Project: Deuce [Archive]

Tech-Daddy

07-21-2007, 02:16 AM

Deuce , 2 of a kind, 2 of what you want.... having a deuce is a good thing. This new rig is going to be an exercise in 2.

Dual Core CPU (Opty 185)
2GB of RAM
2 Hard drives
2 video cards (SLI) (2x 7900GTX 512MB cards)
2 water loops
2 reservoirs (dual EK MultiOption reservoirs)
2 pumps (Swiftech MCP350 and 355)
2 water colors (TBD)
2 Radiators
2 120mm fans on the top rad

You get the idea!
;)

It will reside in a Thermaltake Armor chassis. Mind you, this thing is HUGE!!! Plenty of space for all this magic to happen! I brought the side window panel on vacation with me, and went to town on it this week; It will be another hot rod themed build, except this onw will be a hot rod paint scheme from a Hot WHeel part. Stylistically, it will be very influenced by the build out of a Deuce coup.... but it will have modern flourishes....

The paint job will be based off of this:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_pj1.jpg

Deep blue/purple on the base, and gloss black across the top of the cabin area. seperated by a flaming green stripe. Looks bad ass!!!

So I startes planning out my window. And after several days with a pencil, I hace the draft.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window1.jpg

Keeping a mental note on the location of the cross beam. as well as the drive bays in the front. I shaped the main window to show off the motherboard, and to keep the integrity of the side panel locks. I added in a smaller window to the bottom area to break up the look of the "single large window":
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window2.jpg

note the stock that still remains around the flames and the corners. I learned something from blingGreen, and that is to make sure you leave the tips of the flames until the last This will keep you from applying a lot of pressure to the tips, and causing it to bend. So, you will see the flames work through in a few pictures....

Here is some more material removed from the flames... see them starting to form up? :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window3.jpg

Workng through the flame centers....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window4.jpg

Now.... here I go.... the side panel sitting at around 85% completion!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/deuce_window5.jpg

more tomorrow, as I am tired tonight

Rob Williams

07-21-2007, 02:34 AM

madmat

07-21-2007, 04:17 AM

Very nice. I like the flames, flames are always a good thing :)

Tech-Daddy

07-21-2007, 12:04 PM

I am so looking forward to watching this come together... great color scheme and theme plans! With two of everything, this thing is going to be a monster, especially with the water cooling. Are you going to use blue-colored coolant, or does purple coolant exist?

It is funny you would ask this, as I intend on making a custom color for each loop. I have bought 6 colors of UV reactive water dye, 3 of them are primary colors, the 2 others are secondary, one is a visual clear additive that when hit with UV emits a sparklinng blue.

I have already begun mixing the colors to see if I can get the hues that I want in the loops! ;) And "yes", they do make a purple dye. It is very difficult to photograph, and the "flourescent" color is more of a pastel purple. Going to see if I can get it down a few color registers into a more royal tone. Not sure I can do that though... ;)

And MadMat... you will have more flames... trust me! It is not going to be a ton of them like I did in blingGreen, it will be a bit more subtle. :)

moon111

07-21-2007, 01:05 PM

I wonder if Billy F Gibbons is in the market for a new computer.

Tech-Daddy

07-21-2007, 01:20 PM

A ZZ Top rig.... that would be cool!!!
:D

madstork91

07-21-2007, 11:36 PM

Texas... Need I say more?

Tech-Daddy

07-31-2007, 01:38 AM

"YO TECH!!! GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND MAKE AN UPDATE!!!!!"

....

So... I have been busting a hump in my garage at my new house, trying to get more schtuff unpacked and moved into it's proper place, thusly getting it out of the garage.

Well, I made a significant amount of headway in organizing the garage this weekend, and that new found space same in really handy! As I got more done on the mod! (interesting how, if you have the space to stretch out, your work seems to flow more easily! ;) )

Using a 5/8 inch bit, I drillled out the ends of the top of the vents on the side panel, I then used my dremmel to cut a clean line down to the other circle. This made my lines nice and straight (for the most part) and the ends nice and round (again.... for the most part!)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/sidepanel1.jpg

And how will it look on the side of the case?
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/sidepanel2.jpg

I then also started popping rivets like a mad man on the case, parted the whole thing out and started marking up my next cut lines, and putting everything in the utility sink for a good rinsing. Dust and crap all inside this thing.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet4.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet5.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet6.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rivet7.jpg

I am hoping to get a new type of color process on the frame, we'll see though if I can make it work with the vendor. (fingers crossed)

Quakecon is coming up later this week! Cant wait to see everyone that will be there! And I'll pour some out for the brothers nad sisters that could not be there.

Rob Williams

08-10-2007, 01:54 AM

How'd QuakeCon go? I want more updates as well. :)

madmat

08-10-2007, 10:35 AM

What new color process? Powder coat?

Tech-Daddy

08-11-2007, 01:42 AM

Hehehehe... sorry guys. It is a simulated chrome finish that is painted on, and the guy that has the equipment is missing a specific chemical for the process. It is hung up in a shipment from Canada currently. I've also been trying to get something unique for the NV78 water blocks on the video cards, I have them ordered, just waiting for them to come in.

;)

I have been WAY busy with work the last few weeks, and this weekend, I am out of town in Arkansas... hopefully I will be able to throw down some progress this next week.... sorry for the delays guys!

Rob Williams

08-11-2007, 07:07 PM

Modding > Life

I kid! No worries man, take your time. It will be worth the wait, I'm sure.

Tech-Daddy

09-05-2007, 01:40 AM

Well... to take from a great historical reference....

"The tales of my demise are greatly exaggerated..."

;)

Sorry for the delay folks. It's been a rough few months. "RL" just does not want to mesh well with my computer modding! ;)

But... I have made progress, both directly and indirectly, on this mod.

1st... directly!

This will likely be the *only* time you will ever see what I am about to show you. I worked with Arctic Mods and DangerDen to have a part made that did not previously exist! ;) Originally I had ordered the acrylic tops, but in a different model, and was chagrinned by my stoopidity! Funny thing... Koosah acrylics did not fit my NV-78 blocks (hence why they are for sale in my For Sale forum!) So, after much gnashing of teeth, I contacted the two companies, and worked it out with them to create them out for the NV-78 SLI kit.... and voila'! You will notice that the only thing tipping you off that these acrylics are something different, are the blue edges. Normal acrylics are crystal clear. But in normal light, the edges give off a baby blue hue.

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/nv78_blue1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/nv78_blue2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/nv78_blue3.jpg

But put them under a black light, and the fun REALLY begins!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/nv78_blue4.jpg

Mind you... the black light is actually about 1.5 feet away, to give you and idea on perspective on how sensitive the acrylics are to UV light! 8O

Next up, the indirect benefit of the work "slow down".... ;)

Tech-Daddy

09-05-2007, 02:08 AM

I have been trying to work with another painter here in the Dallas area that could perform a specific type of painting. I will place one more call to them tomorrow, and I hope we can work something out... but I grow weary of the non returned phone calls. As such, the frame has just been a sticking point. I'm afraid to paint until I knew how the frame was going to turn out.

