scratch build as-modding: Black Widow

[Andreas Stich]

Hi and welcome to this worklog.

 

This will be my 3rd CMWS and i am pretty exited to see all the great mods this year.

But i don't just want to look, i am here to build my own creations.

 

So let's start.

 

PROJECT DESIGN & INSPIRATION

 

The theme i have chosen for this mod is "Black Widow" - based on the Marvel character.

 

The concept itself was pretty straight forward and as i started it was intended to be a frame for a existing case (one i did cut in half years ago, but well...i decided otherwise)

I wanted to make use of 3D printing and make some nice panels with epoxy.

 

HARDWARE & SPONSORS:

 

For now, the only sponsor i have on this particular mod is AsRock, providing me with a X470 Fatal1ty Gaming/ITX-ac.

The other hardware might change up on finishing this build and will be listed here:

 

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600

Mainboard: AsRock Fatal1ty X470 Gaming/ITX-ac

GPU: Inno 3D RTX 2060 Twin X2

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 32 GB DDR4-3000

Storage: Samsung EVO Plus 970 

PSU:

CPU Cooler:

Fans:

other:

 

 

[Andreas Stich]

The base i started with was a halfed case:

 

The first steps on this build indeed printing out frame parts, glueing them together with the help of deheaded screws and fixing problematic spots as they come.

 

In the meantime i made myself a silicon mold (positive 3d print, negative silicone) to mold my epoxy front:

 

It pretty much was going in the direction i hoped it would:

 

But once i finished the frame...it was clear the existing case is not 100% straight (or my print, whatever - i had to change something)

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[Andreas Stich]

At this point it was clear, that the film itself will be postponed because of the pandemic, so i decided to just leave it and work at it whenever i want to.

 

I kept printing stuff, which i needed to switch from a case frame to a scratch build.

As you can see i had the idea to illuminate the spots on the frame (red acrylic).

Also testing some hardware how it fits.

 

Sure at some point, the whole thing had to be filled and sanded down.

 

Chasing after my idea to illuminate all the tiny spots, i did print a frame to hold the LED stripes and although it was very nice looking, it got way to hot and i abandoned this idea.

 

with the front panel being fixed in the end i needed a fan shroud i could remove (top is also removable):

 

and of course the Black Widow Logo had to be cast with epoxy (this was a try if it actually works in a 3D printed mold without the use of silicone):

 

but this one was bending, so some time later i trashed it and did it again.

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[Andreas Stich]

bringing the epoxy panel and the frame together - and fill/sand gaps:

 

go outside sometime, but only to paint.

I tried something here, which i am glad i don't have pictures of, because it went totally wrong. (a special red underneath, which...cracked everything up)

 

once dried, it was looking pretty good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andreas Stich]

attaching the "Logo" of course:

 

at this point i stored the whole thing and left it alone until CMWS was announced.

That was also the point i realized, that the red epoxy did bend quite hard afterwards and i just had to remake it.

 

which i did.

this time saving alot of time using just a bare frame for it, hot glue it onto some cheap plastic glas and use that as a mold.

 

i still hate sanding!

 

Because i was not happy with an exhaust fan, i chose to cover it with a frame, which also covers a little bit of the IO of the mainboard.

 

Now i am pretty much up to date.

i still need to do a top frame, which i already started on:

 

Now i need to do proper cable management/sleeving,

side panels (toned acrylic) and maybe some hardware changes.

 

BUT we are up to date guys.

Thanks for now, next updates will be hot & fresh

 

 

[Andreas Stich]

painted the top cover black and added some mesh cloth in red to bring it out a little better.

 

the same mesh was used for the back cover:

 

my polycarbonate sheets arrived, so i could start making one door (on the back there are still too much cables hanging out, so that one will be done at the end)

for that i simply made my own hinges with a little bit 3d print and a screw. :)

 

and i also attached the "new" front epoxy.

 

now i need to replace the CPU fan (which will be a Coolermaster MasterAir G200P), do some magic with all the cables and controllers (RGB/Fan Hub) to hide them and after that i can finally make the other door.

Both doors will also need a magnet to make sure they are closed firmly.