Case Modification Basics

The_Neon_Cowboy

I made this short simple guide to show, demonstrate and possibly encourage you to do some of
your own custom case modifications. I like working with cheap cases because their the most bear
and simple to work on and if I mess up I haven’t wasted much




Here I what I started off with…


(Not responsible for: you any damaging of your property, you hurting your self, loosing a finger or
an eye, etc. while trying to fallow this guide. Great care should be taken to observe safety if you
mess up your case you can always buy a new one. )

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is the same case totally stripped down to the frame. I really didn’t cove disassembly here but
it’s not hard to figure out and each case if different.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I start off with a set of dermal tools and a portable source of light. Another important thing is
always were your protective gear. Safety goggles, Dust mask, and a pair of gloves are highly
recommended and may save you from some nasty cuts and possibly an unpleasant visit to the
emergency room.

The_Neon_Cowboy

First thing I’m going to do is open these fan holes to get better some air flow. I whip out my
permanent marker and make some guide lines for were I want to cut. I have little worries when it
comes to messing up anything here, since this is behind the face plate/case front. Nothing that I do
here will be visible and that save a lot of time and effort.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Can you spot what’s wrong here? I had forgotten to wear my gloves. But, I’m only cutting and
I’m extra cautious anyways. I’d defiantly recommend the gloves though metal splinters are not
fun. Same goes if you don’t have a good grip on your dermal tool you could end up in a world
of hurt at 3,000-5,000 RPM it doesn’t take long to do a lot of damage.

The_Neon_Cowboy

You also want to make sure your at an angle were the debris/sparks are going away from you or
any part of your body. Never be in line with your dermal tool, if you’re cutting disk breaks, and u
get hit you could be in a world of hurt. I’m using the extra heavy duty disks (#420) their a little
larger and heavier cutting wheels. They last longer and are less likely break but you won’t to avoid
using them unless you’re making fairly straight cuts because hey aren’t as good at turning and will
break often.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here we go there is our finished hole. I save the cut out for later I’ve already decided a good use
for it. Be careful, a lot of very sharp edges here. I take and use a standard round sanding bit to nock
the burrs off and dull up the edge a little.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is what it will look like when I install my fan.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is the old case front I’ve decided since this doesn’t have a lot of ways for the air to get in
other then the sides and bottom of the plate to make a hole to help the air flow yet again. Very
faintly you can see the X I used to find the center of the middle white space.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I use the guide lines to measure out were I want to make my cuts.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is the hole after I’ve cut it out using the dremal.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I do some rough up with fine grit sand paper (if the case is slick) but this time it’s not necessary
because it already has a textured surface for the pant to hold on too. Next I clean up using a basic
anti static PC / electronics cleaner that doesn’t leave a residue.

The_Neon_Cowboy

This particular case fount is two separate pieces that separates with a series of clips that will make
it a lot easier for painting. I also remove the button and switches (they just clip in).

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is my mess. I’ve already started painting. You want to make sure you use a decent spay paint.
Most commonly use hard had paint available at you local hardware store. But, I like to get creative so
I’m using rustolem metallic gold and blue, chrome and clear coat.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Now that every thing painted and dry, I took, set and squared that piece we removed and painted
chrome earlier. I pug in my hot glue gun an let it heat up.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Then I just glue it in making sure not to use too much.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I now snap together the two pieces I separated earlier. Then, I warm everything up a little with the
hair drier first and put on a thin coat of clear coat (not on the chair were I was painting before) after
that dries I snap the buttons / switches back into place.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I mark off the back and cut the grids out again like I did on the front. Do you notice the no mistake
here? No shoes!! But I had swept a while ago and a big chunk of time had passed since I had done
the painting.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is a shot of this one cut out. I hit it with the sanding wheel very carefully and try to smooth and shape it, can’t have any sharp edges or burs.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I get out my fan molding, an 80 chrome fan grill, and a set of scissors.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I always cut the piece a little longer then I need it and make the last cut at the end to ensure a good tight fit.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is what it looks like with the molding in place.

The_Neon_Cowboy

Then I install my case fans and my fan grill.

The_Neon_Cowboy

I pop on the front and I’m done. I might demonstrate how to make blow holes at a later date. But, having screen this it should be easier for you to figure it out for now all you need to. This case is being used for a lower end computer and I didn’t feel the need to get extreme with the cooling.

Once again here is a before shot…..

The_Neon_Cowboy

Here is the end result…



Hopefully this helps encourage some of you to do some modifications of your own. I hope you
enjoyed this as much as I did making it…

Please feel free to ask questions discuss this below….

Dom

Why didn't you paint the rest of the case and the face plates?