[Black Frost] Fractal Design Define R4 - Update Feb. 10th - Interior Panels

[Orange_Clockwer]

Hey ROG nation! I would first like to thank everyone for checking out my work log! I have come pretty far since my first project I posted here, my Cooler Master HAF 932. After that I built a HAF912 case mod named Grey Matter. Ill put a link in my signature. I just finished up that build and it is entered in the 2013 Cooler Master case mod contest! Wish me luck!

I am trying to keep the ball rolling right into this next build, Black Frost, a Fractal Design Refine R4 case mod! I was originally planning a different mod, but I won this Refine R4 case in a case review giveaway on the Mod Zoo. I will be posting a review on the mod zoo forum under the Fractal Design thread if you are interested in my opinion, the review will be up soon! The case was really nice so I decided not to waste any time and get on it! Thumbs up to Fractal on making a solid case!

I am attempting to do something different and make this build a little bit more open concept and the goal is to have everything as neat as possible. Most systems are completely shrouded and the slack from the wires is smashed in a box basically. I want to have everything cut to exact lengths and attempt to minimize all slack. I am going with a black and white color scheme with chrome accents to cut down on full fledged paint job and keep this build clean.

Remember to reference this first post for easy links to all the updates on this project!

Update 1 : 2/3/2014 : Case Fabrication
Update 2 : 2/10/2014 : Interior Panels

PC Components : *TBA - To Be Announced

[] CPU : Intel I-5
[] MoBo : ASUS Gryphon or ASUS Maximus Gene
[] RAM : TBA
[] GPU : TBA
[] PSU : eVGA 650W SuperNOVA
[] SSD : Samsung Evo
[] OPT : TBA (possibly none)
[] Case : Fractal Design Refine R4

Water Cooling :
[] TBA

Key Mods :
<> Open concept.
<> Chrome copper tubing.
<> Solid PSU wires cut to length.
<> Hand made acrylic reservoir, possibly another style waterfall.
<> More TBA.


I am proud and honored to already have picked up a sponsor for this build:

Huge thanks to Casefeet.com. They have some super beast mode case feet! I am really happy and excited to have them on board! Checkout the site by clicking the logo!




This post will be updated with more information as the build goes on.

With all that taken care of, on to the first update!

First things first the base of this creation! The Pearl Black Fractal design Refine R4! Here are some photos of the case, taking it to a blank canvas.












The blank canvas!:clap:




Measured lines to cut the bottom metal out for better air flow for my floor mount radiator Ill be installing.




Removed these goodies from Casefeet.com! They came thoroughly wrapped and protected!








I picked up some 1.5" ID O-rings from McMaster Carr on my way home from work the other day and rolled them onto the case feet into the milled grooved for the black stripe effect. There are other ways to make the effect its up to your imagination!






I am still plotting the exact placement for them, I will decide when I cut out the bottom panel.




These are the 24" x 36" sheets of acrylic for the build, also from McMaster Carr. ( I love living 20 minutes from there! 😄 ) I will most likely have to get more but I am starting with two sheets of each color.




I started making the cuts to create the floor inside the case. I like working with a flat even floor from the start. It makes for good panel mounting and a nice clean look. I made some 1/2" strips for the floor supports. Then Ill be cementing them to the floor panel after i make my radiator cuts and drill my holes for the panel standoffs.












One of my favorite tools here for making precise marks to mount my fence when making router cuts! Every mark its right on the money at all times!








Test Fitting of the floor panel resting on its support strips.




I had some left over U-channel molding from MNPCtech.com from my last build so I put it to use. I covered it with Rustoleums version of plastic-dip so I could make it white. Then I trimmed out the front area where Ill be making a 240mm radiator mount.






Here is a final shot of where I am sitting now, and a shot showing how the PSU will be oriented, and I set in a spare radiator for perspective. The build will actually be using a 240mm rad in that location.






