.::High Roller::.

KikBox · 09-19-2006, 06:04 PM

High Roller
I've done something grungy with the War Machine, now I would like to do a 180 and do something with a bit more bling. I am calling this project "High Roller" and the look I am going for is a Retro Vegas, meets Rock-A-Billy, meets Hot Rod on a pogo stick. Okay, maybe not the pogo stick but the rest is a go.

I am starting with a Coolermaster Wave Master 2 case, more commonly referred to as the "Mystique". The case has a unique shape that works well for my theme and much better cooling potential than the original Wave Master. My plan is to make this a truly mixed media project that will include panel cutting, 2 tone powder coat finish and perhaps some airbrushed detailing.

The Case Critique
Since the Mystique is still a fairly new case to the market I would like to do a mini review of the product before we get rolling. As modders, we all tend to look at cases much differently than the average consumer or system builder so this will be a critique from the modder's perspective.

The first thing I noticed about the Mystique is how light it is. My Wave Master 1 was much heavier due in part to the giant bar of solid aluminum bolted to the front of the case. I always liked that design feature. It was design for the sake of form and nothing else. As a case designer I can appreciate that. The new case attempts to recreate the feel of the old wave master and the curving door does remind me of it, however the execution just isn't the same.

Another change that I noticed right away is the absence of 80mm fans. We now have a 120mm in and 120mm out. This is an excellent change as even with a blow hole installed my old wave master ran hot all the time. Of course, we also lose the spiffy motherboard tray we got in the old version.
There is no doubt that this case will be a better performer in the cooling arena.

The bezel is now plastic. This is a big departure from the original case. It's very easy to take apart and reduces the weight significantly. The modder in me hates plastic but it's not SO much plastic that you couldn't do something interesting with the case. The door is reversible which I like. Flipping the door is pretty easy to do by removing a spring-loaded bracket from one side and putting on the other.

Over all, I like the case. I can do without stuff like the screw less rails and door handles but Coolermaster has the sense to include all the holes you need to use screw mounted hardware and even thumbscrews on the panels. Hey, it even comes with a little bag of snacks in case I get hungry!

Getting Started
I started this project by stripping down the entire box. I took off everything I could and bagged it all up.

There are some things I will not be re-installing. The 5.25 bay clips are going because they will interfere with my powder coating plans. The clip on slot covers and locking mechanism will be replaced with standard slot covers and nice big thumb screws. The spring loaded panel handle will be removed along with the plastic CPU venting tube and the entire area will be cut out to make way for a window. I will secure the panel to the chassis with more of those nice big thumb screws.

When you are powder coating, keeping things clean is very important. Any grease or gum left on the case will cause the powder to turn out funny. The first thing I always do is start cleaning with denatured alcohol. Peeling off stickers always leaves crap like this so make sure you get it all.

I am doing powder inside and out but they will be different colors so I will be stripping this case down even further by drilling out the rivets. This makes the mod more complicated but the pay off will be flawless interior finish.
Take it easy everyone! I am going on vacation until the 28th and then the real work begins!

'DomE ^ · 09-19-2006, 06:12 PM

sweet looking forward to seeing the final product

montypythizzle · 09-19-2006, 06:15 PM

your not sharing :(

wolan9004 · 09-19-2006, 06:29 PM

oo yeah another project by kick box man i cant wait to see the crazy ideas you gonna put on tihs project

Zenshi · 09-19-2006, 06:32 PM

Alright! Another KickBox original! Man I can't stop lurking these threads! Powder coat. Wow that sounds great. The only powder coat I had experience with when case modding was on my donut I was eating at the time.

Oh and got one of those small bags o' snacks in my case as well. MMMMM good.

Have a good vacation and then come back and blow us away with your mod like usual.

rahl07 · 09-19-2006, 06:40 PM

Umm. Want some fuzzy dice from Vegas?

KikBox · 09-19-2006, 06:41 PM

Thanks all! I have one week to do nothing but put all my ideas into one grand plan. A little quiet time to get my head together should be good for the project.