SO.... in response to the joker taking so long to work with me.... I took the time to ready my airbrushing system!
This was my old workhorse, heheheh!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp1.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp2.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp3.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp4.jpg

I put the splitting manifold in place for a 2nd air line that I plan on running to a reel that will be suspended from the middle of the garage ceiling. I will attach another hose on the manifold, route the tube neatly, then terminate it to a 50 foot hose on the reel. I'll run my air tools off of there (when I get them... and can locate the damned hose reel buried somewhere in my frikken garage!!! ;) )
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp5.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp6.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp7.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp8.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp9.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp10.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp11.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp12.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp13.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp14.jpg
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/garage/air_comp15.jpg

That all adds up to a 21 gal compressor with 2 moisture traps terminating to a 3 way manifold .

DarkSynergy

09-05-2007, 03:21 PM

Absolute sickness. Are you planning on building a small booth as well?

Tech-Daddy

09-05-2007, 05:51 PM

Absolute sickness. Are you planning on building a small booth as well?

Yep. I will have a track mounted curtain that *hopefully* will allow me to create a booth "as needed".... but I dont think I will need that right now. I close the garage door, it is just about as good! :D

Just on those hot days, it would be nice to open the door and move some air...

DarkSynergy

09-05-2007, 06:02 PM

Hell, you have it all right there in your garage. So when does mass production start?

Seriously, looking good so far. We all can't wait to see this project finished in it's entirety.

NicePants42

09-05-2007, 07:33 PM

SO.... in response to the joker taking so long to work with me.... I took the time to ready my airbrushing system!

That all adds up to a 21 gal compressor with 2 moisture traps terminating to a 3 way manifold .

Holy crap. Hang on while I go set up my 7-axis machining center, powder coat oven and continuous cast bar mill.

One thing on that blue UV plexi - the red UV plexi that I worked with a while ago tended to wash out when left in sunlight. I advise you to keep those blocks in the dark until you get them installed.

Tech-Daddy

09-05-2007, 11:34 PM

Holy crap. Hang on while I go set up my 7-axis machining center, powder coat oven and continuous cast bar mill.

One thing on that blue UV plexi - the red UV plexi that I worked with a while ago tended to wash out when left in sunlight. I advise you to keep those blocks in the dark until you get them installed.

Are you serious? :)

How big is your oven? That (powdercoating) is one of the next items that I am going to cram into the garage! ;) But I have to build a subpanel for that. At which time I will likely redo both panels Replacing my main box, and augmenting it with a sub panel exclusively for the garage.

And thanks for the tips on the acrylic. I am keeping them wrapped and boxed unti lI deploy them on the rig! ;)

Tech-Daddy

09-05-2007, 11:40 PM

Hell, you have it all right there in your garage. So when does mass production start?

Seriously, looking good so far. We all can't wait to see this project finished in it's entirety.

It is going to be fun! I've been out blowing paint trying to get my paint application style refined with my air guns. Getting better. Patience is the hard thing for me...

I might get a drying lamp if I can find one used. that would help... ;)

As for the "mass production", hehehe, nothing yet. I've always been one to fully commit to a plan of action, and this garage is result of probably 3-4 years of purchases. Some I had room for, some I bought for "when" I would have the room. That compressor I actually bought it over a year ago. It has sat, in it's box, for a year... waiting on a house for me to put it in! Insane... I know.

Don't hate me... just enjoy the fruits of my illness! :p

Rob Williams

09-06-2007, 04:49 PM

Chris1234567

09-11-2007, 12:41 AM

Wow that looks nice. It always amazes me what others can do, I could never find the motivation to tackle any of that.

Tech-Daddy

09-11-2007, 01:16 AM

Man... I am in awe of your setup. I would have no clue how to use any of it, but it looks great regardless! Seriously, great stuff. I also love those waterblocks... will they appear to glow like that once installed as well? Did it cost an arm and a leg to get that altered, or did they give you a discount ;-)

Keep it up man. I can't wait to see this one progress. The wait is worth it.

heheheeh, I'm still learning what a lot of it does! ;)
They will glow like that once installed, as I will have UV light sources energizing them! ;)

They cost me a little bit, but nothing major. Almost cost me a lot more, until I did a little reminding to them that I had previous experience with DD and some custom purchases from them in the past, so I knew how they worked.

Top people over there at DD to work with, as well as Arctic Mod (http://www.arcticmod.com/) for letting me do this little tweak! ;)

I'm headed out to do some sanding on the primer on the 2 case sides. It's too humid to paint. :(

Tech-Daddy

09-16-2007, 03:21 AM

Tech-Daddy

10-12-2007, 12:14 AM

Well... moving from the video, I'll post up pics of the forward movement, as well as a little bitch-fest I am going to go off on for a bit...

Panels are progressing nicely! Not the clossy mirror smooth finish I want, but that will be after I clear it a few times... WOO HOO!!

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panel1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panel2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panel3.jpg

the ripples will go away after I clear and sand it.

Now... I Have been trying for the last 2 MONTHS to get my frame parts to a specialized painter in the Dallas area. I am not going to even do them justice by posting up their lame ass site, or their lame ass business name. Just suffice it to say that if you are in the Dallas area, and you start talking to Phil from the Colony, hang up and walk away. You will save yourself a buttload of misery. This job is not hard. Ive already done a ton of work to make it easy. But, I guess there just was not enough $$$ at the end of this rainbow. Bunghole stopped returning my calls. Kept trying to reach him to setup a meeting where he would just *look* at my frame pieces.... never even got that far. emails unanswered, phone calls unanswered.... very unprofessional. Phil, I hope I catch your paint equipment on liquidation, because there is *NO* way you can run a business and stay in business operating like that. VERY un-professional. I could have sent a ton of advertisement your way. Possible new avenues of income... but you had to screw it up, and throw off my build. Fine.....

So, I started looking for other options, but everywhere I went, the costs were more than I was wanting to bear, and the finish was "a special order" or something like that. Essentially, I came to the realization that "it's up to me"... so, I took a few days off earlier this week (Mon/Tues) and drove to talk to a my last few possibilities. That drive it home for me, and I went to work on the frame on Tuesday afternoon/night. Popped the remaining rivets, and decided on how I wanted to do my frame.

I shot a test piece just to see how the colors would lay after multiple color coats and a couple of clear coats.

Please pay no mind to the specs of dust on the top, this was a POC piece to see how the colors would work... I liked... it is a metalflake/sparkle base, with a tranparent top color coat. Duplicolor Metalcast. I shot this stuff on blingGreen, but the frame was not disassmbled, and it was one coat of green. I've learned a bit since then, so I'm trying to make this one a bit more durable and glossy...

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue3.jpg

That lat pic kinda captures the sparkle below the paint... looks mighty fine... :mrgreen:

So I finish popping the rivets out of my frame:

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame3.jpg

String them up like they are in a meat market... hehehe... "Now serving number 2!" LOL!

Hit them with self etching primer:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame4.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame5.jpg

Then the Metalcast flake basecoat:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame6.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame7.jpg
You can see a bit of the shimmer of hte silver in that last shot...

And started mowing through the frame pieces with my cans of blue Duplicolor Metalcast (love this stuff!):

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue4.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue5.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue6.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/blue7.jpg

I ran out of paint... but I can buy more, and recoat in a few days after this has cured. After I get a few more color coats on these parts, they will get clear coats. Prolly 3-4 coats. I really like how the little drive cage came out, and hopefully I can produce a whole case like that. I am also contemplating putting some designs on the frame to make the paint job a bit more than just a color job. ;) Stay tuned on that.

