Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Beautiful Case Modding

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the stuff-to-see dept.

Miles S.F. writes "Thought you guys might appreciate this little project I've been working on. This is what happens when the left and right brain get bored and start talking with each other." Excellent case mods, entertaining reading, good ideas, and a solid site design. Worth a read if only to see the case modded to include a furby.

16 of 305 comments (clear)

  1. Lucite is NOT Lexan by Durundal · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just a comment, most of you case modder types keep refering to that handy clear plastic you use as Lexan... most of the times I've seen the plastic wrap still on it in your photos, it's not Lexan, it's Lucite. These are not the same, Lexan is a tradename for polycarbonate, Lucite is a trade name for acrylic. Acrylic is much, much, much less tough than Lexan (or Hyzod, or Tuffak, or other trade names for polycarbonate), but also a lot cheaper... for case modding purposes, it's fine, but don't get the two confused if you're counting on the impact resistance of Lexan and you put in Lucite...

    1. Re:Lucite is NOT Lexan by Durundal · · Score: 5, Informative

      Er, forgot to mention that Plexiglas is also acrylic, in case anyone was wondering... handy materials specs can be found at www.matweb.com for pretty much anything you can buy... use the little search box in the upper right hand to have a look.

    2. Re:Lucite is NOT Lexan by MrEfficient · · Score: 5, Informative
      Plexiglass is actually better for case windows since it's a harder, and therefore more scratch resistant substance. Lexan is actually softer, which is why it absorbs impact better and it used in making bullet proof enclosures.

      So, use Plexiglass if you want to help prevent scratches. Use Lexan if you want to try to bulletproof your PC.

      --
      Check out AbiWord.
    3. Re:Lucite is NOT Lexan by Durundal · · Score: 3, Informative

      Actually, though acrylic is typically more scratch resistant than polycarb, there are a number of quite scratch resistant coatings/treatments that have been developed for Lexan, though again, the costs rise quite a bit (quoted 4X the cost for a sheet of 4' by 8' by 1/4" for the scratch resistant coating). Again, for the case modding and other less than strained purposes, acrylic works fine and is much cheaper, and more availible in more isolated areas.

  2. Re:Site Design by Rick+the+Red · · Score: 4, Informative
    How the hell are we supposed to know it's a Flash only site before we go there?

    --
    If all this should have a reason, we would be the last to know.
  3. BIG EFFIN' WARNING by EvilStein · · Score: 5, Informative

    taking apart a monitor can be deadly. There's still a fair amount of voltage in monitors.

    They should not really be mucked about with by case modders unless they carry lots of life insurance and don't care about getting electrocuted.

    If you're going for the "Young Einstein" look, then maybe modding monitor cases could be a lucrative career option for you, but for everyone else? Well, the what-should-be-obvious applies:WARNING! HIGH VOLTAGE!

    1. Re:BIG EFFIN' WARNING by Hex4def6 · · Score: 3, Informative

      I agree.
      If anyone wants to do a bit of monitor modding, please PLEASE keep it off for about a week or so. The problem is that the CRT is basically a huge capacitor, storing something like 25,000 volts. Let the damn thing drain before taking it apart.
      Good luck :)

    2. Re:BIG EFFIN' WARNING by joshki · · Score: 3, Informative
      That's not enough. Technically, a good capacitor can hold a charge for months. I work on military displays that are considered charged until you physically discharge them with a shorting probe -- that's the category computer monitors are in. If you don't know how to discharge a monitor safely -- you shouldn't be taking the cover off. EVER.

      Another point: Even if you do know how to do this, don't work alone -- it's too easy to make a mistake, and 25kv can seriously mess you up. It may not even kill you right away -- I've heard of cases where someone was shocked, failed to report it, and dropped dead up to 12 hours later for no apparent reason. High voltage is EXTREMELY dangerous.

      --
      I do not read or respond to AC's. If you want a discussion, log in. Otherwise, don't waste your time.
    3. Re:BIG EFFIN' WARNING by joshki · · Score: 3, Informative
      WHOA! Don't try this!!! EVER!!

      A screwdriver is designed to protect you from crossing line voltage at 110 volts -- 25kv will very likely break down the insulation in the grip instantly, shocking and possibly killing you. Even if it doesn't -- 25kv will cause a small explosion when it hits the screwdriver. Pieces of metal, fire and smoke will fly everywhere. There's a reason the procedures for shorting a CRT involve using electrical gloves rated over 10kv, a faceshield, goggles and a shorting probe that's certified above the level of electricity you're dealing with.

