Here's my very first worklog. I'm taking my wife's old Pentium 3 PC and blinging/modding and upgrading it to her standards. At first I was thinking of building a new case for the PC instead, but, she wanted me to keep the old casing and use that instead but just beef it up a lil.

So, here goes... The first look..




from the back plate you can see that the psu is actually on the right side. This kinda attracted me to the case. and also that the case was actually running a full ATX board on it. First time I saw that case, I thought that it was actually a M-ATX board. I'm still surprised and exited at the same time.

but, as good as the case looked, I noticed some really disturbing things on the case.

It's a full on "Dust Factory"...



hehehe... but no biggie... just needs a cleanup.

But, this really scared me..

wonder what caused it.. need sugestions on how to remove it without ruining the case..

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Oct 5 2009, 07:47 AM

it's rust mbe?

or something organic? eww...

eeeww.. what is that ?
inside psu aH?.. go get a new psu.

ok that looks freaky. shld be rust by the looks of it

it is rust... just wasn't sure what caused it... not in PSU... I'd be lucky if it's in the psu... got extra psu here leh... I's below the hdd cage... nvm..

Anyway, now already begun some of the panel and rivets removal. while removing them, I noticed another thing that was really really cool with this casing..

The Mobo tray was removable!!! and I don't mean removable by drilling out the rivets, I meant removable by just sliding out the mobo out from the back!!


Broke 2 drill bits while removing the rivets. need to buy some more..


then, 1st thing I decided to tackle was the rust problem..

1st tool to be used...

My rotary tool with a diamond cutting disc..
then, the drill with this round thingy... not sure what's it called...


anyway, will continue again after i figure out how to get rid of the freakin rust problem... only got this far with the rotary tool and drill...


more to come soon...

How are you going to remove the rust stain ?
Interested to know ;D

straight use grinder . then use putty to make it smooth.

grinder??? still freaked out about my last experience with a grinder... ruined my last case... wanna try and do it some other way lah... since already removed the chunks, mebe use some sand paper to remove the rest... then use some putty...

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Added on December 15, 2008, 6:36 pm*UPDATES*

RUST PARTIALLY REMOVED!

got back from work and couldn't get my mind of the rust thingy... so, off I went to grind the rust off with my rotary tool and some stone grinding bit... dunno how else to call the bit... anyway, I'm proud to say that after torturing my neighbour's and my own ears, I finally got the rust partially removed...


anyway, that's all for now... need to give my ears some rest... updates might be slow by end of this week due to holiday, but will continue as soon as I get back and get some stuff to finish off this casing...

so, keep comin back!

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Added on December 17, 2008, 6:38 pm*UPDATES* Hardwaressssss...

Here's some pics of the original hardware for this project..






Also spotted some things that scared me.. But my wife said so far so good with the pc... no problem yet... still usable... so, ok lo...


Here's a View of my workspace... Messy...


This post has been edited by Braynumb: Dec 17 2008, 06:38 PM

update!! xD

nice casing you have there, will be more enchant after you mod it..

we are same, virgin to mod casing...lol..

hoho pregnant capasitor

Updates will be on hold till after new year... on holiday now... back in Kuching... see ya after new year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL CELBRATING!!!!

hopefully can see after chrstmas.

ok, new updates on hardwares...

Currently the pc is running on a P3 800Mhz... But since it's christmas, I got a P3 1.1Ghz to speed it up a bit (might get 2x512MB to pump it up some more too)...

BUT since I'm still in Kuching for the holidays, I can't do much testing on it... so, have to wait till I get my butt back to Mukah and turn on the pc...

Hopefully all things are go... If not then need to find a new mobo for her or maybe change the caps myself...

So, anyway, Enjoy the holidays and have a great one to all! Cheers...

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Added on January 10, 2009, 11:43 pmOk... back from the holidays and bought some stuff to do more makeover for the casing and also the some other projects that I have in mind for this year...but updates will be slow... coming... but slow..