Also, I worked out a problem that was with my beautiful NV78's. The water block acrylics were accidentally cut to duplicate. When you are running a SLI setup, and passing the water between the two cards, you need to have alternating inlets to accomidate the pass-between barbs. I worked with Danger Den (class act that company, they made a fan out of me!) to get another acrylic top cut out. It is now installed, and leak tested. All good.

That said, I have a space NV78 UV blue acrylic top if anyone has an NV78 water block and are looking for a way to spruce it up! ;)

More as I craft. Sorry for the pause in updates. I had hoped to come in with a screaming "bang" if I could have had the frame painted how I wanted... but now... well, it's time for plan B, no... Plan C... nope.... D! Yep! Plan D!

Chin up! Let the jouney begin, cuz it is about to get hectic!

Rob Williams

10-12-2007, 03:37 AM

Haha, cool video man. That sucks about the paint though... I don't think I'd keep patience long after that, heh. Glad to know the project is progressing well though, can't wait to see more. That blue paint kicks ass!

Tech-Daddy

10-17-2007, 02:24 AM

Ordered my acrylics that I will be using on Deuce... should be cool! ;) It will definitely be different
Having a hard time visualizing my tubing, and hopefully the humidity will relent enough later this week for me to finish painting my frame and get it back together!

I found a Chameleon light set while cleaning up the garage.... looking for a way to integrate it... we'll see...
;)

Tech-Daddy

10-24-2007, 01:09 AM

Any of you seen the movie, "Twister"? Yeah, this next set of pics reminded me of the Aunt's house that had all of the metal sculpture in her yard... hehehehe

We had some beautiful weather and I used that time to put the Metalcast parts outside to cure. Yummy...

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_twister3.jpg

You can make out the metal flake effect in these shots. No, that is not dust! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_twister5.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_twister10.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_twister6.jpg

After they cured, I took them down, into the garage, and used a hydraulic rivet gun. If you have a good compressor, and you pull things apart all the time... find one of these tools. It will save you immense headaches from when you scratch your paint using a manual squeeze rivet gun... never again. This was SO, SO much easier...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_assembly3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_assembly1.jpg

The frame is now assembled and looking good!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/frame_assembly13.jpg

This will be one of my secrets. Here is my acrylic for the mod. I'm thinking that the way I am going to mount the upper rad is going to be very unique, assuming that I get it right. :)

But, I dont wanna say too much and jinx it, but I will say that the acrylic is going to be BEAUTIFUL if I get this right...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic.jpg

More as I go. Updates are really going to start flowing over the next few days...
:)

MakubeX

10-24-2007, 01:32 AM

Looking extremely sweet! Can't wait to see some more! :cool:

Rob Williams

10-25-2007, 11:09 PM

Man... I am loving the color of that chassis the more I look at it. Did you happen to notice the looks on people's faces as they past your house seeing all that hanging out? ;-)

madstork91

10-26-2007, 03:38 AM

one day I will buy a case off of you ;)

sbrehm72255

10-26-2007, 10:53 AM

Awsome work as always.......;) . But then again we've grown to expect nothing less from you Tech...............:)

Tech-Daddy

10-26-2007, 02:20 PM

You guys rock... :)

Rob... I did have a few odd/nervous glances from my neighbor... but he recognized what I was doing after a bit. ;)

He knows I'm a computer nut... I fixed their home PC a few weeks back and he's all sorts of happy now.
:)

Tech-Daddy

10-28-2007, 04:24 AM

So... lots of work done today...

Did a lot of cleaning up on my top cut. It was while I was working on that piece, that the realization hit me... I'm still missing my power button frame!!! A bit of quick engineering, and the blessings from my dearly departed father in law, and the inspiration hit me... I was given a lot of his tools from his shop, (to which I am forever grateful, Herman. May my work be inspired by your spirit, I miss you bud.) and I remembered that the power switch in question had a 3/4" hole requirement. Herman had given me several chassis punches, and I looked through them, and lo and behold... I had a 3/4" one! So, figured out where I wanted the switch to reside, popped it with a center punch a few times, and drilled the center hole. Then, placing the punch pieces on the hole, I wrenched them through. How on EARTH did I do this before... wow!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top4.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top5.jpg

The results speak for themselves. no edges to file either!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top6.jpg

Start priming it and getting it ready for color:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top7.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top8.jpg

First of several color coats:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/top9.jpg

I also painted the inside of the bottom panel of hte computer. I have been debating back and forth these last few weeks on how I was going to paint it. I then decided that it would make a nice contrast to the blue frame, I'm hoping I am right. ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bottom2.jpg

This is a flexible color lighting system that I will be integrating adjustable pots to control the flow to Reg, Green, and Blue. There are 4 LED cannons, and each cannon has the RGB leds inside them. A twist of the dials will allow me to create any color ambient light I want out of the guns! I have my primary lighting color scheme already worked out, but these, I think, will ad some nice accenting
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham4.jpg

The front bay adapter had to be changed to black to fit the color scheme of the computer"
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/cham5.jpg

This is just me being happy. The side panel... has not been clear coated, and has not been buffed with polishing compound. No wax... polish... nothing. It just looks that good... :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/side1.jpg

Now, tonight, I used my striping tape and my auto mask, and created a paint mask for me to paint my panels with. Remember, they will be black on top, green flame stripe separating, and blue in the base. I plan on burying some graphics in the flame job, as well as in the blue... so be on the lookout! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/side_taped.jpg

More tomorrow!

Tech-Daddy

10-28-2007, 09:40 PM

Work today was on the bottom "blue" section of the panels...

Metalcast base coat i nthe appropriate sections.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame2.jpg

I then started applying a background pattern of what I hoped would be a random background pattern of flames...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame4.jpg

Over the tope of it with Metalcast blue
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame5.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame6.jpg

After 4 coats, starting to come together
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame7.jpg

I had layered the designs, starting with a pearl blue flame, then a white flame, then a set of black flames. The blue I wanted to come out as a set of Ghost flames, as the Metalcast blue would disguise the base blue flames... or at least I had hoped.

As it turns out, it came out better than I planned, as the blue flames appear/disappear depending on where you are in relation to the panel... it is a really sweet effect.

NicePants42

10-28-2007, 10:04 PM

I wish I could see that paint in person - it looks absolutely SICK. Fantastic work!

moon111

10-28-2007, 10:33 PM

I just might have to steal from this thread. Love it. Of course that is the most sincere form of flattery. :)

Tech-Daddy

10-28-2007, 11:24 PM

*happy dance*
;)

Thanks guys. I was explaining on another forum, that I am too close to this work, and I see what I don't like... I learned a lot on this design...

the upcoming green stripe may be yet another exercise for me trying something new and different... we'll see. Each time I pick up my air brush, I get a little more confident.

;)

MakubeX

10-28-2007, 11:58 PM

Wow Tech-Daddy, that paint job is wicked! Nice skills!

sbrehm72255

10-29-2007, 01:03 AM

I be loving your paint skills......;) GREAT work.

Tech-Daddy

10-29-2007, 10:03 PM

Thank guys... pulled the masking this morning (should have pulled it last night... live and learn)

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame8.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame9.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/panelflame10.jpg

Have some wetsanding to do to knock the edge down a bit, and prep for the next "stripe". I'll likely put these outside to cure a bit.

