AMD Case Mod: SwordM

Mnpctech_Guy · 02-09-2008, 07:16 AM

This is my project slated for AMD's display at ceBIT show in Hannover, Germany. 3/4/2008 - 3/9/2008. The case is a Thermaltake SwordM. I wanted to make something that reminded you of a space ship hull door. Reinforced Triangular Patterns with a rotary "airlock" latch. The shell I designed was milled from 1/2" aircraft aluminum on a 2 axis cnc mill. Everything is being chrome plated. I just posted a video segment of it's current progression on YouTube. Your comments are welcome!

**mpcamer** · 02-09-2008, 10:50 AM

sweet - I like it.

**Joe_B_Me** · 02-09-2008, 11:11 AM

Woah......There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe how awesome that is.

Mnpctech_Guy · 02-10-2008, 08:08 AM

Thanks dudes! I appreciate you following my work and will always try my best to offer good content in return.

It's been a pleasure to transform a seriously fugly factory case into timeless art. btw: It's not as heavy as it looks, it's 6061 aircraft aluminum.

I've done a lot of aluminum polishing with an electric buffer and by hand. Until you've done your own polishing, I can only describe it as extremely tedious work. It numbs your brain, but not in a good way. Theres only a few Modders like myself that have been crazy enough to polish their own aluminum parts, sethnmalice and Paul from coolercases.co.uk. It takes a lot of patience! Last year I polished the 26" tall machined 6061 aircraft aluminum side panels and motherboard tray on this tower by hand. It took me 2.5 weeks of work, on/off otherwise the task drove me out of my mind. If you don't have the proper buffing equip, you can wetsand out any imperfections first before buffing out the finish. I don't have all the pro equip, so the problem with 6061 alum, is it can scratch real easy. Any speck of dirt caught under a sanding block will create havoc in the finish, just like wetsanding a paint finish. Of course, this did happen a few times and you started over. I vowed I'd never do this again and seek a professsional next time I wanted this type of finish. "Project Phenom" presented this challenge again so I made some phone calls and found AAA Metal Finishing.

Yesterday I picked up the first pieces from AAA. On a saturday no less! Since Mnpctech manufacturers their own line of machined aluminum parts, I've always wanted to learn about chrome, copper, and bronze platting. AAA's owner, Raul gave my son and I a tour of the facility. The building is city block long! He showed us the steps involved in plating metal parts. I noticed one of Raul's clients was BigDog Motorcycles I recognized their logo on handlebars and frame brackets in different stages throughout the building. Before any part can be plated, it must first be Bead blasted and then polished, otherwise you will see any surface imperfections in the final chrome coating. Raul was kind enough to allow me to record some of the steps with my camera. I plan share this footage in the next video update for this project :)

The first parts to return are the new top panel and factory front bezel trim from the Thermaltake SwordM Case. The factory finish on the bezel was originally anodized silver.

obobskivich · 02-10-2008, 12:20 PM

my god thats amazing looking

on the note of the SwordM, how is it in terms of qual/features (BEFORE you turned it into the god-case)

SpydersByte · 02-10-2008, 12:42 PM

Yea, it's official, my jealousy has finally made me hate you

Amazing looking case dude, seriously. That's by far the coolest case I have ever seen, no questions.

It makes me mad because Im a CAD drafter and I have access to CNCs, waterjets, powdercoaters, platers, and all that good stuff but I don't have the money, time, or motivation to make something this badass :(

obobskivich · 02-10-2008, 12:58 PM

dude whats the song used on part 3? lol

Jodah · 02-10-2008, 01:16 PM

man, i wish i had the creative talents you guys do, that side panel alone would have taken me months to come up with. when i see work as great as this it inspires me a lot to get off my arse and get going on some of my ideas.

awesome mod, way to show props to AMD. (im a diehard AMD fanboy) can't wait to see more!

@ obo > it says what song it is at the end of the vid. 'Del' by skinny puppy.

obobskivich · 02-10-2008, 01:20 PM

...wow, i should've really watched the whole thing before asking, lmao

**mpcamer** · 02-10-2008, 03:51 PM

Nice job on that shiny aluminum. :)

Are you able to make heatsinks? Just wondering..

Jodah · 02-10-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obobskivich

...wow, i should've really watched the whole thing before asking, lmao

its ok dude, i do it all the time.

Glowing_The_Smurf · 02-10-2008, 10:03 PM

That build is awesome. If that's what AMD is brining to the table, I think I may forget who intel is............

Case of the gods.

Mnpctech_Guy · 02-11-2008, 02:12 PM

Thanks for all the comments. You guys rawk!

We could make heatsinks, waterblocks, but case accessories is really what we're known for making. These onesy twosy pick-ups will go on for awhile. Raul must plate my parts in between his larger customer production runs, but I promise to keep you
updated!

You'll remember this panel as the new top from the video

Jodah · 02-11-2008, 06:34 PM

wow, that is sick! and its chrome so it'll be easier to keep up with. lookin good man!

Mnpctech_Guy · 02-13-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodah

wow, that is sick! and its chrome so it'll be easier to keep up with. lookin good man!

Indeed. If it was just polished, it would oxidize from oily finger prints over time.

I'm picking up more chrome plated parts this saturday. I hope they have the side panels finished! I'd really like to get to the re-assembly of this case. Otherwise I should have a new update posted by this Friday. We're painting the SwordM's rear door with Alsa Corp Chrome FX and airbrushing circuit board trails over it that play off the recessed portions in the milled side panels.

Mnpctech_Guy · 02-13-2008, 11:13 PM

Photos from tonight's painting session, House of Kolor's "Kosmic Krome" Paint.. It's freakin cool paint dudes, but not something a paint newbie should start out using. It's very fickle in how it's applied. No worries here tho, Brads behind the spray gun.

Glowing_The_Smurf · 02-13-2008, 11:15 PM

H.O.K. Very nice. Cool color too.

Jodah · 02-13-2008, 11:38 PM

wow! thats an amazing finish for chrome paint! never thought you could get it to look that good. sweet!

Tec_ · 02-14-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodah

wow! thats an amazing finish for chrome paint! never thought you could get it to look that good. sweet!

exactly what i was thinking. but it is house of kolor so your getting your moneys worth.

im pumped to see what this turns out as.

Jodah · 02-14-2008, 07:12 PM

yeah, we used house of kolor to paint the orange C16 coupe, and our NY autoshow car. (i work at Callaway if your wondering) amazing paint! and yeah, for how much you pay, you get your moneys worth.