If you ’re in the habit of give acceptance to hackneyed clichés , you ’re probably aware that a good chef never blames a error on his tools . That ’s not quite dependable when it do to case modding . Anybody who ’s ever try on molding metal ( or anything else ) into newfound shapes know that skill is definitely a factor , but even Modderati masters ca n’t change by reversal duck into swan if their tools are n’t up to snuff . On the insolent side , solid creature can avail novices pump out professional - expect mod .
But just what tools does a modder need in his toolkit ? We ’re glad you asked . If you notice yourself flipping through ourkick - ass cause mods galleryand wondering how you — yes , you — could craft such beautiful works with your own hands , this ready to hand - corking guide will get you going in the correct counselling . Everything from beginning tools to ripe tool to sources for super - advanced serving can be found in this lengthy tome … and most of the canonic tools could already be sit in your service department .
Expert Modders Drop Knowledge Bombs
None of this would have been possible without the help of three Modderati maestro whose innovative builds have been blaze out trails and wow onlooker for class :
Bill Owen ofMnpctechrose to celebrity on the back of his mod - realize art but he ’s since expanded Mnpctech into a true resource for case craftsman , selling tools and custom - made modding accessories . Mnpctech has an extensive series ofvideo tutorials embrace canonic modding techniquesand Bill’sCase Mod Blogis a frequently updated imagination . Above is the “ DiRT Showdown ” mod he late made for an AMD game show .
Ron Lee Christianson ofBHSTECHcreated theawesome Iron Man modthat was on showing at ThermalTake ’s stall at Computex . He ’s currently working on a Captain America - theme mod and provide a lot of the pictures of introductory modding putz .
Sander van der Velden ( a.k.a . Asphiax ) recently took Tatooine by ( sand)storm with his Imperial AT - AT mod . His current work - in - progress , theVENATOR Class Republic Star Destroyer , is gear up to be just as impressive . Sander ’s a scratch build fanatical who dropped a pile of cognition about forward-looking techniques .
Thanks for the assist , guys . Now on to the show !
Safety First, Kids
Before you blame up your first single file or plug in a drill press , make indisputable you ’re cut back up in gear that ’ll keep you dependable . workplace gloves are a must , as are latex glove and a respirator if you ’re working with pigment or other chemicals . Doing some dense machining ? fag out some capitulum plugs . Anti - static strap are a well idea if you ’re poking around electronics . Then , there are safety glasses , which should be a mainstay on every modder ’s face .
“ My most important peter is my rubber glasses ! ” Bill says . His favorite duad is the “ stylish and comfortable ” Smith and Wesson Elite safety glasses , whichhe sell through Mnpctech . But what if stylish and comfortable is n’t your thing ? “ No matter what brand or type of safety glasses you expend , your safety specs should meet the High Impact level of the ANSI Z87.1 + safety standard . ”
Got it ? Good ! Now rent ’s crack open this toolkit .
Before You Mod: Planning Out Your Build
Most modders urge formally design out your build in some way , specially if it require a lot of precision employment . Even a simple drafting on the back of a table napkin supply a solid guideline to a basic build . Our Modderati experts go for more intricate planning , however .
“ A computer program like Adobe Illustrator orSketchUpis great for R&D to get your estimation on a visual CRO before to hit the workbench , ” Ron says .
Sander takes a unlike approach . “ I like to build my reckoner like the Russians build up their space vehicle : Trial and mistake . Try something : if it works , continue , and if it does n’t , go back to the drawing dining table and start again . That ’s why I always work up a mockup of the objective first from MDF or EPS foam to visualize the work I need to do and get paper invention impossibilities out of the way . ”
at long last , if you ’re going to be build anything from shekels — be it a case windowpane or snakes slithering out of a hard private road bay tree — decide which materials you ’ll want to habituate for the job , as some stuff require particular tooling . Sander the scratch modder get down out using MDF on his wholly custom builds , but has since converted to atomic number 13 , while Ron prefers using ABS styrene plastic for his home - made accents to premade sheath .
“ It ’s rigid , durable and it ’ll endure up to much abuse , ” he explains . “ you may sand , recitation , shape and mold it to most any shape , and all ranges of pigment — from piddle based to urethanes — will adhere to the surface . ”
acrylate resin or Plexiglas is another very popular modding cloth . It ’s a bit finical , though ; if your envision blade is too coarse or moving too tight , Plexi chap and melts like nobody ’s business organisation . suss out out thisinsanely in - profoundness clause about working with acrylicsif there ’s a fresh windowpane in your face mod ’s futurity .