On a seperate note... we all start somewhere...
And I wnat to learn how to do True Fire.

I have never done this folks, never. I have a DVD and a set of templates to help guide me... but my airbrush's paint valve kept staying open, so I was having lots of difficulty tapering my ends. Would release the paint and carry through my air and my motion, but the paint spring just kept pushing paint... then it would click shut... very frustrating.

After about the 4th or 5th mistake, I kinda ran with it... then I started nesting other template designs into it, so see how they would look when sprayed. So, this is like a proof of concept... pre-ALPHA! LOL!!

ANYWAY... not expecting to set the world on fire (*giggle*) but I figured you would like to see what an uber noob does with a finiky airbrush in his free time!

Started out with just a panel from a dead case. Did not sand it smooth, just laid a coat of black over it to give a good, dark back canvas.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/1stFlames.jpg

Early stage:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/1stFlames2.jpg

Then I cleared it after a few more color swaps here. Now I know why pros have multiple airbrushes! Color shanges are very time consuming when you only have one airbrush!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/1stFlames3.jpg

Be gentile.... ;)

Tech-Daddy

10-30-2007, 02:00 AM

I am a quite a bit upset at myself right now. I was test mounting my 120mm rad setup on the Swiftech "RadBox" that I bought to help with the external mounting. Well... one screw was too long. and it punctured my 120mm rad. the build continues.... and now my search is on to repair this rad.

My problem is that the hole is directly under the screw thread shroud. And the leak is a doozie. I just pushed water though the rad "beer bong" style...

a steady flow.

I'm quite pissed @ Swiftech right now, but I'm even more pissed at myself. I felt the tension on the screw, and told myself, "back it out. that one was odd"... but I did not...

drip... drip....

likely going to be either some metal epoxy or JB Weld... *IF* I can get it down there in between the fins.

frikken lovely....

sbrehm72255

10-30-2007, 11:29 AM

That totally sucks...........:( . And radiators are a complete pain in the butt to repair correctly. The best solution would be to try and solder the thing, but in the place where the leak is, that's darn near impossible.

Remember to be extremely careful when mixing components between vendors, the screws that came with the radbox were/are designed to go with Swiftech radiators and their mounting backing is a bit different than HW Labs and others. That's why I always tripple check radiator mounting screws and cut them down as short as possibe so as to avoid this sort for problem.

Tech-Daddy

10-30-2007, 03:02 PM

3 of the 4 screws worked flawlessly. I just missed the fact that it was a hair longer than the other 3. I just missed it.... but it was the ONLY screw in there that was that length.

:(

It's my own fault, I know it. Just sucks. Let your guard down for a split second and piss away $50.

NicePants42

10-30-2007, 04:14 PM

Let your guard down for a split second and piss away $50.Look on the bright side - at least it wasn't a Thermochill radiator. :) Good luck fixing it.

Tech-Daddy

10-30-2007, 08:30 PM

True that!
;)

I pulled out the the trusty rivet gun, and put the base back on this beast! This will allow me to better work on the tubing and routing... I also got tired of seeing it hanging in the garage! ;) Using some of the bitchen case feet from mnpctech, I think that says, "dont mess with me", even with NUTHIN in the chassis! Dontcha think? ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/chassis1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/chassis2.jpg

I also had a brainstorm of an idea with the front bezel. Let's tear them down and have some fun... shall we?
Front of the undoctered unit:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel1.jpg

Back of it, showing the tabs that must released to get the metal grill out:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel2.jpg

Strip out the steel meshm and get to work! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel3.jpg

base coat + blue and white flames:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel4.jpg

Wonder what I've been doing this all with? ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel5.jpg

Metalcast blue:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel6.jpg

Final result! I'd say that sets off the front nicely.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bezel7.jpg

I need to get some lighting that will illuminate the front bezels, otherwise the flames are lost in the dark...

Also, during this moment, I found a way to do some flame work in a similar fashion, but that will give a really sweet effect! Going to need an extra set of hands though to make it happen. Wifey has already volunteered. *yay!*

Also, my fans and my replacement rad should be here tomorrow!

*double yay!*

sbrehm72255

10-30-2007, 11:40 PM

That looks just too cool.........;) Well done..............:)

Tech-Daddy

11-03-2007, 02:30 AM

I agree bro! ;)

I started working on the back end of the mod, and was thinking that the fan situation that I have in mind was going to be a bit cluttered. I did not like that thought at all. I planned on having a white LED fan on the inside of the case acting as exhaust, that would then be screwed to an external radbox, that would then have another fan and the external 120mm radiator. The radbox and fan buy me a little space to display some tubing and such, but having 2 fans back in the rear... how would I power 2 of them without having a mess of cabling?

If you remember, *waaayyyy* back in the build on BOSS, there was a power supply mod that I did not incorporate, it used the twist on "CB Radio" type connectors now being seen on some power supplies. Well... I still had those connectors, so my plan was to run a 2 wire (12v and ground) independent to that section of the case. soldering the 12v and ground into the legs of the connector receptacle, I then soldered another set of short legs off of the solder point, and heat shrinked the joint. I then took those 12v and ground legs and soldered them onto the fan power and ground lines, and covered those joints with black heat shrink.

This effectively minimized the 8 inches of fan cord to less than an inch. If I Have to replace this fan... it will be a bear! ;)

The external fan will have a cable treatment performed to it that will mate it to the male end of the joint/plug, being sure to keep 12v and ground properly designated, and will plug into the other side of what you see in the below picture.

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/backpanel1.jpg

Going to Home Depot tomorrow, then maybe a bike shop or an auto shop... looking for some small diameter steel tubing

Tech-Daddy

11-19-2007, 09:27 PM

Here is a little Turkey day post of the work I have done over the past week or so....

My goal is to have the power cabling for the rear fans stealthed except for the area where the wires feed into the fans. now. Knowing that I was going to have a 120mm rad on the back, and I wanted to have an exhaust fan inside the case (components will still need airflow!), I opted to put a Swiftech rad box up between the exhaust area and the fan for the rad. This will help to break up the airflow coming out from the case, and the radbox gives the rad fan about an inch of intake space to grab it's cool air from. Powering 2 fans from an internal/external location was going to be a bit of a challenge, and I came up with the idea of just having both fans share the same 12v run. As such I put in a passthrough port, attached the + and - onto the supply side of the passthrough, and then built a cable to the external most fan on the rad using the female of the connector. Initially, I was using 1 inch aluminum spacers, but thought they looked a bit too tall, so I dropped them to 1/2 inch ones, and thought that they looked much batter. I have to grind out a litle on the Radbox in the space in front of the case holes for the hoses, else I have a bit of a creasing of the hose as they pass by the sharp edge of the radbox. Enough talking... Here are the results:

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan1.jpg
Backside of the connector with the split for the fan on this side, as well as the feed for the other side.

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan2.jpg
Alum standoffs @ 1 inch... a bit to tall for my liking, so I bought some shorter ones.

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan3.jpg
This shows the power line coming off the fan going past the external connector...

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan4.jpg
Shorter assembly height, and a shorter fan power cable, looks much better!

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan5.jpg
Closeup of the rear cable assembly.

