Fortress Mod - FT01-SW Worklog

[mattlef]

Hey guys,

I've decided to start on modding my FT01. I had thought about going about getting the case sandblasted then re-coated, but i've actually decided against it. I think I really do like the silver powder coating, and it can work very well with what I'm thinking of doing.

Here is my work list as of now in no particular order.

1) Fab template of Internal Air/Cable Management - Done
2) Sleeve PSU and case cables
3) Fab Acrylic panels from templates.... (input needed)
4) Toolless Drive System Removal
5) DVD-R Drive Stealthing
6) Logo Design
7) LED fabs
8) Sata Arrangement

Will add more when everything comes to mind.
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[mattlef]

Alright, here is what I have planned this far

I've fabricated, out of cardboard, what I want to do to hide the drivebays and add for a wind tunnel effect.



What is left to do is decide of the color of acrylic.
I was thinking Non Transparent back to contrast directly with the silver coating but will come together nicely with the other colors in the build... mainly the black on the mobo, and the Blue comming off the leds.

What do you think?

As well, you wont notice this, but on the top of the PSU cover, there is a rectangular hole. This is where I will have a piece of frosted glass, with my custom logo inlayed.... I dont know how I'm going to do this as of now... but its the idea...
Behind this logo will be a single led to make it pop a little bit.... blue or white... Im thinking white..

[mattlef]

Reserved For Updates

[jdrom17]

I used this company: Custom Laser Cutting Service and they did an awesome job for my side window. Though I just got a basic rectangular piece with a 120mm fan port.

You basically draw whatever you want using AutoCAD (or similar) or a vector-graphic program and send it to them with the material you want them to cut it on. Prices are fairly reasonable and shipping was good too.

If you use a thick enough material, they should be able to etch your logo into it.

[mattlef]

if you dont mind my asking, how much did it cost you? I'll be roughly using the same footage of acrylic as a large case window... although, more cutting would be needed....

Because its comming from the states, did you pay any duty when it came in? I'm not 100% familiar on the duty and such on plastics... but I dont think its covered under Nafta.

hmmmm
I actually found someone here in Windsor to do it, so I'm pumped for that...
but here is the logo i'm looking to incorporate into the plexiglass...

[mattlef]

Well, I've changed up the design a little bit.... and I think this will look a little bit better, and would serve for better form and funcion.
I've ordered a few more drive bay panels from silverstone which will serve to cover back of the drive bay. As well, I've drawn out all the designs in CAD, so just waiting back on quotes.
I've decided to use plexiglass with a brushed aluminum top and black core. its very pricey at $18/ sq ft, but... it'll fit well with the case and the idea I'm having... The theme will be Bushed Aluminum everywhere with Black cabling and blue/white accent LED's.

I have the logo being cut into the top of the PSU cover as previously mentioned, but I also have the logo, Revrsed and Sans Text on the side of the PSU cover... This will have Grey Fogged plexi behind to to mute the LED, but still show some through.... for the needed effect....

I've taken off the Ram cooler, it wasnt doing much for me.... as the top 180mm fan is doing a kick ass job at cooling all the northern components...

Hopefully, I'll have everything ready and good to go in a few weeks time, so I can show it off..... and I'll cross my fingers that its MDPC worthy :P

[jdrom17]

It was like $40 I think shipped via USPS so no duty. It was packed really well too.

I see you found a local place though so all the better.

[mattlef]

I'm also getting a quote from the guys you reconmended cause the windsor guys would need a week to get the material I'm looking for.

[mattlef]

Another update and Question...
I'm gonna get the TRUE Black any day now, but I'm kinda stuck on what fan to put on it.... The CM fan I have on my Xigmatek isn't gonna cut it. Needs to be black.... and I think that it should have a blue LED and high static pressure...
I like that AeroCool Xtreme Turbine Black But, I hear that there is shotty quality, but it does move a lot of air.... I'm going to go for a push pull set up setup so |< TRUE< | So both fans need to have high CFM and high static pressure.... However, I don't want it to be insanely loud either. What do you guys recommend?

[jdrom17]

Avoid those Areocool fans for sure. Many people say how bad they are...

You could try something like these maybe:
Bluegears b-flexi 120mm 4-in-1 LED Case Fan - Sleeved Products Model: b-flexi120 [b-flexi120] : Performance-PCs.com, ... sleeve it and they will come

And these CM ones:
Hyper 212 - Cooler Master
Though I have no idea if you can get the fan by itself, but it fits what you want.

The best choice would be to take a good black fan and then mod in some LEDs.

[mattlef]

Originally Posted by jdrom17

Avoid those Areocool fans for sure. Many people say how bad they are...

You could try something like these maybe:
Bluegears b-flexi 120mm 4-in-1 LED Case Fan - Sleeved Products Model: b-flexi120 [b-flexi120] : Performance-PCs.com, ... sleeve it and they will come

And these CM ones:
Hyper 212 - Cooler Master
Though I have no idea if you can get the fan by itself, but it fits what you want.

The best choice would be to take a good black fan and then mod in some LEDs.

LOL I am actually using that coolermaster fan at the moment... its good, but I'm not 100% impressed with it.

So i've emailed Xigmatek about their new S1283 Dark Knight.... and if they cant give me a date, or provide me with one... I might actually end up keeping my current cooler, and waiting :S... which I dispise lol.....

But I triple checked and I found, I'm a dumb ass.... The TRUE will fit... and it will look fantastic when its in there. I'm going to email CM and see if they can send me some fans.... lol, and just remove the CM sticker from the center, or just take a shapie and color it black ;) but a True is now comming, 100% lol

[jdrom17]

I couldn't tell if you had the LED version or not. I know they sell a solid black one that looks like that.

I have a clear, blue LED one though. They have the VR knob which is nice but they get noisy on maximum speed.

[mattlef]

I just contacted CoolerMaster to see if I can get my hands on a few of them. I cant find them in Canada.... sadly enough... :S

[mattlef]

Here's a sneak peek at what you are going to see in the next week or so....


I do believe, and Charles correct me if I'm wrong, but I am the first in canada to use MurderMod Sleeving.....

Another part of the update is i'm still debating as to use brushed aluminum colored plexi glass, or to use a flat black. The difference in price is quite substancial, however.... the look is what matters... i think the Black will work just as well.... however, the stainless steel ties everything together quite nicely.... decisions decisions...

[mattlef]

Alright, so I got my new PSU in :D just waiting on the sleeving. I was hoping it would be in today, but it looks like it'll be in next week sometime :S hopefully monday.

But in the meantime, I'm looking to get some single bulb LED's.... NCIX has them for 5.99 which I think it kinda rediculous... really... can anyone find them cheaper in canada? if not I guess then I'm religated to looking stateside