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Tech-Daddy
07-21-2007, 01:14 AM
Deuce , 2 of a kind, 2 of what you want.... having a deuce is a good thing. This new rig is going to be an exercise in 2.
Dual Core CPU (Opty 185)
2GB of RAM
2 Hard drives
2 video cards (SLI) (2x 7900GTX 512MB cards)
2 water loops
2 reservoirs (dual EK MultiOption reservoirs)
2 pumps (Swiftech MCP350 and 355)
2 water colors (TBD)
2 Radiators
2 120mm fans on the top rad
You get the idea!
;)
It will reside in a Thermaltake Armor chassis. Mind you, this thing is HUGE!!! Plenty of space for all this magic to happen! I brought the side window panel on vacation with me, and went to town on it this week; It will be another hot rod themed build, except this onw will be a hot rod paint scheme from a Hot WHeel part. Stylistically, it will be very influenced by the build out of a Deuce coup.... but it will have modern flourishes....
The paint job will be based off of this:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_pj1.jpg
Deep blue/purple on the base, and gloss black across the top of the cabin area. seperated by a flaming green stripe. Looks bad ***!!!
So I startes planning out my window. And after several days with a pencil, I hace the draft.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window1.jpg
Keeping a mental note on the location of the cross beam. as well as the drive bays in the front. I shaped the main window to show off the motherboard, and to keep the integrity of the side panel locks. I added in a smaller window to the bottom area to break up the look of the "single large window":
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window2.jpg
note the stock that still remains around the flames and the corners. I learned something from blingGreen, and that is to make sure you leave the tips of the flames until the last This will keep you from applying a lot of pressure to the tips, and causing it to bend. So, you will see the flames work through in a few pictures....
Here is some more material removed from the flames... see them starting to form up? :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window3.jpg
Workng through the flame centers....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window4.jpg
Now.... here I go.... the side panel sitting at around 85% completion!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window5.jpg
more tomorrow, as I am tired tonight
Adisharr
07-21-2007, 11:30 AM
Nice job so far :)
TAZTG
07-21-2007, 11:31 PM
Go TD..
Tech-Daddy
07-22-2007, 12:03 AM
I'm going!!!
....
as fast a my piddly little legs will carry me!
:D ;)
PriMaTe
07-22-2007, 01:53 AM
tech your mods are awesome, keep on keepin on:p
I enjoy the threads
TAZTG
07-23-2007, 09:31 AM
Have to remeber that Tip about Flames. I had a small problem with the tips of the UT Logo bending on the Unreal Sonata.
AstroCreep
07-25-2007, 05:37 PM
See, I read "Project: Deuce" and I thought maybe you were going to snap some pics after you make a bathroom-break. ;)
Sounds pretty sweet; can't wait for more!
Tech-Daddy
07-26-2007, 02:41 PM
AstroCreep.... *chuckle* Har har!!
..
"ahem"
;)
Was out in the gerage last night with the drill and dremmel, trying to wrap up on the side panel. I Will hopefully have finished cut pics up later tonight. Then I get to start breaking down the frame and prepping it for customization.
I need to sit down with a sketch pad and draw out my plans, make sure they are attainable.
WHEEEE!!!!!!
Tech-Daddy
07-31-2007, 12:40 AM
"YO TECH!!! GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND MAKE AN UPDATE!!!!!"
....
So... I have been busting a hump in my garage at my new house, trying to get more schtuff unpacked and moved into it's proper place, thusly getting it out of the garage.
Well, I made a significant amount of headway in organizing the garage this weekend, and that new found space same in really handy! As I got more done on the mod! (interesting how, if you have the space to stretch out, your work seems to flow more easily! )
Using a 5/8 inch bit, I drillled out the ends of the top of the vents on the side panel, I then used my dremmel to cut a clean line down to the other circle. This made my lines nice and straight (for the most part) and the ends nice and round (again.... for the most part!)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/sidepanel1.jpg
And how will it look on the side of the case?
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/sidepanel2.jpg
I then also started popping rivets like a mad man on the case, parted the whole thing out and started marking up my next cut lines, and putting everything in the utility sink for a good rinsing. Dust and crap all inside this thing.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet4.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet5.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet6.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet7.jpg
I am hoping to get a new type of color process on the frame, we'll see though if I can make it work with the vendor. (fingers crossed)
Quakecon is coming up later this week! Cant wait to see everyone that will be there! And I'll pour some out for the brothers nad sisters that could not be there.
TAZTG
08-01-2007, 06:21 AM
QC-2006 had some pretty cool MODS. Was just looking over some of the PICS again. That PC Chair (NVIDIA) one looked pretty wild glowing green.
Make sure you take some good MOD PICS and post them up if you can..
Tech-Daddy
08-01-2007, 09:57 AM
will do!
PointlesS
08-05-2007, 01:47 AM
looks like you need to work on your bawls chugging ;)
nice case though should be sweet
Tech-Daddy
08-05-2007, 02:28 AM
Oh ****!
Are you here?
Hehehehehe.... yeah, crashed and burned!
Was fun though!
sabo
08-05-2007, 10:00 AM
working on a new rig myself i found an old beige case had Windows 95 in it i puled everything out of it cleaned the case then i painted the inside daytona yellow i put i a new dfi lanparty ut nf590 sli-mr2 no pics yet coming soon
Tech-Daddy
08-05-2007, 02:53 PM
Well... snap your pics, and start a thread...yo!
;)
TAZTG
08-06-2007, 06:21 AM
Oh ****!
Are you here?
Hehehehehe.... yeah, crashed and burned!
Was fun though!
Bawls Chugging..
Some strange MODS there huh.
http://gallery.quakecon.org/d/31834-2/foto_8-3-07_3968.JPG
can't wait to see more PICS of QC.. Have to start a new thread just for them..
PointlesS
08-07-2007, 11:07 AM
Oh ****!
Are you here?
Hehehehehe.... yeah, crashed and burned!
Was fun though!
lol yeah I was there...I said hi in etqw at 4am on sunday morning but you never said anything :p
Tech-Daddy
08-07-2007, 02:19 PM
I Was likely ASLEEP at my keyboard! ;)
I was really trying to get the hang of that game.... did you get a beta key so that you can play it at home?
:)))
TAZTG
08-07-2007, 04:56 PM
How many PICS you take? Can't wait to see some of the crazy MODS.
Tech-Daddy
08-10-2007, 01:14 AM
There were honestly not that many mods this year....
I could count the notable ones (beyond just a lit fan and a window) with 2 hands.
The lack of an announcement regarding a full fledged mod competition hindered peeps from bringing their work. Kinda sucked, but the ones that were there, represented well.
I did not take many pictures due to my camera acting all wonky. But as I find places online that have a good listing, I'll post up linkage.
SprySpectre
08-10-2007, 12:21 PM
See, I read "Project: Deuce" and I thought maybe you were going to snap some pics after you make a bathroom-break. ;)
Sounds pretty sweet; can't wait for more!
I too expected a "crappy mod" (fortunately that's impossible from Tech-Daddy...)
When I read the description I was surprised you didn't try to weld 2 cases together to fit it all :) That would be a feat...but having windows on both sides might be cool.
Can't wait to see more of this!
PointlesS
08-10-2007, 02:02 PM
I Was likely ASLEEP at my keyboard! ;)
I was really trying to get the hang of that game.... did you get a beta key so that you can play it at home?
:)))
yep...user name is PointlesS...add me to your friend's list :)
also there wasn't really that great of mods...the only cool ones was the 6 foot optimus prime and briefcase mod...while the 3rd place was just a paint job and a door it seemed...the rest just seemed to be your standard clear case with lights and stuff...stuff that's a mod but nothing really out of the ordinary...
Tech-Daddy
08-10-2007, 11:46 PM
They (Quakecon) did not promote a mod contest, and I firmly believe that they shot themselves in the foot.
I'm proud of Mr Red for his Deja 2.0 wooden PC taking 2nd in the custom case, and my 2 buds over @ Modders Inc taking 1-2 on the computer modded case portion of the contest.
But you are right... there were not many mods out there this year.
*HOPEFULLY* next year, they will find a vendor that wants to run the case mod competition properly, and actually promote it before hand. The guys over at M-I actually had vendors lined up if they were to host the contest, but QC told them "no".... kinda sucked.
Hard to get the respect of a group of enthusiasts if you dont even show the desire to host a proper contest until the last minute.
Yes... I am a little bitter.... even though I did not have a mod to compete and would not have had an entry, it just sucks that an event of this magnitude ignores this facet of the community. Other large events around the globe have dedicated modding competitions.... why can't Quakecon do it?
I dont get it....
:(
I'll add you into my friends when I get back home. Currently out of town... ;)
Tech-Daddy
09-05-2007, 12:40 AM
Well... to take from a great historical reference....
"The tales of my demise are greatly exaggerated..."
;)
Sorry for the delay folks. It's been a rough few months. "RL" just does not want to mesh well with my computer modding! ;)
But... I have made progress, both directly and indirectly, on this mod.
1st... directly!
This will likely be the *only* time you will ever see what I am about to show you. I worked with Arctic Mods and DangerDen to have a part made that did not previously exist! ;) Originally I had ordered the acrylic tops, but in a different model, and was chagrinned by my stoopidity! Funny thing... Koosah acrylics did not fit my NV-78 blocks (hence why they are for sale in my For Sale forum!) So, after much gnashing of teeth, I contacted the two companies, and worked it out with them to create them out for the NV-78 SLI kit.... and voila'! You will notice that the only thing tipping you off that these acrylics are something different, are the blue edges. Normal acrylics are crystal clear. But in normal light, the edges give off a baby blue hue.
But put them under a black light, and the fun REALLY begins!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/nv78_blue4.jpg
Mind you... the black light is actually about 1.5 feet away, to give you and idea on perspective on how sensitive the acrylics are to UV light! 8O
Next up, the indirect benefit of the work "slow down".... ;)
Tech-Daddy
09-05-2007, 01:09 AM
I have been trying to work with another painter here in the Dallas area that could perform a specific type of painting. I will place one more call to them tomorrow, and I hope we can work something out... but I grow weary of the non returned phone calls. As such, the frame has just been a sticking point. I'm afraid to paint until I knew how the frame was going to turn out.
SO.... in response to the joker taking so long to work with me.... I took the time to ready my airbrushing system!
This was my old workhorse, heheheh!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp1.jpg
I put the splitting manifold in place for a 2nd air line that I plan on running to a reel that will be suspended from the middle of the garage ceiling. I will attach another hose on the manifold, route the tube neatly, then terminate it to a 50 foot hose on the reel. I'll run my air tools off of there (when I get them... and can locate the damned hose reel buried somewhere in my frikken garage!!!)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp5.jpg
That all adds up to a 21 gal compressor with 2 moisture traps terminating to a 3 way manifold .
ImaNihilist
09-05-2007, 01:24 AM
toys!
PriMaTe
09-05-2007, 01:51 AM
Those custom blocks are sweet
maybe you can powder coat the frame if your original plan falls through
TAZTG
09-05-2007, 06:29 AM
OMG, how cool are those custom made blocks. That is one sweet setup.. Do you ever go into the house.
Tech-Daddy
09-05-2007, 10:22 AM
powdercoating is always a possibilty, I loved how the gloss black came out on Boss, if I cannot get a response out of the painter today, I will start investigating the PC route.
And TAZTG, I am looking into a hammock anchor.... ;)
And if I keep this up, I will have to build a car port in the back over my driveway for my vehicle!
