Project H-D

[Kckazdude]

Just found this place and thought I would share my latest project in work with you. Would love to hear some thoughts negative and positive on it. This is a Cheiftec Dragon steele case that I am starting out with. Heavy and ugly are the first thoughts that came to mind. I dont really have any set ideas in my head as they are just coming to me as I get there. The theme I have decided to go with is a Harley-Davidson type case. Hopefully when completed it gives an impression of a modded H-D. So on with the pics.

Fresh out of the box and creating a hell of an eye sore

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC4.jpg

First thig to go is the door. Looking at what I have to work with to get rid of the finger holes for the drive rails.

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC2.jpg

Finger holes, hinges, and latches holes all filled in and bottom center cut out.

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC6.jpg

Since the finger holes also allowed the rails to slide in and out I had to devise a way to mount the optical drives. Disassembling the rail mounts themselves gave me the soltion. Had to remove and cut holes in the cage mount to allow for mounting.

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC7.jpg

Now back to work on the front bezel. I knew I wanted something to allow as much airflow as possible and I wanted a window on the bezel.

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC9.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC10.jpg

Next was to make some mounts that would allow me to mount some lights onto the front along the CD drives.

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC16.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC17.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC18.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC19.jpg

After getting this much completed I decided that the front window/opening has been done a few too many times. Looked a little too used. So a redisign was needed.

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC20.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC21.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/Kckazdude/CT-PC22.jpg

Thats it for now. Am working on the side window and getting the window cut and shaped for the front.

[Pug]

Hi Kckazdude. Welcome to WizD. :cool:

*sits up & takes notice*

A fine looking project (in both incarnations). I'll be watching this one with interest. :)

The one thing I wasn't sure of was how you're doing your drive mounting method. - It looks like you're adapting the original rails but using them without the spring clips. Have you worked out a method to stop them sliding? I can't quite tell.

Cracking first post. B)

[Kckazdude]

Using the original rails but they are epoxied onto the cage. Effectively no more rail system :( . This turned out to be the easiest way to overcome the problem of filling in the openings. I tried a reverse mount with the rails, inserting the drives from inside the case, but that still involved removing the PSU to make that work as well. Am also working out details to make a removable MB tray. Not sure if I can make it work as the chassis became really unstable when I took the MB tray loose. I may be able to add some supports in but I havent got it all hammered out yet. It is an idea that has been off and on since I started.

[mnpctech]

Nice bezel mod B) and welcome to WizD

I can see this log inspiring me to get back to my HD 100th theme Chieftec

< starts humming "They call me Mellow Yellow"

[mopery]

Awsome!

[Kckazdude]

I can see this log inspiring me to get back to my HD 100th theme Chieftec[/i]

Ehhh?? HD theme?? Hmm. must see more of this to see if there is another revision to come on my case. :rant:

[mnpctech]

Intake portion is Honeycomb mesh (like Pug's Hexadragon) Door portion will have small scale "cast" of V-Twin engine (chrome) protruding outward. Powdercoat chassis (http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech/HD100/ChassisPC/HDorangHDbttm.jpg),Two tone HD Orange/Black with Eagle window (http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech/HD100/Panels/HDorangPanel.jpg), Von Dutch style pinstrip (http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech/HD100/Graphics/HDpinstrip.jpg), 1903 logo (http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech/HD100/Graphics/1903HDb.jpg) on MB panel

[dutchcedar]

Hey Kckaz, I love the maltese cross intake. You're gonna fit right in here, with mnpctech and pug especially... a coupla connoseurs of Von Dutch, Ed Roth, Monster Garage style of PC modding. ;)

Time to break out the one step and spear brushes... :rant:

[Kckazdude]

Thanx for the welcome and coments. mnpc, lookslike we are going different directions so I think we are safe :) . dutch, thanx for the link to this place. Was actually hoping to post an update today. Once again I have chosen the wrong type of paint to use and have to sand the chassis down :( . I was going for a specific look on the inside chassis and found a paint that imitated anodized metal. Got it all sprayed on and looking good. Let it dry for a couple of days and went to polish it out and disater struck. Where ever the polish hit is now a dull resemblence of the paint that was. More sandpaper, more time and probably a few more missing skin peices.

