Cooler Master HAF 922 project

[MonsterMawd]

My canvas for this project is the Cooler Master HAF 922

I'm using paper to make a template for 2x 120mm front intake plate.

Tracking template onto 1/8" thick aluminum sheet.

I used a Jigsaw with 18 TPI metal cutting blade to cut the design. I will refine and finish the cuts with a hand file later.

The 1/8" thick aluminum won't fit in my bending brake, so I used my bench vise to bend the aluminum.

I'm using a Mouse sander with medium Grit sandpaper to remove all of the blemishes and scratching in the surface of the aluminum

Aluminum plate surface is finished. Next step is fastening it on with pop rivets, more on this soon!

I've attached the new bezel plate on with pop rivets.

http://www.mnpctech.com/Pop_rivets_for_computer_case.html

Overkill "Nautilus" 120mm fan grills, http://www.mnpctech.com/120mm_Overkill_Fan_Grills.html

In order to use the Knock-out punch, you need to drill a 2" pilot hole.

Greenlee Knock out Punches
Greenlee part # 730EBB-120 Last time I inquired, they were around $450 in the states + Large 3/4" socket wrench, and 2" socket. I wouldn't use anything less than 19" long socket wrench. Estimated purchase price of $550 new.

 

[Chewbert]

I'm using rattle cans.. and I'm getting good results so far also. I've got airbrush equipment but I haven't broken it in just yet.. any info when it comes to airbrushing work?

edit: and yes, I just got back from the store, I bought lots of the other material that you recommended on that guide.. it's the one I read. If that guide was made by you, I'd like to thank you personally.. it's easily the best I've seen on the web.

I'm using montana alien spray paints as a carry over from work I did on canvas with aerosol paints.. they're nice because they are low pressure / high pigment.. the last case I did had a moderately decent finish considering all of the rules that I broke that you listed on the guide. I know not to mix water and oil type paints, but I know that alien is mostly meant for outdoor graffiti type artist work, so they don't seem to provide clearcoat cans, though I haven't really looked too hard.. Do you think I will get in trouble using my Alien colors with another brand's enamel clear coat? It didn't really seem to cause a problem last time.. Any insight?

Edit edit: The montana paints I am using ARE enamels... sorry, I was being ambiguous. not good with words.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Those paints sound interesting, love the name... I try to never mix different manufacturer paints and clears, I learned the hard way. But, you can always do a test piece with the same material first!

For airbrush advice, the best advice I can give is to simply Practice and experiment, I also suggest joining Craig Frasier's community forums, there is a wealth of info and helpful tips if you use the Search, http://www.kustomkulturelounge.com/forum

 

[MonsterMawd]

Here is some photos of the HAF at the Stompfest LAN, taken by eclyps

 

[Chewbert]

Really came out great Monster, the physical case mods really compliment the 'hazard tape' paint job's industrial feel.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thank you Chewbert. It was a lot of fun to do this case mod.

 

[Shadow703793]

About time you did the HAF922 MM, I would have expected this to be done a few days after release... :lol:

edit:
Btw, that skull looks eerily similar to the skull used on the NZXT Khaos Bio Mech build.....

 

[MonsterMawd]

lol, it does and this 922 had been sitting under my bench since last fall. I kept getting inquiries about when I would mod a 922 or 932, so glad I could do this!

 

[Chewbert]

Don't even think this gets you off the hook for a 932, that's what I've got my machine in right now and I'd still like to see you mod one. 😉

 

[MonsterMawd]

ok, it won't be nearly this extensive tho.. too many other commitments atm

 

[Chewbert]

Lots of pre-existing curves and grill stuff going on already, I can imagine it's much nicer to work with a simpler starting template.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Lots of pre-existing curves and grill stuff going on already, I can imagine it's much nicer to work with a simpler starting template.

Youre exactly right chewbert. Modifying the 932 with a window alone can be a huge undertaking.

 

[blackhawk1928]

Yeah 2nd that, i'd love to see an HAF 932 mod.

 

[MonsterMawd]

yep, will let ya know if another one comes down the pipes.

 

[Chewbert]

I just finished classes and I plan on doing *something* to my 932 this summer.. When I get a rough idea of what I'm going to do I'll post a log here or a link to it somewhere.. So far I've only cut 1 window in an old Antec Sonata II, and I've done paint jobs for two different CM 690's.. Here are a couple of links, if you wanted to see what I've done so far.. the red one just finished curing and I've started wetsanding it...

http://imgur.com/LtFBP.jpg
http://imgur.com/6Abhr.jpg

PS. Monster: I'm wetsanding my red case now and I think I'll be able to get a nice glossy finish on it.. but my clear coat is on backorder.. the guide you posted didn't seem 100% clear to me.. or maybe I'm just confused.. Should I apply the clear coat before I do the final wetsanding process, or will it be ok if I wetsand it down to a perfect finish and then clearcoat it later on? I was afraid that maybe the clear-coat wouldn't have anything rough to adhere to if I sanded my panels perfectly flat.

 

[MonsterMawd]

I like graphics, very original

You wetsand and buff out the final clearcoat