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Thread: Making an old case new again...

  1. #1
    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
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    Making an old case new again...

    My friend is planning on buying an old cheap case and doing it all up - paint job, side panel window and some neon lights.

    He asked me what he needed and I gave him a list:

    Cheap Case

    Paint Job
    600 grit sandpaper
    1000 grit sandpaper
    1500 grit sandpaper
    2000 grit sandpaper
    Primer
    Red Paint for inside
    Black paint for outside
    Clear coat

    Window
    Sheet of red tinted plexiglass
    Tools for cutting window (dremel, jigsaw etc... he already has these)
    Adhesive tape
    Can't remember what it's name is, but the U shaped rubber stuff to line the ouside of the window.

    Lights
    2 x red neon lights

    How much do you think this would all cost, do you think? Also, what would you recommend for a cheap case?

    He said he wants to spend no more than about £50, including the case. I think this might be a pretty tight budget though.

    What do you guys think?

    Where can you buy all this sort of stuff? Thinking somewhere like halfords to get paint, sandpaper, primer etc?
    Last edited by Haiku32; 13-12-2008 at 05:47 PM.

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    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    What's the acrylic for lol? I think he wants the window to just be clear plexi (able to see in the computer), but with a red tint to it, just to go along with the red and black theme.
    Last edited by Haiku32; 13-12-2008 at 06:09 PM.

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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    the acrylic=plexiglass=perspex is for the window.
    only way I can think of to get that effect is to either get a clear window & use some kind of red transparent film (or perhaps red marker) on it or if it exists transparent red acrylic.

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    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZoE-zj0-k

    Fast forward to about 10:30, I think he wants something like that? Looked around for transparent red cast acrylic but can't seem to find it.

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    Re: Making an old case new again...


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  8. #7
    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    Exactly that, excellent mate .

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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    AFAIK
    acrylic is what you're after, perspex and plexiglass is just another (brand) name for acrylic

    As to the silicon carbide paper, often called wet&dry paper (actual sand paper only goes to 600 grit)
    The different grits you'll need will vary depending on how smooth a finish you require.
    If you require a smooth surface you shouldn't require much over 1200grit
    One thing you really do want to get is a sanding block, these are a block of cork, rubber or foamed rubber and are very important to get an even sanding over a large flat surface.

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    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    Ah right, I thought plexiglass was just transparent acrylic lol .

    Is the sanding job the same on plastic as it is on metal? Do you need different primer, paint and clear coat? Or do you just do the same as with metal (probably a little less sanding is needed I think)? Just in case he gets a case with some plastic on it or whatever.

    He's got a sanding block, but turns out he hasn't got a dremel. Guess that's going to eat into the budget a little, along with reinforced cutting blades.

    Right ok, going to get some prices up for this....

    Dremel (with reinforced blades) - £25
    Sandpaper - £5
    Primer - £7
    Paint - £14 (2 colours)
    Clear coat - £7
    Cathodes - £10
    Plexi - £3
    Tape - £3
    U channel - £3
    Case - around £20

    Total - £97

    Also should budget for some fans, add an extra tenner or so for them lol!

    Hmm, maybe he should rethink this .

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    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    If you've got a drill and a jigsaw you can make do without a rotary tool. (an actual "dremel" is more than £25)
    Use the drill to make a starting hole and the jigsaw to cut out the window.

    Thing you'll needf to add to the list/calarify

    Lowtak or masking tape
    3M cleartape 4010 (very good double sided tape)
    Jigsaw Metal cutting blades
    Carpentry Square (this is a tool )

    Bill Owen did a very good video on makeing a case window
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZoE-zj0-k

    Also did a tutorial for getting a mirror finish, probably don't need to go that far but the basicas still hold true for painting
    http://www.mnpctech.com/case-mod-pai...od-how-to.html

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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    Quote Originally Posted by Pob255 View Post
    If you've got a drill and a jigsaw you can make do without a rotary tool. (an actual "dremel" is more than £25)
    Use the drill to make a starting hole and the jigsaw to cut out the window.

    Thing you'll needf to add to the list/calarify

    Lowtak or masking tape
    3M cleartape 4010 (very good double sided tape)
    Jigsaw Metal cutting blades
    Carpentry Square (this is a tool )

    Bill Owen did a very good video on makeing a case window
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZoE-zj0-k

    Also did a tutorial for getting a mirror finish, probably don't need to go that far but the basicas still hold true for painting
    http://www.mnpctech.com/case-mod-pai...od-how-to.html

    Dremel set with 25pcs is £36 at Argos. I went and got the Clarke kit because it had the same things + the snake arm etc and their support base is right here in London Epping!
    Awesome that their support phone number is local too so if it ever breaks it'll only be a short time to get things fixed.

    I bought the jigsaw and then decided to get the Dremel because I would be using it for more things.

    I'm doing the exact same thing modding/painting a case and I've spent quite a bit on tools/sandpaper and paint. If you haven't got the tools to start off theres no way you'll be able to do it for no more than £50.

  13. #12
    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
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    Re: Making an old case new again...

    Ok, I think he's being alot more realistic now, and taking this thing in stages instead of jumping in and trying to do everything at once.

    He's going to score a case for nothing I think (one of his friend is giving him an old broken dell, he'll just gut it and take the case, re-use any working parts and the hard drive and stuff).

    He's gonna buy a dremel, jigsaw blades and stuff and cut a side window and a blow hole. Sand it all down and stuff.

    Then later (after the new year) he'll get the painting supplies and give it a good paint job.

    Then buy stuff for the window and fans and lights and stuff after that.

    Probably end up spending about £100 on it, but that means he'll be set for doing future mods and will only need to buy like paint and stuff for them.

    Thanks for your help!

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