WeldZilla 2 "A New Beginning" Extreme mod,not just a few lights and fans
 

For me merely putting in a window, a few colored fans,and some cathodes just are cutting it any more. I felt the need to get a big case and chop it and dramatically change it into something not only different but, something that would accomodate me at my desk. I settled on this Enermax CS-181-B. It is large and roomy as is. Let's see how it stands up to serious mod crazy madman!!!!
Here is the pic of my victim,lovely isn't it?

WeldZilla

Naked
 

Here is the case stripped down on my kitchen bar. I like to stare at them like this for awhile and do a little cyphering. Til the picture becomes clear to me. Then it is off to my secret lab. (shop)

WZ

Off to the Lab!!!
 

I have the perfect tool for this. It is a skilsaw with a fiber, metal cutting blade. One thing I did not like about this case. The motherboard try goes all the the way from the back panel to the front. And of course it is non-removable. Wouldn't it just be terrible to cut through that?!

WeldZilla

Change is good!!
 

Well it is time to rearrange this to my liking! Time to drag out the welder! There the cat is out of the bag and you can see where I'm heading with this. Well sorta?

WeldZilla

OK that was one last look at the old. Well it was brand new actually. here is the welded back together version

WZ

More Madness!!
 

Well, when I welded it back together where I wanted it. I left a 2in.x8 1/4in. void at the bottom of my case. when I cut out my window from the other side that will give me the metal I need to weld in and fill in that spot. And as you can see I had to cut away enough of what used to be the right side cover to make a short cover for my new right side. That was a mouthful. Hey I have a plan for that short piece that is now left trying to cover what is now the back

WeldZilla

The saw
 

Here is a pic of the saw I used to do this. I used a guide. Which made it easy to cut straight lines.

WZ

OK
 

Now in that last pic with the saw. you see the piece i cut out to fill in the back. So here is an idea of what putting that in looked like.

WeldZilla

pieces
 

I got lucky,I did a job for a guy last winter customizing his metal legged barstools. the squretbing was an exact match for the square folds of the case!! I a metal packrat! cuz you never know when you will need it!

WZ

corner in!
 

Now to finish off this corner. then it is off to the top!! Mind you it is just roughed in but, it is in.

WZ

Well
 

I through it together after I cut out the window hole so you could see where this is all headed. You know I do not like that top hole after welding the halves back together it all seems too flimsy. I know my 1/4 in. plexi would stiffen it but, I do not like it So I'm going to dig some 14 guage steel out of my rack and make a new top. I'll just cut a 120mm blow hole in it and call it good.Ok, here is a pic of the new top I put together. Much better!!

WeldZilla

Wow :)

Big boys use big tools :) Looks impressive so far.

I knew I should have taken the picture of my welder in the garage for the Computing TOOL shop. John, I am adding the welder. Damn, this is Madness ..... I LIKE IT!

HowTO weld .... haha

great stuff, I like such mods :D

it must be pretty cool to have all the necessary tools

that is an impressive mod, just the way i like it

working on it
 

cut thh brace acroos the front down to size and riveted it back into place.

WZ

mobo tray
 

Remember that non-removable mobo tray?? Hmmmmm Do ya?
Well it is completely removable now!!! just had to drill out several rivets. It will now remain a removable mobo tray for evermore.

WZ

OK
 

one more with it all the way out.

holes?
 

Yes, holes are exactly what this new case needs.

WZ

Got to tell you
 

I do not know why, but this is the first time I used the hole cut saw in my drill press. Did all 3 in about 20 minutes. I slapped my dremel!!

WeldZilla

support
 

I needed to have support for what is now the left rear coner of the case. I took a piece of 14 gauge angle iron. (Very light) and welded it into the corner. You see I have to have something for the covers to slide in behind. This worked well. you will notice I also split the remaining pice of case cover that was left over you will see why I did not split it evenly.

WZ

It sure will look nice; with it places sideway and CD bay facing in the front.
Weld or rivet a cover on the right to hide the cables coming out and it will be home entertainment center.