[mnpctech]

Cool, the more HD theme cases, the better


Kckazdude, have you considered having chassis powdercoated? They've got some real nice "anodized-look" candy colors out there now. Check out this thread I started awhile back here (http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32)

[Pug]

Time to break out the one step and spear brushes... :rant:
http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/images/brushes.jpg
;)

*would like to thank dutch for sending link too* ^_^

[dutchcedar]

Dang Pug, its been awhile since I did any striping... but that one second from the right looks downright gnarly... good for a nice long, thin, straight stripin' job. :unsure:

Kckaz, it might go against the grain of "do it yourself" to go out and get your chassis powdercoated... but think about it. The colors they have these days and the quality of the finish is simply mind boggling. What I like best about having the chassis powder coated is that it doesn't get as mucked up from installing and removing schtuff. Besides, it ain't all that expensive anymore... like it used to be.

[Kckazdude]

I agree powdercoating has come a long way and is actually a good alternative to paint. It has also come way down in price over the last few years. THe only drawback to podercoating is I cant shoot it out of my DeVilbiss spray gun :( . Actually reconsidering everything, I think I will spray the inside a pearl white. I really want to get it chromed but the financial advisor (wife) says no. Am thinking white will be bright enough and will contrast well with the red lighting. May have to paint the entire case pearl white since the quart is so expensive.

[mnpctech]

How cool would it be to do this design (http://www.cigaretteracing.com/boats/rider/pics/46-big.jpg) over the White?! on 2nd thought, it probally wouldn't come off as good on a box.

OT, but Jebus, :eek: look at these other pics cockpit (http://www.cigaretteracing.com/boats/Gladiator/pics/36-cockpit_big.jpg), engines (http://www.cigaretteracing.com/boats/tiger_xp/wallpaper/42XP-engine_big.jpg)

cigaretteracing.com (http://www.cigaretteracing.com/boats/boat_main.htm)

[Kckazdude]

I think the yellow fade would be hard to pull off and look good in such a small space provided on a case. However the red and black accents are do-able. More ideas to decide opn when I cross that bridge.

That cockpit is hella cool.

[Pug]

Seeing the word "big" in those pic titles, I'm gonna use my imagination for now... ;) [/56k]


dutch - yeah, I need to make myself a ballstick (or whatever they're called) then I'd like to do a thread on striping some time.
Need to find a good source for One-Shot too... :unsure:

[Nexxo]

Interesting... I'll be keeping an eye on that one!

[dutchcedar]

Kckaz, that Maltese cross spells Watson style panel graphics to me... kinda like what Roth did on his Beatnik Bandit...

http://store3.yimg.com/I/ehobbies-com_1796_60914098

It would also look bitchin' in some kinds dark suede primer with some Von Dutch style pin striping and a flying eyeball...

http://www.theartofvondutch.com/images/exibit1_r1c2.jpg

Pug... get a good handball (drill a hole) and put a stick in it... worked for me... ^_^

[mnpctech]

Dutch's post reminded me yesterday I planned to start a Ed Roth Tribute thread in the forums. The BIG DADDY has a lot of influence here so it was only a matter of time. Plus, great excuse to soak in some inspiration

If Kckaz doesn't do the primer idea...... I've always wanted to do something w/ flat black and maybe lime/white stripping. hmmmm... (wonders how he can incorporate something from MOON EYES racing equip (http://69.20.89.230/))

[dutchcedar]

Not meanin' to crap your thread Kckaz, but we gotta let these ideas roll while their hot... :unsure:

Anyway... mnpctech, that's kinda like the theme I'm gonna use when rebuilding BaDass... the top, with its 37 ball milled fins wil get polished along with the front air grilles... the rest is gonna be "in primer" with flames and striping... "rat rod" style... maybe I'll call her BaDass Rat... :blink:

I'll start a thread for her soon... so put on your thinkin' cap, you're gonna do lots of the work... :h34r:

Need to figure out how to put on some side pipes... :D

[mnpctech]

Need to figure out how to put on some side pipes... how big?, I came up w/ something 1.5" diameter @ 6" long... "Lakeside style straight pipe"

Plumbing section @ Home Depot. Mounting from inside panel is the issue I haven't tackled yet. I know I could JB Weld it

[Kckazdude]

I like the Watson style graphics myself. Has more wheels grinding.

