Pictorial guide/worklog of modifications to 'HTPC',
GAM's Home Theatre PC; Making a cheap, simple case better - Page 12
By Greig Mackenzie
Noise Dampening (Adhesive Foam Pads)
For this next stage, I used the 'Noise
Isolator Flex Pad Kit' which I ordered from
PC Case Gear.
This stuff isn't exactly cheap, but I feel it is worth it. There are
other alternatives out there, so if you are on a tight budget, try
Audio/Visual businesses and other foam/plastics businesses.
The kit includes four separate pieces;
two sheets for top and
bottom panels (220mm x 400mm) and two sheets for both side panels
(440mm x 400mm.
Measure, Slice and Dice - Top Panel
I started with the underside of the top panel.
First I measured the interior width of the top panel and then marked
the dimensions onto the backing sheet of the adhesive foam pad (one
of the top/bottom sheets). Because I'm cutting along a steel ruler,
I didn't necessarily bother to draw lines between my dimension
marks, I just held the ruler firmly in place while I scored the
through the foam pad. Use a good sharp blade for this to avoid
tearing the foam and obtain a nice clean cut.
With the top blow hole fan in place, I then
measured the dimensions from inside front to leading edge of fan.
Same for inside rear to back edge of fan. Mark, slice and dice my
dimensioned sheet.
Test fit. Fortunately, the off cut strip of the
top panel pad was close enough to the correct dimension for the two
pieces either side of the fan. For these short cuts, I just used my
trusty workshop scissors.
Test fit again. Nice.
The next few steps are optional. Because I figured
there would be more mods in store for this case in the future, I
didn't want to obstruct the rivet fixing holes and make it difficult
for future disassembly/re-assembly. So, I left strips of the backing
sheet on the ends of the foam pads to prevent them from adhering to
the case.
20mm should cover it. I estimated this on the end
of the first sheet and then very gently and carefully scored the
backing sheet without penetrating the foam pad. This allows me to
peel away the main backing sheet without peeling away the ends.
My technique for laying the sheets is, firstly, to remove only a
portion of the backing sheet and adhere this at your starting point
(in this case, furthest from me). Fold/curl the backing sheet so
that you can grip it in your fingers from underneath the sheet. Then
gently pull the backing sheet towards you, peeling it away from the
adhesive, while gently pulling the sheet across the space so that
the end of sheet adheres where you want it and not 20mm short. For
the last bit, try not to pull it too long either, or it will end up
sticking to the verticals where you may not want it. Using your
fingertips, push the ends down into the corners and where necessary,
push it down off your vertical edges.
Once the adhesive touches something, it wants to stick to it,
funnily enough. In one of the photos you can see a wavy line where
it meets the vertical edge. This is where the edge of the adhesive
has griped the vertical edge. In another shot, you can see where I
have used my finger tip to press the edges down into the corner. You
could also you a block or edge too depending on how critical it is.
In this case, this is the top and nobody will see it.
Here you can see the result of leaving the strip of backing sheet on
the adhesive. The area beneath is accessible.
The way the front panel of the case protrudes into the top panel
section was going to make it difficult to access, so in this case, I
decided to attach the front panel first. I left the same backing
strip but this time I removed the backing sheet in a different
direction. Note where I've started peeling from.
The end of the peel and then completed.
I didn't bother photographing the two side pieces as I'm sure you've
got the idea now.
Top panel done!
