Filling large holes?

[mrplow]

Further to my "I wrecked my top panel, how do I paint it" thread...

I wrecked my top panel, how do I fill in the hole?

I have a hole about optical drive front sized ( :h34r: ) in my top panel that I want to fill in (and then re-cut smaller)...
I need to fill it in therefore and I have been pondering what to use. I first tried getting a piece of acrylic to fit snugly which almost worked, but have now tried filling the hole thing (boom boom!) with "chemical metal" which I considered to be similiar to this Bondo junk everyone seems to use. Apart from making me awfully woosy with the fumes, it seems decent to work with. But (and I had considered this would probably happen) since the panel is only about a mm thick there's nothing for the chemical metal to really take to. Should I stick a metal plate behind and then cover over that, or use some kind of fibrous filler?

I'm a kinda learn by doing (i.e. make mistakes before taking advice) so I've already tried the plain chemical metal approach. At least it's given me a chance to try the stuff out...

Thanks again!

Wiz Designs Mod Force assemble!



PS I have read this thread
http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=552&page=1&pp=10

I was hoping for some more detail regarding UK-available products.

[Knipex]

You could use fibreglass matting and resin but it takes some practice to use correctly.

[mnpctech]

A shovel always worked for me :lol:

Why don't you just enlarge it into a top panel window design?

[mrplow]

Why don't you just enlarge it into a top panel window design?

That was another consideration... it's covered in crap that may or may not come off cleanly now.

I HATE MODDING!! :rant: :rant: :rant:

[mnpctech]

What kind of attitude is that for the mod kiddies?!

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



Lets see this lil "Oops" of yours.

[mrplow]

The hole.
http://www.techangel.co.uk/~mrplow/fucked1.jpg

The intention.
http://www.techangel.co.uk/~mrplow/fucked2.jpg

The reality.
http://www.techangel.co.uk/~mrplow/fucked3.jpg


Sorry for the piss poor photos.

[mnpctech]

Hmmm, didn't know there was such a nifty name plate from AquaC.

Alternative ideas to avoiding bodywork.

Got any case lighting around?

1) You could epoxy larger piece of clear acrylic under that hole. Then mount AC plate on acrylic, but raise it with 4, 1/4" or shorter alum spacer sleeves. Mount your lighting underneath acrylic and AC plate will have a cool glow surrounding it.

2) Or you could just sandwich it. Attach your plate to larger piece of metal underneath top panel. May not be noticable. Along the same lines, you could make slightly larger plate placed underneath AC plate w/ mounting plate(s) beneath panel. Think of it as a raised frame for AC plate

3) Bit extreme. Cut out entire middle section of top panel and re-mount everything to clear acrylic. Or some other type of metal surface like Diamond plate steel etc.

[mrplow]

3) Bit extreme. Cut out entire middle section of top panel and re-mount everything to clear acrylic. Or some other type of metal surface like Diamond plate steel etc.

That's the one I was considering most seriously... but the frame sounds kinda nice as does the glowy idea.

Thanks for the tips :)

[fivecheebs]

oooh i have a thing for glowey plastic :) ... Could even put an angle on the edge of the plastic to maximise the glow and make it look more like a frame. (been thinking about something similar myself lately).

[mrplow]

I've gone back to the fill/paint idea again, it'll be something a bit different at least

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Install a pop up LCD/VFD thingy. Have it like an old school tape player with a push catch. You push it in and it slowly raises up to a 45 degree angle. :h34r:


Fiddly to do but would look the nuts! Or how about a top mounted rheo? :confused:

[Pug]

Further to my "I wrecked my top panel, how do I paint it" thread...

I wrecked my top panel, how do I fill in the hole?

I have a hole about optical drive front sized ( :h34r: ) in my top panel that I want to fill in (and then re-cut smaller)...
I need to fill it in therefore and I have been pondering what to use. I first tried getting a piece of acrylic to fit snugly which almost worked, but have now tried filling the hole thing (boom boom!) with "chemical metal" which I considered to be similiar to this Bondo junk everyone seems to use. Apart from making me awfully woosy with the fumes, it seems decent to work with. But (and I had considered this would probably happen) since the panel is only about a mm thick there's nothing for the chemical metal to really take to. Should I stick a metal plate behind and then cover over that, or use some kind of fibrous filler?

I'm a kinda learn by doing (i.e. make mistakes before taking advice) so I've already tried the plain chemical metal approach. At least it's given me a chance to try the stuff out...

Thanks again!

Wiz Designs Mod Force assemble!



PS I have read this thread
http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=552&page=1&pp=10

I was hoping for some more detail regarding UK-available products.
http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=6701

Hope it helps. :)

[mrplow]

Thanks Pug :)

[mrplow]

Install a pop up LCD/VFD thingy. Have it like an old school tape player with a push catch. You push it in and it slowly raises up to a 45 degree angle. :h34r:


Fiddly to do but would look the nuts! Or how about a top mounted rheo? :confused:

Already had a top rheo (that's why the hole is the size it is), replacing it with a top opening optical drive