So I was really bored one day...

[Grievear]

So I was browsing the web one day and I stumbled on a forum talking about how easy it is to etch patterns on acrylic. I went to home depot and picked up an etcher ($20) and two pieces of practice acrylic.

Here's how it came out the first try
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1880/img0358xl7.jpg

Inside of my computer
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1710/img0359ie9.jpg
Etching on the side panel
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/520/img0361jg0.jpg

It looked great but I really wanted to light it up so I picked up some LEDs from Ebay and some wire/solder and resistors. Drilled some holes in the side panel holding the acrylic and angled them to shine through the acrylic, reflecting off the etchings and lighting them up.

Here's in progress
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8702/img0071ik8.jpg
Girlfriend trying to take a picture of my crotch...
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9963/img0072qu4.jpg

Here's the finished product, I love the way it turned out. Looks amazing in person. Pictures really don't do it justice.
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9593/dscf0316xf5.jpg

Anyway, just figured I'd share my little project with you guys.

[Demosthenes11]

thats pretty cool

[Kiro]

Wow, that looks like something to do in the future. If my case had a big clear side. D:

[Koga]

That is really sweet looking. When I get my new PC I might do that with my side panel.

[Beckwin]

I remember doing something kind of similar years ago, but on glass. Did you use some kind of contact paper to cut a stencil then put an etching cream/fluid on it? Or is this something else? Looks really good though, very nice job.

[Elesirdur]

Nice job, looks cool.

[archibaldcrane]

Man that's cool, I should do that to my...

...iMac. Damnit!

[ASG]

So weird I was thinking about doing this to my next computer when I build it driving home from work last night heh. Great job looks really well done, how long did it take you to do?

[Maguspk]

Now that's motivation. Looks great, how much did it cost total to get that done?

[Grievear]

I remember doing something kind of similar years ago, but on glass. Did you use some kind of contact paper to cut a stencil then put an etching cream/fluid on it? Or is this something else? Looks really good though, very nice job.

No, I used a Dremel Etcher (Costs $20 bucks at Home Depot) and traced it. The etcher is kinda like a tattoo gun but without the ink.

Now that's motivation. Looks great, how much did it cost total to get that done?

Lets see... Etcher ($20) Practice Acrylic ($3) LEDs (5.99 ebay) Wire and solder ($3?). Other stuff I already had was hot glue gun (for attaching the LEDs to the back of the panel) and a drill that could cut through metal. Overall it was really inexpensive.

So weird I was thinking about doing this to my next computer when I build it driving home from work last night heh. Great job looks really well done, how long did it take you to do?

I did the etching by hand so it took a long time. About 6-7 hours over two sittings to get everything just right. About 2 hours for the wire stripping, soldering and taping. It was a fun little project.

[Kaisha]

Aside from me neglecting the fact my PC's side-panel has been dead from power for a year now (really need to get around to fixing that, I need that side-fan working for next summer <.<), I have to ask; how'd you power the LEDs up? I'm assuming you used one of the connectors from the PSU and found a means of wiring the LEDs to it?

[pirahna1]

You said you were browsing a forum, was there a how-to posted there? If so can you cross-post it? I would love to do something like this, but I'm not sure if I have the skills needed.

Your case looks awesome though, great job.

[-Zer0-]

Nice work, Grievear, the lights really give it a nice touch :D I think I might be interested in doing this for my own system

[Necronus]

I have that tower and its the best tower ever.

[Furtwangler]

Yea I'd like to know how you made the LEDs work etc, I'm not very knowledgeable with wiring and such like that but I'd really like to try this sometime.

[Grievear]

Aside from me neglecting the fact my PC's side-panel has been dead from power for a year now (really need to get around to fixing that, I need that side-fan working for next summer <.<), I have to ask; how'd you power the LEDs up? I'm assuming you used one of the connectors from the PSU and found a means of wiring the LEDs to it?

I had to do some research about the voltages that come from a Molex connector. Apparently you can get 5v, 12v, or around 9v depending on which wires you use.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...diagramyn0.jpg
I ended up not using 5v because I couldn't find the right resistor. To figure out what resistor you need. You need some information about your LEDs, all the info you need should be listed on the package. Then go here to calculate your array. With the voltages you will be able to use you want to wire it parallel like in the picture above. To figure out what oms resistor you need just use the formula to calculate for 1 LED, then put the resistor at the beginning or the end of your circuit. Cut and attach molex and plug it in.

Here is the site I read about acrylic etching. http://www.xoxideforums.com/guides-tuto ... ching.html

[Stromgarde]

I may be getting whooshed here but I could have sworn there wasn't an A.

[Grievear]

There isn't. This is my handle I've used for years.

[Stromgarde]

Ah. Well done then.

[Brien]

cool pants