If theres one case getting a lot of attention today, it's the new Antec Three Hundred. For under $60, it packs a lot of features with decent cooling and the superior build quality we've come to expect from Antec.
Antec 300 Three Hundred awaits it's first incision
To draw out your design, I'll first apply either #2060 Green or #2090 Blue "low tack" painter's tape by Scotch/3M.
You can buy these Home Depot or Ace Hardware stores. You also apply tape so you don't scratch up the panel with the jigsaw's steel guard. I always use a measuring square for windows
Window corner, but how do you make a curved corner instead?, for inserting
U-channel molding later
For making corners, use a roll of tape! The smaller the roll, the smaller your arc
Whenever I make a side panel window, I always use a jigsaw with a 18 TPI (teeth per inch) bi-metal cutting blade. I'll make the intial incision for the jigsaw blade with a rotary tool and 1.5"
reinforced dremel cutting wheel I use a Black & Decker jigsaw with a 18 TPI (teeth per inch) bi-metal cutting blade.
Window is cut and ready for refinements, ie: clean up the edges and corners
I'll use a rounded side file for detailing it's straight edges and corners
Before I install the window, I debate about using something other than clear plexi, Maybe translucent Blue or Yellow to fit the Mod Brothers logo?
Towards the end of the video review I noted the front bezel is a good canidate for injecting your own design.. Heres whats involved with the Antec's front bezel.. The removable filter and perforated mesh grill are easily removed.
For the "new" front intake, a piece of 3/16" thick blue translucent acrylic will be provide a back plate support for a mod brothers 240 (2x 120mm fan) intake grill.
E.E.L. Ambiense (Jeremy Birch) is devising it's design as we speak
To support the new intake plate, I'm using the lower 5.25 bay cover, below I'm using DP-190 2 part epoxy to keep it in place permanently, you need to use gloves and smear the 2 part into the crevices (not shown)
The Antec 300's perforated rear fan grill providea decent airflow, but I prefer using my own grills. You can use a Tin-snips to remove the outter portion of the perforated grill. I prefer a cleaner look, so I marked off an octagon border around the rear exhuast grill.
1.5" cutting wheel kicking up sparks!
Hand filing the edges
I'm gonna blow this case's cover..hehe
Armed with power drill and 1/8" drill bit, I remove all of the pesky pop-rivets
we don't really need this or do we? Ideas are brewing :scratch:
Top panel ready to lose it's inner core
Where did it go?!
Another look w/o the tape
Heres the intake grill design by Jeremy, If you're not familar with Jeremy's work, check out the E.E.L. Ambiense worklogs on bit-tech, he kicks out some cool designs. I was happy to hear he was interested in contributing his talents to this project. The theme is fun!
Jeremy drew up this front intake grill design with the appropriate "MB" for "Mod Brothers" of course.. I'm going to have cnc milled from 3/16" THICK 6061 aluminum
For the "new" front intake, a piece of 3/16" thick blue translucent acrylic will be provide a back plate support for a mod brothers 240 (2x 120mm fan) intake grill.