Be it known : Ascension

[GrahamC]

OK so...being inspired by TTL on 'the tube' and rigs on this forum I thought, seeing as Bulldozer is never getting here I'd have a go at modding an old case for the day I get hold of the new Amd 'Scorpious' platform. I was that cheesed off by the no show (to buy, they don't exist until you can put one in your cart) this month that I nearly went Intel Z68 platform but the wife put me straight with a slap.

First job I thought is think what name and theme I could use as a base for the project just to try and give any wilder ideas I might have some sort of grounding of syle or direction. I have played WoW (not gonna say what it stands for) since it was in closed beta while the SW:TOR mmo is going to be my next addiction of choice. These games are my antidote to the crap that passes as TV in this country so I thought a theme linked to these two mmos would form a great starting point. I know your thinking ... Jedi ... Orcs...Yoda ... Undead Warlocks what's the connection well my fruity friends, Ascention is the name of the guild I am in for both games (sister guilds for both games). For the style of mod I picked 'Industrial' because this can be found in both the Scifi and Fantsay setting which both games playout. See how my mind works .. it's like the family game twister but a bit more wierd..

Now that I have a field reference that I can obviously stray out off

onto the first bit of kit that I can set about moulding to my every desire. Now I have put together plenty of bog standard systems over the years, I was alive before we had computers so I know what plugs into what; but I've never done water cooling never coloured in a case as it were with only a smidge of curiosity OC'ing. So as TTL would so quaintly put it ..wiv owt ferver adoo. here is the case I will lavish my affection on. This Coolermaster Comos RC100 is the first model that came to market in UK and was rescued from under the wifes washing basket, unoticed and unloved for a looong time. It was round about now that problem one hits home, I have zero tools for a job like this, no drills, cutters, measure or paintering things

found a couple of screw drivers in a draw and set too. The result is the pics posted and a few bits and bobs of cheep tools being on their way thanks to the interweb. Hope I can entertain you guys as I learn what the hell my ass is doing where my elbow should be as the mod rises from the ashes, might turn back to ashes as well if I don't get the WC right.

 

[cbiltsouris]

guess were in the same boat mate

im attempting to mod my case aswell....

may I suggest a dremel for for cuttings things?

 

[sheroo]

Welcome to the site. Looking forward to seeing you breathe some life into that old Cosmos.

 

[GrahamC]

guess were in the same boat mate

im attempting to mod my case aswell....

may I suggest a dremel for for cuttings things?

Yeah got a cheap one to try on the way (will prob get a pukka Dremel if I get on with it later) along with a holesaw and smoothing files etc. Not going mad on tools though as I can borrow power hand tools from my mate. Save the cash for the engine room is what I say.

Need a little help on attaching pictures to my posts what the limits on file size / number of images etc. I keep getting Upload skipped file to big, less than 300k each pic and about 500*600 pixels.

Thanks for the help

 

[ShortAlieN]

Upload your photos at photobucket or imageshack and then just attach them to your posts from there. I use photobucket because it automatically re-sizes the photos and gives you all the links you need at a quick click.

Cant wait to see what you come up with, keep us updated

 

[GrahamC]

Quick question is powdercoating just for metal or can plastics use the same process?

 

[peircevongoth12]

10 years ago I was a Supervisor of a production powdercoating line. So my information is a little out of date. But we had done some testing of powdercoating plastics with mixed results. The thing is depending on the powder it has to be baked at 200F-500F. And depending on the piece it would have to sit in that heat anywhere between 15 mins to 1 hour. So most plastic won't survive. The other issue was applying it powdercoating is applied with an electrical charge, which plastic doesn't hold. We were able to get the powder to apply by heating the part first. But then ran into the bakeing of the powder issue. Like I said my experiance is 10 years old, but I'm pretty sure it still holds up. Best bet is to talk to who your gonna have coat the metal and see what they have to say. Otherwise there is some good plastic paints out on the market. Would probably be easier on your wallet that way anyways.

 

[Solidarity]

I look forward to seeing how this turns out

 

[peircevongoth12]

I will be watching to see how this turns out.

See how my mind works .. it's like the family game twister but a bit more wierd..

I have been told my brain works like a Plinko game.

 

[Azurite]

So there it is. the Cosmos

Inside/outside painting and window in sidepanel?

 

[GrahamC]

Decided drive cage could go so I attacked.

Just got a pile of bits now. Anyhow a few tools, holesaw, grinder, cheap work bench came in the post this morning. I just have to wait for the blasted rain to stop, I just saw Noah measuring up a few logs mmm.

I've not been sat on my hands though, a few emails about powdercoating (more for curiosity as I am inclined to paint myself...er not myself you know the bits..) Played around with a few graphic and coulors but bit early to settle just yet though. So as replys come I'll set a better course. Inside is def going to be a satin black. My main stumper at the moment is the door on the front and how to intergrate a couple of 120mm fans in the front. Repaint all over and a window ofc.