HOUSE MODDING!!! ;)
Tech-Daddy
09-16-2007, 02:30 AM
http://www.youtube.com/v/vijgkWRlWSI
This might kinda sum up my last few weeks...
between weather screwing up my painting environment, and some unexpected delays....
well... I'm trucking again this weekend, trying to make as much headway as I can!
;)
This is my first video so go easy on me... :D
ImaNihilist
09-16-2007, 02:37 AM
^lol, epic music
Tech-Daddy
09-16-2007, 02:38 AM
I was really laughing as I put that video together... ;)
ImaNihilist
09-16-2007, 02:42 AM
I got a chuckle out of it. Anything that has Duel of Fates is somehow funny if it isn't serious.
Tech-Daddy
09-16-2007, 02:55 AM
That is precisely why I chose it. The name of the tune was the first thing. Seemed I was in a duel with Fate the last few weeks... then it hit me...
"Moe-Ron... use the tune!"
As I got to thinking about it, I realized then that the tension and dissonance in the song was going to lend itself wel to the video.
the *chuckle* was what I was looking for.
PriMaTe
09-17-2007, 05:52 PM
haha nice vid
Tech-Daddy
10-11-2007, 11:07 PM
Well... moving from the video, I'll post up pics of the forward movement, as well as a little *****-fest I am going to go off on for a bit...
Panels are progressing nicely! Not the clossy mirror smooth finish I want, but that will be after I clear it a few times... WOO HOO!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panel1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panel2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panel3.jpg
the ripples will go away after I clear and sand it.
Now... I Have been trying for the last 2 MONTHS to get my frame parts to a specialized painter in the Dallas area. I am not going to even do them justice by posting up their lame *** site, or their lame *** business name. Just suffice it to say that if you are in the Dallas area, and you start talking to Phil from the Colony, hang up and walk away. You will save yourself a buttload of misery. This job is not hard. Ive already done a ton of work to make it easy. But, I guess there just was not enough $$$ at the end of this rainbow. Bunghole stopped returning my calls. Kept trying to reach him to setup a meeting where he would just *look* at my frame pieces.... never even got that far. emails unanswered, phone calls unanswered.... very unprofessional. Phil, I hope I catch your paint equipment on liquidation, because there is *NO* way you can run a business and stay in business operating like that. VERY un-professional. I could have sent a ton of advertisement your way. Possible new avenues of income... but you had to screw it up, and throw off my build. Fine.....
So, I started looking for other options, but everywhere I went, the costs were more than I was wanting to bear, and the finish was "a special order" or something like that. Essentially, I came to the realization that "it's up to me"... so, I took a few days off earlier this week (Mon/Tues) and drove to talk to a my last few possibilities. That drive it home for me, and I went to work on the frame on Tuesday afternoon/night. Popped the remaining rivets, and decided on how I wanted to do my frame.
I shot a test piece just to see how the colors would lay after multiple color coats and a couple of clear coats.
Please pay no mind to the specs of dust on the top, this was a POC piece to see how the colors would work... I liked... it is a metalflake/sparkle base, with a tranparent top color coat. Duplicolor Metalcast. I shot this stuff on blingGreen, but the frame was not disassmbled, and it was one coat of green. I've learned a bit since then, so I'm trying to make this one a bit more durable and glossy...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue3.jpg
That lat pic kinda captures the sparkle below the paint... looks mighty fine... :mrgreen:
So I finish popping the rivets out of my frame:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame3.jpg
String them up like they are in a meat market... hehehe... "Now serving number 2!" LOL!
Hit them with self etching primer:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame4.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame5.jpg
Tech-Daddy
10-11-2007, 11:08 PM
Then the Metalcast flake basecoat:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame6.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame7.jpg
You can see a bit of the shimmer of hte silver in that last shot...
And started mowing through the frame pieces with my cans of blue Duplicolor Metalcast (love this stuff!):
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue4.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue5.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue6.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue7.jpg
I ran out of paint... but I can buy more, and recoat in a few days after this has cured. After I get a few more color coats on these parts, they will get clear coats. Prolly 3-4 coats. I really like how the little drive cage came out, and hopefully I can produce a whole case like that. I am also contemplating putting some designs on the frame to make the paint job a bit more than just a color job. ;) Stay tuned on that.
Also, I worked out a problem that was with my beautiful NV78's. The water block acrylics were accidentally cut to duplicate. When you are running a SLI setup, and passing the water between the two cards, you need to have alternating inlets to accomidate the pass-between barbs. I worked with Danger Den (class act that company, they made a fan out of me!) to get another acrylic top cut out. It is now installed, and leak tested. All good.
That said, I have a space NV78 UV blue acrylic top if anyone has an NV78 water block and are looking for a way to spruce it up! ;)
More as I craft. Sorry for the pause in updates. I had hoped to come in with a screaming "bang" if I could have had the frame painted how I wanted... but now... well, it's time for plan B, no... Plan C... nope.... D! Yep! Plan D!
Chin up! Let the jouney begin, cuz it is about to get hectic!
AstroCreep
10-12-2007, 12:03 AM
That's Deuce-tastic! :D
Insert poop-joke here...
Anyway, yeah, lookin' good; can't wait for more!
TAZTG
10-13-2007, 11:54 AM
Yea, I understand about bad customer service. My Unreal Sonata had a bit of that with the Custom UT Fan Grills. Anyway that guy seems to have gone out of business.
TD, I used the MetalCast on the Fragbox but I am sure yours will look much better then mine. I do have a couple of questions. Where did you do the painting? I can't see you paining in the garage that paint would be everywhere. You painting outside then bringing them in to dry. I would guess and say you have an actual painting tent setup out back.
Looks Good keep up Modding..
Tech-Daddy
10-16-2007, 11:13 PM
Ordered my acrylics that I will be using on Deuce... should be cool! ;) It will definitely be different
Having a hard time visualizing my tubing, and hopefully the humidity will relent enough later this week for me to finish painting my frame and get it back together!
I found a Chameleon light set while cleaning up the garage.... looking for a way to integrate it... we'll see...
;)
ser710
10-21-2007, 01:56 PM
WOW that is looking great.
Tech-Daddy
10-24-2007, 12:12 AM
Any of you seen the movie, "Twister"? Yeah, this next set of pics reminded me of the Aunt's house that had all of the metal sculpture in her yard... hehehehe
We had some beautiful weather and I used that time to put the Metalcast parts outside to cure. Yummy...
After they cured, I took them down, into the garage, and used a hydraulic rivet gun. If you have a good compressor, and you pull things apart all the time... find one of these tools. It will save you immense headaches from when you scratch your paint using a manual squeeze rivet gun... never again. This was SO, SO much easier...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_assembly3.jpg
The frame is now assembled and looking good!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_assembly13.jpg
This will be one of my secrets. Here is my acrylic for the mod. I'm thinking that the way I am going to mount the upper rad is going to be very unique, assuming that I get it right. :)
But, I dont wanna say too much and jinx it, but I will say that the acrylic is going to be BEAUTIFUL if I get this right...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic.jpg
More as I go. Updates are really going to start flowing over the next few days...
proxops-pete
10-24-2007, 12:28 AM
Dang... very nice... :)
TAZTG
10-24-2007, 12:20 PM
Can't wait to see it all come together. Your neighbors were probably wondering WT-F is that.
AstroCreep
10-24-2007, 12:27 PM
Can't wait to see it all come together. Your neighbors were probably wondering WT-F is that.
Yeah, I know; it looks like what Jeff Foxworthy may describe as "Redneck Christmas Decorations", but with PC parts instead of car parts. ;)
Tech-Daddy
10-24-2007, 01:45 PM
Hehehe... yeah, they are learning pretty quickly that I keep a different drummer in my head... ;)
Tech-Daddy
10-28-2007, 03:21 AM
So... lots of work done today...
Did a lot of cleaning up on my top cut. It was while I was working on that piece, that the realization hit me... I'm still missing my power button frame!!! A bit of quick engineering, and the blessings from my dearly departed father in law, and the inspiration hit me... I was given a lot of his tools from his shop, (to which I am forever grateful, Herman. May my work be inspired by your spirit, I miss you bud.) and I remembered that the power switch in question had a 3/4" hole requirement. Herman had given me several chassis punches, and I looked through them, and lo and behold... I had a 3/4" one! So, figured out where I wanted the switch to reside, popped it with a center punch a few times, and drilled the center hole. Then, placing the punch pieces on the hole, I wrenched them through. How on EARTH did I do this before... wow!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top4.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top5.jpg
The results speak for themselves. no edges to file either!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top6.jpg
Start priming it and getting it ready for color:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top7.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top8.jpg
First of several color coats:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top9.jpg
Tech-Daddy
10-28-2007, 03:22 AM
I also painted the inside of the bottom panel of hte computer. I have been debating back and forth these last few weeks on how I was going to paint it. I then decided that it would make a nice contrast to the blue frame, I'm hoping I am right.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bottom2.jpg
This is a flexible color lighting system that I will be integrating adjustable pots to control the flow to Reg, Green, and Blue. There are 4 LED cannons, and each cannon has the RGB leds inside them. A twist of the dials will allow me to create any color ambient light I want out of the guns! I have my primary lighting color scheme already worked out, but these, I think, will ad some nice accenting
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham4.jpg
The front bay adapter had to be changed to black to fit the color scheme of the computer"
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham5.jpg
This is just me being happy. The side panel... has not been clear coated, and has not been buffed with polishing compound. No wax... polish... nothing. It just looks that good... :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/side1.jpg
Now, tonight, I used my striping tape and my auto mask, and created a paint mask for me to paint my panels with. Remember, they will be black on top, green flame stripe separating, and blue in the base. I plan on burying some graphics in the flame job, as well as in the blue... so be on the lookout! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/side_taped.jpg
More tomorrow!
Tech-Daddy
10-28-2007, 08:41 PM
Work today was on the bottom "blue" section of the panels...
Metalcast base coat i nthe appropriate sections.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame1.jpg
I then started applying a background pattern of what I hoped would be a random background pattern of flames...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame3.jpg
After 4 coats, starting to come together
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame7.jpg
I had layered the designs, starting with a pearl blue flame, then a white flame, then a set of black flames. The blue I wanted to come out as a set of Ghost flames, as the Metalcast blue would disguise the base blue flames... or at least I had hoped.
As it turns out, it came out better than I planned, as the blue flames appear/disappear depending on where you are in relation to the panel... it is a really sweet effect.
TAZTG
10-29-2007, 10:14 AM
Dang, you got some painting skills. Those flames look sweet..
BTW: That chassis punch makes a nice hole. Glad to see you having a good time with all the modding.
Tech-Daddy
10-30-2007, 01:01 AM
I am a quite a bit upset at myself right now. I was test mounting my 120mm rad setup on the Swiftech "RadBox" that I bought to help with the external mounting. Well... one screw was too long. and it punctured my 120mm rad. the build continues.... and now my search is on to repair this rad.
My problem is that the hole is directly under the screw thread shroud. And the leak is a doozie. I just pushed water though the rad "beer bong" style...
a steady flow.
I'm quite pissed @ Swiftech right now, but I'm even more pissed at myself. I felt the tension on the screw, and told myself, "back it out. that one was odd"... but I did not...
drip... drip....
likely going to be either some metal epoxy or JB Weld... *IF* I can get it down there in between the fins.
frikken lovely....
TAZTG
10-30-2007, 06:51 AM
Thats a bummer, you have any connections over at Swiftech? With your backgrond in the modding community they might hook you up with a replacement. Let them know your Pimping their Rad.??
