Silverstone SG05 Case Mod, " The NOTalis project"

[Bill Owen]

 

The NOTalis project was the result of E.E.L. Ambiense's recent 4 day visit to Minnesota. We've talked about getting together for the last couple of years. We both agreed that a Mini ITX project wouldn't suck up too much of his 4 days. He suggested the Silverstone SG05. E.E.L. made some conceptual drawings from home so we had a plan. The SG05 arrived 2 days before he did. I brought it to the machine shop on Thursday to mill a new bezel design. E.E.L. was inspired by the Nautilus submarine's window from Jules Vern's 20,000 Leagues under the sea (disney movie 1954).

 

We titled the project "NOTalis" because it sounded funny.

 

The both of us had always talked about experimenting with instant rusting techniques and products. We're both fans of Piloux's Blackmesa HL2 case mod. A historical chapter in case modding. We planned to use the same product Piloux used. I believe we found the current version by Sophisticated Finishes. Piloux never explains his application techniques in detail which forced us to experiment a lot. It can be a little frustrating to use this product because you must wait for the results. You just learn to keep busy with other things, like sleeving a PSU or cutting a 240mm fan grill. We discovered on the last night that a heat gun sped up the rusting process.

 

We only spent two evenings working on the project. We were both amazed we didn't need more time, but we work very efficiently together.

 

Since it was E.E.L.'s first time here. I brought him to some interesting local businesses and eateries. We spent a great deal of our time just talking shop. So this get together was historical for us. We made a point to record everything knowing it would be shared here with you.

 

Silverstone SG05 Mini ITX case

 

 

 

OEM 120mm fan location (modified to 140mm)

 

 

 

3/4" thick block of 6061 aluminum

 

140mm intake design inspired by "Nautilus" submarine window from Jules Vern's 20,000 Leagues under the sea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 240 size Steampunk acrylic radiator grill is a good fit for the SG05. Keep in mind the SG05 has a one piece cover. You will have to modify the rear chassis pillar to clear the grill's mounting screws. This mirror finish won't exist much longer..heh

 

 

The SG05's rear slot covers and Mnpctech

80mm "Gear" style acrylic fan grill were getting their first application of Duplicolor brand automotive sandable primer. The Brown primer is a great base coat color for the rust effect we applied later on.

 

Endret 13. oktober 2009 av Bill Owen

[Bill Owen]

Using this angle grinder to give the 2x120 steampunk grill look more delapitated. These are professionals, so please don't copy the grinder in the vice trick at home

 

 

 

 

Sanding it with Medium grit sandpaper before applying primer and instant rust

 

 

After an hour our steampunk grill looks like this

 

 

 

E.E.L hits the PSU's housing, he removed the stock stamped grill from and base unit as well...

 

 

Heres the Sophisticated Solutions products.

 

Video

 

 

E.E.L. first applies the iron solution to the surface

 

 

Here's what it looks like in the middle of corrosion...

 

 

E.E.L. masked off the base unit with Scotchbrite green tape and did the same thing to it...

 

[Bill Owen]

Thanks for the comments everybody! Here's the front cnc milled panel after applying SEM self etching primer.

 

 

 

 

Iron Metallic Surfacer is applied over the SEM primer coat

 

 

 

E.E.L. is rawking along with the PSU and also applied the instant rust effect to the 80mm laser cut Gear grill

 

 

 

Cool, oversized case thumb screws get transformed as well

 

 

 

These XL size thumbscrews used to be included with the Thermaltake Tsunami case, I save them

 

 

Cheers to a great PC Mod Jam Session!

 

[Bill Owen]

E.E.L applies the Sophisticated Finishes "Iron Metallic Surfacer" to the primer coated aluminum bezel

 

 

[Bill Owen]

No feet on the SG05?! Ok, trip to Microcenter! some cheapy "StarTech" brand rubber stick-ons will do the trick. I would have used our machined aluminum case feet, but they would have hit the ITX MB..heh

 

 

E.E.L. is finishing up on the PSU modification.

 

 

E.E.L. is also applying the final layer of rusting agent to the rad grill

 

http://www.mnpctech.com/Steampunk_BlackIce...tor_Grills.html

 

 

Thats looking pretty darn realistic E.E.L.!

 

[Bill Owen]

Applying the final rust application on the Silverstone SG05 shell.

 

 

E.E.L. staying at something, Ghost Rider Media PC on wall of Mnpctech studio

 

 

 

You can keep layering the Sophisticated Finishes Instant Rust until you achieve the results you like

 

 

I'm covering the PCI slot covers and case screws with the rust application.

 

 

[Bill Owen]

 

If you scroll down with these pics really fast, it's alsmost like a movie! :hehe:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...aaaaand done.

 

Endret 22. oktober 2009 av Bill Owen

[Bill Owen]

Here's some closeup shots of the shell/side grill assembly so far to show some cool detail.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bill Owen]

and the finished project photos.