case Build/Mod

wolfeking

wolfeking

banned
Okay, thread is simple, build log, with some questions.

As you all know, from what I have said here, I own one of the piss poorest cases I have ever owned, the HAF912. Well I am going to go engineer on it and fix it, in the process right now. Got pics of what I have done so far.

Step one (no pics) Drilled out the Rivets, all of them. So it is basically a flat pack case right now.

To put it back together, there are some options, and I am not sure what I will do. Probably make that decision as I am assembling.
  • Assemble using bolts, making it easier to disassemble in the future.
  • Assemble using Rivets, which is not 100% permanent, but is more secure than bolts.

And with those I also have the options of leaving the HDD bays out or not. If I leave them out, then I have the option of using the hard drive space for a 2x120mm or 1x200 mm Radiator in the future. If I put the HDD bay back, then it looks bad and hinders cable management, while having more expansion space.

Step 2 (starting pics. more tomorrow when I go over it with the third and 4 coat): Paint Remover to strip it for the duraliner.
This is the first coat Friday night.
GEDC1076.jpg

GEDC1077.jpg

Currently done with 3 coats. Out of remover, but getting more tomorrow.
GEDC1082.jpg


Step 3: Remove powdercoat. Failed, but 8oz later, here is what I have. :(
GEDC1084.jpg


This is what occurred from advice given at Advance auto. They told me that Gasket remover would do the job just fine. Well 2 cans (8oz and $12) later, it is still not coming off very well. Hoping there is something better that can be done, or maybe go to a sand blast? Sand blasting is going to be expensive though, because I don't have the air pump, media, blaster, or respirator. :(


Step 4: (non linear steps) Apply Duraliner to internals. Only just started, so give credit for trying.
GEDC1085.jpg

GEDC1083.jpg


Plans on track to be done in ~ 3 weeks.
 
I find the HAF cases quite flimsy myself, which is why I don't recommend them.
 
johnb35 said:
WOW!!! What facts do you have to back that up? Its probably the best case I ever owned and probably a lot of other users.
Click to expand...
Facts
  • To place my power supply in the case in such a way that all 4 bolts would attach ment removing hte rubber pads inside the case.
  • To run the EPS power round back where it is supposed to be, It requires bending the motherboard tray and removing the 3 screws holding it to the back case panel
  • The front panel headers are mislabeled, and too short if the connectors are noot directly at the bottom of the case. On the H61DE/S3 this meant that I could not use the front panel other than power, reset, and the LEDs.
  • The case is poorly designed, meaning that the 120MM fan bolt locations are off by about 2mm on two of the front locations, meaning that proper mounting is near impossible without redrilling and using the tap and dye on it.
  • The holes to bolt in the optical bay is also slightly off, but I blame that more on the optical bay.
  • The cable management area leaves much to be desires. Put more than a EPS or SATA cabel in there and you have to bend the side panel to a noticable degree to make it fit back on. And I personally do not like takeing a Hammer and crowbar to a $60 case just to get to the cables.

opinions
  • The "High Air Flow" leaves much to be desired. Using non PWM fans, it does not have any noticable airflow. CPU temp stays the same with the fans pluged in and unplugged.
  • astetics needs work. They skipped the art room strait for a non german engineering room.
  • The Side panel is loose with no wires in, and barely (meaning almost does not) fits with cables in.
  • The entire design could use a redesign/update with some real fans instead of decrotive ones.
  • The Upper panel with the USB and switches could be sleeved about halfway down or so, to make it easier to route other cables.
  • The motherboard tray could be moved in about 1" or so to make more room for wires.
  • Could do with more thought to the cable management holes. The ones that are on it do not fit to the connectors in either ASrock motherboard. I will make this either ASrocks fault of Coolermaster when I get my Asus board and check it.
  • The PSU mount is clearly CMs fault. That is an ATX standard mount. They know darn well that the supply is not going to fit with the dampers in place, so just don't include them at all.
  • I honestly think that the rivet locations could use some work too. There is literally more rivets holding the HDD bay in than is holding all 4 structural panels together, which makes the case flemsy when trying to move it assembled.
  • Could do with some more colors, and a price drop. Cases in its range quality wise are a good $20 to $30 cheaper, and cases in its price range are much higher quality.

voyagerfan99 said:
I find the HAF cases quite flimsy myself, which is why I don't recommend them.
Click to expand...
The panels themselves are cold rolled steel, about 24 gauge. They are plenty sturdy. It is the manner that they are connected together that makes the flemsy.
 
It is not for the faint of heart. And thanks. I have two parts on the way, and a couple I am going to grab from the walmart store later today. Should start reassembly for external painting at about 1630 EST.
 
wolfeking said:
It is not for the faint of heart. And thanks. I have two parts on the way, and a couple I am going to grab from the walmart store later today. Should start reassembly for external painting at about 1630 EST.
Click to expand...

Sounds exciting. I will be keeping up with this :)
 
more tedious than exciting. Though when the external colours start going in with the personal pinstriping message, that will get really exciting.
 
Okay, so I am still working on it. Probably start reassembly over the weekend. Still waiting on my steel plates and paracord to get here to be fully ready.

Plans have changed somewhat due to a complete lack of knowledge of coolermasters powdercoat. Going to paint over it on the side panels, after ruffing it up with 60 and 100 grit. Top panel will be stripped bare since I already started that.

Pics when I get home.
 
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