Old Gateway case MOD JOB!

[corksil]

Hey guys, today I started modifying an old Gateway case that I had sitting in my closet. I started the job because I was upgrading my fossilized desktop PC to something a little more modern. I started by removing components and preparing to take them outside to sand down and re-paint. But OH NO! I quickly realized that the case I was taking components out of was a micro-ATX case, and the motherboard I was going to upgrade to was an ATX form factor! After becoming depressed, I soon realized I could mod the other case I had, from an old Gateway machine.

Starting Supplies
-Basic case, ATX form factor, rectangular and boring
-1 can black spraypaint
-1 can flourescent spraypaint
-Assorted pinstriping materials
-Marking pen
-Sandpaper, tinsnips, glue, cheese, Mountain Dew
-Various other things I cannot list due to project completion status

Day 1
Today I stipped parts out of the case, cleaned it off, cleaned it out, sanded off the remnants of an old paintjob, cleaned again, and prepped. I removed the plastics from the machine, leaving a metal frame underneath, and the plastics separate. I also used tinsnips to cut a large square hole in the side case panel for a future window. I hope to figure out a way to add more windows, but The top would just show off the PSU and optical drives (boring,) the other side would just display the metal of the case (more boring,) the back would just remove fan mounting options and have no point. That leaves me with the front... The front of the case would have to have the curved plastics cut, as well as the metal frame, leaving a gap between the two. It seems like this would not be the smartest idea. Tomorrow I need to get a piece of glass cut for my window, paint the inside of the case flourescent green, glue and mount the window, file rough cut edges, and get some edging material. In addition, I have to mount the edging, decide on final windows, and possibly begin exterior painting.

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas? (I will post this in the custom case mod sticky when I am done.)

[Panama Red]

You may encounter fit issues for the power supply. I used an old GW case (still do use it) for a pc I built for my daughter some time back. The screw pattern and psu opening seemed to be proprietary for the GW. I had to remove some interferring metal and mount the psu upside down to make it work. Painting it was no problem. I just wiped i down good with laquer thinner to remove any stains or oily substances. Painted mine flat black.

[corksil]

Cool, good to hear. I'm planning on painting today - I understand what you mean about the PSU, and I have to look into getting one that would fit in there. When I get around to my PSU, I will address this more fully. I am thinking I will have to cut the case to get the opening right, and maybe drill some holes for the screws to line up. Thanks for the heads up.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Your not really using glass are you lol? Plexiglass correct?

[chuck4456]

You could have bought a newer - faster style case for what you have spent on mod materials.

[corksil]

I figure it is easier to just take pictures along the way and write up a brief description of what I did and put it up on the net than to make daily posts and the like. I will re-post when I have it all done and I have pictures to show.

Nope, I am using real glass. And it's not tempered either . *flirts with death* I need to go cut it tomorrow, seeing as the store that I was going to have cut it for me no longer cults glass. I painted the trim around the window flourescent green as well, and tomorrow looks like I might end up painting the rest of the case black.

What worries me is that as soon as I paint it, I have to treat everything like gold so I don't scratch it and I keep it clean. I am only going to get one plastic installation before I scratch the paint on the metal up a bit, so it looks like I won't be seeing how it looks until I am all done and ready to put in my mobo . That makes me sad, I would love to be able to take assembled pictures along the way. Now if I can only figure out what hardware to put in that thing...

The fun is in the modding, not buying!

[Mr.Ferrari]

well..glass isnt exactly the best for noise dampening and..it might just make the case hotter =/.

[corksil]

If I don't get a glass scoring wheel in the next couple of days to cut the piece I bought, I will just get my $4.90 back and get some plexi. Doesn't really matter to me, but if heat will be insulated that may be a damper, seeing as I might put a Prescott in this case.

Check out some pics I have up if interested, I am going to take better ones later on, but for now that gives an idea of the progress. The last one shows off the electric flourescent green I have in the case. Spiffy spiffy.)

[Underhanded]

Yeah, I just recently did my first Mod job on a case that was given to me by a friend of mine. Gotta say, learning how to do it is the fun part ^^ Maybe I'll make a thread on it later.. but I used plexiglass for the side panels, and it worked really well, and was a ton easier to cut then glass would be.
Not to mention cheap... Got a big slate of it for $10 at Ace =P still have a large peice left afterwards too..
Heh, if you wanted, I could just save you the trouble and give you my remaining peice of Plexiglass =P
Post some pics! I want to see what you got going =D fluorescent green eh? Hmm hmm hmmmmmm
In any case, no matter what parts you use, I'm sure it'll turn out looking pretty snazzy.

[corksil]

Yay, a positive and upbeat reply.

In any case, no matter what parts you use, I'm sure it'll turn out looking pretty snazzy.

-- That's the kind of people we need around, heh heh. (Even if my case mod sucks.)

I got a piece of glass that will fill my needs and give me enough to make a front window and a top window for $4.90 at The Home Depot. Today I picked up a glass cutter, so soon I will know how hard it is to cut. Same method, score it, then break it on the edge of a table. I just hope I don't break it. I got the second coat of black on the black pieces, so I should be done before long. I just need to glue in the window and re-assemble. I'll be sure to get some more pics up when I do.