My UFO Mod

[TheGreatSatan]

I thought it would be cool to make a UFO mod. I bought two stainless stell mixing bowls and a 12 inch pizza tray and began.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/6392/parts.jpg



First off, I want a hole on the top and bottom. Bottom started.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/1830/hole_saw.jpg



Let me tell you, this was hard to cut. My hole saw has had it!

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/9165/fan_hole.jpg



The bottom got burnt from all the cutting.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/4492/burnt.jpg



I got the bottom fan and grill in place. Not bad.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/4716/blowhole.jpg



Next up, I had to cut the hole for the pwr leads and ATX connector to come up from the PSU that is below the mobo.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/2766/ATX_hole.jpg



I cut the hole and set the mini itx in place.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/3687/board_set.jpg



Now on to the pwr cord. Using a dremel I made just the right size hole for the cord.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/7788/pwr_hole.jpg



After that I set the pizza pan in place an used screws to hold it down.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/3569/board_set2.jpg



And that's the pwr connection.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/8793/pwr_connect.jpg



Then I powered it up. Red LED fan underneath.

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/9774/pwr_on1.jpg



The CD drive will go on top with the HD on top of that. Unfortunately, I don't have a CD drive available right now. Give me a couple days and I'll finish this. Oh and this has so far only taken 2 hours.

Just a preview...

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/5800/half_done.jpg

[mnpctech]

Fun idea.

I'd go over the hole saw cut w/ rounded file... I'd also clean up these cuts

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/8793/pwr_connect.jpg

[fillip]

Who was it that did a UFO mod couple of years back?? :confused:
I'm sure i read the project log for it over on Bit' but i can't think of a name, oly thing i can remember is it was some scandinavian guy... i think.

Was the holesaw responsible for all the burning?

How are you gonna finish the outside? i noticed you sprayed over the burnt parts, can you not sand it back and then polish it out again?

[scopEDog]

Were you thinking of Cold Dogs UFO?: http://pheatonforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1976&start=0

[fillip]

Nah, can't find it through Google, i have a feeling it was featured in a UK modding magazine (PCExtreme)

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm not going to be perfecting this Mod because like all others I dissasseble them as soon as I'm done

[fillip]

I'm not going to be perfecting this Mod because like all others I dissasseble them as soon as I'm done

How come?
:huh:

[fivecheebs]

heh! i thought i recognised the mobo from your LOTR mod. seriously though dude, make those cuts nice n clean, half of the quality of a mod is in the execution, not just the finished article.

[Yellowsnow17]

Interesting mod, I like it. A couple of suggestions: It might look cool if you put some EL wire at the interface between the two bowls. Give it a nice glowy ring around the middle. Also I'd take a file to some of those cuts, that'll give it a nice finished look.

Nice job, another creative mod from TGS.

[TheGreatSatan]

It might look cool if you put some EL wire at the interface between the two bowls.
That's a damn good idea!:)

[TheGreatSatan]

I got a new hole saw and cut out a clean hole for the top.

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/8730/top_fan.jpg



Next I cut out the back panel

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/2822/IO_port1.jpg

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/6594/IO_port2.jpg



Then the UFO needed a window.

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/875/windshield1.jpg

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/1141/windshield2.jpg

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/8075/windshield3.jpg



Look inside!

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/44/inside.jpg



Then I used four cupboard cabinet pulls for feet.

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/1251/feet1.jpg

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/7346/legs1.jpg



Then I powered up.

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/5200/legs2.jpg

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/1391/legs3.jpg


And I killed the lights!

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/4195/night1.jpg

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/6126/night2.jpg


More to come...

[mnpctech]

I wouldn't disassemble this one TGS B)

[fillip]

I wouldn't disassemble this one TGS B)

Indeed, this is actually a very original and innovative mod, definately think you should spend extra time with this one.

I noticed someone above suggested adding some EL Wire where the bowls meet, well, how about a ring of plexi ( i think smoked would lok good but whatever) that will firstly seel the gap and allow for a decent join but you could do all manner of funky lighting effects with it then.
Might be a bit tricky to cut out a thin ring of plexi that size but you could always break it into 4 sections or something before attaching it to the bowls.

[biggiy6]

It doesn't look that great at the moment but it is original, clean up the cuts and do some work on and it and make it look hella good!

[fivecheebs]

Interesting :D I really like the effect the top fan has from the side.