 

[GrahamC]

10 years ago I was a Supervisor of a production powdercoating line. So my information is a little out of date. But we had done some testing of powdercoating plastics with mixed results. The thing is depending on the powder it has to be baked at 200F-500F. And depending on the piece it would have to sit in that heat anywhere between 15 mins to 1 hour. So most plastic won't survive. The other issue was applying it powdercoating is applied with an electrical charge, which plastic doesn't hold. We were able to get the powder to apply by heating the part first. But then ran into the bakeing of the powder issue. Like I said my experiance is 10 years old, but I'm pretty sure it still holds up. Best bet is to talk to who your gonna have coat the metal and see what they have to say. Otherwise there is some good plastic paints out on the market. Would probably be easier on your wallet that way anyways.

I thought the heat cure might be the roadblock but thought I'd ask for clarity.

 

[Azurite]

Graham. Are the front panel meshed or is there a dustfilter? Could have a 240mm radiator in the front if you use a holesaw or dremmel. Have you decided on color theme? Also, are you going to modd the top for a 360 rad?

 

[GrahamC]

My Cosmos is the first model that came to the UK market and the front panel is effectivly 3 layers thick, metal, platic with mesh overlay and then an Alu door. The top platic cover is shaped so it narrows towards the front so I'm not sure it can take a 360 rad without throwing the top cover away and making a new one, which would make the front panel USB/Power button housing serplus aswell. Also the 120mm hole space is wrong (not 15mm). The top I think if for a 280 rad. With this being my first go at modding and not being used to the various WC parts having trouble just getting it in my minds eye. I'll get here in the end.

Colour wise I think it will be Orange and black and a graphic somwhere.

 

[Azurite]

My Cosmos is the first model that came to the UK market and the front panel is effectivly 3 layers thick, metal, platic with mesh overlay and then an Alu door. The top platic cover is shaped so it narrows towards the front so I'm not sure it can take a 360 rad without throwing the top cover away and making a new one, which would make the front panel USB/Power button housing serplus aswell. Also the 120mm hole space is wrong (not 15mm). The top I think if for a 280 rad. With this being my first go at modding and not being used to the various WC parts having trouble just getting it in my minds eye. I'll get here in the end.

Colour wise I think it will be Orange and black and a graphic somwhere.

Seems like a cool choice of coloring. I know others have fitted a 360 in the top. If there is problems with the spacing, then you could buy a radgrill with 15mm spacing, and just cut out and screw that on.

 

[GrahamC]

There is plenty of area for a 360 to fit it's when you cut out the intake it removes location holes for the outer plastic side and top cover which just makes the job snowball in complexity. TBH a 360 rad isn't the be all and end all (was just goint to make WC selection easy with a single kit purchase) but as it stands It's going to be a neater job to go the 280 rad route and buy single item WC gear.

 

[Azurite]

There is plenty of area for a 360 to fit it's when you cut out the intake it removes location holes for the outer plastic side and top cover which just makes the job snowball in complexity. TBH a 360 rad isn't the be all and end all (was just goint to make WC selection easy with a single kit purchase) but as it stands It's going to be a neater job to go the 280 rad route and buy single item WC gear.

A thick 280 rad would be nice

Its a good thing, that youre not chewing over more than you can handle. Keep us updated

 

[G-Dubs]

Just brought myself up to speed on this Graham. Gotta love some old school basic grass roots modding. For me it's what it's all about.

little concerned over the painting though. you said you were going to paint yourself, well not yourself, but your bits.

Now i'm a married man but over the years i've tried many many varied things, but not once have I ever thought to paint my "bits" or gentleman's vegetables as I prefer to call them. The bit I would be most concerned over is the sanding down prior to the undercoat. I don't care how manly you are having your "bits" given the good news with some 600 grit is going to sting a bit.

Assuming you paint the case as well as your bits, can I suggest that although satin black is very nice, very nice indeed, is it worth having a bit of a think and maybe using another colour. Perhaps as you mention Black and orange, going for an orange interior (i'm a bit of a fan of orange tbh but don't let that sway you).

whatever you decide to do i'll be following this thread and look forward to seeing it develop.

Mod on

 

[GrahamC]

Trouble with going for a Orange colour inside is it will swallow the colour from the fans and I hope to go black themed for the hardware. If it comes out anything like what's in my head then it will be nice.

. I'm having a bit of trouble getting a good run at it right now though, somthing always seems to be getting in the way. Ordered a dremel a week ago not arrived yet, it just never seems to stop raining, I got a stone in my shoe and the gas bills come ..

Anybody got the webby for offcut metals, some of the prices seem to be a bit daft. I was quoted £51+£15 del for 3 pieces of 500mmx150mm perforated 2mm Aluminium the other day. Hells bells I can get whole case for that.

I have the paint for the plastic and steal parts, is there anything special I should get for painting Aluminium? or indeed anything that will differ when I paint the different materials?

Thanks for your support guys.

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

Looking foreward to it.

Make sure when you spray things you get the coat even though, as I learnt the hard way (runny liquid look)