Riddlinkidstoner · 09-19-2006, 07:12 PM

Question: What does that silicongel do anyway?

tencent · 09-19-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riddlinkidstoner

Question: What does that silicongel do anyway?

helps remove moisture (ie elminate any mold grow since mold loves dark places like the inside of a box)

EDIT *
google ftw
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

**Grez** · 09-29-2006, 03:20 PM

All riiiiggghhhttt! Stu's gonna do some window and lights action this time, kiddies! Nice.

Blazin Trav · 09-29-2006, 03:22 PM

As always, another worklog to be proud to view here at XFN.

So it's going to be a red theme? Your theme mix preface sort of threw me off...

KikBox · 09-29-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazin Trav

As always, another worklog to be proud to view here at XFN.

So it's going to be a red theme? Your theme mix preface sort of threw me off...

Yeah, I am going for something with a LOT of bling. Candy red metallic powder on the exterior (top, bottom both panels inside and out). The inside frame and cages will be ripped out along with the curved front plates and will all we powder coated Diamond Silver metallic.

The only thing not being powder coated is the plastic bezel which cannot be coated because it's plastic. I will be hand painting the bezel gloss black to match some other gloss black features I will be building for other parts of the case.

Tech-Daddy · 10-01-2006, 09:50 PM

Mmmmmm.... bling bling....
MMmmmmmmMMMMMM!!!
:D

Looking forward to this one bro!
You powdercoating them yourself?

KikBox · 10-02-2006, 09:35 AM

Na, I don't have an oven big enough to do cases. I work with a couple of different suppliers depending on my volume and the finish I am looking for.

montypythizzle · 10-02-2006, 09:43 AM

waiting for pics enuff with the teasing

KikBox · 10-03-2006, 12:14 PM

Sorry ya'll, I have been busy trying to get moved into my new shop and I am not settled enough to resume work. I am moving in the furniture now and my tools on Sunday. With any luck I will be ready to hit it next week.

http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5602

tencent · 10-03-2006, 12:53 PM

you should put a big cadillac grill on the front and some 22's =P

Niak · 10-04-2006, 03:13 AM

You better invite me over to see the shop when your done Stu, I am only a stones throw away now over in western Saint Paul

KikBox · 10-21-2006, 10:59 AM

Last night was the maiden voyage for the new shop. I was finally able to get to work in the new space instead of just trying get organized.

I did all the cuts on the case last night and will be posting some pictures of the work in progress on Monday. So far I have cut out the intake, exhaust, blowhole and a nice big window. The case will be powder coated this week.

We had a lot of people show up at the shop last night. At one point I think we had about 14 or 15 people packed into our 400 square foot space but it was cool to have so many enthusiastic visitors. I will also post some pics and video of the event later this week.

The next step in this project is to sort out my parts and materials orders. Here are a few things on my list:
1. 2 sheets of 1/16" acrylic
2. 3 120mm fans
3. 1 motorcycle derby cover (probably big twin)
4. House of Kolor paints, Red, Black and Orange pearl

Things I have to get done this week:
1. Design for my window painting
2. Finish window painting and prep for mounting to the panel
3. Start polishing the front doors...this is going to be tedious but worth it.

More posts to come with pictures...

KikBox · 10-24-2006, 11:39 AM

Before a powder coat finish goes on this case we have to finish all of our cuts. This case is pretty straight forward. I am cutting out the intake grill, exhaust grill and adding a blow hole. Because of the built in drive cage I had to start by removing rivets from the chassis to free the cage. This will have to be riveted back in place after I cut out the grill but it will help ensure the cage is not damaged during cutting.

I mark the centers of all 3 holes and pop them out. Here is the finish hole cuts...

With the holes cut I have to rivet the drive cage back into the case.

Bill pitched in and helped with the window cut. While Bill cut the window I made adjustments in the chassis to enlarge the viewing area.

A little cleanup and we are off to powder coat!