Yeah, I know; it looks like what Jeff Foxworthy may describe as "Redneck Christmas Decorations", but with PC parts instead of car parts. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZTG
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Yeah, I know; it looks like what Jeff Foxworthy may describe as "Redneck Christmas Decorations", but with PC parts instead of car parts. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZTG
Hehehe... yeah, they are learning pretty quickly that I keep a different drummer in my head... ;)
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
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!
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
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame2.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
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame4.jpg
Over the tope of it with Metalcast blue
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame5.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame6.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.
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.
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....
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.??
Working on that... ;)
I have an open email to them. The Rad was a HW Labs GT BlackIce.
waahhhh....
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+!!!!!!
Thank proxops-pete... Forgot to post up my update that happened just before the radiator
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame8.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame9.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame10.jpg
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.... ;)
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
Metalcast blue:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel6.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!*
That is really F-ing slick! Looking awesome!
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
*blushes*
;)
Thanks bro!