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/back_fan6.jpg
How it looks from the top. You can see the barb location as well as the holes where the tubing will come through.

Tech-Daddy

01-07-2008, 02:49 AM

Well... hello everyone!
Due to the holidays, "real life" took a serious stick to my free time. Work has been an absolute leech, and then you have the holidays between my last post and this post. It's been tough, and I am *very* sorry for not having the time or the energy over the last 1.5 months. That kind of a gap in a log is not very professional, and I apologize to anyone who has been thinking I fell off the earth....

All that said, I've got an update!
WOOT!
;)

I was able to grab some time this last weekend and make more progress. I call this update:
"WTF are you building??!?"

So grab some popcorn and have some fun! Here we go!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff1.jpg
2 screws, a threaded standoff and a double coax staple... huh?
...

stick with me folks, I'm kinda proud this!

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff2.jpg
The staple come with a nail in the plastic housing... that gets yanked

Then I put the plastic piece in a vice and using a manual hand drill I bore the hole out that the nail was passed through:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff4.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff5.jpg

Then, to get one of the longer screws through the plastic, I very carefully hit the hole with a 1/4" bit in a power drill and dig out a recession of the screw head to sit in, and that also gives a bit more thread exposed on the bottom end:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff6.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff7.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff8.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff9.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff10.jpg

Then I screw on the threaded standoff:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff11.jpg

And we have a finished... something! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff12.jpg

But wait...wait... "Tech-Daddy, there were 2 screws in the picture? Where does the other one go?"
Glad you asked! I take those and screw them through the frame of the back panel of the computer chassis:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff13.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff14.jpg

Then I screw in the other end of the threaded standoff to the exposed threads of the screw I just put in place:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff15.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff16.jpg

Kinda neat... but looks lonely:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff17.jpg
That's better... but what are they for? Well... remember that fan junction that I built that ties the internal and external fans together? Well... I still need to get 12v and ground to that location... and anyone who knows me knows that the cables will not simply "fly" across the case. So, I take the cables, and where they will be seen, I make them appealing. I'm actually running a single cable inside each tube:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff18.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff19.jpg

I like how that looks! I run the lines up to the structural cross bar that spans the entire side of the case, and I run my 12v and ground lines inside that piece of steel. Once it gets to the front of the case, they drop out and begin their trek down the 5.25 bay area. So I clad those lines in tubing again and built 2 more standoffs and attached them to 2 holes in bays that I will not be using:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff20.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff21.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff22.jpg

There you go! Tastefully done power, front to back, and you will only see what I want you to see of it!

Tech-Daddy

01-07-2008, 02:50 AM

As for the 3 hard drive bays that are inserted in the bottom of the case in that cage adaptor thingy, it has a spot for a 120mm fan on the front of it, and I am going to use it. But, unlike the fans elsewhere in the case, I dont want to put a lit LED fan there, as the back light will screw up the front mesh panel flame effect, so I instead went for a nice and quiet black fan. I knew that the cabling was never going to be seen, so I did not sleeve it... but I did blast it several times with vinyl dye then attach it to an electric screw driver and twist it, then touch it up with the vinyl dye. I like that look a lot better... :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff23.jpg

I also put on foam, noise isolating, neoprene insulators to each screw contact point:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff24.jpg

Mounted it up:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff25.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff26.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/line_standoff27.jpg

The res's may be relocated. This was just an idea I was bantering around.

I've also started experimenting with different types of lighting, these are what some vendors call pirahanna lights:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pirahanna_lights.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pirahanna_lights2.jpg

Neat thing about these lights is that they run off of 12v DC, and can be cut into blocks of 3. No resistors needed. Put a bit of double stick tape on these and put them where you want! these are stiff PCB material so they are not really flexible... but I'm going to be trying some other possible items later on...

And... OMG! I need to clean up my make shift router table... what on earth could I be working on that would create a mess like this?!!?
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/router.jpg

Well... you are going to have to wait! I have more tools on order to hopefully bail me out of the jam that I have created. More on the results of this mess later! ;)

So, there you have it... more later on as I get to it!
-=TD

NicePants42

01-07-2008, 01:23 PM

Nice work with the power cabling! Slick move with the crossbar. Are you going to leave the sleeving black?

Tech-Daddy

01-07-2008, 02:16 PM

Contemplating that... I think I will... but I might have another trick up my sleeve on those cables... just thought of it!

Will need to try a proof of concept to see if it is viable...
:)

Merlin

01-07-2008, 07:13 PM

Tech-Daddy

01-26-2008, 12:32 AM

Merlin... I need to shoot some new pics of the extended airbrush setup I just picked up! ;)

I have *finally* come to the decision that I made that mess of blue acrylic... and I will have nothing to show for it. :(

So, I sat down for a few hours and taught myself some stuff in photoshop, and Corel Draw...

And came up with a file that I can use to cut what I was trying like hell to create manually (without much success mind you!)

I'm going to show you guys here what I'm up to... and *hopefully* in a week or two, I'll have the acrylic cut, shaped and looking like I hope it will. My main concern is going to be strength, and will the thin spots hold up.... I dunno. I've never done this before! ;) Matter of fact, I don't think anyone has done this before... so, there may be a reason this has "not been done before"... :)

So... keeping in mind that this is going to be cut through 1/4" transparent blue acrylic...

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand_proto.jpg

The rad will be supported by 4 legs, one for each corner. My plan is to have the rad further back on the top of the case, and the front legs actually at an angle progressing from the leading edge of the top, up and back to the rad.

Most all of the flames will be heated and bent.

The long side between the front and back legs will be bent down to the side and bottom edge of the long side of the 240 rad these will adorn. Those flames will actually wrap under the rad and lick around the fans on the underside, providing a set of supports for the rad to rest in. The ends will be heated to fold down and encapsulate the rad.

There will be no screws holding this together, the rad will be completely wrapped in acrylic flames and held in by the heating and bending of the flames to make them hold the rad in place.... that is my plan at least!

The legs will wrap through the hole I cut in the top, and then bend into a bracket that I am in the process of designing. I am hoping to keep this whole attachment mechanism screwless and clean.

There are plans to light this thing with LED's, but due to the density of the material, I've been having a bit of an issue getting good results illuminating the material... but if I can get the edges polished properly, then the light will hopefully flow from the edges....

but this is what I have been working on, and I think I am really, close to having 1 or 2 to prototype with and see if it will work!

Wish me luck! I've also got my sons pinewood derby happening tomorrow, and I need to wrap up on the weights in that car tomorrow... WHEEEEE!!! Lots of garage time over the past few weeks! And I've almost got something to show for it!

Hold on just a bit longer guys!

Merlin

01-26-2008, 12:45 AM

Awwwwww I liked that metal blue that you painted.
Man, you spent a lot of time getting it right and it looks great.

Merlin

Merlin

01-26-2008, 12:53 AM

And came up with a file that I can use to cut what I was trying like hell to create manually (without much success mind you!)

quote
; So... keeping in mind that this is going to be cut through 1/4" transparent blue acrylic...

