Planning to mod a Coolermaster Centurion Case. Lil' help?

[Mandible]

After using the great people here to help me decide how i am going to build my computer, and its components, I am now starting to plan what i want to do with my rather plain and boring looking coolermaster 534Plus Case

First off, here's a few links, i'll get pictures hosted later on.

OVERVIEW:

http://www.tcponline.com/images/computer%20cases/Cases/Coolermaster%20Centurion534_B.jpg

WINDOWED MOD:

http://www.materiel.net/live/26775.jpg

FRONT/BACK VIEWS:

http://www.oc.com.tw/article/0608/imgs/coolermaster_Centurion_534_060808_ed_002.jpg

SIDE PANELS:

http://hardware.gotfrag.com/files/upload/zeg_cent_sidepanels.jpg

BEST VIEW OF TOP I COULD FIND:

http://images.tigerdirect.com/skuimages/large/C283-1123-main.jpg

My plans at the moment, are to cut a side window, and a top window, and get a friend to do some painting, as well as using a laser cutter to etch a biohazard design onto the window, and cut a fan port in the center of the design.

My Million Dollar Questions:

1.How best to affix a window to a panel. Rivets? Adhesive?

2.What's the least imposing fan hole i can cut for a 120 mil fan (in perspex)

and still put a grille on it.

3.What are the dangers, if any of painting a case a bit, and whats the best way to paint it?

4.Do i NEED to use mounting for a top window, or can i go sidewindow style?

Thanks guys, any other tips would rock too!

 

[PV5150]

1.How best to affix a window to a panel. Rivets? Adhesive?

2.What's the least imposing fan hole i can cut for a 120 mil fan (in perspex)

and still put a grille on it.

3.What are the dangers, if any of painting a case a bit, and whats the best way to paint it?

4.Do i NEED to use mounting for a top window, or can i go sidewindow style?

1. Personally I prefer using the rubber strip that I used for my guide as it prevents any potential vibration problems associated with fans. But using rivets is fine as long as you use a sufficient amount to prevent rattle.

2. You are really governed by the inside edge of the fan shroud, which will be in the vicinity of approximately 117 mm. If you make the hole smaller than the size of the fan opening then you reduce the efficiency of the fan to draw air into/out of the case.

3. No dangers when painting the case other than doing it in a well ventilated area and away from naked flame. Paint fumes are potentially explosive and bad for your lungs so use a mask.

Painting is best done with a tool that will allow you to apply an even coat; ideally this would be a small air gun and compressor. But if you have a steady enough hand and overlap each application of paint well enough you can use a can without too many dramas. Make sure that you paint the case in an area free of strong breeze (to prevent dust etc getting stuck in your paint)

4. I'm not sure what you mean here. Do you mean using the rubber strip or pop riveting the top window on?

 

[chaos_theory1]

as far as painting goes, probably do an airbrushed design if your doing anything intricate, or i suppose use an airbrush for painting it anyway as it will give a nice smooth finish. also probably worth putting some matt varnish spray over it to protect the final coat from chipping, scratching etc.

 

[Mandible]

Ok, a few more q's, where can i get the rubber moulding, cause i cant find it anywhere, only the non locking strip kind, which you have to use adhesive to affix. Aslo, is the fan shroud the fan hole, and do you put the entire square fan block into the window, or do you put it behind the window, with a hole for the fan to blow through.

 

[PV5150]

* Lockable rubber trim

* Yes, the inside of the fan shroud is the hole. You install the fan behind the window, with a hole for the fan to blow through.

 

[Mandible]

okey doke, my plan at the mo' is to make a side window, use a laser cutter to etch a biohazard symbol on it, have a biohazard grilled fan on the window, then have a fading sanded effect, strong at the edges then weakening as it goes in, with a blue cathode on either side to make it glow. I'll then have te same fade effect on a top window if poss, with another biohazard grilled fan OR a top window made of mesh, which would be cool.

Quick edit, you got any UK sites selling that moulding?

Anybody? Hellooo?

 

[Marcus]

Not quite sure what you mean by locking rubber trim... surly rubber trim is rubber trim?!?!

This what you're after?

http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=46&products_id=543

 

[Mandible]

Na, some moulding is affixed with glues and resins, whereas the moulding shown here (look at pic in top left)

http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=46&products_id=281

Uses a locking strip to hold it in place. But thanks, these guys have some good stuff.

 

[Socks]

Just wondering if you bought your case? im not reading all of the post but i saw you was looking at the Cooler Master Centurion, I bought the centurion C5 and its a peach of a case. Huge window too....look at my rig setup.

http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=20023

Just saves you having to mess around with installing a window

 

[Rastalovich]

Can pick those cases up mad-cheap in the states, like $40 or something from NewEgg.

Worthy mod material imo. Nice to work inside.

Too bad u didn`t get the one with columns running in the front, perhaps u coulda done something with them.