CM Storm's "Scout" Case (Computex Show Display)

[MonsterMawd]

This will be another Insane Case Mod by Mnpctech.com



For this project, we used Scotch 4010 tap, of it's Super strength adhesion. Used for mounting windows in computer cases.

http://www.mnpctech.com/scotch_4010_tape_of_the_casemod_gods.html

http://www.mnpctech.com/120mm_Custom_FanGrill.html

Honeycomb, Black Powder coat

Nate Supple from CustomPCMax & my biz, Mnpctech have only 2.5 weeks to build a military theme "Scout" Gaming Rig for CM Storm's display at the Computex Show.

If you want mobility in a computer case for LANs, the Scout's handle is very sturdy

CM STORM logo. Storm is Cooler master's high performance sub brand, like what SVT is for Ford

Heres the concept for the front Cooler Master chose. I'm making a front grill, using 2 of the "eye of the storm" designs from the CM Storm logo. I may change things a bit, just cause I'm like that... if time allows of course

1/8" thick "smoked" acrylic sheet

Using 2x 120mm Radiator Template to position. You can download your own Radiator templates

 

[MonsterMawd]

Using band saw to cut the "smoked" acrylic

 

[MonsterMawd]

Diagram of the CM Storm Scout

1st order of business is to open the top perforated 140mm grill to help improve airflow. The top handle will have to be removed in order to perform this procedure.
The plastic carry handle is reinforced with steel. You can remove the handle's plastic shell by removing the 4x 140mm fan screws and 2x screws towards the top rear of the case

2x screws are located underneath the front I/O ports

This is as far as I'm going to pull the handle off. ....cause it will be a PITA otherwise

Closer look at the 140mm top exhaust grill

4x screws fasten on the steel portion of the handle. Notice it has large tabs that slide into the top of the chassis.

I'm using this 120mm wire fan grill to find the center of the perforated grill

Greenlee part # 730EBB-120 Last time I inquired, they were around $450 (us dollars) in the states + Large 3/4" socket wrench, and 2" socket. I wouldn't use anything less than 19" long socket wrench. Estimated purchase price of $550 new. These are primarly used by Electricians and sometimes Plumbers.

Back to removing the Scout's top perforated fan grill.

In order to fit teh Greenlee's knock shaft into the grill, I cut a 1.5" opening in the center of the perforated grill with a heavy duty wire cutter

120mm Green Lee Knock Punch's Blade and Driver Shaft

 

[MonsterMawd]

You first insert the threaded shaft

I'm using a 19" long 3/4" socket wrench to turn the blade

Within a matter of minutes, a clean 120mm size hole is cut.

The center of the perforated grill

I will have to buy a 140mm size knock-out blade soon

 

[Shadow703793]

Damn dude, how many projects do you have going around? How's the other one coming along?

 

[AKM880]

This looks amazing, good luck with it!

 

[MonsterMawd]

This one just landed in my lap last week, it need to be done in 1.5 weeks

CM should be sending me another Window side panel, so i can have windows on both sides. On the right side, I'll be applying laser cut out of their new CM STORM logo, from 1/8" thick red translucent and black opaque acrylic

Outlining the Scout's new window for the right side onto 1/8" thick clear acrylic sheet

The window was cut using a band saw

The window was originally fastened on with plastic tabs, but I will use 8/32 socket head screws instead

 

[apache_lives]

Noice work mate, keep us posted with the end product

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

Looking good. You sure are a busy man MM.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Busy is a good thing in this economy! Yesterday afternoon I used a measuring square and the laser cut out background to calculate the ideal location for cmstorm logo

 

[Shadow703793]

Monster, would you happen to have a CNC mill?

 

[MonsterMawd]

The letter are laser cut. You can find people to do this for you on RFQwork.com

The logo window took me a bit longer than I expected, Weld On #16 is very messy glue. It's very stringy and bonds very fast. One slip up and youre screwed. I took my time while watching Casino movie on Xbox LIVE. I love that movie!

 

[Shadow703793]

Thanks for the info about the machining! Very nice work. Next time why not try some JB KWIK? It takes ~2-3minutes to start setting and can be removed it quickly (with some Alcohol from my experience) within that time if any thing goes south.
See: http://www.jbweld.net/products/jbkwik.php
Not as strong as JB Weld but this is strong enough for modding kind of work.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thanks for the tip, Is it Clear though?

4, R4 120mm cooling fans were sent to us from Cooler Master to install. These fans are brand new!

Model # R4-L2R-20CR-GP. Theyre rated at CFM is 69-90CFM @ 19-30dBA, they move a lot air without the added noise. Very nice!

Scout's left side window

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

Those look like nice fans MM. I have been wanting some 80CFM+ LED fan to replace my 8 88CFM scythe fans on my watercooling system. Please post whether or not the CFM and the DBA rating are accurate.

 

[Shadow703793]

Thanks for the tip, Is it Clear though?

Yes.

 

[MonsterMawd]

I have no way of measuring the dBA, sorry!

Digital camo pattern, Brad found a pattern and customized it in Roland's Cut Studio.

This pattern will be cut into Vinyl Masking Film and applied to the Scout Case

Roland GX 24 Plotter

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

I'm not asking to measure the DBA, which would be useless since there are too many variables, I'm just wondering how close you think they are. Do the fans actually push a lot of air in your experience? Is the noise level acceptable to you? I just want some general feedback.

 

[AKM880]

I'm pretty sure my friend has to same LED fans, they aren't quite loud but they move a fair bit of air. I think Scythe fans might be better for airflow.

 

[MonsterMawd]

@ 90 CFM, theyre acceptable, but to your ears. I have no idea


A masked off Scout waits for surface prep and custom painting to commence.

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

Thanks MM, I have never seen you use such a high DBA fan before and since I have a higher tolerance for computer noise than 90%+ of people I just ordered some for some testing.

The case is looking great and I am excited to see the paint job.

 

[Shadow703793]

^lol true that. Add me to the list of the 10%. Heck, I had(still have) a Thermaltake Spark 7+ and at full speed I can hear it from the basement (the PC was on the 2nd floor), kept the P4 @3.8Ghz (75C under P95) pretty decently cooled at full speed.

 

[natepcman]

Component List for the CMSTORM Project:
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 945 AM3
CPU HSF: CoolerMaster V8
Mobo: DFI Lanparty DK-790FXB-M3H5 AM3
Ram: Geil EVOONE DDR3 2 x 2 Gigs
GPU: 2 x ATI Radeon HD 4890 1 Gig PCI-Express
PSU: CoolerMaster Silent Pro 600 Watt Modular
Harddrive: OCZ Solid State Drive 30 Gig Sata
ODD: Standard DVD Drive
O/S: Windows Vista Ultimate

 

[Shadow703793]

^WTH? Troll? Who are you??

 

[AKM880]

^ @ natePCman, please start another thread for another topic. Looking good MM, keep up the good work!