A question for anyone and everyone... how to keep an area of metal that i just removed rust from to stop rusting again???

here's a lil teaser on things to come...
Upcoming No.2
CODENAME: MiniMe



Upcoming No.3
CODENAME: MegaATOM
still in planning process.. still thinking of how to connect everything...



So, please do Enjoyce...

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Jan 10 2009, 11:47 PM

is that a thermaltake hsf? hehe. which model is it?

if not mistaken, I think It's the thermaltake volcano... or sumthin... hehehe... not sure... bought it from a forumer...

omg .. your mobo is filled with rust parts ..

does it still works ?

which mobo? which rust part?? the MiniMe project mobo izzit?? it's brand new la bro... no rust...

Can try CRC Rust Remover to remove the rust. Then to prevent from rusting i think got the silicone thingy, need to check on the name first. xD

niceeee... need the name bro! my dad also said can use rust remover... going back to Kuching for chinese new year n to find the rust remover thingy... amd also to get some acrylic for the side window... yeazaaaa....

Hope to see the pic soon, wanna learn some case modding

wah..... sudah kahwin still mod lg???

thumbs up 4 u daddy..

i have an exact same casing lying around unused in my store room
did not know it would cause so much excitement to a modder here

cyew86 u shold try to make a megamodding with all the casing in ur store room......
hehehehehhe........

haha, i can't mod, bad at tools (don't even have any tool ) and no place+money+time to do modding
so perhaps just sell the casing off to enthusiasts who wanna mod the casing in the future

jual kat besi buruk.....
dapat duit....
hehehehehe

Waaaahhh... sayang tu... bagus mod dari jual... hehe...

this casing is a classic man... gonna do some extra mod and scrap the front panel... I want to make my own front panel for this casing... what do you guys think? should I keep the front panel or scrap it? here's another view of the front panel for your viewing pleasure and judgement...

Wah UTPIAN spotted. Anyway, what board is that? Looks like DFI. & OMFG ISA Slot!!

Anyway, the board looks UV reactive. Nice for UV setup

Keep the front panel. Turn all whites into blacks. Power button add another LED. Preferably white.

but will black match well with teal? iianm the teal part is actually a little translucent

hehe.. my wife was in UTP..

anyway, front panel wise, I think I'm gonna just do a new one and test it out first and I'm planning to paint everything black and try to make it look like brushed aluminum and also incorporate some mesh grilles ... hehehe... but now remember to focus on the key word "TRY"... but I like the idea of all black with white LEDs... classic B&W... thanks for the input

honestly, I don't quite like the teal... hehehe... but if I were to keep the old front panel, I might go with Vervain's idea but instead of using white, I'll use teal LEDs instead to match the teal cover... if i can find teal colored LEDs in Mukah...

izit finish?

Not yet bro... still WIP... also waiting for some stuff to arrive... will post pics when the next process is done... Also when the Front panel build is done...

Cant wait to see the next action...

he he he...

me too bro... me too... hehehe...

UPDATE!!... very interested with this p3...

Woah man, spotted this casing again, at a time like this?! Man... my first PC using this casing was back... 2001... I sprayed it back and red... LOL, just nakal by that time. Hope t see some nice mod, but since this is a ... short tower casing, how you going to manage those cables, etc. It pretty cramped if you're useing full size mobo (and lot's of monster equipments...)?

This post has been edited by M1X: Feb 17 2009, 02:32 PM

currently back in Kuching and will nego with niclasteoh for some items to put in the mod... finally... will update when i get back to Mukah... wish me luck...

Wish u luck!! fast fast buy nice thing and mod ur p3 system to bling bling

Yo Bro... this is my opinion see below picture

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Added on March 1, 2009, 3:40 pmspray with blue metallic paint

This post has been edited by AlexLee277: Mar 1 2009, 03:40 PM

Bro, thanks for the input, but I've decided to make a new front panel out of aluminum and some L bars..

Finally got some acrylic for the side panel and whatever other use i might have for it. Thanks niclasteoh.





currently on holiday with the mrs. will continue when I get back.

LOL! good idea also

Back in KUCHING? Hei you Kuching people?