Tech-Daddy
10-30-2007, 11:46 AM
Working on that... ;)
I have an open email to them. The Rad was a HW Labs GT BlackIce.
waahhhh....
proxops-pete
10-30-2007, 01:14 PM
Wow... you should do this for side job!! :eek: I think some of custom paint jobs on higher end rigs by the likes of Dell and other builders charge $1000+!!!!!!
Tech-Daddy
10-30-2007, 01:58 PM
Thank proxops-pete... Forgot to post up my update that happened just before the radiator
Have some wetsanding to do to knock the edge down a bit, and prep for the next "stripe". I'll likely put these outside to cure a bit.
On a seperate note... we all start somewhere...
And I wnat to learn how to do True Fire.
I have never done this folks, never. I have a DVD and a set of templates to help guide me... but my airbrush's paint valve kept staying open, so I was having lots of difficulty tapering my ends. Would release the paint and carry through my air and my motion, but the paint spring just kept pushing paint... then it would click shut... very frustrating.
After about the 4th or 5th mistake, I kinda ran with it... then I started nesting other template designs into it, so see how they would look when sprayed. So, this is like a proof of concept... pre-ALPHA! LOL!!
ANYWAY... not expecting to set the world on fire (*giggle*) but I figured you would like to see what an uber noob does with a finiky airbrush in his free time!
Started out with just a panel from a dead case. Did not sand it smooth, just laid a coat of black over it to give a good, dark back canvas.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/1stFlames.jpg
Early stage:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/1stFlames2.jpg
Then I cleared it after a few more color swaps here. Now I know why pros have multiple airbrushes! Color shanges are very time consuming when you only have one airbrush!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/1stFlames3.jpg
Be gentile.... ;)
Tech-Daddy
10-30-2007, 07:35 PM
I pulled out the the trusty rivet gun, and put the base back on this beast! This will allow me to better work on the tubing and routing... I also got tired of seeing it hanging in the garage! Using some of the *****en case feet from mnpctech, I think that says, "dont mess with me", even with NUTHIN in the chassis! Dontcha think?
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/chassis1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/chassis2.jpg
I also had a brainstorm of an idea with the front bezel. Let's tear them down and have some fun... shall we?
Front of the undoctered unit:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel1.jpg
Back of it, showing the tabs that must released to get the metal grill out:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel2.jpg
Strip out the steel mesh and get to work!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel3.jpg
base coat + blue and white flames:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel4.jpg
Wonder what I've been doing this all with? ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel5.jpg
Final result! I'd say that sets off the front nicely.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel7.jpg
I need to get some lighting that will illuminate the front bezels, otherwise the flames are lost in the dark...
Also, during this moment, I found a way to do some flame work in a similar fashion, but that will give a really sweet effect! Going to need an extra set of hands though to make it happen. Wifey has already volunteered. *yay!*
Also, my fans and my replacement rad should be here tomorrow!
*double yay!*
AstroCreep
10-30-2007, 07:38 PM
That is really F-ing slick! Looking awesome!
TAZTG
11-01-2007, 09:07 AM
Damn TD, you got those layers looking working for ya. The Green Flames look wicked, proves that a finnicky airbrush works just fine. Now lets do it one more time. LOL
Great Job so far TD, Love showing off your work to my buddies at work. :D
Tech-Daddy
11-01-2007, 10:12 AM
*blushes*
;)
Thanks bro!
proxops-pete
11-02-2007, 10:27 AM
seriously... these kinds of paint jobs are $1000+ options on sellers like Hyper PC and Dell!! :eek: Shoot...
Tech-Daddy
11-03-2007, 01:35 AM
yeah, but those paint jobs are done by pros.... I'm just learning. :)
I'm flattered that you would draw that parallel, thank you proxops-pete, but those guys have severl things that I do not.
1) Years of experience
2) Same paint in their system (highly likely)
3) a clean room to paint in.
and that is where the costs come from. But if I get good enough, then I will certainly start selling that option. ;)
I started working on the back end of the mod, and was thinking that the fan situation that I have in mind was going to be a bit cluttered. I did not like that thought at all. I planned on having a white LED fan on the inside of the case acting as exhaust, that would then be screwed to an external radbox, that would then have another fan and the external 120mm radiator. The radbox and fan buy me a little space to display some tubing and such, but having 2 fans back in the rear... how would I power 2 of them without having a mess of cabling?
If you remember, *waaayyyy* back in the build on BOSS, there was a power supply mod that I did not incorporate, it used the twist on "CB Radio" type connectors now being seen on some power supplies. Well... I still had those connectors, so my plan was to run a 2 wire (12v and ground) independent to that section of the case. soldering the 12v and ground into the legs of the connector receptacle, I then soldered another set of short legs off of the solder point, and heat shrinked the joint. I then took those 12v and ground legs and soldered them onto the fan power and ground lines, and covered those joints with black heat shrink.
This effectively minimized the 8 inches of fan cord to less than an inch. If I Have to replace this fan... it will be a bear! ;)
The external fan will have a cable treatment performed to it that will mate it to the male end of the joint/plug, being sure to keep 12v and ground properly designated, and will plug into the other side of what you see in the below picture.
Going to Home Depot tomorrow, then maybe a bike shop or an auto shop... looking for some small diameter steel tubing
proxops-pete
11-03-2007, 10:35 AM
yeah, but those paint jobs are done by pros.... I'm just learning. :)
I'm flattered that you would draw that parallel, thank you proxops-pete, but those guys have severl things that I do not.
1) Years of experience
2) Same paint in their system (highly likely)
3) a clean room to paint in.
and that is where the costs come from. But if I get good enough, then I will certainly start selling that option. ;)
You could've fooled me plenty!!! :eek: :p
TAZTG
11-04-2007, 10:01 PM
Cool Idea.. I like how you drilled the top of the fan so the hoses can get out.
Tech-Daddy
11-04-2007, 10:47 PM
Ahhhh! You saw that!
;)
Tech-Daddy
11-19-2007, 08:29 PM
Here is a little Turkey day post of the work I have done over the past week or so....
My goal is to have the power cabling for the rear fans stealthed except for the area where the wires feed into the fans. now. Knowing that I was going to have a 120mm rad on the back, and I wanted to have an exhaust fan inside the case (components will still need airflow!), I opted to put a Swiftech rad box up between the exhaust area and the fan for the rad. This will help to break up the airflow coming out from the case, and the radbox gives the rad fan about an inch of intake space to grab it's cool air from. Powering 2 fans from an internal/external location was going to be a bit of a challenge, and I came up with the idea of just having both fans share the same 12v run. As such I put in a passthrough port, attached the + and - onto the supply side of the passthrough, and then built a cable to the external most fan on the rad using the female of the connector. Initially, I was using 1 inch aluminum spacers, but thought they looked a bit too tall, so I dropped them to 1/2 inch ones, and thought that they looked much batter. I have to grind out a litle on the Radbox in the space in front of the case holes for the hoses, else I have a bit of a creasing of the hose as they pass by the sharp edge of the radbox. Enough talking... Here are the results:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan1.jpg
Backside of the connector with the split for the fan on this side, as well as the feed for the other side.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan2.jpg
Alum standoffs @ 1 inch... a bit to tall for my liking, so I bought some shorter ones.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan3.jpg
This shows the power line coming off the fan going past the external connector...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan4.jpg
Shorter assembly height, and a shorter fan power cable, looks much better!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan5.jpg
Closeup of the rear cable assembly.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan6.jpg
How it looks from the top. You can see the barb location as well as the holes where the tubing will come through.
tweakerpc2002
11-27-2007, 01:13 PM
that rig looks tight:eek:
tweakerpc2002
11-28-2007, 09:51 PM
so when is this case going to be complety done :O
Tech-Daddy
11-29-2007, 01:23 AM
Hehehe.... "it'll be done when it's done!" Not going to put myself on a time line with this one. If it goes more than a few more weeks though, I've done something horribly wrong or my life has turned upside down...
:)
tweakerpc2002
11-29-2007, 01:37 AM
Hehehe.... "it'll be done when it's done!" Not going to put myself on a time line with this one. If it goes more than a few more weeks though, I've done something horribly wrong or my life has turned upside down...
:)
just lock your self in the garage for a weekend straight and give your wife her vibrator and tweak your rig :D
schultz
11-29-2007, 03:44 AM
Again, way to go Tech-Daddy. The mod is looking fantastic. And I do look forward to seeing the final end result.
And stop being so humble! ;)
I agree with proxops-pete. Whether you're a professional painter/airbrusher or not, it still looks amazing. As far as I'm concerned, you ARE a professional at this (just with less time to do it...since it's not your job and all :)).
Tech-Daddy
11-29-2007, 07:15 PM
You guys rock... thanks!
Tech-Daddy
01-14-2008, 12:20 AM
Well... hello everyone!
Due to the holidays, "real life" took a serious stick to my free time. Work has been an absolute leech, and then you have the holidays between my last post and this post. It's been tough, and I am *very* sorry for not having the time or the energy over the last 1.5 months. That kind of a gap in a log is not very professional, and I apologize to anyone who has been thinking I fell off the earth....
All that said, I've got an update!
WOOT!
;)
I was able to grab some time this last weekend and make more progress. I call this update:
"*** are you building??!?"
So grab some popcorn and have some fun! Here we go!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff1.jpg
2 screws, a threaded standoff and a double coax staple... huh?
...
stick with me folks, I'm kinda proud this!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff2.jpg
The staple come with a nail in the plastic housing... that gets yanked
Then I put the plastic piece in a vice and using a manual hand drill I bore the hole out that the nail was passed through:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff4.jpg
Then, to get one of the longer screws through the plastic, I very carefully hit the hole with a 1/4" bit in a power drill and dig out a recession of the screw head to sit in, and that also gives a bit more thread exposed on the bottom end:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff6.jpg
Then I screw on the threaded standoff:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff11.jpg
And we have a finished... something! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff12.jpg
But wait...wait... "Tech-Daddy, there were 2 screws in the picture? Where does the other one go?"
Glad you asked! I take those and screw them through the frame of the back panel of the computer chassis:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff13.jpg
Then I screw in the other end of the threaded standoff to the exposed threads of the screw I just put in place:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff15.jpg
Kinda neat... but looks lonely:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff17.jpg
That's better... but what are they for? Well... remember that fan junction that I built that ties the internal and external fans together? Well... I still need to get 12v and ground to that location... and anyone who knows me knows that the cables will not simply "fly" across the case. So, I take the cables, and where they will be seen, I make them appealing. I'm actually running a single cable inside each tube:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff18.jpg
I like how that looks! I run the lines up to the structural cross bar that spans the entire side of the case, and I run my 12v and ground lines inside that piece of steel. Once it gets to the front of the case, they drop out and begin their trek down the 5.25 bay area. So I clad those lines in tubing again and built 2 more standoffs and attached them to 2 holes in bays that I will not be using:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff20.jpg
There you go! Tastefully done power, front to back, and you will only see what I want you to see of it!
As for the 3 hard drive bays that are inserted in the bottom of the case in that cage adaptor thingy, it has a spot for a 120mm fan on the front of it, and I am going to use it. But, unlike the fans elsewhere in the case, I dont want to put a lit LED fan there, as the back light will screw up the front mesh panel flame effect, so I instead went for a nice and quiet black fan. I knew that the cabling was never going to be seen, so I did not sleeve it... but I did blast it several times with vinyl dye then attach it to an electric screw driver and twist it, then touch it up with the vinyl dye. I like that look a lot better... :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff23.jpg
I also put on foam, noise isolating, neoprene insulators to each screw contact point:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff24.jpg
Mounted it up:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff25.jpg
The res's may be relocated. This was just an idea I was bantering around.