Basic Tools Do Most Of The Work
“ I do n’t want to warn up - and - coming modders into cogitate that they need a shop class full of high end putz and simple machine to mod , ” Ron says . “ Ninety percentage of the Iron Man and Biohazard builds were made from a square edge , an ten - Acto steel and the Dremel multi - tool . ”
Rotary tools are widely considered the most - used shaft of the modding barter ; they ’re comparatively inexpensive , with swappable accessories that are perfect for boring , sanding , cutting , polishing and a whole , whole fortune more . Most modders have it away their trustworthy Dremel — in fact , “ Dremel ” is pretty much a verb when it come to modding — but it is n’t the only orbitual tool out there .
“ Do n’t be predictable and list Dremel ! ” Bill Owen says . “ Black & Decker ’s RTX Rotary Toolis equally as good as Dremel — for less money — and it take on all Dremel brand attachments , including Dremel ’s # 225 - 01 Flex Shaft Attachment . ” Do n’t bother buying a cordless circular dick , either ; Bill says they are n’t worth the money .
Whether or not your power drill — another must - have case modding tool , perfect for making little , clean hole in figurer cases and other things — needs a cord is up for public debate . Some people prefer the consistent , hassle free oomph a cord provides , while others like the flexibleness of a battery - power cordless role model . Sander van der Velden fall firmly in the former camp .
“ ( With cordless drill ) I always run out of force when I need it and draw a blank to unplug the charging battery , causing it to go lazy , ” he says . “ So I expend a wired power tool / screwdriver . Always enough power at your inspection and repair . ” Either way of life , do n’t bury to buy bits !
Here are some other basic , reasonably humbled - cost tools that belong in a modder ’s toolkit :
square , straight edge , measuring tape measure , markers and pencils – Squares and straight edges are a must - have for lining up straight cuts , while assess tape and writing utensils to note measurements off with help with that whole “ cutting once ” matter .
canonic varieties of all of the above will do , but Mnpctech offers an interesting little straight border called the “ PC Modder Ruler . ” It includes thickness gauges , guide localisation for both 2.5 , 3.5 and 5.25 - inch drives , and references and guide for common fan sizes , screw threads , vandal replacement , and pee cooling barbs and electron tube . There ’s a rap and drill sizing chart as well as a list of common fraction / measured / inches conversions , too . The ruler ’s uncommitted in either aluminium or an eye - capture pig , though the copper adaptation costs twice as much .
Bill sent us one to play around with and we have to say , this ready to hand cock could relieve modders some prison term and mensuration - related headaches . The amount of information on the 12 - inch consistence is kind of amazing , actually . Plus , it ’s hefty enough to deter would - be robber if you swing it at them .
Center puncher – Punches a take dent into metal so that your exercise number does n’t jerk around crazily like your Grandma doing the Gallus gallus dance .
Hand Indian file – sound for promptly deburring the edges of said gash when you do n’t want to bust out your circular tool ’s sand attachment , particularly in low areas .
Hobby knives with miter box – For fine contingent work , nothing beats the precision of little hobby knives . The miter joint boxes ascertain in many hobby tongue Seth have carved channels for 45 - degree and 90 - grade slash .
Glues , hot glue gunman , epoxy – For , um , gluing two things into one matter . Hot gum should be good enough for most thing , while Gorilla Glue ensures a more permanent bond . Epoxy is good for gluing plastic to metal . Acrylic mucilage actually fuse separate slice of acrylic ( like Plexiglas ) into a single piece .
mesa clamps and vise – These allow you to secure materials to your bench , see to it thing wo n’t go screwy at the last second when you ’re making a vital cut .
plier , screwdrivers , Allen wrenches , normal wrenches , tweezers , etc . – All the tools you ’ll ask to fiddle around with cases , force back bays and the comparable . A band of precision screwdrivers is a worthwhile investment as many cases use small screwing .
Wire strippers and ship’s boat and a soldering iron – programme on installing LED ignitor or any other electrical work ? You ’ll almost emphatically necessitate these tools . Some Molex tools probably could n’t pain , either .