Looks like a hot wire cutter would do the trick.
I have one to cut my stencils in lexan and acrylic.
lemme see if I can find the link.

http://www.internethobbies.com/woodscensubh1.html

not a bad price for 23 bucks.

got mine at hobbytown USA
http://www.hobbytown.com/

If you go slow you can cut some really fine cuts.
And to get the ends to glow with a light, heat flame the edges.

looks like a great template there of flames

Merlin

Tech-Daddy

02-04-2008, 01:21 AM

First time in a long time that a weekend has rolled around that was not :
1) Too cold to paint
2) Too humid to paint
3) Too busy with family
4) Too busy with work

Well... those things were not in the works on Sunday! Yay!

Got some time to go clean my neglected airbrush and try to fix it... and got it working much better! I still have a minor hanging issue with it... but it will get better and I continue to work on it.

So, after cleaning, I sprayed black over the 1st set of flames that I experimented with, and tried v2.

Came up with this:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flames_2ndTry.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flames_2ndTry_b.jpg

Not bad, for my second time *ever* working on laying out flames freehand. I learned a lot. And will apply it to the next panel I experiment with. Hopefully I'll get back out there in the garage this week, and spray some more while the knowledge is fresh in my head.

I know it aint pro... it was more a concept for color and application. Was not intended to be smooth, as the layer I painted over on the bottom was not smooth, and I got some stuff on my french curcves that attached itself to the surface of the panel... no biggie.

But these pics have 2 layers of clear to allow me to see what paint would show after the CC process....

Merlin

02-04-2008, 07:19 AM

I know what you mean about the weather, seems either too cold or ect. ect.
Nice green flames, even looks 3D in aspect.
I want to do a few more true fire then to blue flames then green flames.
I even have an idea for a small graphic for the car.

Merlin

Rob Williams

02-04-2008, 04:40 PM

Looking great TD! Are those flames going to remain the same color on the final product? I like the fact that you are experimenting with the color and not going down the same road so many have with generic coloring.

DarkSynergy

02-04-2008, 05:25 PM

Looking sick so far.

Tech-Daddy

02-04-2008, 10:01 PM

Thanks guys!

Looking great TD! Are those flames going to remain the same color on the final product? I like the fact that you are experimenting with the color and not going down the same road so many have with generic coloring.

The flames will be green, but I am going to try and work in the purple color I was going to use for the accent pin stripe, but instead use it to accent the flames. The purple was supposed to be much deeper, but I botched the mix ratio with the transparent base that the candy called for... so it came out light and runny.

The purple accents will be much deeper, and I am going to try and incorporate more shades of green in the final build of the fire. some brighter green accents, possibly some yellow green blends...

I've still got a couple design ideas for layouts that I am going to experiment with, so... stay tuned!

If I have time, and the humidity is not too high... I may step out tonight and paint 2 panels black in preparation for my next experiments. That'll help me get the lead out on my painting and practice, practice, practice!!

DriftingJoint

02-04-2008, 11:33 PM

I just discovered this gem of a website, and I must say you are all very dedicated.

And this looks like it will be sick, the colors etc are so awesome. Really must take alot of time and effort to do this man, my hat is off to you and everyone else who takes part in this kind of activity.

Seriously, good job man. I can't wait to see the finished product.

NicePants42

02-06-2008, 01:11 PM

I like the paint, TechDaddy! At this point they don't really look like fire, they look round and bubbly, like some kind of gelatenous webbing, almost. It's the wettest looking fire I've ever seen, which I think is perfect.

Of course, you'll probably sharpen everything up with accents and eliminate the liquidy feel - but if it were me, I'd give it a second thought.

Tech-Daddy

02-06-2008, 05:36 PM

That's good to know NicePants! Thank you!
:D

Tech-Daddy

02-10-2008, 11:19 PM

Well.... beautiful weather... combined with some time in the garage... equals....

3rd attempt.

I'm starting to plan out how the flames will be on the panel, so I was simulating the curve of the blue graphic...

here is what I plopped down tonight.

I think I figured out what I was doing wrong from the previous 2, and made this one better, but I just thought of something that I did that caused a lot of my overspray, and I'm going to go out and rectify that tonight. Might be a v4 if I can get my equipment cleaned up and re-racked for the 4th attempt.
:)

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3b.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3c.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev3d.jpg

Getting closer!
;)

More later!

Merlin

02-10-2008, 11:27 PM

Looking good Bud......and I see you also use AutoAir paint.
I was going to try to use House Of Kolor, till I saw the price tag.

Merlin

Tech-Daddy

02-11-2008, 02:02 AM

'Zactly...

I'll *learn* on Auto Air, thankyouverymuch!
;)

DriftingJoint

02-12-2008, 01:42 AM

Looks sick for sure, you deffinately take pride in your work don't you mate?

Tech-Daddy

02-21-2008, 12:31 AM

Absolutely DJ! I cant build normal computers. I Have one in my house, and it's like a splinter in my brain.... it will get modded... oh yes, it will! ;)

Took a couple of days off at the beginning of the week for my daughter's birthday, and had some spare time.... so I whipped out another panel.

Different colors, this one was more teal than green.

I like the design, not a big fan of the color. My wife likes both the color and the design.
;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev4.jpg

Tech-Daddy

03-03-2008, 01:29 AM

Good evening everyone... just got myself settled after a weekend meeting with the AustinModders (www.austinmodders.com), great to see all you guys again!

While down there, one of the big pieces of this mod came to me.... to say that I am happy would be a severe understatement!

This is 1/4" transparent blue acrylic... that I had lasered to be the rad stand.
This shot is simply to give you a little depth on the color... it really is striking!

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand0a.jpg
These are pieces that were the centers of flame licks.

The whole cut:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand0.jpg

And several more shots after I got home:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand4.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand5.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand6.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand7.jpg

I have 98% of these flames cut. Due to the thickness of the material, and the density, some of the laser cuts did not make it all the way through. They are only a few places, but due to the delicate and intricate nature of this cut, it is absolutely essential that I have all of the cuts completed and not hanging as I pull the negative parts of the cut out. I have a plan where I will use an intricate engraver bit on my flexi-shaft Craftsman rotary tool, and use that to complete the cut from the back side of the piece. That way, if I do have a minor scratch, it will not be on the surface of the acrylic.

I have to take this moment to publically thank the person who cut this for me. A good friend that chooses to remain confidential, but they spent almost a full 10 hours cutting this. Only after the cutting had started, did we realize that the density of the material combined with the power of the laser... was going to lead to a Looooong manufacture time. *tips hat* Those that know this person, please quietly nod your head, but do not give his identity away.

After I get both frames removed, my next "impossible* task is to get it bent to the form I want without damaging it... ;) something that many are skeptical I can do! Might even be "crazy" for trying... but that is what I am. I have 2 of these to try and make work. if they do not work, then I have to find another way to execute the vision! ;) Wish me luck!

I'll post up pics of the rad stands after I have them removed.
:D

Rob Williams

03-03-2008, 01:59 AM

Damn, man. I cannot wait to see that paper removed! Kudos to the nameless friend who helped out there... that seems like a seriously tedious job, but the results look extremely solid.

Tech-Daddy

03-10-2008, 12:13 AM

Thanks Rob! Neither can I! I'll remove it after Iheat form it to the shape I am aiming for...

*finally* had both time and weather!

Acrylic is not something I like to muck with when it is pretty cold... I feel like it makes it more brittle. Might be just me, but if I am going to be working with my only 2 copies of my rad stand, I'm taking every precaution, real or likewise... that could make the flames unexpectedly snap....