Tech-Daddy
01-14-2008, 12:23 AM
I've also started experimenting with different types of lighting, these are what some vendors call pirahanna lights:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pirahanna_lights.jpg
Neat thing about these lights is that they run off of 12v DC, and can be cut into blocks of 3. No resistors needed. Put a bit of double stick tape on these and put them where you want! these are stiff PCB material so they are not really flexible... but I'm going to be trying some other possible items later on...
And... OMG! I need to clean up my make shift router table... what on earth could I be working on that would create a mess like this?!!?
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/router.jpg
Well... you are going to have to wait! I have more tools on order to hopefully bail me out of the jam that I have created. More on the results of this mess later! ;)
So, there you have it... more later on as I get to it!
-=TD
TAZTG
01-14-2008, 08:19 AM
Ingenious idea for running the power lines. Keeps them equally spaced and looks really secure. Nice big update, Thanx TD
PS: can't wait to see what caused that mess..:p
Trunks
01-15-2008, 10:13 PM
omg...i saw this a long time ago and said to myself "don't look at it until it's finished!"
and i saw this today and was like oh yeah, it must be done. I wonder how it came out?
And it's not done :( Now you're gonna have me anxiously checking this thread and my email to see new updates :(
Good job though man! I can't believe some of the things you do..
Tech-Daddy
01-15-2008, 11:03 PM
Sorry Trunks! Dont mean to keep teasing ya!
This thing is going to take me a while, as there are going to be severalt things that I will prototype before I build. That additional work, with my additional real life job workload seriously hampers my ability to make good, regular progress on this build. but it is progress none the less! ;)
I have some parts that I need to order from China in a few weeks... that is likley going to take a little shilt to get here, but I can keep on plugging on! Glad you like what you see!
Taztg - because I like you, I'll give you a bit of inside info into the mess. I've been carving and routing and filing and sanding piece of 1/4" acrylic that I was HOPING would have some *****en flames in it... but my hands and my equipment just are not getting the results I want... so I am going to have to rethink my application, design my graphic that I want and digitize it, then hand it off to a friend with a laser cutter and see it come to life that way...
cant give more away than that, because it is a very unique part.
:)
Trunks
01-16-2008, 03:52 AM
no rush man, your work is top-notch and I just can't wait to see how it turns out. You're very creative and innovative. I wish I could do what you do
TAZTG
01-17-2008, 08:13 AM
Wish I had friends with Laser Cutters and Air Painting Equipment. :(
Flames in Acrlyic. I liked some of the layed colored acrlyic Mods especially when lighted just right. can't wait to see what your up to.
Devastator
01-25-2008, 02:53 PM
Wow, that's sick. Great job.
TAZTG
01-25-2008, 06:13 PM
Wow, that's sick. Great job.
Hey everyone, meet my Bro from Canada.. Wassup DEV..
Tech-Daddy is one great Modder and has lots of wonderful tips rumbling around in his head. We just haven't figured out how to get them all out.. ;)
Tech-Daddy
01-25-2008, 11:27 PM
"You" haven't figured out how to get them outta my head??!?!
So your the one I can blame for my inability to empty my brain?!?!
LOL!!!
;)
Yeah... it's a bit of a sickness that I have.
I have *finally* come to the decision that I made that mess of blue acrylic... and I will have nothing to show for it. :(
So, I sat down for a few hours and taught myself some stuff in photoshop, and Corel Draw...
And came up with a file that I can use to cut what I was trying like hell to create manually (without much success mind you!)
I'm going to show you guys here what I'm up to... and *hopefully* in a week or two, I'll have the acrylic cut, shaped and looking like I hope it will. My main concern is going to be strength, and will the thin spots hold up.... I dunno. I've never done this before! ;) Matter of fact, I don't think anyone has done this before... so, there may be a reason this has "not been done before"... :)
So... keeping in mind that this is going to be cut through 1/4" transparent blue acrylic...
The rad will be supported by 4 legs, one for each corner. My plan is to have the rad further back on the top of the case, and the front legs actually at an angle progressing from the leading edge of the top, up and back to the rad.
Most all of the flames will be heated and bent.
The long side between the front and back legs will be bent down to the side and bottom edge of the long side of the 240 rad these will adorn. Those flames will actually wrap under the rad and lick around the fans on the underside, providing a set of supports for the rad to rest in. The ends will be heated to fold down and encapsulate the rad.
There will be no screws holding this together, the rad will be completely wrapped in acrylic flames and held in by the heating and bending of the flames to make them hold the rad in place.... that is my plan at least!
The legs will wrap through the hole I cut in the top, and then bend into a bracket that I am in the process of designing. I am hoping to keep this whole attachment mechanism screwless and clean.
There are plans to light this thing with LED's, but due to the density of the material, I've been having a bit of an issue getting good results illuminating the material... but if I can get the edges polished properly, then the light will hopefully flow from the edges....
but this is what I have been working on, and I think I am really, close to having 1 or 2 to prototype with and see if it will work!
Wish me luck! I've also got my sons pinewood derby happening tomorrow, and I need to wrap up on the weights in that car tomorrow... WHEEEEE!!! Lots of garage time over the past few weeks! And I've almost got something to show for it!
Hold on just a bit longer guys!
TAZTG
01-27-2008, 01:06 AM
Man, thats going to be tough. Heating and bending all those flames. Hope you have something to heat them evenly and to bend them evenly. Good Luck with this and hope it works sounds awesome.
James
01-29-2008, 07:46 AM
Wow, as always, amazing stuff.
As always, you make the minor mods that I do look like dust. Lowly, lowly dust. ;)
Keep up the amazing work! **thread subscribed**
proxops-pete
01-29-2008, 11:06 AM
If Tech-Daddy can't do it, no one can!! :p :D
Tech-Daddy
02-04-2008, 12:23 AM
you guys rock! :)
First time in a long time that a weekend has rolled around that was not :
1) Too cold to paint
2) Too humid to paint
3) Too busy with family
4) Too busy with work
Well... those things were not in the works on Sunday! Yay!
Got some time to go clean my neglected airbrush and try to fix it... and got it working much better! I still have a minor hanging issue with it... but it will get better and I continue to work on it.
So, after cleaning, I sprayed black over the 1st set of flames that I experimented with, and tried v2.
Came up with this:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flames_2ndTry.jpg
Not bad, for my second time *ever* working on laying out flames freehand. I learned a lot. And will apply it to the next panel I experiment with. Hopefully I'll get back out there in the garage this week, and spray some more while the knowledge is fresh in my head.
I know it aint pro... it was more a concept for color and application. Was not intended to be smooth, as the layer I painted over on the bottom was not smooth, and I got some stuff on my french curcves that attached itself to the surface of the panel... no biggie.
But these pics have 2 layers of clear to allow me to see what paint would show after the CC process....
TAZTG
02-04-2008, 07:26 AM
Sounds like a good weekend. A Modder being able to play with his modding tools. I think its pretty cool how it looks 3d and the Green/Black is pretty nice.
Keep up the practicing an dpretty soon you will be a professional>>;)
proxops-pete
02-05-2008, 11:19 AM
Wow... seriously... you should do this full-time! :eek:
TAZTG
02-10-2008, 05:47 PM
I think TD does this pretty much Full Time. He fills the rest of his free time with family, work and friends. LOL Modding comes first right TD?;) j/k
Tech-Daddy
02-10-2008, 10:23 PM
Heheheh.... Close, Taztg...
Family... then modding! My friends sometimes have to deal with my illness, but I do my best to keep it from impacting the family!
;)
Well.... beautiful weather... combined with some time in the garage... equals....
3rd attempt.
I'm starting to plan out how the flames will be on the panel, so I was simulating the curve of the blue graphic...
here is what I plopped down tonight.
I think I figured out what I was doing wrong from the previous 2, and made this one better, but I just thought of something that I did that caused a lot of my overspray, and I'm going to go out and rectify that tonight. Might be a v4 if I can get my equipment cleaned up and re-racked for the 4th attempt.
:)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3b.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3c.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3d.jpg
Getting closer!
;)
More later!
AstroCreep
02-10-2008, 10:45 PM
Lookin' good!
Can't wait until you're able to 'drop the deuce' on us!
(HA! Two poop jokes in the same thread; I'm on fire!)
proxops-pete
02-11-2008, 03:39 PM
More pics, dang it!! :mad: :p
TAZTG
02-12-2008, 10:31 AM
I know Flames are over done but the Green Black Combo looks especially pleasing. Its like a new twist on Flames. Lets hope for more good weather.;)
Tech-Daddy
02-12-2008, 06:23 PM
yeah... me likey the green flames too!
;)
AstroCreep
02-12-2008, 07:29 PM
yeah... me likey the green flames too!
;)
You'd do Type O Negative proud with the black & green motif.
James
02-13-2008, 06:51 AM
You'd do Type O Negative proud with the black & green motif.
And a throw back to TON. You really are on fire.
I like attempt 3. It reminds me a lot of the recent depictions of an event horizon on a black hole.
Tech-Daddy
02-20-2008, 11:36 PM
Thanks everyone for all the feedback and support! Very cool to get everyones perceptions, likes, dislikes. I am learning a ton.
Took a couple of days off at the beginning of the week for my daughter's birthday, and had some spare time.... so I whipped out another panel.
Different colors, this one was more teal than green.
I like the design, not a big fan of the color. My wife likes both the color and the design.
;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev4.jpg
TAZTG
02-21-2008, 06:12 AM
It does look like the flames are swirling up and wrapping around each other. Kinda gives it a 3d effect a little. I suppose practice makes perfect.
Tech-Daddy
03-03-2008, 12:40 AM
Well... practice definitely helps! ;)
Good evening everyone... just got myself settled after a weekend meeting with the AustinModders (www.austinmodders.com), great to see all you guys again!
While down there, one of the big pieces of this mod came to me.... to say that I am happy would be a severe understatement!
This is 1/4" transparent blue acrylic... that I had lasered to be the rad stand.
This shot is simply to give you a little depth on the color... it really is striking!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand0a.jpg
These are pieces that were the centers of flame licks.
The whole cut:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand0.jpg
And several more shots after I got home:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand1.jpg
I have 98% of these flames cut. Due to the thickness of the material, and the density, some of the laser cuts did not make it all the way through. They are only a few places, but due to the delicate and intricate nature of this cut, it is absolutely essential that I have all of the cuts completed and not hanging as I pull the negative parts of the cut out. I have a plan where I will use an intricate engraver bit on my flexi-shaft Craftsman rotary tool, and use that to complete the cut from the back side of the piece. That way, if I do have a minor scratch, it will not be on the surface of the acrylic.
I have to take this moment to publically thank the person who cut this for me. A good friend that chooses to remain confidential, but they spent almost a full 10 hours cutting this. Only after the cutting had started, did we realize that the density of the material combined with the power of the laser... was going to lead to a Looooong manufacture time. *tips hat* Those that know this person, please quietly nod your head, but do not give his identity away.
Tech-Daddy
03-03-2008, 12:40 AM
After I get both frames removed, my next "impossible* task is to get it bent to the form I want without damaging it... ;) something that many are skeptical I can do! Might even be "crazy" for trying... but that is what I am. I have 2 of these to try and make work. if they do not work, then I have to find another way to execute the vision! ;) Wish me luck!
I'll post up pics of the rad stands after I have them removed.