Well that is where I left off last night. I would of liked to been further along but I had another little side project and was busy with the holidays. this build may move a little slower at first because I am currently saving money to buy a nice CNC when I get my taxes back. Once I get that, this build will take off and Ill be taking my modding to the next level! I am super stoked for that!

Thanks for checking out the build log thus far, Stay Tuned!!

[abvolt]

Your build is sure starting off great looks really good.

[Orange_Clockwer]

abvolt wrote:
Your build is sure starting off great looks really good.

Thanks! Once I get my cube standoffs Ill be able to attach panels and it will start coming together.

[Chino]

Digging the color scheme so far! 🙂

[Orange_Clockwer]

Chino wrote:
Digging the color scheme so far! 🙂

Thanks! The colors will really start poppin' once I peel the protective paper off after I make all my measurements and final cuts. Theres quite a bit of cuts yet to be made to both panels I put up.

[Orange_Clockwer]

Hey everyone! Got a little work done since the weather warmed up enough to heat the workshop! I'm not quite finished designing the interior so I decided to do all the case work first. All my money for the next few paychecks is going to my CNC so I can get that thing constructed. Ill have limited funds for PC parts so I will be getting one or two parts at a time and doing as much as I can with that. My previous PC is currently for sale on eBay to help me move forward faster. I don't really want to sell it but if it will help me get to where I wanna go faster I will do it. Anyway here is what I am working with so far!

I found mill bits on eBay for my router for much cheaper than sears, pretty happy about that!



I had some 3/8" aluminum cubes fabricated, Ill be using these to attach panels without needing an entire skeleton of aluminum framing. FannBlade did a great job making these for me! I saved a few bucks by tapping them myself.



I mounted one where I am planning my first panels to show how they'll be used.





The first task at hand was making a new rear panel since I will be doing another vertical GPU and flipping my PSU on its side I will need a new orientation of I/O ports on the back. I double layered it with white and black and once I finish the I/O cutouts Ill be adding inlay cutouts on both sides and adding 1/2" trim on each edge.






This is my favorite thing to see when cutting with the Bosch Colt, splitting my pencil lines!:dremel::thumb:





Next I got going on the floor panel. Ill be mounting a radiator on the acrylic floor panel so I wanted to cut out the bottom metal for the best possible air flow.









Once The bottom was cut out I filed it down and trimmed it out with left over U-Channel from MNPCtech.com for my Grey Matter build. I also bolted down the beast mode case feet from www.Casefeet.com





Then I attached the acrylic supports for the floor. The gloss black is going to be bling blingin' on the interior:D









Next I opened up the front panel front top to bottom. I am planning to make a double chamber reservoir attached with chrome tubing mounted in the middle of the front panel and through the bezel. You will see what I am saying as it comes together.

[Orange_Clockwer]

Once it was cut out I decided to make acrylic trim for the opening. I cut strips of acrylic 5/8" thick, then I used a scrap piece of mod mesh to get the spacing correct when gluing them. Once it dried I used a flush cutting bit and trimmed off the scrap. Then I mitered the pieces on the scroll saw so I didn't have to buy a new blade for our 10" cutoff saw.






























It was a lot of work just for some trim but it was worth it, it cam out really nice and professional looking. Once I paint the metal I will attach the trim with epoxy and cement it at the corners so it will be on for good.

Well that's all I have for now. Next Thing up will be the front bezel. I am going to remove the door and make it polished chrome look to match the tubing Ill be using. Hopefully the weather stays above 30 degrees so my heaters can keep up with the cold. Thanks for watching! Stay tuned!

Thanks again to my sponsor thus far:

[chrsplmr]

I need some jelly beans [i don't smoke.] and a cold shower. Awesome. Can't wait to see the result. thnks. .c.

[Orange_Clockwer]

chrsplmr wrote:
I need some jelly beans [i don't smoke.] and a cold shower. Awesome. Can't wait to see the result. thnks. .c.

Thanks! Its coming slowly but surely =D

[kkn]

looking great 🙂