Got parts back from the polisher yesterday.  Here are a couple teaser shots...

Stainless pipe, before and after polishing..


I assembled the grill first thing.  


I had the guy only polish the stainless pipes, grill pieces, top handle bars, and headers.  I'll be taking care of the small stuff next week.

Here's a quick update on the ATX 24pin plug cover...

I assume that's a powder coating. Looks great!

Can you post a pic of the item after the clear coat?

With only three weeks to come I tend to agree. You might have to put the pedal to the metal.

My hats off to your dedication and skill. 

Thanks a lot guys!
 
Another mini update and final paint teaser..

Slight modification on the EK tube reservoir brackets.  I didn't like how they looked, so I filled in all the cavities with epoxy putty to make them look more solid.

Before..


Filled..


Sanded and primed..


On the polishing front, I pretty much got all the small parts done over the weekend.  All the tubes were really easy, but the 1/4" aluminum bars were pretty rough especially around the bends.  I had to start with 80 grit on the orbital sander to get the sides flat again.  Then I moved up to 120, then 220.  After that, I switched to hand sanding with 400grit, then to a fine 3M Scotch-brite pad, and finally on to the polishing wheel using coarse and fine compounds.  Here's a before and after shot..



And finally I leave you with the paint teaser...


This might be the last transmission until the LAN, because as soon as Bob delivers the case, I'll have zero time to be posting anything other than a quick FB pic.

Ok, so while I'm at work and not finishing my case, I figured I'd post some assembly pics..

Bob came down and stayed all day Thursday to help me out, and got a crap-ton of stuff done while I was stuck at work.  I can't thank him enough!  :D



Got the upholstery done on the interior panels while Bob slaved over the main panel covering..








The wiring on this thing is taking forever.  Feeding the wires through the alu pipes is a royal PITA!  But the end result will be worth it..


The back side of the SSD module, wiring up the drives and lighting..










ATX cable pinned with connector..


Motherboard 12v power cables pinned and numbered.  Will run continuity checks on all wires to match them up on the other end.


Other side of the panel, waiting for PSU.


Covering the PSU cover..


Got all the blocks on the board, after detailing them in white/orange.


Manifold in place..


Rigid tubing in place..


Polished mesh scoop insert..


Tonight will consist of more wiring.  Hope to finish up the PSU so I can move on to installing the rest of the stainless tubing and fill.

Thanks rjohnson, yeah a few more sleepless nights and I just might make the lan this weekend!
 
After struggling for 3 hours, I finally got the main side panel mounted to the frame.  Had to modify a few things, and remove some paint layers in order for it to fit again.  But with the help of my wife and a few clamps, I got it on..... and then I put the panel on the frame. :P

Now I can continue installing components and routing wires.

Well, I wasn't able to get the Cruizer case running in time due to leaky fittings.  But I still wanted to show it, so I temporarily rigged it up with lights and fans..







Now that I have some time, I will address the issues that arose as I was assembling it...
Electrical
- re-route wiring under floor so rear fans don't arbitrarily change modes
- Fix grounding issue with front LCD screen
- Add lighting to motherboard area
Cooling
- Fix leaks & refill
- Mix up correct color fluid
Cabling
- Clean up rear IO panel
- Reroute USB/DVI cables and cover
General
- Address panel alignment and fitment
- Finish and assemble hinged fuel door
- Finish and assemble Razer keyboard
- Add door popper feature with touch sensitive button

Should only be a couple more weeks and I'll have all the gremlins worked out and I can call it done. :)

WOW, that's incredible!! It definitely gives off the old 32 ford hot rod vibe. Quite a beautiful design! I really like the motherboard area and it's look. 
 
I was wondering on the hard acrylic tube, where it goes into the "manifold". How is the tube held in on the end that shows no fitting?

lifeisshort117
Incredible work my friend.
 
If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could give me some more info on those stainless braided lines you used.
 
I've always wanted to incorporate them into a build one day, and you pulled them off beautifully.

 
The steel braid is difficult to work with, as it has multiple layers of rubber and steel braid molded together underneath the braided exterior.  You have to use a hack saw or dremel to cut it, and duct tape so it doesn't fray.  Even so, you will still prick your fingers numerous times while working the hose clamps on.  :P  Here is a link to Summit Racing where I purchased my hose...
Summit Racing
 

notfordman
WOW, that's incredible!! It definitely gives off the old 32 ford hot rod vibe. Quite a beautiful design! I really like the motherboard area and it's look. 
 
I was wondering on the hard acrylic tube, where it goes into the "manifold". How is the tube held in on the end that shows no fitting?

The rigid tubing is epoxied directly into the manifold with the same stuff I used to glue the manifold together.  I did it this way because there was no room for fittings on the outer-most tubes. 
 
Sorry I haven't had any time to wrap this thing up.  Shortly after returning from PDXLAN, my mother had to be hospitalized briefly.  She is back home now, but I'm spending all my free time with her until she gets better.
 

nateman_doo
so THATS why you painted the blocks!  HOLY COW this is the sickest build I have EVER SEEN!  My blocks aren't even worthy of such a build.
 
 

Nateman, your blocks are quite outstanding and they are indeed worthy of such a build

rjohnson11

nateman_doo
so THATS why you painted the blocks!  HOLY COW this is the sickest build I have EVER SEEN!  My blocks aren't even worthy of such a build.
 
 

Nateman, your blocks are quite outstanding and they are indeed worthy of such a build

Nice try... but no way - this build is on another level.    :)

Guess it's safe to update this project log, now that I actually managed to finish it!  

Since my last post I've had a lot to deal with (two deaths in the family just 37 days apart), but I'm finally managing to get my head back in the neighborhood of sanity.  Thanks to the much needed encouragement of my good friends, I was able to focus enough on this project to get it completed in time for PDXLAN last weekend.  Here are a few pics from that LAN..







It was great having the chance to step away from everything that has been going on recently. I really needed the therapy! I can't thank Richard Surroz and Brian Farrell enough for that.

And special thanks to CPU Magazine for choosing my case (over all the other insanely killer builds entered) for the April cover! That was a truly awesome cap to a perfect getaway weekend.  :D  And to have three of my primary long-time sponsors present (Primochill, EVGA, and Crucial) to see the finished product in person was just icing on the modding cake!

It was a long time in the making, but well worth it.   I will be doing a proper photo shoot with the case next week.  Until then!