:D
ImaNihilist
03-03-2008, 12:45 AM
looking to be epic
TAZTG
03-03-2008, 06:43 AM
Bending 1/4" Acrylic, man thats going to take some patience. Hope you have some practice pieces before doing the Laser Cut ones. Looks to be very unique. Good Luck TD..:)
James
03-03-2008, 07:19 AM
Wow. Here's wishing you luck TD!
Tech-Daddy
03-03-2008, 10:31 AM
Hehehe, thanks guys!
Yeah, practice pieces will be key. Remember all that debris from a few posts back?? Well.... "I Have scrap to test with..." ;)
taggart6
03-03-2008, 02:59 PM
Holy crap this is awesome...Awesome job TD!
Tech-Daddy
03-09-2008, 11:16 PM
*finally* had both time and weather!
Acrylic is not something I like to muck with when it is pretty cold... I feel like it makes it more brittle. Might be just me, but if I am going to be working with my only 2 copies of my rad stand, I'm taking every precaution, real or likewise... that could make the flames unexpectedly snap....
Well, this last week was busy, then I got clipped with a cold, and that yanked the batteries for about 3 days. Feeling a bit better, the weather warmed up... so I put in a few hours in the garage!
Using a combination of bits, I slowly and carefully worked my way around the acrylic, sometimes using a fine tipped engraving bit, other times using a reinforced wheel... and I started making progress"
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand8.jpg
I had to put a light underneath the acrylic to make out the cuts that were completely through, and then focus on the areas that were still hung.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand9.jpg
Some of the chunks coming off...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand10.jpg
Here you can see how I was using the light to path the cuts:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand11.jpg
Ohhhhh daaaaamn.... almost there!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand12.jpg
3 hours later, the 1st one if free!!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand13.jpg
No broken flames, everything successfully released! I have a bit of careful filing and some polishing to do, but otherwise... HELL YEAH!!!!!
now.. add into this wonderful weekend of success, my wife opted to give me my birthday presents early (Later this month on the 21st) and she landed a 22" wide screen LCD on my lap today! Also got me an MP3 player so that I can listen to tunez while I work out! (I have *got* to get into better shape!)
So.... I'm ecstatic this weekend!
James
03-10-2008, 06:32 AM
Wow, toys and a successful cut-out all in one weekend. You are truly blessed my friend! :D
Can't wait to see the final "bent" outcome on those flames. (That is what you said you are doing right?)
TAZTG
03-10-2008, 07:41 AM
I am with James, you are truely blessed. WoW, your wife knew what toys to get and your cuts turned out looking good. Cool idea with the light.
Give us a clue where you plan on bending the Flame.
Good Job TD..
proxops-pete
03-11-2008, 04:16 PM
You have some mad skills!! :eek:
TAZTG
03-18-2008, 06:48 AM
Any updates TD.. I don't want to sound pushy but I am really curious about how the bending progress. Still have my fingers crossed for ya..:p
Tech-Daddy
03-18-2008, 09:10 AM
Hehehehe... I did a couple of test pieces the other day, TAZTG, and they did what I'd hoped they would do. I will however, have to build myself a wooden jig to mimic the rad's size for most of the bends. I'll have to do this due to the heat that I am having to apply to get the acrylic to bend is significant. and long in duration... I certainly dont want to damage the rad.
So, since my RL job is such a time leech, it will be a few days until I get the bending jig built.
Apologies for the lack of updates!
Thanks for the good luck! I'll need it!
;)
James
03-18-2008, 10:01 AM
Groovy.
Lots of heat and homemade jigs = fun pics for us sometime soon.
I can wait. (But not too long.) :D
TAZTG
03-18-2008, 12:04 PM
Just take your time.. I have a Heat Gun if you need to borrow another one. LOL Seriously, can you provide details of the heating process. I am thinking with the amount of heat you will need would some kind of furnace would be beneficial or would direct heat be better for bending a specific area. Have not done to much anything with acrylic thats why I ask.
:) :)
Tech-Daddy
03-18-2008, 01:23 PM
Typically, when making longer bends, I take the heat gun and depending upon how sharp I want the ben, I may get directional nozels attached to slim down the heated air into a more controlled and narrow focused "beam" of heat.
The experiements I tried were using less focused, more generalized heat application. I want to get a cone on my heat gun to focus the heat. My current attachments dont fit this gun.
What you want to do, is heat the acrylic ot the point it is pliable, but not to the point it is liquid. To get 1/4" acrylic to that temperature, throughout the 1/4" of material, is a bit difficult. What I found was that by having a small weight source on the end of the acrylic that I was trying to bend, when I saw the weight start to dip, then I knew the acrylic temperature was nearly ideal.
Too much heat and the acrylic acts like liquid and start spreading out the material, which with the flames cut out, and the tight intricate spaces.... if the acrylic started to flatten and engulf those spaces, it could be disastrous.
So... I'll keep practicing!
Isezumi
03-19-2008, 12:48 AM
I think you would have been better off bending the material prior to cutting. The bend is going extrude the outer edge and slightly warp the flames, this could cause breaking in thinner pieces of material where the extrusion force is higher than the chemical bond strength of the material at a given temperature.
Good luck and dont forget to support your material on both sides.
Tech-Daddy
03-19-2008, 12:19 PM
Given my limited exposure to resources, it would have been preferred to do what you state, but impossible to cut after said bending. Thanks for the tips!
Tech-Daddy
03-22-2008, 02:14 AM
Took the day off from work today to celebrate the ol B-Day, and what better way, than to move ahead on the mod! ;)
First thing up is that in order for me to get most of these bends proper, I build a wooden jig that I could heat the acrylic up on and not worry about damaginf the joints in the rad. Last thing I wanted to do was do something that caused joints in the rad to unsweat...
1st pic is the acrylic laying ontop of my wooden rad/bending jig:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand14.jpg
Started heating the corners and applying even pressure to the side:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand15.jpg
Tomorrow, I'll try to get the rad into the acrylic and see how sturdy this is, and what I need to do to get it mounted into the roof section. I've got a plan, I just have to see if it will work! ;)
I've still gotta finish the bends to see how well it attaches to the top of the case... I may end up having to remake this acrylic to a different dimension. If I have to do it again, then you can count on the fact that I will use a local water jetter to cut this (same person that did DST). Or else I will have to source a larger wattage laser cutter. I already have the sheet of acrylic ready if this does not turn out well, but I'm going to do my very best to make this work! I am certainly not going to waste all the effort that my friend put into cutting this!
Damn, I'm happy to have finally bent this stuff!
Oh yeah, and to pinpoint the heat, I used a propane torch. My heat gun was too broad. I needed pinpoint heat application to make sure I did not have unnecessary bowing and shift in the acrylic.
James
03-22-2008, 08:43 AM
:eek:
So cool looking....
:eek:
TAZTG
03-22-2008, 12:52 PM
Holy Mother of __________! (Fill in the Blank)
Thats freaking awesome TD. You can see where the Jig was singed, must have been some serious heat. It turned out looking great. One thing.. I hate to see you Electric Bill for the Month! I know those Heat Guns can suck up the juice.. LOL
Tech-Daddy
03-22-2008, 01:02 PM
I was using a propane torch and a LOT of caution! ;) The torch allowed me to pinpoint extreme heat.
The real trick to using that on the 1/4" acrylic was that you could quickly get the acrylic too hot... then it starts cooking off and making bubbles (found that out on a test piece). You have to think while using the propane... and this was my thought process.
Heat for .5 to 1 second at a time using as low a flame as can be set.
move to the other bend point on that same side. repeat...
let that set for a second or two and let the heat start to migrate through the acrylic, then do the process again to both joints.
Keep doing this to raise the temperature through the entire piece of acrylic, but you are doing it gradually. Otherwise you are heating one side of the acrylic way faster than the other side and they cannot catch up. You need the material to be the same pliable temperature through the entire thickness.
The torch allows for that, but you cant just "leave" it there, otherwise you will have problems.
Heat... stop for a bit.... heat.... stop for a bit.... heat... stop for a bit.... gradually is the key!
James
03-22-2008, 02:29 PM
Very cool.
Thank you for sharing the process!
Again, it's awesome looking. :)
Tech-Daddy
03-22-2008, 02:35 PM
Quite welcome!
Also, left a bit out. I have 2 wooden blocks, one that sits on top of the piece to be bent, and one that sits on the side to press with, to make the bends you see. If you make it too hot, you end up leaving little creases from the wood, so make sure you have sanded the wood blocks down to a nice a smooth surface.
:)
Tech-Daddy
03-23-2008, 06:27 PM
I did some interpretive "test mounting" today to see how the frame responded.
Not even really a test fit, just an estimation of "where everything is going to go..."
The rad will be sitting lower than this in order for the legs to have enough material to be integrated into the top of the case roof.
What I have come up with is that my initial thoughts of having the rad unit structurally supported from wrap under flame licks to the mid section and some encompassing end wraps to hold its front and back... is not going to work. I'll need to integrate the load bearing into each of the 4 "legs", which is likely to mean I'm going to fabricate some sort of support mechanism for the top and bottom of the rad and find a way to tie it into the legs.
When I rested the rad on top of the frame, it was easily supported, When I started suspending the unit the way I was planning on tying it all together, the little simulations had a lot of frame flex. So, I will find a way to tie in my support to the four corners. I've already got an idea... we'll see what happens!
TAZTG
03-23-2008, 07:59 PM
Sounds like some kind of Axle is required. What ever you come up with will be cool, that I am sure. Man that Blue Plexi is nice looking.
TAZTG
05-02-2008, 12:57 PM
Don't to post your Updates here TD.. We have folks that live for your MODS. LOL
Tech-Daddy
05-02-2008, 01:00 PM
I was stepping through my list of sites that I keep the log on, and as I saw your reply this morning on TMN, I was like, "OH CRAP!".... so, here I am!
;)
Good afternoon everyone! Midways through my vacation between jobs, I've gotten a lot done! Between prototypes and paint decisions, I'm feeling very good!
Reservoir brackets are prototyped. I used paper to get my measurements down. I wanted on solid piece of acrylic and, if my plans go accordingly, it will use 3 bends per end to make the reservoir brackets. There will be a few more alterations to the presentation, but they will eventually be screwed into the sides of the 5.25" bay area.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_bracket.jpg
My 5th, and final flame test. "Keep it Simple"... and I like it the most! Color is spot on!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5a.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5b.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5c.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5d.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5e.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5f.jpg
Tech-Daddy
05-02-2008, 01:00 PM
I was looping a flame strand under another lick, and I tried this... I got it 50% right! ;) I know what I did wrong and will correct it when I apply this same painting technique to the side panels!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5g_scar.jpg
Learned that I was pushing too hard on the blade when weeding my graphics of the excess tape... note to self, "GO EASY!"
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5h_scar.jpg
Also, I am not giving up on the "true fire" style of painting, it's just taking a bit more practice than I was anticipating... but practice is good!
;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flame_practice.jpg
Tech-Daddy
05-04-2008, 02:27 PM
Ok, first round of painting is done. I have a bit of cleanup to do around the panel where some of the tape let a bit through, but for the initial application, it looks good!
I have some airbrushing that I need to do as well as some *gulp* pin striping if I can pull it off! (have those other panels to practice on). The striping will be on the outer edge of the green flame work. But the process is committed to the panels now! :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5i.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5j.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5k.jpg
TAZTG
05-05-2008, 11:18 AM
That does look good. Pinstriping needs a steady hand so No Coffee or Candy before hand. LOL I like the Yellow to green flame. Glad to see you moving on, now if I can get Lian-Li back from my Buddy (Painter) I can finish up. Sometimes Modding is a slow process but it usually pays off in the end.