Image recognition viamignonette-game.com
Tin snipping and a nibbler – orbitual puppet are wondrous things , but their rapidly whirl heads cause metal to wake up and possibly warp if you ’re not careful . Tin snip and nibblers also make unanimous track , only without the thermal effects . atomic number 50 clip process as gestate ; nibblers ( both manual and powered version are available ) take belittled , circular bit out of metallic element and require a starting hole . Both leave cuts that often need to be file away down for smoothness .
Now on to bigger tools that make giving cuts !
Banging out holes
Whether you ’re making a newfangled exhaust devotee or the unresolved mouth of a fiery demon , intrude a golf hole through a showcase is almost inevitable during case modding . There are several choice available for making read holes , however , starting with a bi - alloy hole see position .
Bi - metallic element hole saw set are specialized attachments that change by reversal everyday power drills into badass machine capable of cutting holes of various sizes , though you ’ll demand an mandril that fits your drill in decree to use them . Most can also be used for cutting Ellen Price Wood or plastic . “ I use these to rationalise out rooter muddle and scratch - build pieces like the electric arc - nuclear reactor on the Iron Man build , ” Ron enunciate .
That ’s right — that badass Arc Reactor above was work up using a simple gob saw set up . ( And some additional techniques , of course . ) Bill Owen ’s actually made avideo templet to using jam saw hardening for case modding . He also supplied us with this handy - dandy leaning of conversions :
80 mm = 3 - inch mess saw
92 mm = 3.5 - inch cakehole see
120 mm = 4.5 - inch maw envision
140 mm = 5.5 - in hole see
For buff nooky trap , Bill suggests using aRoper Whitney No . 5 Jr. Hand Punch . It works tight and comes out clean .
If you ’re super - serious about induce clean holes and have a deal of money to throw at modding , Bill urge empower in knockout punches , specifically knockout slug made by Greenlee . “ No penury to deburr the boundary of a yap saw or jigsaw cut anymore ! ” he says .
mantrap punches use human elbow grease and the dull , steady press of tightening the clout using a screw to knock cakehole through metallic element . Various - sized sets and suffer - alone punch can be institute online , but be warned : they often be several hundred dollars . You ’ll also require a socket wrench to use a beauty punch , and Bill recommends a twist at least 19 inch long . ( It takes a lot of desirableness to plug through metal ! ) He ’s also made avideo template for using knockout biff .
Ultra - precise holes ask a drill press . Drill presses slay any chance of either the practice session or the fabric shifting , and they also work with the same accessory as a standard drill , let in hole reckon set . Small , canonic models can be found for less than $ 100 online .
“ To verify the holes are perfectly perpendicular to the material I use a Mandrillus leucophaeus press , ” Sander sound out . “ Not a professional one , but a scurvy close one , which is more than enough for this kind of work . Also , exercise a fan jam into a piece of Plexi is so much easier when you use a practice session press as it stabilizes the drill , which arrest the blade from biting into the Plexi and have it to snap . ”
Cutting Things
Rotary tools are prissy , but sometimes their cut adhesion just wo n’t do the trick . When you ’ve acquire a self-aggrandising , long cut line up , power saw are the best way to go . Modders tend to apply band saws and jigsaws . Note that different cloth need unlike cutting speeds and experience tooth denseness ; Plexi requires a slower , fine track than metals , for representative .
Bandsaw – “ I find myself using the band saw for foresighted straight cuts into various stuff , and use a 14tpi ( teeth per inch ) blade for most my study , ” Ron says . He , like most modders , considers the peter a must - have .
Jigsaw – jigsaw use sparse , tight moving stroking - activity blades . A jigsaw can foreshorten square , sure , but its genuine advantage lie in in its power to handle curved lines and scrolls as well as its overall versatility ; jigsaws work well on almost any case as well as Plexi . They ’re also much more portable than bandsaw .
Proxxon DSH Electrical Fret Saw – Scratch modders take note : “ This matter is its weight worth in GOLD ! ” Sander sound out . “ It ’s my most used and versatile cock . I use it to abridge MDF up to 20 millimetre , Plexi up to 12 millimetre and aluminum up to 10 mm .
“ The blades are detachable so you’re able to practise a pickle in a man of fabric and date from the inside . Brilliant for making devotee holes , windows , ventilation time slot , drive cages and what not . Also , the cuts are consecutive and fresh and I can set two speeds , slow for Plexi and fast for Al . ”
We ’re almost there ! The next page has even more advanced tools , data link to modding - friendly inspection and repair supplier and some parting words by a couple of our Modderati expert .
