few of these, looking forward to seeing your results.

MeDownYou · June 19, 2015

did a bit more on the case ...I have to decide a few things now though, such as should I paint it white and should I buy U channel for it?

Poll incoming!

so without further ado...

^ THE REASON THIS IS GHETTO... I DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE ANYTHING INTENDED FOR CUTTING!

SO, I used a grinder for everything...Everything.

Back of side panel

Front of panel

Close up of panel with plexi underneath

W-L · June 20, 2015

-SNIP-

If you have the time I would clean up the edges and straighten it out with a file and spray the panel. It will let you silicone the plexi in place with no gap compared to double stick tape and no U channel. But the U channel method will save a lot of time and effort.

MeDownYou · June 20, 2015

If you have the time I would clean up the edges and straighten it out with a file and spray the panel. It will let you silicone the plexi in place with no gap compared to double stick tape and no U channel. But the U channel method will save a lot of time and effort.

the cuts I'm not exactly happy about but that's what I get for using a grinder...

About using a file, how do I know that I am getting it straight - it seems rather difficult, especially with the corners. Silicone seems like an interesting choice that I hadn't thought about.

I was trying to figure out the LEDs I'm going to put in there there seems like not a lot of places that I can run my strip around And I think that I am going to need a lot of them to illuminate the frosted plexi anyway meaningfully.

Well I might give it a spray with paint and see what I think, then I have to decide on finishing it with U channel or filing it down, then another coat of paint after that.

It looks like about a 5 ft mod because of the cuts at the moment if I could get that down to a 2 foot mod that would be wonderful.

W-L · June 20, 2015

-SNIP-

I enlarged a window on my case using a dremel/rotary which took a while to say the least and used a metal file but you can grind back the majority first then file them straight.

For the LED strips if its a fairly thick piece you can light up two opposing edges of the sheet to give it a glowing effect if not then maybe have the light reflect off the inside of the case and come back into the window. It will prevent hash glowing spots that occur when directly lighting the plexi.

MeDownYou · June 20, 2015

I enlarged a window on my case using a dremel/rotary which took a while to say the least and used a metal file but you can grind back the majority first then file them straight.

For the LED strips if its a fairly thick piece you can light up two opposing edges of the sheet to give it a glowing effect if not then maybe have the light reflect off the inside of the case and come back into the window. It will prevent hash glowing spots that occur when directly lighting the plexi.

Nice, I gave it a quick coat of paint and went to town filing...I'm happy on 3 out of 4 of the cut sides can you guess which... here are some pictures of it now