Well, this last week was busy, then I got clipped with a cold, and that yanked the batteries for about 3 days. Feeling a bit better, the weather warmed up... so I put in a few hours in the garage!

Using a combination of bits, I slowly and carefully worked my way around the acrylic, sometimes using a fine tipped engraving bit, other times using a reinforced wheel... and I started making progress"
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand8.jpg

I had to put a light underneath the acrylic to make out the cuts that were completely through, and then focus on the areas that were still hung.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand9.jpg

Some of the chunks coming off...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand10.jpg

Here you can see how I was using the light to path the cuts:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand11.jpg

Ohhhhh daaaaamn.... almost there!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand12.jpg

3 hours later, the 1st one if free!!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand13.jpg

No broken flames, everything successfully released! I have a bit of careful filing and some polishing to do, but otherwise... HELL YEAH!!!!!

now.. add into this wonderful weekend of success, my wife opted to give me my birthday presents early (Later this month on the 21st) and she landed a 22" wide screen LCD on my lap today! Also got me an MP3 player so that I can listen to tunez while I work out! (I have *got* to get into better shape!)

So.... I'm ecstatic this weekend!

sbrehm72255

03-10-2008, 01:18 AM

Fantastic work, I don't know how you manage to keep it from breaking into a thousand little pieces................;)

Merlin

03-10-2008, 07:42 AM

Looking good..............

And this part is what? The stand?

Merlin

Tech-Daddy

03-10-2008, 01:06 PM

Yep... for all of it's thin pieces, it is pretty durable. This will be heated and bent into a wrapping/encompassing radiator stand for the top of the build.

Merlin

03-10-2008, 07:46 PM

Yep... for all of it's thin pieces, it is pretty durable. This will be heated and bent into a wrapping/encompassing radiator stand for the top of the build.
Oh....Okay, I can see that

We are waiting to see the final mod

Tech-Daddy

03-22-2008, 03:08 AM

Took the day off from work today to celebrate the ol B-Day, and what better way, than to move ahead on the mod! ;)
First thing up is that in order for me to get most of these bends proper, I build a wooden jig that I could heat the acrylic up on and not worry about damaginf the joints in the rad. Last thing I wanted to do was do something that caused joints in the rad to unsweat...

1st pic is the acrylic laying ontop of my wooden rad/bending jig:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand14.jpg

Started heating the corners and applying even pressure to the side:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand15.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand16.jpg

Eyeballing the other side.....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand17.jpg

And my first 4 bends are completed! YAY!!!! (wipes sweat)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand18.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand19.jpg

Tomorrow, I'll try to get the rad into the acrylic and see how sturdy this is, and what I need to do to get it mounted into the roof section. I've got a plan, I just have to see if it will work! ;)

I've still gotta finish the bends to see how well it attaches to the top of the case... I may end up having to remake this acrylic to a different dimension. If I have to do it again, then you can count on the fact that I will use a local water jetter to cut this (same person that did DST). Or else I will have to source a larger wattage laser cutter. I already have the sheet of acrylic ready if this does not turn out well, but I'm going to do my very best to make this work! I am certailin not going to waste all the effort that my friend put into cutting this!

Damn, I'm happy to have finally bent this stuff!

Oh yeah, and to pinpoint the heat, I used a propane torch. My heat gun was too broad. I needed pinpoint heat application to make sure I did not have unnecessary bowing and shift in the acrylic.

Tech-Daddy

03-23-2008, 07:12 PM

I did some interpretive "test mounting" today to see how the frame responded.

Not even really a test fit, just an estimation of "where everything is going to go..."

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand20.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand21.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand22.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/rad_stand23.jpg

The rad will be sitting lower than this in order for the legs to have enough material to be integrated into the top of the case roof.

What I have come up with is that my initial thoughts of having the rad unit structurally supported from wrap under flame licks to the mid section and some encompassing end wraps to hold its front and back... is not going to work. I'll need to integrate the load bearing into each of the 4 "legs", which is likely to mean I'm going to fabricate some sort of support mechanism for the top and bottom of the rad and find a way to tie it into the legs.

When I rested the rad on top of the frame, it was easily supported, When I started suspending the unit the way I was planning on tying it all together, the little simulations had a lot of frame flex. So, I will find a way to tie in my support to the four corners. I've already got an idea... we'll see what happens!

Merlin

03-23-2008, 07:39 PM

Tech-Daddy

03-23-2008, 07:50 PM

Ahhhhhhhhh I was waiting to see how it would look....And it's looken good.

as far as mounting to the rads, maybe a small piece of acrylic going from one leg to another, glued some way, then fasten, you could always unfasten and slide the rad out later if needed.

just a thought....You're doing great...
I hope to see this one in the mod contest as well.

:techgage::techgage: Merlin :techgage::techgage:

You and I are on the same page... I am actually thinking about a piece of blue acrylic that has holes cut in it for the barbs then heated to wrap up the sides and be glued using the weld-on acrylic glue. That stuff actually breaks up the chemical matrix of the acrylic on both sides, then as it "dries", the acrylic forms a solid bond of acrylic through the joint. Almost like a chemical weld.

And, "Oh Hell Yeah!", this thing will be in the ModShop! ;)

sbrehm72255

03-23-2008, 08:31 PM

That turned out really nice, great idea and workmanship............;)

Rob Williams

03-24-2008, 12:33 AM

Wow man, that is looking awesome, seriously. Talk about a tedious job!

Tech-Daddy

05-01-2008, 02:31 PM

Good afternoon everyone! Midways through my vacation between jobs, I've gotten a lot done! Between prototypes and paint decisions, I'm feeling very good!

Reservoir brackets are prototyped. I used paper to get my measurements down. I wanted on solid piece of acrylic and, if my plans go accordingly, it will use 3 bends per end to make the reservoir brackets. There will be a few more alterations to the presentation, but they will eventually be screwed into the sides of the 5.25" bay area.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_bracket.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_bracket2.jpg

My 5th, and final flame test. "Keep it Simple"... and I like it the most! Color is spot on!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5a.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5b.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5c.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5d.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5e.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5f.jpg

I was looping a flame strand under another lick, and I tried this... I got it 50% right! ;) I know what I did wrong and will correct it when I apply this same painting technique to the side panels!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5g_scar.jpg

Learned that I was pushing too hard on the blade when weeding my graphics of the excess tape... note to self, "GO EASY!"
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5h_scar.jpg

Also, I am not giving up on the "true fire" style of painting, it's just taking a bit more practice than I was anticipating... but practice is good!
;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flame_practice.jpg

Tech-Daddy

05-02-2008, 06:43 PM

Recognize these panels? ;)

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flame6.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flame6a.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flame6b.jpg

They are next on the spraying block... Stay tuned!
:)

Tech-Daddy

05-04-2008, 03:18 PM

Ok, first round of painting is done. I have a bit of cleanup to do around the panel where some of the tape let a bit through, but for the initial application, it looks good!

I have some airbrushing that I need to do as well as some *gulp* pin striping if I can pull it off! (have those other panels to practice on). The striping will be on the outer edge of the green flame work. But the process is committed to the panels now! :)

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5i.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5j.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/flamev5k.jpg

Tech-Daddy

05-11-2008, 03:07 AM

Started a new job on Monday... so I have been a bit distracted getting myself acclimated to the new company and it's work requirements.

