Bill Owen

Here is the front faceplate now

I've modified the original concept case to reflect the theme of this Prawn weapon from the movie. The case will have reinforced panels and Orange/Black/White color scheme. One of the easiest steps to fit this theme was replacing the OEM handle on the Cooler Master 840 motherboard tray with machined aluminum handle. I had one spare handle left over from our previous stock. The new version has been revised with rounded finger grips, as shown here, http://www.mnpctech.com/MnpctechBillethandleGrooved.html

I'm using 1/4" drill bit

The concept called form bullet holes in the window

Using 3/8" drill bit

Using wire cutter to make cracks around the hole

Etching Rotary Tool (or Dremel) Engraving Bits

Using the dremel to emulate some cracks

Cooler Master's hardware list for their CES show display

1 x Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

1 x Intel Extreme Series DX48BT2 X48 Motherboard

1 x Silent Pro RS-600-AMBA-D3

1 x CM MITX Cooler 38mm tall (will be replaced with future V series cooler)

1 x Sapphire ATI Radeon 4870 512MB

1 x 4GB DDR3 Kingston 1600mhz memory kit

1 x WD 500GB HDD

1 x DVD drive

Silent Pro RS-600 Watt-AMBA-D3 PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817171036

I've cut the window from Lexan. It's tougher than plexiglass/acrylic, but 2 or 3 times more expensive. It won't shatter or crack "easily" You can buy Lexan sheets at Home Depot, Lowes and some hardware stores like Ace.

The window will be fastened with 1/4" socket head screws, for reinforced armour look

Using center punch to mark each fastener hole.

Roper Whitney No. 5 Jr Hand Punch kit available here

Hand punch (estimate $60 new)

"Look Ma, No deburring needed!"

The benefit of using Lexan is that you can drill or hand punch it without cracking it.

Clean hole cut! I love Lexan.

Ironically our concept drawing calls for bullet holes in the Lexan "bullet proof" window...lol

and the finished project photos.

Here's some closeup shots of the shell/side grill assembly so far to show some cool detail.

If you scroll down with these pics really fast, it's alsmost like a movie! :hehe:

...aaaaand done.

Applying the final rust application on the Silverstone SG05 shell.

E.E.L. staying at something, Ghost Rider Media PC on wall of Mnpctech studio

You can keep layering the Sophisticated Finishes Instant Rust until you achieve the results you like

I'm covering the PCI slot covers and case screws with the rust application.

No feet on the SG05?! Ok, trip to Microcenter! some cheapy "StarTech" brand rubber stick-ons will do the trick. I would have used our machined aluminum case feet, but they would have hit the ITX MB..heh

E.E.L. is finishing up on the PSU modification.

E.E.L. is also applying the final layer of rusting agent to the rad grill

http://www.mnpctech.com/Steampunk_BlackIce...tor_Grills.html

Thats looking pretty darn realistic E.E.L.!

E.E.L applies the Sophisticated Finishes "Iron Metallic Surfacer" to the primer coated aluminum bezel

Thanks for the comments everybody! Here's the front cnc milled panel after applying SEM self etching primer.

Iron Metallic Surfacer is applied over the SEM primer coat

E.E.L. is rawking along with the PSU and also applied the instant rust effect to the 80mm laser cut Gear grill

Cool, oversized case thumb screws get transformed as well

These XL size thumbscrews used to be included with the Thermaltake Tsunami case, I save them

Cheers to a great PC Mod Jam Session!

Thank you Anki! I would suggest the Zotac 330 ION MB, very nice!

Thank you aGal!

Using this angle grinder to give the 2x120 steampunk grill look more delapitated. These are professionals, so please don't copy the grinder in the vice trick at home

Sanding it with Medium grit sandpaper before applying primer and instant rust

After an hour our steampunk grill looks like this

E.E.L hits the PSU's housing, he removed the stock stamped grill from and base unit as well...

Heres the Sophisticated Solutions products.