Yeazaaaa... born and raised in cat town!

______________________________________________
Updates on the next plan of action!

Moving the PSU's location.. coz might install either a tower HSF or WC the sucka!

Got the idea from uncle... Thanks Uncle ianho!

From the old PSU mounting area, will cut out some excessive metal part


Will fabricate some cover to be able to mount 2x80mm fans on them... if it fits lah... will measure 1st b4 cut later on.


actual fabrications will be done after holidays... hehehe... later!

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Mar 12 2009, 05:05 PM

how is the 240V power going to plug into your PSU??

Going to be routed through the front of the casing. Cable's going to be under the front panel.

*Updates*

Ok, here's what happened when... I've had the plans all made out by now... my plans were to cut the side panel so that it would just show the hardwares (mobo area only). but then, after further inspection, I realized that the side panel has something that I would like to call "A deformed look". Why I would say that?? well... look for yourself...


look at all those holes n grooves...

After Masking and drawing the part where I want to put the side windows...



An even closer look



So, a little help here... anyone who has an idea on how to tackle this problem, please do tell... Coz seriously, It's not going to be pretty at all...

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Mar 28 2009, 05:42 PM

Use some "Lime powder"i dont know what it call in English so just translate from Chinese "石灰粉" in Google Translate

what's the lime powder for?? how to use it??

Anyway, More updates...

*hardware updates Part1- PSU placement and Cable Management*

After further nego with my wife, she decided that all she wanted to save from that old pc is just the hard disc and it's contents... so, here's what's going to happen...

PSU transfer location changed... from top to bottom
1st Plan


final plan n decision


going to cut this front area to improve psu ventilation better


Cable Routing Plans



Going to enlarge the two holes to make for better cabble routing


*Updates to be continued*

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Mar 28 2009, 07:32 PM

i dont know how to type in ENG.. it was something look like semen... but 4 recovering hole on wall and etc etc...

Ooooo... I think i know what that is... something like a hole filler rite?? white in color rite??? hehehe... dunno lah... also thought of using bondo but then, seriously not good with either one of those... so, will try and find another way around it... hehe... thanks for the input tho bro...

owh yeah...

*Updates: done on 29/03/09* rear exhaust fan
Finally made my cut on this casing... this was what I cut... (Scraped my last plan to put 2x70mm fans)


Was a little unsure at first because I was still undecided whether I'm going to put:

a 90mm Fan, or


a 120mm fan for the exhaust fan...

actually took me 30minutes just to decide... and finally, I chose.... 120mm

So, after masking and measuring, i made the cut... no pics while cutting though... but, here's after the final cut was made..



going to do some more clean up on the cutting area... still rough...

And now, I'm stuck with a choice whether I'm going to make a rear cover for that massive hole to mount my 120mm fan with either:

Sheet of metal, or


an AC Ryan mesh sheet...

sugestions??

next up.... Top panel exhaust and some more extra updates on hardwares... Stay tuned...

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Mar 31 2009, 06:35 PM

where did u bought the ac ryan mesh sheet?
how much?

AC RYAN!!

I think I bought 1 piece 480mmX480mm from mfcm and another one from ocz can't remember the price though and not sure if they have any more stock... I think can find some in Garage Sales... I THINK... No Guarantees...

My thoughts also bro... but need to do some moulding on the mesh so that it'll fit nice in (I repeat... IN) the hole... it's going to be a challenge coz its my first time doing it...

Anyway, as mentioned above,

*hardware updates - The Main Hardware*

do u think a Xigmatek S1283 would fit here??


More exhaust fans



The real Hardware...

My Current PC (Ex Mr. Pau)

*Updates on the top panel is on hold for a while. Want to concentrate on fabricating the mesh rear ventilation hole and MOBO tray mod...*
So, here's the MOBO tray and what's going to happen later(In RED)

Huge huh?


Dunno what to call this... Studs??

So, here's how it's going down... Cut cut cut cut cut.....