      --
      I do not read or respond to AC's. If you want a discussion, log in. Otherwise, don't waste your time.
    4. Re:BIG EFFIN' WARNING by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Warning: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

      I did, however, learn from the local TV repairman how to fiddle with them safely & have torn apart a TV or two in my time for spare parts & whatnot. Basically, there are some *huge* capacitors and that lovely coil on the back of the tube that can carry a charge. Generally, you should leave the device unplugged for a few days (depending on how humid it is there; the more humid it is, the more likely it is that more of the voltage has leaked away--do NOT store things in a very humid environment on purpose, though!) and things will be allright. HOWEVER, you should still get a good, fat wire (so it can handle the current without melting), connect one end to ground & the other to the blade of a screwdriver (with a NON-CONDUCTIVE HANDLE, mind you--wearing rubber gloves, too, might be overkill, but they wouldn't hurt...). You then poke the screwdriver around, shorting all the capacitors you can find & being sure to touch that big, fat coil you see in there, too. After you've seen enough sparks & can't seem to find any more, THEN, it should be safe to work on the electronics.

      Oh yeah, BE CAREFUL concerning the tube. It's a *vacuum* tube so it *will* implode if you crack it. If you're destroying the TV/monitor anyhow, it's best to remove it, put it in *several* thick plastic bags & gently tap on the back, where it's drawn out into this thin little protrusion until you hear a soft hissing. That's air finding its way into the tube. Wait until it's done (you DON'T want to have to clean up the thousands of glass shards if you really get it to violetnly implode--many of those shards would otherwise be embedded in YOU) and then you can dispose of the tube safely. DO NOT just put a vacuum tube like that in the trash. Your garbage man will hate you for it when it implodes on him & scatters glass shards everywhere.

      I think that's about it. If anyone has any other questions, get someone qualified to answer them & DO NOT TRY THIS unless you know what you're doing... It's a good way to get hurt; thankfully all I've ever suffered were burns from my soldering iron (*ouch*) ...

  4. Don't Be A Darwin Award Winner! by Caraig · · Score: 5, Informative

    Look at "Version 4," the tenth picture. The one talking about how he fit the Dell power supply into the HP case.

    How did he do it? He removed the cover to the power supply and mounted it flush to the bottom of the case. That power supply is nekkid in the case. This is going to be his KIDS GAMING COMPUTER. The plexi cover is hinged so that, presumably, the kids can fix the interior components themselves.

    Holy $#!^, this is a BAD THING. Kids will be kids, they haven't had basic electrical engineering yet. Opening up a power supply is *always* a bad idea, there are capacitors in there that'll take a dangerously indefinite "while" to discharge when the system is unplugged. I can't stress enough that a naked power supply is a high-amperage electric shock waiting to happen.

    Miles, dude, if you're reading this, DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT POWER SUPPLY!

    --
    "I am an Adept of Tantric VAX."
  5. Re:Danger! Danger Will Robinson! by shepd · · Score: 5, Informative

    You think that's dangerous?

    That dummy opens up his monitor and doesn't even mention to the general public that they need to discharge the 20 000 Volts inside before doing anything.

    What a dumbass. Not to mention his shiny new monitor will blow up in no time now -- old IBM monitors were famous for blowing their output transistors (or so I'm told) due to heat buildup. Since he has about 1/10th of the original ventilation... BOOM!

    Not to even get into the RF coming out of the gaping hole in that case. I wouldn't want to be this guys neighbour...

    --
    If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
  6. Re:What was he thinking? by UnixRevolution · · Score: 2, Informative

    No, a peanut butter sandwich without jelly is a peanut butter sandwich. if you add jelly, then it's a peanut butter and JELLY sandwich :)

    --
    You like your new Mac more than you like me, don't you, Dave? Dave? I asked...She said Yes.
  7. An Open Fan on a Kids PC - Ouch by Fazed · · Score: 2, Informative

    There is an open fan on the front of the Kids gaming machine. Just right for the little darlings to stuff candy, straws, pens, peanut butter with jelly and even fingers in to the ~4k RPM fan. EEK!

  8. Please don't do this. by xtal · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you short large capacitors to ground, you are likely (At best) going to vaporize the screwdriver you attempted to do this with. Don't ask me how I know. Please use a proper capacitor discharge apparatus, and if you don't know how to build one or where to get one, then do not attempt this. Power supplies and monitors can carry lethal charges for days or weeks after they are unplugged.

    --
    ..don't panic
  9. Found it! by SoupIsGoodFood_42 · · Score: 3, Informative
    Had a hunt around on my harddrive:

    Disable: %windir%\SYSTEM32\regsvr32.exe C:\WinNT\System32\Macromed\Flash\swflash.ocx /u
    Enable: %windir%\SYSTEM32\regsvr32.exe C:\WinNT\System32\Macromed\Flash\swflash.ocx

    That's what I have for my shorcuts, you may have to change the path a bit for your box.