Video

E.E.L. first applies the iron solution to the surface

Here's what it looks like in the middle of corrosion...

E.E.L. masked off the base unit with Scotchbrite green tape and did the same thing to it...

The NOTalis project was the result of E.E.L. Ambiense's recent 4 day visit to Minnesota. We've talked about getting together for the last couple of years. We both agreed that a Mini ITX project wouldn't suck up too much of his 4 days. He suggested the Silverstone SG05. E.E.L. made some conceptual drawings from home so we had a plan. The SG05 arrived 2 days before he did. I brought it to the machine shop on Thursday to mill a new bezel design. E.E.L. was inspired by the Nautilus submarine's window from Jules Vern's 20,000 Leagues under the sea (disney movie 1954).

We titled the project "NOTalis" because it sounded funny.

The both of us had always talked about experimenting with instant rusting techniques and products. We're both fans of Piloux's Blackmesa HL2 case mod. A historical chapter in case modding. We planned to use the same product Piloux used. I believe we found the current version by Sophisticated Finishes. Piloux never explains his application techniques in detail which forced us to experiment a lot. It can be a little frustrating to use this product because you must wait for the results. You just learn to keep busy with other things, like sleeving a PSU or cutting a 240mm fan grill. We discovered on the last night that a heat gun sped up the rusting process.

We only spent two evenings working on the project. We were both amazed we didn't need more time, but we work very efficiently together.

Since it was E.E.L.'s first time here. I brought him to some interesting local businesses and eateries. We spent a great deal of our time just talking shop. So this get together was historical for us. We made a point to record everything knowing it would be shared here with you.

Silverstone SG05 Mini ITX case

OEM 120mm fan location (modified to 140mm)

3/4" thick block of 6061 aluminum

140mm intake design inspired by "Nautilus" submarine window from Jules Vern's 20,000 Leagues under the sea

The 240 size Steampunk acrylic radiator grill is a good fit for the SG05. Keep in mind the SG05 has a one piece cover. You will have to modify the rear chassis pillar to clear the grill's mounting screws. This mirror finish won't exist much longer..heh

The SG05's rear slot covers and Mnpctech

80mm "Gear" style acrylic fan grill were getting their first application of Duplicolor brand automotive sandable primer. The Brown primer is a great base coat color for the rust effect we applied later on.

more photos of the front plate

"District 9" design cnc milled in the Cooler Master 840 aluminum intake plate. The recessed center portion will be filled

Thank you for your comments and support!

why didn't you use the CNC to cut out the hole for the side door window, not worth the programming? (I haven't programmed one myself yet, I guess I wouldn't have to ask if I had)

Programming easy, it's making a fixture for the cnc mill that will hold the panel which can be more tricky. It's just easier to cut simple windows by jigsaw

I haven't gotten interest in the D-9 theme rad/fan grill. It fits 2x 120mm fans, 15mm spacing to fit Feser, Black Ice & Swiftech Radiators. email me for info, please include your country, pcbuilderATmnpctech.com

I'm cutting the window in the Cooler Master 840

Make first initial cut with your Dremel and cutting wheel, to allow use of Jigsaw and cut the window more efficiantly

You have created slot, this allows you to use Jigsaw with 18TPI metal cutting blade

Using a Jigsaw is much quicker than using a Dremel to cut your window

Use a rounded side file to debur the jagged edges of the new window

Notice the window location doesn't reveal the drive bays, this was intentional.

Thanks for the comments everybody, please stay tuned to this project, it will be really cool when it's finished, promise!

@ WheelMan, thank you!

Marking off location of the custom window in the 840 left access panel

Using tape roll to make curved corner

Case Mods & Supplies that will be used in this project, sponsored by Mnpctech.com

Machined Aluminum Computer Case Feet Link

Acoustical Sound Proofing Sheets for your PC

"District 9" inspired 240 rad grill is finished

CNC milling 3/16" thick aluminum 2x 120mm radiator grill, 15mm spacing