Blue PC Project Log 16 - 21st June 2006

To bring you up to speed with where the project is at - as I've spent the past few evenings working on it:

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01978.JPG[/img]
^ Marking up the DVD-RW slot on the fascia.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01979.JPG[/img]
^ I was planning on using the jigsaw to cut it out, but decided on a cutting disc instead.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01980.JPG[/img]
^ It gave a nice and neat cut, allowing me to get it mm perfect.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01982.JPG[/img]
^ See?

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01983.JPG[/img]
^ Test-fitting the NEC DVD-RW that will end up in this rig.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01984.JPG[/img]
^ The drive is quite short, and barely hangs over the drive-cage, which is pretty cool.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01988.JPG[/img]
^ Looking through to the front fascia...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01989.JPG[/img]
^ Marking up the fan controller cut-out.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01990.JPG[/img]
^ Some sparks whilst I cut...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01991.JPG[/img]
^ It took me a few seconds to work out why the disc looked funny whilst cutting.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01992.JPG[/img]
^ Cut. Need some blow-hole trim maybe?

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01993.JPG[/img]
^ The controller fits perfectly, giving plenty of space.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01994.JPG[/img]
^ Marking out the 4 fan controller knob holes. Not glory holes.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01995.JPG[/img]
^ Watching the game whilst I mark things out.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01997.JPG[/img]
^ Cut-out and sanded smooth.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC01998.JPG[/img]
^ The 4 controllers fit perfectly.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02002.JPG[/img]
^ With the knobs fitted too, just to ensure it all fits. It does.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02003.JPG[/img]
^ Marking out the 4 switch holes.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02006.JPG[/img]
^ Once cut, I test-fitted a switch along with the controller.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02007.JPG[/img]
^ Here you can see the problem I previously mentioned - I don't know why it happened exactly, but either the acrylic was too thin, or the drill ripped it apart - the acrylic cracked and split around the 4 switch holes...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02008.JPG[/img]
^ Everything else is cut and fits well, that it's a waste to simply start again.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02010.JPG[/img]
^ I purchased some P38 and P40 filler from Halfords this afternoon, on my way back from work.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02011.JPG[/img]
^ The spare acrylic piece, cut to size...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02012.JPG[/img]
^ Everything set for some epoxy.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02013.JPG[/img]
^ The top cut-out with the blow-hole trim removed.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02014.JPG[/img]
^ A few random shots, but you should see it all come together soon.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02017.JPG[/img]
^ The P38 applied to the front fascia. Once sanded down, it should be as good as new.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02018.JPG[/img]
^ Marking up another spare piece of acrylic - [rolf]can you guess what it is yet???[/rolf]

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02021.JPG[/img]
^ It was either the beer, or the lawn care box thing. The beer is too precious (holding down the acrylic whilst it dries from the epoxy).

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02023.JPG[/img]
^ The blow-hole with a piece of acrylic epoxied to it.

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02024.JPG[/img]
^ Some P38...

[img]http://dump.slickhouse.com/lazlow/pc/blue/16/DSC02025.JPG[/img]
^ There! Bullitdodger should be happier now. Actually, I hated the top once I had cut-out the blow-hole. Though the original grill was bad too.

So... tomorrow evening I'll see how all the filler has dried and I'll hopefully get round to sanding it down. The top of the case should then be nice and flush - and the front fascia should be cleaned up too. Before anyone says - I know the filler isn't see-through, but the fascia will be primed/painted black like the rest of the case anyway. Any comments?