Great Job TD.....
bugspop1
05-07-2008, 12:30 AM
Tech,
I watched a guy do that type of flame painting to a vehicle on TV. It was a show like Overhaulin, not sure maybe it was Overhaulin! This guy was supposed to be the best in the world at flame painting. He did a great job but I'm not sure if I would want it on my car, truck, suv or van. Watching him do it was awesome. He had a template that he just turned 4-5 different ways giving a new look to each flame. You wouldn't believe how fast this guy was at painting the flames!
It does look as though your doing a great job too! I think I could handle having the flames on my computer instead of my car. As usual you are the best at what you do, and your right practice is good! Just wish I had half of your talent in designing a mod. My talent is in fixing computers.
Tech-Daddy
05-07-2008, 12:54 AM
You likely saw Mike Lavalee... the innovator and creator of "True Fire". He has been on that show doing cars. You are right, the more I practice, the more I learn, the better I get. Right now I'm relying on the templates too much, but with my ModShop check $$, once it finally gets here, I plan on picking up a better airbrush and some more in depth instructional videos to gain a better explanation of flame painting.
As for the talent... I spent roughly the first 10 years of my computer career learning to build, troubleshoot, diagnose. I eventually started getting very bored, as I could almost build machines with my eyes closed! This was a decision I made to keep my interest in technology, and my beloved computer hobby, and also exercise that creative outlet and get better at it.
Thank you for the compliments! Very kind and appreciated! *tips hat*
Just like the airbrushing... it is all practice. You start easy, and then one inspiration leads to another and then all the sudden, if you stick with it... you end up eyeballing a brand new case thinking, "I could cut that there.... paint that, replace that acrylic...fabricate a bracket there...."
Heheheh, it's kind of an illness! But it's an illness that I dont wanna be cured of! ;)
bugspop1
05-07-2008, 09:39 AM
That must be where they get the word SICK from (sick meaning cool, awesome etc..). As for building computers, yes I do build them in my sleep! Fifteen years ago it was difficult to build a computer. Now-days you just plug things in and it works! I can see how you could get bored. I really like the aggrivation of Diagnosing computers myself. I spent 2 weeks trying to fix my wifes laptop. I fixed it but I had lots of trouble getting the WLAN to work. Wish I knew what I did to fix it, I just kept doing the same things over and over. It's working now, still don't know why! Anyway, keep up the good work!!!!!!!
TAZTG
05-07-2008, 12:44 PM
They also have a Video at MNPCTECH. It was amazing how fast he applied the flames. Bill, if your out there post up that link..
Tech-Daddy
05-11-2008, 02:18 AM
Started a new job on Monday... so I have been a bit distracted getting myself acclimated to the new company and it's work requirements.
Looks like this is going to be a good match! ;)
No "work" updates, but I'd like to introduce you to a sweet sponsorship that just blossomed!
Palit is not a well known video card brand here in the USA... yet! ;) They are making a very strong push into the enthusiast market, and with recent reviews of their technology being very strong and promising.... I dont see them going anywhere but up! To work with the Deuce theme, I was shipped 2 of their 1GB 8800GT video cards, for a total of 2GB of frame buffer luvin! Perfect!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video4.jpg
My issue that I have to get creative about is that the card is not an NVidia "reference card" design, and as such, the full cover liquid cooling solutions that I was moving toward... wont work. So, now I get to be creative! With a rework in the power system as well as the additional 512MB of memory on the back of the unit, that is going to make it a bit tricky! Before I pull the coolers, I am going to put the cards into the current machine and bench them and make sure there is no artifactingm because once I start pulling these apart, I'm pretty sure Palit's warranty will go bye bye... :)
I've already got a plan or two to really jazz this card up, liquid cool it, and cool the memory and the VR's... I have some options!
gonna be tricky, but I think I'll be able to get some good performance *and* good looks!
TAZTG
05-11-2008, 06:28 PM
About Palit
Established in 1988, Palit Microsystems (H.K.) Limited is well-known for manufacturing stable, excellent, and innovative graphics accelerators and motherboards. As one of the top PC components manufacturers, Palit continues to provide top-to-button graphics cards and motherboards with stable and excellent quality to the world. With headquarter in Hong Kong, factories in Mainland China, and branch offices in Germany and Taipei, Palit has developed worldwide sales network and cooperated closely with our customers.
hmmm, your right never heard of them. Guess they are breaking into the American Market. Can't wait to see them stripped apart.. LOL
James
05-13-2008, 07:15 AM
Several of the recent round of nVidia card reviews from Anandtech, HardOCP, and Tom's Hardware have included them. One interesting tidbit, they were the first to take advantage of the DisplayPort support of the nVidia cards, and are one of the only companies to offer display port on any of their cards.
Tech-Daddy
05-16-2008, 01:09 AM
Cool! Did not know that!
WOO HOO!!!
Fun stuff!
These will eventually be bent into my reservoir brackets that will mount them to the inside of my 5.25 bay area.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic.jpg
The units with the holes in the pic below will be for retaining my fill ports, the additional flames are for decorative accenting.... but where? ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic2.jpg
This will be my solution for supporting the rad from below, you'll see how it all ties together! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic4.jpg
With a little back light, you can see the bottom etching I threw in on the piece.... DEUCE!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic5.jpg
Etched material from the back
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic6.jpg
Flames with the res....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic7.jpg
Fire and water anyone?
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic8.jpg
More later!
TAZTG
05-16-2008, 06:11 AM
How about just Fire Water!! Kinda reminds me of Hungarian Plum Brandy!:eek: First few shots burnt like hell then they started tasting good.
I think they will look good in the tube.
James
What do you mean by Display Port Support?
lamil
05-28-2008, 02:58 PM
Any news?
Tech-Daddy
05-29-2008, 12:24 AM
Oh yes! Just no pictures yet!
I have placed a load of equipment on order with some of my winnings from the ModShop,
Specifically, I picked up the following items that are in various phases of shipment to me:
Kustom Shop LiveFire tutorial and stencil set:
http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/kslivefire.aspx
A new Iwata Eclipse HP-CS airbrush
http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ECL4500
A "Secrets of airbrushing TrueFire by Mike Lavalee" DVD
http://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=227
A set of Mack "Tom Kelly" Striping brushes
http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KM%2DSET
A can of OneShot Pearl lettering enamel, Pearl Reflex Blue
http://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=158
A can of OneShot Proper Purple lettering enamel:
http://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=157&pg=2
The new DVD user guide for Auto Air colors paint system
http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4919%2D00
Herb Martinez's "Guide to pin striping cars"
http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=146168&cat=284
And a bottle of airbrush Super lube.
:)
I have received the Live fire DVD and stencil set... the video shows a lot about how this system works, and how to think while painting LiveFire... very educational!
I have not given up on my live fire/true fire painting, I just needed more examples. Mike Lavalee is widely considered the "father" of this style of flame painting, and as such, I am very much looking forward to getting that DVD and watching it too. I think application of what I learned on Live Fire, combined with "True Fire" will give me a good base!
Add into that, a reliable airbrush (I am *so* excited to finally be getting this thing) in the Iwata HP-CS Eclipse... widely considered to be the workhorse for most professional airbrush artists, I cannot wait to use this!
;)
I am also working on a surprise for the video card cooling config. I may have someone who is willing to assist me in creating custom memory "ram sinks" to cover and cool the dual sided memory config of the video cards!
I have to pull one of my 8800's out and get the Heatsink off, snap some high res pics and get them up to the guy, but he is very interested in helping out and contributing a unique cooling solution!
I also thought up a way to re-use the video card shroud in the mod!
More to come... oh yes... much more to come! ;)
TAZTG
05-29-2008, 09:37 AM
Reminds me of a Ketchup Commercial..
Anticipation
can't wait to see you making your own how to video on Flames. It will be widely used as well..
Tech-Daddy
06-08-2008, 02:05 AM
Ok, lets have some fun on an update!
;)
I've been ordering and receiving a LOT of equipment as of late. Between painting supplies and acrylic fabrication supplies... plus some modding add ons for this unit... it's been a bit crazy at my house for a week, while the dust settles! So, the last 2 days, I went out and started using one of my newest pieces of equipment, an acrylic heater/bender!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bender.jpg
Let me just say, for the record, this makes for a much higher quality bend in thicker acrylic, as you dont take the change of accidentally overheating it and causing it to flame up or get too hot. Doing so causes bubbles in the material... not pretty! But to test how well it worked on 1/4" sheet cell cast acrylic, I dropped a practice piece on the heated unit for about a minute (going to take a stop watch out there and get a good precise time that is needed) and resulted in this, nice, smooth, no bubble bend on 1/4" acrylic..... Mmmmmmmmmm! :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bender_thick.jpg
I also ordered some 1/8" clear acrylic rods...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/eighth_rods.jpg
"What on earth for?", I hear you asking....
well, light pipes! I have some ideas on this, we'll see if they make the final cut!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/eighth_rods2.jpg
Back to the video cards.. and their initial water cooling install....
Strip off the old stuff, which is actually a very good heatsink:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit2.jpg
Thermal pads had excellent placement, and the heatsink TIM on the core was precisely placed, and not gobbed on! I was very happy to seee this, and thought that some of you may want to seriously consider Palit as a video card distributor. Very good use of thermal material on this disassembly!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit3.jpg
Tech-Daddy
06-08-2008, 02:07 AM
Ceramique - The choice of champions! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit_cerim.jpg
A group shot with hte cards nekkid...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit4.jpg
And a group shot of the impending new equipment...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit5.jpg
The cores cleaned up nicely using alcohol and papertowels:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit6.jpg
One before and one after, to show a comparison:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit7_b4after.jpg
A close up of the DangerDen Maze5 block mounted:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit8.jpg
Both cards done and looking siiiiiick!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit9_sli.jpg
I have plans on how to re-use the video shroud, here was a test fit. I have several ideas on how I want this bit of the mod to proceed:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit10_tester.jpg
Tech-Daddy
06-08-2008, 02:07 AM
And the pumps were not exempt to the modding... I picked up some clear acrylic tops for my Swiftech 355's!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump1.jpg
One down, and one to go! Good comparison reference:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump2.jpg
Both tops mounted with the barbs attached:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump3.jpg
The acrylic has 2 spaces per top to embed LED's.... you can bet I'll be taking advantage of those!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump4_light.jpg
The pics below, you will note that this one bracket was only a bending test piece. one end was performed using a heatgun or torch, and the other end was performed using the new bending station.
This end used the heatgun, and as you can see it is less than precise.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_support_bad.jpg
The end that was bent using the station is MUCH more precise! Bends are good quality and well executed. No rippling or bubbles:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_support_good.jpg
And a test fit of the res in the bracket.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_n_bracket.jpg
Lots more to come!
:)
TAZTG
06-08-2008, 04:51 PM
I can't wait to see what you do with the Light Pipes. I know the magic you can work with LED's from your past MODs. Looks like you will be busy for awhile... Congrats on the new toys. Mine is still at the painters. :mad: I just hope it turns out as well as yours.
Bolweval
06-13-2008, 07:14 PM
How will you cool the mem chips on the cards? or will you?
Tech-Daddy
06-13-2008, 11:41 PM
Dont worry about the memory cooling, that update will be coming later on.
Working on that now... ;)
Oh yes, the memory will be cooled.... ;)
mellojoe
06-20-2008, 10:14 PM
Sweetness. Looks awesome. I didn't even know there was such a tool as an acryllic bender. Huh. You learn something new everyday.