Taped and Marked... for death...

that's all so far... going to cut it tomorrow evening after work... will take more pics then and updates will follow suite...

Nice cutting and planning .

Mind tell me what tools u using ?

Rotatory tool for cutting ?

thanks and yup... rotary tool with diamond cutting disc. and rotary tool with sanding bit for smoothing out the cuts afterwards.

wah, got proper tools, not like me, only got a driller, jigsaw and a grinder

Cool mate ,

Mind tell me how muhc it's cost you for that rotatory tools ??

I am hunting for one too !


Thanks ,
Chris

where do you ever get those grillz. searching for the 2 x 120 one so long...

wow. things coming along nicely.



just go to ace hardware and buy a rtx. rm280. great. with 55 accesories shold be worth it. the acessories also should be hundreds. (currently i searching for acessories )

Put the acrylic panel outside instead of inside =/

btw, I have a question where you gonna put the AC cable?

nice idea. NIce modify.

those tools are just as good bro... also waiting till I have enough budget to buy a jigsaw... hehehe... seriously tedious when trying to cut a side panel... too big... jigsaw would do just nice...

If i remember correctly, bought the tool at sumwhere around RM180+? my dad found it at a hardware store in Kuching... he even gave it a test run and cut some blow hole for his casing... only thing different with this rotary tool is the chuck... it's using a drill chuck instead of an ordinary rotary tool chuck...

I think i bought that grille from UglyVamp aka Gary... forgot how much it cost though... It's a really cool tool to help me measure the size of the blowhole I'm going to make... A great template..

put the acrylic outside??? how's that supposed to work??? don't think It would look as nice... but thanks for the input though...


Here's how the AC Cable's going to be placed. It's going to be routed behind the front bezel/cover and go straight to the back.

Thank You for those kind words dear kind Sir...

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Apr 3 2009, 12:12 AM

haiz. poor me, the last time i go, he say he just got 3x120 one. look way too big for my casing.

TS How much you bought for the AC RYAN fan grill arr???

he he he...

suddenly crazy bout this ac ryan stuff...haishh...

Oo... I think I bought it while he was doing stock clearance... coz i bought it with some other stuff... try asking again... I think should have more stock now...

don't quite remember how much... but I bought it kinda cheap coz stock clearance...

reason or using that fan grille iz coz I'm planning to SLI n WC my rig with that casing... but have to wait for year end bonus also lah... hehehe...

cant wait to see operate this p3

bro, didn't u read the Hardware updates??? hardware change already... no more P3... going to install my current rig into it... Core 2 KUAT... hehehe... that's why going to WC it... coz plan to do benchmark 4GHz... huhu

going to sell me the P3 and the p3 mobo?

just got some nice stuff from bro xk2... just arrived last friday... it's already installed and it looks damn nice.... here's what i mean



Installation BEGIN!


The subject...

removed the label and warranty sticker

Done assembly... looks bland and empty...

Decided to put back the label and warranty sticker on the heat sinks.. NICE......

Babies Assembled... So shiny and pretty.... MY PRECIOUSSSSSSSS.....

Now, back for some more updates... Top Panel...

Masked the top panel for marking where to cut later on... Used the grille for templates...

After marking... will do the cuts tomorrow after work... same with the mobo tray...

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Apr 5 2009, 11:41 PM

bro faster update

nice heatsink u have there,
too bad that my cosair heatsink cant be removed. if not i also changing mine.

<removed the price tag/sticker will be better> just my opinion

keep the price tag sticker for reference later on =P
hahas, so that u would remember when u got the item
wuuu i also wan heatsink le after seeing those pictures ><

those ramsink or whateve it call, it sells at Lowyat Plaza, All It there got sell...
if not mistaken la, is RM6.90 4 one... got cooper colour, black, silver and some color lah...

go find loh

hehehe... I prefer to stick it there... looks so much nicer... if it's too bland then... just ... but thanks though...

Go get it quick !!! damn nice add-on on the looks of my rig later on ... can't wait to finish this project and put up the worklog for my other project...

bro... seriously it's that cheap meh???? R U REALLY SERIOUS??? so cheap... maybe go buy bulk from them and sell them at my place here... nice...