Looks like this is going to be a good match! ;)

No "work" updates, but I'd like to introduce you to a sweet sponsorship that just blossomed!

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit1.jpg
http://www.palit.biz

Palit is not a well known video card brand here in the USA... yet! ;) They are making a very strong push into the enthusiast market, and with recent reviews of their technology being very strong and promising.... I dont see them going anywhere but up! To work with the Deuce theme, I was shipped 2 of their 1GB 8800GT video cards, for a total of 2GB of frame buffer luvin! Perfect!

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video2.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video3.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/video4.jpg

My issue that I have to get creative about is that the card is not an NVidia "reference card" design, and as such, the full cover liquid cooling solutions that I was moving toward... wont work. So, now I get to be creative! With a rework in the power system as well as the additional 512MB of memory on the back of the unit, that is going to make it a bit tricky! Before I pull the coolers, I am going to put the cards into the current machine and bench them and make sure there is no artifactingm because once I start pulling these apart, I'm pretty sure Palit's warranty will go bye bye... :)

I've already got a plan or two to really jazz this card up, liquid cool it, and cool the memory and the VR's... I have some options!

gonna be tricky, but I think I'll be able to get some good performance *and* good looks!

Rob Williams

05-11-2008, 03:09 PM

Merlin

05-11-2008, 10:24 PM

Congrats on the sponsorship man! We've reviewed two Palit cards in the past and have more en route. Only good things to say about them so far.

I do admit that the cooler on that card is the ugliest I've ever seen though. I guess tearing those off is really the only option. Interested to see where you go with it though, haha.
I'm reading that the 7900 series water blocks work with the 8800Gt.
Everyone is saying the mounting holes match up.

One of them here (http://www.tcmagazine.info/comments.php?shownews=16722&catid=2)

:techgage::techgage: Merlin :techgage::techgage:

madmat

05-11-2008, 10:32 PM

I'm reading that the 7900 series water blocks work with the 8800Gt.
Everyone is saying the mounting holes match up.

One of them here (http://www.tcmagazine.info/comments.php?shownews=16722&catid=2)

:techgage::techgage: Merlin :techgage::techgage:

The GPU only blocks work but the ramsink screw holes are in different locations so full coverage blocks don't work.

Tech-Daddy

05-11-2008, 11:18 PM

I'm going to tear down one of the cards in a few days after I have burned them in and made sure they both are working units.

I have a couple of block/cooling alternatives, including a guy in OK with a CNC setup that is interested in helping me do custom water blocks! ;)

We'll see what happens!

Tech-Daddy

05-16-2008, 02:03 AM

WOO HOO!!!

Fun stuff!

These will eventually be bent into my reservoir brackets that will mount them to the inside of my 5.25 bay area.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic.jpg

The units with the holes in the pic below will be for retaining my fill ports, the additional flames are for decorative accenting.... but where? ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic2.jpg

Flames anyone??
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic3.jpg

This will be my solution for supporting the rad from below, you'll see how it all ties together! ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic4.jpg

With a little back light, you can see the bottom etching I threw in on the piece.... DEUCE!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic5.jpg

Etched material from the back
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic6.jpg

Flames with the res....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic7.jpg

Fire and water anyone? ;)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/acrylic8.jpg

More later!

Rob Williams

05-16-2008, 02:47 AM

Haha, oh man this is getting good. I love the "Duece", what inspired you to design the logo like that?

Merlin

05-16-2008, 08:56 AM

Awesome.....Just awesome bud.....
Almost time to get my barn cleaned out for airbrushing.
And the fire and ice idea is great.

:techgage::techgage: Merlin :techgage::techgage:

Tech-Daddy

05-17-2008, 12:32 AM

Haha, oh man this is getting good. I love the "Duece", what inspired you to design the logo like that?

I had actually picked hte font up to assist with the DSF case (The Mo and Turco laser etch on the back used some of these characters)

I have just found myself liking the whole "tagging" font thing as of late, and this one is one of my favorites that I have picked up. I had Deuce in about 8 or 9 final font orientations, and paired it down to 3-5, then put them in front of the wife, and she picked this one!

So, we both liked this one, and as such, it stayed!
;)

Thanks guys!

Tech-Daddy

06-08-2008, 03:09 AM

Ok, lets have some fun on an update!
;)

I've been ordering and receiving a LOT of equipment as of late. Between painting supplies and acrylic fabrication supplies... plus some modding add ons for this unit... it's been a bit crazy at my house for a week, while the dust settles! So, the last 2 days, I went out and started using one of my newest pieces of equipment, an acrylic heater/bender!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bender.jpg

Let me just say, for the record, this makes for a much higher quality bend in thicker acrylic, as you dont take the change of accidentally overheating it and causing it to flame up or get too hot. Doing so causes bubbles in the material... not pretty! But to test how well it worked on 1/4" sheet cell cast acrylic, I dropped a practice piece on the heated unit for about a minute (going to take a stop watch out there and get a good precise time that is needed) and resulted in this, nice, smooth, no bubble bend on 1/4" acrylic..... Mmmmmmmmmm! :)
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/bender_thick.jpg

I also ordered some 1/8" clear acrylic rods...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/eighth_rods.jpg

"What on earth for?", I hear you asking....
well, light pipes! I have some ideas on this, we'll see if they make the final cut!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/eighth_rods2.jpg

Back to the video cards.. and their initial water cooling install....
Strip off the old stuff, which is actually a very good heatsink:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit1.jpg

http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit2.jpg

Thermal pads had excellent placement, and the heatsink TIM on the core was precisely placed, and not gobbed on! I was very happy to seee this, and thought that some of you may want to seriously consider Palit as a video card distributor. Very good use of thermal material on this disassembly!!!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit3.jpg

Ceramique - The choice of champions!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit_cerim.jpg

A group shot with hte cards nekkid...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit4.jpg

And a group shot of the impending new equipment...
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit5.jpg

The cores cleaned up nicely using alcohol and papertowels:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit6.jpg

One before and one after, to show a comparison:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit7_b4after.jpg

A close up of the DangerDen Maze5 block mounted:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit8.jpg

Both cards done and looking siiiiiick!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit9_sli.jpg

I have plans on how to re-use the video shroud, here was a test fit. I have several ideas on how I want this bit of the mod to proceed:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/palit10_tester.jpg

And the pumps were not exempt to the modding... I picked up some clear acrylic tops for my Swiftech 355's!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump1.jpg

One down, and one to go! Good comparison reference:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump2.jpg

Both tops mounted with the barbs attached:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump3.jpg

The acrylic has 2 spaces per top to embed LED's.... you can bet I'll be taking advantage of those!
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/pump4_light.jpg

The pics below, you will note that this one bracket was only a bending test piece. one end was performed using a heatgun or torch, and the other end was performed using the new bending station.
This end used the heatgun, and as you can see it is less than precise.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_support_bad.jpg

Ow....
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_support_bad2.jpg

The end that was bent using the station is MUCH more precise! Bends are good quality and well executed. No rippling or bubbles:
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_support_good.jpg

And a test fit of the res in the bracket.
http://www.tech-daddy.com/wlog/deuce/res_n_bracket.jpg

Lots more to come!