Project: LEXA

[dgrmkrp]

Nice update The fan frame will also help with noise reduction and with airflow, helping the fan push/pull air in a more silent and efficient way.
Oh, I would like a drill with a hole saw More on the shopping list

[The boy 4rm oz]

That's what I thought, the fan would help with the dead spot in the airflow. This hole saw is one dad had laying around from when he drilled holes in the shed for cable. It is specifically designed for steal but will cut almost anything. The size I used was 1 inch and there is still plenty room around the tubing, I need to buy some rubber grommets to finish the holes off though because the holes are still a little bit to sharp. Until then...

Happy Modding.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Well with a day off school today I thought I should really get my stuff together and do some modding.
First on my list are the PCI slots.
Due to an 8800GTX being extremely long (27cm) It is hard to get it into the case, you have to put it in diagonally and this will be hard with the water cooling attached and once you get it in there is about 2cm gap between the end of the PCB and the HDD cage. I have decided to trim some of the case towards the PCI slots to allow the card to slide in much more easily.

So here is the case all marked up, this cut should be fairly easy but due to it being aluminum it with warp a little.
Here is the case after I have cut it and filled it to the correct size, in all about 10 mins work

I know at the moment it looks a bit tacky but I have ordered some fan hole molding to cover up the sharp ugly edges.
Well thats all for now, I have to copy he final copies of the etch design and then cut the plexi to fit. After that the fun can begin. Until then...

Happy Modding.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Well I didn't get to that engraving today, I have been too pissed off. Once again this mod has been set back due to the stock on my order not coming in. Today I received an email telling me that the Swiftech Apogee GTX CPU water block that I ordered is sold out. When I ordered they were in stock but I had to pause the order to replace the blue CCFL's I ordered (BY MISTAKE) with UV ones. So I guess I just have to wait for new stock, hope it is soon.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Finally an update on the engraving.
I think I am going to have to scrap this idea. I did a test piece and it turned out like complete crap (sorry no pictures). I think I was getting a bit ambitious with the idea and have chosen to do something much simpler. I will still keep the whole measurement and layout but will just use the plain green plexi. I am hoping to get an overall effect mush like this (water cooling, and some plexi parts).
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ad.php?t=10478
Tomorrow I hope to cut out all of the plexi but I wont get the mesh I need until my order comes in. Until then...

Happy Modding.

[dgrmkrp]

Well, that's a shame. What went wrong? Just out of curiosity of course.
The other project is great in its simplicity and looks, so it is a good model. You can come up with more ideas, try stuff out and see what you like in the long process of making the mods, so you will find something to make your rig better than any other lexa out there .

[The boy 4rm oz]

Well while trying to engrave straight lines I found it very difficult to keep on the lines. You need a very steady hand for this sort of detail, my other option is to get it laser cut but I don't have the cash to do so. I think it will look better as just plain Green plexi anyway. It will glow great with the UV CCFL's. I will still be using mesh but not as much as originally thought, may look kinda weird with huge gaps of mesh. I am marking the plexi now for cutting tomorrow so I will post some pics when I'm done. Until then...

Happy Modding

[Xperiment]

Loving the mod so far, keep it up. +rep

One option you have for cutting dead straight lines on plexi is to score a line where you want to cut with a craft/Stanley knife. Then place the edge over a workbench and apply pressure to 'snap' it down the score line. I have used that method in the past and it does work well. May be best to practice on a small offcut first though.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I have also used that method but the plexi I am using I "borrowed from school", it's 4mm thick and rather ridged, it may crack and snap if I used that method again. I will try it with an off cut though.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Well today I cut most of the plastic I will need.
Here's a pic of all the cut plexi.

From left to right:
Support bar cover, Bottom of HDD bay cover
ODD cover (inside), FDD cover (inside), HDD cover top and bottom (inside)
ODD cover (outside), FDD cover (outside), HDD cover (outside)
By outside I mean facing the case window and by inside I mean facing the rear of the case (PSU).
Here is a pic of the support bar cover installed (sorry no screws today, only tape):

Sadly I did not have a long enough piece of plexi to cover the whole rail so I will need to use some mesh to cover up the ends.
Here is the rest of the plastic where it generally will be:

As you can see from the picture I didn't include the ODD covers, that's because they wont fit until I un-rivot the case.
Here are the ODD covers:

And here is where they will be installed:

The ODD cover situated on the window side of the case need to be installed before I reconstruct the case, There is a lip on the edge of the drive bays that the plastic will slip under and the whole front of the case needs to be off to allow me to do so.
In the third picture you may have noticed the big gaps in the plexi, this is for mesh to be installed to allow for better ventilation (especially on the inside HDD covers). Well that's about all I have at the moment. When I figure out where my pump will be mounted then I may design a plexi cover for it. I am also thinking of making one for the PSU. Until then...

Happy Modding.