Chop Shop Mod Contest: Armor by Booman

[booman]

Thanks to Azriel we have finally done an AOA modding contest. I was happy to jump at the opportunity even though I thought there wouldn't be enough time.

I introduce.....



I spent a total of $16 on this mod due to the excess modding supplies from all of my other case mods. My main goal was to take this funny looking early 2000 case and turn it into something modern...
I feel like it was a success and wish I had the hardware to fill it. So enjoy my work log in detail with a total of 45 pictures

armor

[raphael2040]

Impressive.

I do feel a UV light behind the Armor logo would have been a nice finish*! Not exactly up to scratch with the rules of the contest, so I'm not sure if that's a valid suggestion or not.

Still, very good, as usual! =)

* Just realised you don't have any hardware to power the darn light. Apologies. =P

[PorPorMe]

I'm trying to imagine it with red light and fans! looking good!

[Rondog]

I am impressed. I really love that, it has come up quite nice. Just goes to show skill and and vision are the best tools to mod with.

[booman]

thank guys. I debated for a long time if I would put hardware inside because I would have installed some lights. I have a few other computers like my Frozen Case but removing all the hardware from that case would have been a chore (6 case fans, 4 thermal sensors & 3 leds) not to mention the last time I took the CPU heatsink/fan off some pins were bent. I also have a budget build with misc parts but I'm giving that computer away so I would have taken all the hardware out again.
I was left with the option of just strictly doing a case mod. I only focused on the case its-self so it is ready for hardware.
I'm thinking about putting it up for auction so some lucky person can install their fancy hardware.

[edit]


I began by disassembling the entire case. Here you can see each piece by itsself ready for some fresh modding. Its a smaller case but has some cool features like drive rails, removable motherboard tray and custom ezel for optical drives. These features are not so unusual today but what about in the early 90's? Notice how the powersupply mounts sideways. This will make it diffitult to mount the CPU heatsink & fan.


Here is a close up of the chassi. Nothing special but I have to paint the top because it is exposed. But first I plan to cut a blow-hole. My main goal was to create a case mod by using existing materials from other mods and spending the smallest amount of money. I maxed out at $16.00
Room for 4 external 5.25 drives and two 3.5 drives, plenty of expansion bays and room for a front fan.


The Bezzel is interesting because there is plenty of room for external drives and 4 of them are hidden by a simple door that I later cut the words "Armor" into. Everything else is fairly straight forward. I painted the bezel with the drive covers installed because it was easier than painting each one separately and then installing them later.


First phase was to measure and cut my side window. Nothing extra special, but a cross seemed to fit the theme. I wasn't too happy about the vent but it will have to do. Whats a cross with three sides? So I cut away and spent several hours filing everything down so it was straight and smooth. Then on to drilling the rivet holes to hold the plexi down.


First measure, then measure again, mark it with pencil and drill away. These holes have two functions.
1. to mount the rivets on the case.
2. to hold the plexi-glass window on the side panel.
I installed a plexi-glass window in an extra room for the air conditioner and has some left over, but it was very thick, about 1/4". Not so fun to cut or file down, cut saved me money.

[Daniel ~]

There's just something about a bloody hand print that says "Turn me on at your peril!"

I love it! ":O}

[booman]

Thats part of my Morbid sense of humor coming out

[edit]


All cut, drilled and filed


Side panel with window mounted on the chassi. Ready to paint after some rigorious sanding.


The hole on top is to allow a blow-hole fan to fit through the chassi and mount on the top panel. Strange how the top panel doesn't cover the entire case. Now more sanding...


This is a preview of the rivets in the panel.


Close-up of rivets and filing work. Jigsaws can make a mess of your finish, so do a lot of sanding and use heavy primer before painting.

[MUff1N]

That really looks Good Booman!
I'm impressed with what you did with that case a lot!

I for one wouldn't have the patience to do that as I would rather spend my time playing games on the Computer or playing my Guitar...

[booman]

thanks alot. I love playing games and my guitar also, I just try to mod in between. I've got my 4x12 Peavy amp right in between 2 computers.

[edit]


Scored, drilled and primered. I scored the side panel to look as if it were built of several panels and the rivets will hold them together. In theory anyways. After several coats of primer and some light sanding with 400 grit paper, its ready for painting.


I used a Black Appliance Epoxy which has a very glossy finish without a clear coat. I've used this paint before and am pretty happy with the results. Notice the happy reflection...


Next cut and filed the plexi-glas to fit the window. It also overlaps the vent holes from the original panel. It fits perfectly and the rivets hold it on very securely. I was worried that the hot-glued rivets may not secure the plexi-glass to the panel, but with about 40 of em it worked fine.


Just another view of the plexi-glass and side panel after the paint job. I spend extra time rounding off corners of the plexi-glass and filing the edges down so it looks finished.


A close up of the plexi-glass and panel with pre-cut ventilation & rivet holes.


Chassi top is painted with the custom blow-hole cut out and the back side panel has the rivets installed. Its looking pretty sweet.

[Daniel ~]

Lacking the talent to do this myself, my eyes are happy to borrow your glory! ":O}

[raphael2040]

To the admins;

Any chance we could have these mods turned into articles and added to the SJ Labs subsection? Or even a new section?

That is, if the mod creators are willing to write an article on it. ;D

[Daniel ~]

For sure! Our Front page is...just that!.... OURS! It's only reason for being there is to please ourselves! Put it into front page shape and I'm sure Gizmo or Danok would be happy to post it up. Good Idea! ":O}

[booman]

I love writing articles, specially at $25 a pop!
I can send a zip of my html w/ images...

[edit]


Here is a close-up of the rivets on top of the paint job. I'm sure by now you know those are not real rivets. Try to guess what they really are... I'll give you a hint: Stuffed Animals


Now that the side panel and chassi are finished, I started working on the bezels. This case has an interesting top bezel for no apparent reason, but I thought it would be a great place to mound a blow-hole fan and some rivets to continue my theme. So like the side panel I cut out a cross and drilled four fan holes to mount the 80mm fan. I didn't show pictures of the fan grill, but I took the grill off an old computer speaker and cut it to fit the cross, then hot-glued it on. It turned out very clean.


I decided not to primer the bezels because they are allready the same color. So I used a fancy Hammered finish glossy black spray paint (which is great for hiding mistakes) and sprayed it in several coats to make sure the beige didn't see through. Notice the fancy LETTER work on the door....


Here is a brighter shot of the finish and the bezels. I put a couple of cans next to the case to show off the reflection. I did some custom letter work on the small door below the external drive bays. I first CADed the font, printed it, cut out a stencil, traced it on to the door, drilled holes in the corners, and used a jewelry saw to cut out each letter. Last I did some more filing and smoothed/straightened all the edges. After splashing the paint on, it turned out pretty good. By the way, the door covers a few more external drive bays.

[Daniel ~]

Good good. all good! ":O}

[Azriel]

OMFG... that is, in a word, amazing.

[booman]

Finished shots of the case. I thought the metallic gold on the vertical strip would stand out and give it some character. At first I was thinking blue, then red, or copper, but I'm pretty happy with the gold.


For taking pictures I needed something light for the background and a decent diffused light source. I happen to have a sky-light in my living room that absorbs sunlight and diffuses it into the entire room. A great source of light. Then I had an extra piece of greyish carpet from my office build and just propped it up on a chair so the background would consist of lighter shades to darker shades. Decent lighting and background will only improve the look of your mod.