Cool stuff! :D
Tech-Daddy
07-10-2008, 01:33 AM
Just an FYI.... Just because I have not been updating like a good boy, does not mean that I have not been working the mod! ;)
I have made a LOT of progress on the internal acrylic structures. Several prototypes of designs that I wanted, bared out the fact that there was simply not enough space for that particular vision application! (Glad I did the prototypes!) So, after some rethinking, I rebuild a few things, and came up with some new stuff!
As I am exhausted and in desperate need of a shower, so no pics tonight.
I have acrylic dust in places I did not know I could get it! ;)
But I think you will like where this is going!!
Hold on tight!
-=TD
proxops-pete
07-10-2008, 10:45 AM
No pics = bad update... and sad Peter. :(
AstroCreep
07-10-2008, 02:09 PM
"Tired Girlfriend" = "Sad Peter" too. :p
Tech-Daddy
07-10-2008, 09:07 PM
No pics = bad update... and sad Peter. :(
Cripes... keep you pants on... it's coming! ;)
Tech-Daddy
07-11-2008, 01:33 AM
For those that were wondering what I was gong to do with the video cards... well... here is a taste!
I'll process the rest of the pics tomorrow. These were from tonight.
TAZTG
07-11-2008, 06:37 AM
WoWser, looks pretty good there. You most love your new toys. Any news on the Light Pipes you was working? Good news I shall also have an update tonite on My Little Devil, buddy has finally finished.
Tech-Daddy
07-11-2008, 10:58 AM
I have a plan on the light pipes that will integrate them into several points on the case. Due to how I plan to use them, it will be one of the last things I do.
:)
Tech-Daddy
07-12-2008, 12:10 AM
Welll.... how did I build the card shroud?
Read on...
First thing though.... It's not totally done. I still have to get a fan mounted in the bottom of this thing, under the Palit logo.
Secondly... I need to get my bolts to properly screw in and hold in... that is always challenging! ;)
But enough about the technicalities... here's how this all went down.
Starting with the blue, 1/4" acrylic, I drew out the design on the protective paper, then cut it out in a general, more manageable form from the 24"x24" panel.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build1.jpg
I made the design so that I had flames wrapping around the tubing paths leading to the MAZE5 GPU block. Knowing that the OD of the tubing was 5/8", I grabbed me a spade bit of equivalent diameter and put it on the drill press, and made the preliminary holes for the tubing... keeping in mind that with bending and sanding, the shape of the flames would likely change.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build2.jpg
I then dropped in some manuvering holes to be used while working the scroll saw. My thinking was to put them in places that I may have difficulty turning the acrylic on the saw.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build3.jpg
After the initial scroll saw cutting, the rough shape is defined. I was not totally concerned about missing my lines on the flames, as flame work sometimes takes on a life of it's own... and if I had a few flames that were not perfect... I was cool with that! Sanding will refine the shapes as I progress!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build4.jpg
For measurement sake, I kept referring back to the card to make sure my perspective was correct. The "P" logo on the right is for Palit, the vedor that is graciously letting me mod some of their product! :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build5.jpg
Got the P logo cut out, and then compared it against the print out of the logo... not bad! There will be a bit of sanding here to refine the edges. Same concept here... I drilled holes in strategic places on the acrylic to allow me to manuver the scroll saw in some of the tight places.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build6.jpg
Tech-Daddy
07-12-2008, 12:11 AM
Take off the paper protector to see how badly I've butchered this piece.... and was pleasantly surprised to not have any cracks or splinters! But... oh my, do I have a lot of cleanup and sanding to do! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build7.jpg
Just did the first bend on the side facing the card slot. I also had to cut a notch for the DVI ports. I used the acrylic bender to heat the bending line, then used two blocks of wood to press and hold the bend. My second shroud will be produced a bit differently on the bending technique, as the wood grain left some unwanted imperfections i nthe surface of the acrylic. I'm going to build me another bending jig to mimic the size of the video card and the height that I need.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build8.jpg
I flame polished the edges of the entire piece. Lemme say, that it can really, really, *really* make the edges look good.... or it can throw a horrible wrench into the appearance if you over cook an edge. It is a very delicate dance that you must perform, *especially* on the thiner pieces (in my case the flame tips).
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build9.jpg
Looking underneath the first bend and checking my clearance.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build10.jpg
Flip it over and visualize.... I started seeing problems with my tube inlets in this shot, and started investigating....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build11.jpg
I <3 this shot... ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build12.jpg
I dropped in 2 sample pieces of tubing to see how they would fit, and saw that they were not passing through as freely or as straight as I had hoped. So, I ended up taking my dremmel's sanding drum, and sanding/enlarging the opening to better accommodate the tubing. I also reshaped many pieces of flame work, then re-flame polished the edges.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_shroud_build13.jpg
After some more adjustments, I ended up with the below unit. Notice the flame next to the PCI power. I Had to bend a flame lick to insure that it would not impede any power cabling. Because I kept it, I May reshape it to wrap it around the cable line...
*ding*
Actually, I have a sweet idea for integrated cable management for the PCI power. I'll have to build it off of the top card since it requires a long piece of acrylic to be pulled and shaped from the main body... heheheh, fun fun!
Pete... dont read... no pics~!!!!!!~~!!!!
;)
As I have had a TON of time to work on this mod, I will have a pictorial update for you in the next day or two.
I have disassembled my primary rig (the one that housed all of my hardware that is going into Deuce) and have been installing and removing all of it in an effort to better visualize and route all of the cabling.
Well, in the coming days, there will be some good and exciting pics that I think you will like, as well as some serious movement.
To give a brief synopsis,
1) My plan for the pumps was not going to work. I mis judged the width of the motherboard and where the backs of the video cards were going to be.... but trials can bring inspiration when routed properly, and I came up with a *****en solution for the pumps! I think you will like!
2) Chemical "WeldOn" is drying on the last joint of my reservoir brackets! I took one of the completed units and the one prototype that I did many weeks back, and placed them in the 5.25" bay area to see how they would work... and I am happy! I eyeballed those dimensions perfectly!!!
3) SLI bracket on the video cards is going to be a bit of a pain in the tookus.... since the cards each have their own full cover, I have to find a way to route the SLI bridge through the flamed acrylic *without* messing up the flow. This only impacts the top card, since the SLI bridge must cut across the flames to make it to the bottom card. I think I have an idea to minimize the flame impact.... we'll see.
4) I ordered fans for hte video cards, and unfortunately I recieved the wrong type. I am awaiting the replacement correct white LED fans.
5) In all of the hoopla of placing my case, I had the epiphany that, "Oh crap! I dont have room for an optical drive!" DOH!!! But I found an excellent item that will work the solution, an eSATA/USB chassis that will hold the CD/DVD drive. I have to check out my SATA ports on the machine, and if that wont work, then I will have to use it as USB. Fingers crossed....
more to come... but that is about a summary of what all is going on!!!
proxops-pete
07-22-2008, 02:17 PM
Pete... dont read... no pics~!!!!!!~~!!!!
;)
5) In all of the hoopla of placing my case, I had the epiphany that, "Oh crap! I dont have room for an optical drive!" DOH!!! But I found an excellent item that will work the solution, an eSATA/USB chassis that will hold the CD/DVD drive. I have to check out my SATA ports on the machine, and if that wont work, then I will have to use it as USB. Fingers crossed....
more to come... but that is about a summary of what all is going on!!!
LOL... thanks for the warning Tech-Daddy! :D
But yeah, that's a very good alternative solution... using SATA DVD drive and hooking it up via eSATA. Ingenious! :D
Now, go get me some pictures dang it!! Git! :p LOL... J/K. I love seeing your stuff and Taztg's stuff... gets me all pumped up... too bad my skills suck! :(
Tech-Daddy
07-23-2008, 08:59 PM
Pics up tonight... I'm about to fall asleep on my keyboard! :)
You would not believe the number of times I had to re-write stuff just to get the pics up!
...good lord.
I am speechless. In a good way though. ;)
TAZTG
07-23-2008, 11:18 PM
Man, I am getting excited about this MOD. Thats some Beautiful Work..
proxops-pete
07-24-2008, 10:10 AM
Holy Toledo, Batman!! o_O
Speechless... simply speechless... :eek:
Tech-Daddy
07-25-2008, 01:36 AM
thanks guys! Spent some time working on the 2nd shroud tonight, damn near burned out an eye! ;)
"DONT TURN A LIT PROPANE TORCH AROUND INTO YOUR FACE!"
Important safety tip! ;)
more updates tomorrow!!
proxops-pete
07-26-2008, 11:35 PM
LOL... don't make yourself blind man! :eek: At least not till you finish this beauty!! :D :p
Tech-Daddy
07-27-2008, 03:04 AM
No worries... I mat go blind looking at this thing on a daily basis after I am done, if the rest of hte machine comes out like these video cards are coming out!
Finally got my other video card back last week and then *finally* got my correct LED fans delivered! (First set did not have the LED's.... be that as it may! The 2nd video card shroud was ENTIRELY too much drama. ANd I apologize in that I did not take pics of the processing today... only the results.
Card #2 I misjudged on the sanding and ended up taking too much material off, and I spent the rest of the day performing lots of custom bends and tweaks to get the shroud to lay right on the card.
That and the SLI bridge was just more drama than it needed to be! ;)
BUT... I still have some more LED's to mount in the shrouds to make them pop.... but.... welll... see for yourself!
First fan installed and looking pretty darn dapper I might add! ;) I bored out the holes with a counter sink tool to let the screws fall through deep enough to grab the fan fram for a few twists. I flame polished those too! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_fan1.jpg
Put in both cards, note the SLI bridge!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_fan2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_fan3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_fan4.jpg
Turn on the fans using a little psu I have for hard drives, and drop the lights:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_fan5.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_fan6.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/vc_fan7.jpg
My box is on FIRE!!!!!
I have a few minor tweaks and cleanup to pull off on these units, but I am damn happy!
-=TD
PointlesS
07-27-2008, 09:40 AM
:eek: that is crazy awesome
AstroCreep
07-27-2008, 12:27 PM
...My box is on FIRE!!!!!
If you ever meet a lady who says that, RUN.
Seriously though, can't wait for the final product!
TAZTG
07-27-2008, 02:28 PM
Freaking Awesome.. Its times like this that make Modding Fun.. All the troubles paid off. That looks marvelous simple marvelous.
SaturnBeat
07-27-2008, 05:58 PM
WOW! :eek: :eek: this is crazy good!
Tech-Daddy
07-28-2008, 01:03 PM
Thanks everyone!!
not a huge update.... but a neat one none the less!
The CPU *should* now have a goood, effective white halo effect due to the addition of this little bit of LED'ness... ;)
I bought several of these ridgid strips of LED's, and they can be cut into groups of 3, and have holes for soldering your own custom wiring into them.
So, I cut 2 of then out, cut a bit of wire out and soldered it into place, and used double stick tape to mount to the bottom of the CPU water block bracket. The supply line will be disguised, but am not sure yet how.....
:)
Tech-Daddy
07-29-2008, 01:44 AM
Quick work tonight, following up on the pre-fab'd LED strips from last night, I incorporated 2 strips of flat top white/90 degree strips to fill up the shroud's dark area on the other side of the water block (opposite of the fan).
I was using a small power source to run the fans and lights, just to make sure everything was still working after install...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/lit_up1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/lit_up2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/lit_up3.jpg
....
Yummy! ;)
TAZTG
07-29-2008, 12:48 PM
WoW, that adds alot of Bling to an already awesome build. I can appreciate the art used in hiding he wiring. Its something that some folks do overlook when creating a MOD. Great job as usual, I do consider you the Master of LEDS.
proxops-pete
07-29-2008, 05:06 PM
Very nice... it would be even nicer if I could see the entire rig not lit up in light. ;)
Tech-Daddy
07-29-2008, 07:50 PM
You will, Pete. But not yet. Still finishing stuff up. I still have a litle bit of painting to get done! ;)
TAZTG
07-30-2008, 06:27 AM
Come On , whats taking so long.. We want PICS... LOL J/K..