I noticed someone above suggested adding some EL Wire where the bowls meet, well, how about a ring of plexi ( i think smoked would lok good but whatever) that will firstly seel the gap and allow for a decent join but you could do all manner of funky lighting effects with it then.
Might be a bit tricky to cut out a thin ring of plexi that size but you could always break it into 4 sections or something before attaching it to the bowls.

This is exactly what i was thinking, change the colour of the ring to suit your mood. The ring itself doesnt need to be that thin as long as it doent interfear with anything else in there. Maybe a few notches cut out here and there.

Great work satan, this one is full of possibilites, looking forward to seeing teh direction you take :)

[fillip]

This is exactly what i was thinking, change the colour of the ring to suit your mood.
Get out of my head dammit! <_<


:D

[TheGreatSatan]

I wouldn't disassemble this one TGS B)
Actually, I decided that I would give this to my Mom. She doesn't own a computer and I want her first to be unique!!

So I will be cleaning up the cuts by adding chromed auto door trim.

[biggiy6]

Pimp those bowls out man! You don't want satan's mother to have a half decent case mod. I say keep working on it, that has so much potential.

[TheGreatSatan]

I changed the fan grill on top to an alien

http://img19.exs.cx/img19/1994/alien7.jpg


I got new supplies.

Auto trim

http://img19.exs.cx/img19/3148/auto_trim.jpg

and EL wire

http://img19.exs.cx/img19/2447/ELwire.jpg



First I put the trim on the back with no problems

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/7145/back_trim.jpg


But the front trim just looks funny.

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/5638/front_trim.jpg


Next, was to add a window to help hide the wiring.

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4981/blue_glass.jpg

http://img19.exs.cx/img19/8127/in_window.jpg


So that's that...

http://img19.exs.cx/img19/5163/w_trim.jpg

http://img19.exs.cx/img19/5289/w_trim1.jpg


I want to add the EL wire around the saucer in the edge left by the two bowls, but I can't figure a way to make it stay in place. Any ideas?

http://img19.exs.cx/img19/446/ELwire1.jpg

[biggiy6]

Maybe a few drops of hot glue every few inches? Or some 3m invisible tape I cant remember the exact name but mnpctech used it on the gruntville window.

[TheGreatSatan]

I bought some strong glue in the automotive section, and got to work.

http://img48.exs.cx/img48/3458/glue.jpg



The I slowly worked my way around with the glue and clamps

http://img48.exs.cx/img48/1526/clamp1.jpg

http://img48.exs.cx/img48/7899/clamp2.jpg



Here's it all dried.

http://img48.exs.cx/img48/3320/dried.jpg



And with the top back on, powered up.

http://img48.exs.cx/img48/876/ringed.jpg


This is where it gets good.

http://img48.exs.cx/img48/2295/red_alien.jpg


http://img48.exs.cx/img48/3653/glow_ring1.jpg


http://img48.exs.cx/img48/6547/glow_ring2.jpg


http://img4.exs.cx/img4/3866/back_glow.jpg


All I still need is the HD and OS. Also, I'm hearing a high pitched whine/whistle coming from the case. I'm gonna check the fans and see if I can eliminate the problem.

[Yellowsnow17]

Awesome work Satan. I really like the auto trim around the window. The cleanup work has definately paid off. :)

[TheGreatSatan]

Also, I'm hearing a high pitched whine/whistle coming from the case. I'm gonna check the fans and see if I can eliminate the problem.
I found out it's not the fans, it's the little black box for the EL wire. What can I do?

[fillip]

I found out it's not the fans, it's the little black box for the EL wire. What can I do?You cant. It's a common problem with EL Wire - infact it's a feature more than a problem as it happens with all types of EL wire, which is another reason i suggested LED's and plexi (i forgot to post that previously, sorry.) You have no option but to put up with it i'm afraid or get rid :unsure:

[TheGreatSatan]

Is there an easy way to soundproof the little box?

[fillip]

Is there an easy way to soundproof the little box?
Try some foam or some of that Paxmate acoustic meterial for sound proofing cases. Or you could try sticking it inside another little plastic box to see if that helps.

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm finishing up some details with my UFO mod. Today I cleaned up the wiring.

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/2078/49-cables1.jpg

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/1029/6c-cables2.jpg



And then I mounted the HD to the top of the dome.

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/8063/1b-UFO_HD.jpg

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/9664/77-UFO_HD1.jpg

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/3757/21-UFO_HD2.jpg



The last thing I have left is mounting the power button.

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/9955/a3-UFO_ready.jpg