Enermax! Grrrrr.........
 

you see it was not in the plans to put a back window in this case.The plan was to contact Enermax and get an extra righ side cover. I made the mistake of telling them what I was doing. They wrote me back and informed me that By volintarily cutting my case. I had voided all warranties. I wrote them back and let them know that was ok. I just needed to purchase a spare case cover. They wrote me back and informed me that I had voided my warranty. I wrote them back and told them to stuff it!! I decided on plexi-glass!!

WeldZilla

Prime time
 

Well it is ready now. After alot of un photo'd cleanup, for it's first coat of primer.
modding is just more satisfying than I can describe!!


WZ

legs
 

Well I made these legs and yes it is true. I hate them!! they stick out too far and just do not fit!! Back to the leg drawing table.
you will notice in this pic. that the rear window is in also. that went well.

Weldzilla

New legs
 

Well I got out some flat bar and some small pipe. The pipe was yet another left over from some other project. the inside diameter of the pipe was a little smaller than 1/2 in. So I was able to tap threads into them. I then cut the heads off some 1/2 in. bolts and drilled my flatbar to accomodate the headless bolts. I welded the bolts in. Then I screwed the pipe legs on. a side benit was that with them being threaded they are adjustable.

WZ

New radiator
 

you know i think one of the biggest rip-offs in our game are the
" Modder Extreme Radiators".They are too spendy. I had a Maxxpert once. I would not give that piece of in-efficient crap to my worst enemy. I went to my local Auto-parts store. Bought myself a nice new copper heater core for a seventies model general motors car. as you can see by the phot I accomodates 2 x 120mm fans perfectly It was $21.50 american about a 3rd of a computer Rad. And more efficient to boot!!

WZ

Rad box
 

Well a new rad is no good without a rad box. I was initially going to keep all my cooling system cept the block away from the case.
But like I always say, I like a fluid plan, nothing set in stone!! Well I guess it is now that I cut the back of the case and built the rad box. Here is a look

WZ

Rad box on!
 

here is a look at the rad box in it's new home!!!!! Hope it lives long and prospers there!! Oh yes I still need to get those awful legs off there too!! And yes this is to be the cases final color. Pewter gray. I work in an industrial world. Big surprise, I weld for my living. I also run a big old 40's model Welman floating crane,which is a nice break from the routine. However I must tell
you that welding for me is completely satisfying. Steel or aluminum or wahtever the process it does not matter. I LOVE what I do. So I' painting this case this shade of gray in honor of me and my career choice!!

WeldZilla

Res retainer
 

Ok the res. is built. it was made out of PVC out of 1.5in. pipe the retainer rings were cutout of pipe but were to big around so I had to cutout abot 1in. of the ring. i then squezzed them together in my vice and welded them. Then i used the vice to make them round again.

WZ

Here it is
 

Here is a shot of the res in place at what is now the left side of my case.

WZ

Oh yes, my new legs are shown in that last pic. # acroos the front, 2 in back. I really like them.

WZ

There is another aspect of this design that will stun and amaze you. Have you figured it out yet?? you will be blown away at the end!!

WZ

Screw them legs, man! They ruin your piece of fantastic work.

Weld a piece of support and put in caster wheels.

Correction: they don't look bad on my second look.

Thanks lazyman, I appreciate you appreciating my work. Truly this has been a great time. Many road blocks to work out. It is coming out as I had hoped so far!

WZ

Hey, I see you could use some nice swagging tools, tube bender and tube cutter.

looks nifty :o

well we can say this is a :mad: mod

great JM, you just screwed the guys storyline.

BTW you do love welding don't ya. ;)

STEALTH!!
 

When you look inside this finished case. You will not notice wires everywhere. The design of the case puts them out of view. There are a few obligatory wires but, not the massive amount normally seen.

PSU; Antec true power 550
MOBO: Epox 4PDA+2 Ver. 2
CPU: 2.4C SL6Z3
Vid: 5900fx
Aud: SB Audigy 2
Block: Swiftech
Pump Eheim 1250
2 maxtor hdd's Waiting for 2 new to get my raid back
Vantec fan controller
Liteon DVD player , Pioneer A05 DVD-RW
PCI- AC adapter to start water pump on start up.
1 gig OCZ 3700

WZ

is that the max OC on that P4?
or is the motherboard holding you back