GAM.net.au

GAM's 'Personal' Web Presence

Documenting some of the things I like, I do and I enjoy... and hopefully providing information, insight and interest for others.
A works in progress ...and always under construction ;-)

 
Home          Contact Home | Worklog | Front Panel Intake-Part 1 | Front Panel Intake-Part 2 (Duct)
PC Mods

PSU SATA Cable Mod/Sleeving

WORKLOG: GAM's HTPC - Simple Modding Make-Over

PC Front Panel Mod - Air Intake - Part 1

PC Front Panel Mod - Air Intake - Part 2 (Duct)

E6400 Core 2 Duo, Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6, ThermalTake Big Typhoon - Part 1

E6400 Core 2 Duo, Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6, ThermalTake Big Typhoon - Part 2

E6400 Core 2 Duo, Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6, ThermalTake Big Typhoon - part 3 (DUCT MOD - Part 2)

Sneak Peek - Current and in-progress mods to 'Main'

Products

ThermoChill Products

!! Site Under Construction !!

GAM's HTPC - PC Front Panel Mod - Air Intake - Part 2

- Duct template, cast foam sheets, mould, fibreglass, fill & shape

Last update: February 2007

DISCLAIMER:
Some procedures set out in these pages MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Proceed at your own risk.

The author cannot be held responsible or liable for any damages that could occur to you or your equipment while following the procedures presented on these pages. Also, the author gives ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY on the correctness and usability of the information provided on these pages. Please note, however, that the procedures set out on these pages have worked for the author without damages or problems, except where noted.

Please don't say I didn't warn you!

The second time around, I realised it was important to elevate the workpiece above the bench, thus…

One hardened, single layered, moulded fibreglass duct!

In my travels, someone told me that the resin (containing Styrene) would dissolve the polyurethane foam and counselled me to cover the entire mould with Plastercine. I did, but in the end I deemed it unnecessary.

Now to remove the foam template from the mould. I started by cutting away large chunks off the corners, layer by layer.

Surprisingly, this process was quicker than expected. Nevertheless, it probably still took close to an hour before I was left with this.

The Plastercine was a real nuisance now, although it did allow me to remove the foam more easily. The fibreglass would have stuck to the mould which would have meant leaving much of the foam in place… still not a bad alternative though as I needn't have applied so much body filler later.

To remove the centre core of foam and Plastercine, I slid my little metal ruler inside and around the edges, breaking the bond between the plastercine and the fibreglass. Once this was done, I manage to push the core out from the other side.

Core removed.

One FRG mould! At this point I SHOULD have applied additional layers of fibreglass matting. I thought this would have been longer and more difficult and opted for the 'bondo' job instead. Bad idea…

The mould needed reinforcement as it was quite flimsy with the single FRG layer. So I applied body filler to the rear surfaces to provide more stiffness and subsequent 'shape-ability'.

After a little edge trimming and much filing and sanding.

See Also
PC Front Panel Mod - Air Intake - Part 1
PC Front Panel Mod - Air Intake - Part 2 (Duct)
Forum Discussions
Overclockers Australia (OCAU): January 2007 Modding Competition Worklogs
Overclockers Australia (OCAU): Front Panel Intake Duct Mod (built from scratch using fibreglass) – GAM's HTPC
 
Home          Contact Home | Worklog | Front Panel Intake-Part 1 | Front Panel Intake-Part 2 (Duct)