*UPDATES* Done on 6/04/09. Top Panel Cut... FINALLY...
Here's how it looked like after marking and before cutting..



My rotary tool and protective gears in action...

1st part done... When I started cutting, I realized that I couldn't just cut it the whole way through and be done with it...
My rotary tool really started to get hot even when I started cutting the 1st line... Scary...

2nd part...

3rd part... after this part, couldn't bother to take pictures of the last part... too tired already... and my hands were shaking after forcing the tool to cut the piece off...


All parts done... FINALLY.... holes not yet drilled coz got too tired yesterday... guess have to wait till i come back from Kuching next week...
notice the dark gray metal dust? that was my tool over heating... usually it's just light gray... maybe cause the top panel was much thicker more like the side panel...

Might go and see niclasteoh bout some more modding stuff while in Kuching... will see later...

So, That's all for now folks! More after my trip!

This post has been edited by Braynumb: Apr 7 2009, 10:58 PM

wish u gud luck

Thank You My Fren....

the cutting was a bit scary,
well, always turn the rotary tool speed to high when cutting thick steel, will overheat the rotary tool (fan speed not high enought). i always break the cutting disk even when cutting plastic, u using diamond cutting disk rite?



This post has been edited by tjay_tj: Apr 8 2009, 09:53 AM

really ah!!! i'll check it out when i have the time =D
thanx for the info

yessir... diamond discs they are... seriously, listening to the tool at it's highest speed scares me even more than having the disc break... or worse... the discs breaking because of high speed... during cutting, i cranked up the dial to 4... i had to do the cutting bit by bit... seriously, it was damn scary...

Brian,can see your cutting there,its kind of not straight.I do recommend you to use jigsaw,faster and accurate.

thinking of the disk break at high speed make my hand shake, that y i wear a google.
i would dial to 5, but than, my panel is thicker... i sometimes stop the rotary tool together when it stuck

btw, got any extra cutting disk? pm me...

This post has been edited by tjay_tj: Apr 9 2009, 01:11 AM

yea, he is right, even biginner also can make straight line with jigsaw...
update yea....

hi guys can i ask...jingsaw is around how much 1 set?^^ coz i mod casing i use big machine cant cut the small place >.<

can get in giant..

cheap => RM50-RM70
branded => RM180-above

i got try find at giant over here but =/ dint saw any..if cut the palastic panel how u guys cute the hole for fan?

hehehe...don't worry... the cuts i made are not finalized yet... will be cleaned later... that's when i'll make sure it's straight... hehehe... but thanks for the info tho bro...

Yessir... goggles are an important safety tool... always wear them at all times... extra discs? will get back with you on that one...

wish i had a jigsaw... hehehe... but it's in my end year shopping list though... will look into it...

best way is use a hole cutter... for me lah... hehehe... not sure how the other guys/gals do it though...

*Currently updates are on hold for a while due to attending courses in Kuching... will continue when I get back... *



This post has been edited by Braynumb: Apr 12 2009, 02:18 PM

hole cutter?o.o can show me?^^

Wooo..bro.Is it ok u cutting that thing without any PPE..safety first.
Anyway,good luck!Starting to find u a bit insteresting..

it is called hole saw or blow hole. try to google it. can be bought at hardware store. but i not sure if they have. hard to find big diameter one

OH!! i know wat is it already XD i saw it at my dad office store be4 =/ tmr go find it~ thanks thanks~

Hahaha... Thanks... though "interesting " is a wierd way to say it... but thanks though... currently running short on PPEs... but for now, it'll do... as long as I take my time n not rush the whole thing...

HOLE SAW... right... my bad... i think can find at hardware stores... though it's a little bit tough to find here in Mukah... but best thing if you can find the adjustable one... very handy indeed...

great to hear that you have a nice tool like that around... handy...

ahaha thanks XD i still noob at modding casing >.< 1st time mod and no much tool now saving money buy jingsaw ^^