Battle Dragon Bag - Scratch Build

[Aldersan]

I love this build, can't wait to see it completed!!

[d_stilgar]

To save you from switching out those sanding bits all the time (they only work on wood/plastic really) get some nice metal files. It will still take forever, but that's how most people get that really nice look in the end.

[msmrx57]

To save you from switching out those sanding bits all the time (they only work on wood/plastic really) get some nice metal files. It will still take forever, but that's how most people get that really nice look in the end.

You can also get some carbide bits that work in a Dremel if you keep it on the lowest speed. On higher speeds the aluminum plugs them up.

[TLHarrell]

Like d_stilgar says, nice large metal files. The kind that are about 8-10" long. Use as much of that stroke length as possible and let the tool do the work. Clamp your panel in a vise or over the edge of a table and close to the spot you're working on. This will also help to support the long parts and keep them from getting bent/broken off.

For filing, I like to move the file along the work during the stroke at a bit of an angle. This will help to even out the edges better. Find a comfortable position to work at and it will go a whole lot easier.

[monkeyfun]

I love this build, can't wait to see it completed!!

Thank you!

To save you from switching out those sanding bits all the time (they only work on wood/plastic really) get some nice metal files. It will still take forever, but that's how most people get that really nice look in the end.

Yeah, that's the next attempt for me.

You can also get some carbide bits that work in a Dremel if you keep it on the lowest speed. On higher speeds the aluminum plugs them up.

I was also thinking that i could try a little test with some metal router burrs in the rotozip to see if that does anything as well. Experimenting is fun.

Like d_stilgar says, nice large metal files. The kind that are about 8-10" long. Use as much of that stroke length as possible and let the tool do the work. Clamp your panel in a vise or over the edge of a table and close to the spot you're working on. This will also help to support the long parts and keep them from getting bent/broken off.

For filing, I like to move the file along the work during the stroke at a bit of an angle. This will help to even out the edges better. Find a comfortable position to work at and it will go a whole lot easier.

Yeah, I have a nice set of files... I know I can do it but.... i can be so impatient at times.

[monkeyfun]

Update #15.5: Filing

Since the last update was so short and this one is equally as short, I’m considering this all update #15. My wife hates the filing portion of a case construction. She swears I’m torturing a goose in my basement. The dog doesn’t care for the noise either, he hides on the bed.

Here are all the tools I used for cleaning up the TTeSports dragon: A Rotozip armed with a tapered burr, a variety of clamps, and several files. In the picture below, I’ve set out the three files I ended up using the most. The back panel itself has been fairly easy to file. I just used two scrap pieces of aluminum to cross brace any cut-out that sticks out and then I could file without worry.

The cut-out portion of the TTeSports I used a similar technique but I used bigger pieces of aluminum to brace the subject piece, a mounted vice, and smaller clamps for added security.

…and then I added a couple more clamps… and some more… and more… YOU SHALL NOT BREAK ALUMINUM! YOU SHALL NOT BREAK!

It has been a slow process but it’s really starting to look good. I left a couple of slivers of aluminum attached to the eye so I wouldn’t have to attach a tiny little piece to the acrylic.

I dropped the cut-out piece to see how the progress is turning out… I still have more cleaning up to do but I think it’ll look great with the backlit red acrylic behind it.

Thank you for all of the filing advice I have received on all of the forums. It has been really handy and it has influenced my work and patience. Thank you again! That’s it for now, stay tuned for next week. I think I’ll get one or two more updates in before next weekend.

[monkeyfun]

Update #16: February, Month of the Mini-Update

I am resigning myself to the multiple mini updates. Since I’ll be doing work daily on my case up to PDXLAN, I’ll be doing my best to document what and where I can. This means a bunch of micro updates. I apologize if my update numbering starts to resemble the notes of someone trying to figure out a Millennium Prize Problem.

Onto the update! I have GREAT news. I’ve been searching down the perfect liquid color for my case. When I finally decided on a color, I found out there was only one US distributor that had it and they wouldn’t have it in time for me to take this case to PDXLAN. The color I have decided on is: Tharsis Red.

Pretty, isn’t it? So I called in some favors and was placed in contact with Mayhem. They agreed to make a special case and ship me out some Tharsis Red at an incredible discount. Even if they had charged me double, I think I’d be gushing over their customer service and willingness to work with me. For awesome customer service (and the nice discount) I’m listing them as a sponsor.

http://www.mayhems.co.uk/shop/img/logo.jpg?1328036628

Now onto the rest of the update… yeah… filing… lots of filing…

So much filing… I’m pretty sure this TTeSports Dragon cut-out could double as a deadly shuriken (throwing star).

The other portion of my evening was spent pondering my video card. The video card was an Alienware Radeon HD 6950 (that I bios upgraded to a 6970) and came with a nifty back plate that’s long enough for me to attach any bracketing… and possibly work as a dual mount for the SSD and HDD.

I started my sketch planning and thinking… it’s still in the works…

That’s it for now, thanks for reading!

[Aldersan]

Nice job on the liquid! It's gunna go great! Keep it up, and hurry it up as well, I wanna see more!

[monkeyfun]

Nice job on the liquid! It's gunna go great! Keep it up, and hurry it up as well, I wanna see more!

Going as fast as I can! I'll work on it more tonight!

[monkeyfun]

Update #17: Waterworks

In this next update I spent most of my time working on getting my water cooling ready. I finally figured out why none of my taps were fitting correctly with the Bitspower fittings. Apparently there is a whole different standard for threading and taps with pipe and plumbing fittings. They’re similar to screw threads except there a tapering of the threads. This causes the pipe fitting to not sit correctly in a screw thread. Huh. You learn something every day.

So I decided to start applying my new found knowledge to my case. The Thermaltake LGA1155 CPU block had really small intake and output fittings. But I wanted to use the Bitspower fittings so I had to disassemble and mod the block cover. I apologize as I didn’t take any pictures when I redrilled and tapped the block cover. But it really wasn’t all that complicated. Here’s the disassembled CPU cooler:

Next I began working on attaching the pump. After messing around with some clamps in awkward positions, I decided to call upon the tape of the gods for assistance.

Here’s the pump as I double check for placement after I taped it to the mount:

I spaced the pump’s air intakes away from the frame with a scrap piece of metal and quickly drilled and tap four screw holes.

After trying to place the pump back into place I realized I needed to recess the bottom screw. Once that was done, it fit right it and somehow made me take a blurry picture.

Now that the pump was fitted, I start work on the radiator. I always get a little nervous right before I do something that will probably be irreversible.

But it turned out okay. I only drilled part of the way to keep the reduction of flow and hopeful add some pressure when the water feeds into the radiator.

The pipe tap was a little difficult to use. The top part of the tap was too large for my tap handles so I had to use a socket wrench to tap the radiator. I was extra careful to keep any shavings out of the radiator and cleaned it with a pipe brush.

As you can see from this next picture, the pump and the radiator are placed fairly close together. This will make for an interesting reservoir shape.

Just for your reference, I’ve laid out all my fittings and water cooling parts to give you an idea of how the water will flow in this case.

That’s it for now! I’ll see what I can do about getting you another mini-update this weekend. Thank you for reading!