I'm letting the clear set on the other pieces (top and other side)
And am madly soldering some LED's for accents. Once I get those in place, the clear should be dry enough for me to finish up the res brackets (that requires sanding and I dont want any more boogers in the clear.... friggen bugs... ), get the res brackets in their final place and I can start placing the tubing. I have two different ways that I have mapped out.
I also need to finish mounting the top res and stuff.... once the roof piece dries a bit more, I can get the acrylics mounted and in place to finalize the tubing!
YAY!!!
TAZTG
07-31-2008, 10:50 PM
The layering is amazing. You sure got the hang of it. Practice Does Make Perfect!! Love the small blue flames. What is that spot on the bottom left just below the rectangle?? Looks like 3 little gray spots? Is that how the paint layered?
Great Job now take a break and relax for a day....:) :)
Tech-Daddy
07-31-2008, 10:56 PM
The layering is amazing. You sure got the hang of it. Practice Does Make Perfect!! Love the small blue flames. What is that spot on the bottom left just below the rectangle?? Looks like 3 little gray spots? Is that how the paint layered?
Great Job now take a break and relax for a day....:) :)
It is an interesting optical illusion. It is not there on the panel.... hrmmm!!
As for the rest, no can do! I'm trying to get this thing into shape for Quakecon, and that started today. I am hoping to get there tomorrow.
Going to be a flurry of updates!
;)
TAZTG
08-01-2008, 06:24 AM
It is an interesting optical illusion. It is not there on the panel.... hrmmm!!
As for the rest, no can do! I'm trying to get this thing into shape for Quakecon, and that started today. I am hoping to get there tomorrow.
Going to be a flurry of updates!
;)
WoW, Nice trick.. Looks like there is something there but like you said maybe it was the sun playing on the reflective clearcoat. Take PICS of Quakecon, I love some of the past Rigs..
proxops-pete
08-01-2008, 03:20 PM
da-em! You should open up your own shop and go after those uber-rich kids and sell these custom stuff for thousands!! :D
Frraksurred
08-03-2008, 04:04 PM
Some amazing updates TD. I'm blown away, I wish I was half that creative (and skilled)!
Tech-Daddy
08-04-2008, 01:13 PM
Ok, so I start out with the bestest of intentions of having Seuce ready for it's debutant's ball @ Quakecon2008... so, I started working hard to make that happen... after the fact I have realized that this goal was *wayyyy* too optomistic... but hey... you aim high! ;)
SO... I start filling the machine with equipment to start getting my tubes laid out and routed.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push2.jpg
WHat is a computer without a good PSU... and folks, Tagan steps up yet again and hammers out a home run with their STELLAR BZ900 modular PSU.... check this baby out!
All the expansion cables are kept in a service bag, that has a screw driver for those PSU screws.... there is more, but yo uwill have to read the review that will come out after I wrap up this mod. Let's just say Tagan has a great. detailed, customer centric presentation that happens right out of the box. It is a stellar unit that veels good and sturdy. I am looking forward to using it!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push4.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push5.jpg
On the Saturday morning of QC, my wife wakes up to find her husband *still* spinning around the kitchen (yes, I took over hte kitchen, as it was just too hot to work in the garage). I had been working none stop.... and I think it was starting to show.
Center island has the top of the case with the window bent and attached. the Rad is attached, and the 2 hoses poking through there are to the rad...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push6.jpg
I am so surprised that I was still so full of energy. I did not feel tired. Truly inspiring and wierd at the same moment.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push7.jpg
That is Sophie... and she thinks, "Daddy haz leuzed his marblez..."
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push8.jpg
Tech-Daddy
08-04-2008, 01:14 PM
Me looking at the completed buildout of hte lower section, sans the roof and radiator...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push9.jpg
I built a power bus bar to be used to hook up the 6 LED's that I had setup on the 5v supply side, as well as the 2 12v pumps sources. I simply took all the lines togheter and tied them into a common spade bit and attached them to a strip on this bus bar. I then built a standard female molex and tied the 12v - G - G- 5v into their corresponding bus bar terminal. I must say, this turned out to be a Godsend of work, as it allowed me to hook up an external PSU and run the pumps without firing up the unit running the motherboard. 1 plug for both the pumps and the corresponding LED work... sahwheet!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push10.jpg
Full the reservoirs, and preparing to turn on the pumpz for a leak check... no wait... I dont eve nhave to turn on the pumps! I came back to the computer after loading the water (30 minutes, as I stepped away for a bit to eat...) and ZOMG! I'm missing water! ***?!?!? Both res's were half full... uhm the loop on the right haz sum 'splaining to do!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push11.jpg
Not a good pic, but I was grabbing the paper towels at this point....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/qc_push12.jpg
I had 2 confirmed leaks. 1 off of the lower video card (cuz the water kept pouring out in lurches after collecting in the acrylic of the fan shroud!) and the other off of the pump intake.
It was here.... that I threw up my hands, stepped back, and went to QC without my rig.
Also, not pictured here was the fact that my top acrylic that my rad was attached to, cracked. I thought that I had caught all of the potential pain points, and had taked corrective actions to relieve the stresses.... apparently I missed one, because t fractured into the top window acrylics. I'll have to pull the top back off again and rebuild the window. I will likely have to contact Thermaltake to see if htey have nay spare tops laying around that I can buy off of them, because if I dont redesign this top window, I'm just going to be continually breaking and over stressing the acrylics.
what a freakin bummer.... but you dont learn without breaking a few eggs! Unfortunately, this was a rather unique egg that I had cur and etched with a laser.... &@)$&#()$*!!!!
So. I move into post quakecon mode... after taking a break and coming out to QC and hanging with the awesomness that are the Austin Modders, I return home refreshed and more relaxed.
Next up... the results of sleep and a bit more time to think about stuff....
:)
TAZTG
08-05-2008, 08:19 AM
Sorry to hear about the Stress Fracture... I know the hard work ou put in and it can bum ya out. The leaks are fixable and that should work it self out. Can you use a different type of Plexi for the top, something a bit more durable that can handle the stress?
Lets Face It Sophie is right... You as crazy as they come.. LOL Hope you had time to relax and enjoy QC..
Tech-Daddy
08-05-2008, 09:11 AM
possible.... but more likley that I just try to get a new top for the case and rebuild the thing.
Here is an update:
So...I started working on this now, and put my head in a "post Quakecon" mode... making damn sure that this thing would be ready for the Republic of Gamers convention happening here in Dallas this next weekend. Already have my ticket, already have my hotel room... and this time, I'm going to game and have fun! ;)
First things first.... these drives have too much bulk on the power cables... see how they roler coaster all over the place? Well... that had to go....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/post_qc_push1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/post_qc_push3.jpg
Ahhhhh! Much better!!!
My MAZE5 had a leak, under the fitting with the little nick behind it. (Staring down at the top, the nozzle on the right). I took it out, and I'll be darned if the thing did not have an O ring seal in it!!! I pulled one off of another in the garage, and it has sealed itself up nice and tight!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/post_qc_push4.jpg
Tech-Daddy
08-05-2008, 09:12 AM
After all of my leak checks, this is what I have been left with.... yummy!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/post_qc_push5.jpg
The cards are now sporting Tweakmonster BGA ram sinks, they were chromed, and seem to fit the auto motif the best of all of the sinks that I had found! I adhered them with Arctic Alumina Thermal adhesive. I used a bit more alumina in the mix to make the epoxy a bit more diluted... should I want to pull them off.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/post_qc_push12.jpg
TAZTG
08-05-2008, 11:21 AM
Where are the Flame Shrouds for the Graphic Cards. I suppose you will work them back onto the Build. Love the HD setup. Nice and Neat, hate it when they have excess cabling.
Tech-Daddy
08-05-2008, 12:16 PM
Where are the Flame Shrouds for the Graphic Cards. I suppose you will work them back onto the Build. Love the HD setup. Nice and Neat, hate it when they have excess cabling.
The shrouds will be back. I just had to get hte leaks located and properly taken care of.
I hope to have the shrouds back on in the next day or two.
:)
proxops-pete
08-06-2008, 05:04 PM
That first picture... I feel like I'm about to come out of a very long tunnel and going "too bright... it's blinding!!" :D :eek:
Tech-Daddy
08-08-2008, 03:16 AM
I got my shrouds in!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_a1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_a2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_a3.jpg
Not my final pics, but getting daaaamn close!
;)
TAZTG
08-08-2008, 08:17 AM
Golly Gee TD thats a Badarse case.. :) Hey, whats the word on the Top Panel? You still planning on doing it over? I understand for competitions you want it to be close to perfect as possible. Love how the lights shine up on the inside.
(Psst, LED Pipes whats up?)
Do I ask to many questions are what.. ;) ;)
Tech-Daddy
08-08-2008, 09:06 AM
Light pipes are still comming, I promise!
I still have to get a couple more coats of clear on the side panels to get them nice and smooth...
I might do some accent lighting, but the shrouds filled the dark part of the case that I was worried about... so I am still a bit undecided on that.
I also have another hard drive, a Raptor, that I need to get into there... I have an idea for that , :)
proxops-pete
08-08-2008, 01:05 PM
That front air filter screen looks awesome! Dude... if you were to sell that, I'd reckon to price JUST the case to be at least $1000!! Yikes! o_O :eek:
too nice of a job!
TAZTG
08-26-2008, 06:23 AM
Waiting Patiently is hard sometimes, I hope something didn't go drastically wrong.
Tech-Daddy
08-26-2008, 09:32 PM
DOH!
No worries bro! Nothing wrong! I've been cleaning my garage as I got tired of not finding any of my tools! ;)
I am half way done on the cleanup, and will hopefully have some nice glamor shots of the current state of the mod.
I still have not done the light pipes, but I have a *****en plan on the implementation. Just need to talk to some people that have done the circuit I want to build.
Here is a sweet little bit o news.... I lost a bag of smal bitsies taht I needed to help put this rig back together again (another driving force behind cleaning my garage).... I contacted a person at Thermaltake to talk to them about this mod and the parts I am missing (as well as my botched top window), and they just simply shipped me an *entire* Armor to scavenge!!!
Granted it was damaged... but... OMG!!!!! A WHOLE FREAKING CASE TO PULL SPARE PARTS FROM!!?!?!
Thank you ThermalTake! That just ROCKED!!!!!
TAZTG
08-27-2008, 08:15 AM
WoW, that is amazing. They know that its an awesome MOD and it makes their product shine. Props to them for great customer service.
I guess cleaning the garage will help your wife get her kitchen back. LOL
Tech-Daddy
08-27-2008, 10:34 PM
Up to date pics as I promised...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce4.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce5.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce6.jpg
Not done.. but daaaaaaamn close!
;)
TAZTG
08-28-2008, 10:48 AM
Daaaaaaam, Deuce is beautiful. You have done a masterful job with the flames. The way the colors work together, the lighting is awesome especially the white led fans. Can't wait to see how you intergrate the LED Pipes into this already badarse mod. Great Job TD as usual..:) :)
proxops-pete
08-28-2008, 11:30 AM
We are not worthy (except for TAZTG)! :eek: Wow...
nattylife
09-09-2008, 01:16 PM
geez talk about a labour of love, over a year of work and dedication.
very nice! im betting yer mighty proud and well deserved!