Dutch, not threadcapping at all. Am enjoying the volley of ideas being cast out. Am actually at a small turning point in my case design. I had originaly planned on using the H-D shelid and banner for the window shape on the left side but that isnt going to work with a side intake fan and the handle. If I go with the tribal flame idea I originaly had I will easily lose the H-D theme fast. Have recently thought about molding a Fatboy style tank bezel on the top with power switch but that is limbo for now. Pipes? Hmmm...how would that be integrated into the case without looking like a nuisance? Something to consider as it wouldnt be too hard to implement.

[dutchcedar]

I was jokin' about the side pipes... :unsure:

If I didn't have such nice blow holes (pic below)... short velocity stacks might be fun for top blowholes...

http://www.amdreview.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=105060

[mnpctech]

What I came up with would actually look alright (or so I think) while being functional as blowholes. I'll pst them if the appropriate theme ever rears it's ugly head... (evil laugh)

[Kckazdude]

I been thinking about the pipe idea and am wondering about a low slung drag pipe kinda thing. Have the pipes coming from under the case and actually use them for an intake. Label them drag pipes since they are short and simple.

[mnpctech]

I'm going to opt for blow holes so one can feel air emitting

Heres what I'm thinkin, 1-1/2" X 15". Satin Chrome Brass Waste Elbows (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1868972395.1086088024@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdfadcljdkmidicgelceffdfgidgjm.0&MID=9876) would look proportional to case. Use box flange (http://www.dearbornbrass.com/cgi-bin/dearborn_2623-2d37.cgi?041193107589) to mount which has 2-7/8" opening. Good for 70mm fan. What I haven't sorted yet is good DIY way to attach fan onto box flange.

Dearborn Brass (http://www.dearbornbrass.com/products.htm) plumbing products are sold @ Home Depot

These "side pipe" looking waste elbows are 6" long

http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech/aWIZB/pipes.jpg

[Kckazdude]

Assuming the box would be inside the case: Use 80mm fan adaptor for greater fan availability. Heat metal box edge enough to melt into adaptor.

Another method is to ditch the box and flange the pipe inside the case panel to either weld or JB the pipe to case panel. Would still need an adaptor inside to promote flow.

[Kckazdude]

Well I think I am going to drop the main "theme" of this project as my ideas just are not coming together as I planned in my head. Let this be a warning to future mods. Plan ahead. Draw measure and double check everything. I went into this with just a collection of ideas in my head that I had hoped would come together. I think I am just going to focus on making it look good and stand out in a crowd of cases now and hope that I can pull a theme from there. Will just have to see how it comes together from here. I still have many ideas floating in my little noggin that may get used.

[mnpctech]

Hmmmm.. Harley Davidson, Maltese Cross.... Sounds like you need to look through the WCC Bike gallery (http://www.westcoastchoppers.com/low.php) It may inspire some new ideas.

[Pug]

Dearborn Brass (http://www.dearbornbrass.com/products.htm) plumbing products are sold @ Home Depot

These "side pipe" looking waste elbows are 6" long

http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech/aWIZB/pipes.jpg
Damn. Even your drainage is cool... :blink:

[Starbuck3733T]

He probably has a bathroom like "Tim the tool man taylor", chrome, diamond plate, 500HP bidet.. :p

OnTopic:
Looking very good, it sucks when you loose focus. I've been there and done that - my achilies heel is always the window design. I do want to see whats going on inside the box, but I lack the sense to figure out the shape most of the time!

[fillip]

He probably has a bathroom like "Tim the tool man taylor", chrome, diamond plate, 500HP bidet.. :p

LOL. Feel the ring burn!! :D