Advanced Tools
Sander – No , not our pelf detergent builder , an actual tycoon smoother , which can avail you strip the paint off of cases ( and other stuff ) much quicker and more efficiently than emery paper alone . Lie the case panel insipid on the table and let gravity guide the tool to ensure an even finish . Modders on a budget can stick to sanding block or emery paper instead . The higher the guts , the finer the finish , with sub-100 gritrock working well for bumpy work like deburring .
Airbrush or key sprayer – A solid paint line summate a slew to a mod . pigment sprayer are good for flat , upstanding coats while airbrush pop the question a circumstances more versatility . Check outAirbrush Tutorto encounter up on your basic know - how . You ’ll need an air compressor to go along with a rouge atomiser or air throttle .
Hotwire or thermocutting gimmick – These sport a heated telegram and are commonly used for cutting through froth or plastic . Sander uses hisProxxon Thermocutter“to cutting EPS froth down to the right size and get organic bod out of the stoppage . you’re able to bend the telegram in any shape you like and it will veer through the foam like a warm tongue through butter . large for making louver or small extension to whatever you are build . ”
He also uses a small hotwire gimmick to create plication in Plexiglas up to 6 mm duncical . That ’s call up outside the boxwood ! ( If you do n’t have Sander ’s budget , a passion gun can accomplish the same thing , albeit with less precision . )
Aluminum bend tabular array ( a.k.a . a bend break ) – This is waaaaay more than the average modder needs , but Sander just picked one up and he love it for scratch human body . “ It bend 63 cm strips of 1.5 mm atomic number 13 with ease and can be used to create almost everything . customs duty eye candy that can take a lacing ! ” Under the pic of the flex table is a movie of the VENATOR bod ’s aluminium base .
Service Providers For Even More Advanced Techniques
“ Sometimes the arsenal of instrument the garage wo n’t assist , specially when you involve to make a in truth unique part or create a slit built personal computer , ” Bill Owen says . “ Here are the imagination Mnpctech use and recommends for helping you make a truly custom PC . ”
Karl’z Grafix
[ electronic mail protected ]
612 - 412 - 1797
“ When we ask specialism artwork made , we contact Karl Maser , at Karl’z Grafix . He can make any custom graphic or logo applique we need for microcomputer windowpane or panels . He specialize in small quantity orders and one of a kinds . ”
Custom CNC Machined Parts by Centerline Manufacturing Inc.
Chris Croy ( President )
Ph.260 - 348 - 7400
Fax . 260 - 693 - 6356
Laser Cutting & Eteching Services
803 41st Street North
Birmingham , Alabama 35212
205 - 595 - 7070 FAX 205 - 595 - 7021
http://www.lasercuttingservice.net
E - MachineShop
“ Emachineshop is expensive , but give you the power to make any part using shot molding , milling , turning , laser thinning , waterjet cutting , bending . you’re able to download free , easy - to - use of goods and services software which they can use to plan objects ranging from personal computer chassis and railcar parts to door pommel in metal , charge card or other materials . ”
Parting words
Whew ! That was a protracted journeying . Hopefully you ’re just a bit wise for sticking it out this long . If you put any of this knowledge to good use , we ’d love if you shared the results in theModders ’ Workshop section of our forum .
Before we wrap thing up , Sander van der Velden ( whoshowed off his USS Eurisko build in the Modders ’ Workshop ) has some farewell words of wisdom :
“ The good tip I can give a modder is not to endeavor to save on your tools . Good preparation is half the work and good tooling is another poop of that work . For representative , when I started with aluminum edifice I got my first tap from a DIY market . It cost 10 Euros , including the oil . I almost give up aluminum modding right there as it needed Superman powers to work it !
“ The blade was dull , the rattler did n’t fit by rights and the oil color was like glue . I went to a low ironware store and bought some good stuff ; 30 Euros in total and it just flee ! In the time I did one hole with the old setup I did three with the new one using one finger . So if it ’s possible , essay to borrow good tools instead of buying cheap and useless ones — you ’ll be happier for it ! ”
Ron Christianson has something to say about a critical shaft , too : “ The most of import instrument is your imagination , any thing that you could dream up can be build . With a small hard work and creativity you may fetch your theme from construct to completion . ”
With that , we bid you happy modding !
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