G5 mod - A different approach (hopefully)

Right a brief insight to the mods so far!

A while back I managed to source 3 g5's complete with internals for nothing! ( well cost of fuel and a couple of hours to collect) and now starting the mods.

I stripped one case not so long ago to measure up.

Got a backplane IO panel from Laserhive but without the full plate. Literally, just the IO port bit.


Now, heres my plans.


Because the handles are a little rough, it means I can do what I've always wanted to. Scratch build a G5! Well sort of...

The plan is to extend the perforated sections front & back to give a little more room inside for a ATX board and fans. Im only planning on about 2" max additional height. I had thought about making it a little wider too but this would be too much work and its wide enough as it stands to get 120mm fans in as considering watercooling aswell.

The front panel is also going to contain 2-4 usb3 ports, Mic & headphones, plus normal power switch. Im not reusing the apple bits from the front panel but working some sort of custom panel out. Im still unsure if I completely get rid of the dvd drive or narrow it down to take a slotloading drive in instead so thoughts on this appreciated.

Then Im going to cut 3 or 4mm aluminium panels to create 2 handles without the jointed section.


2 more pieces cut for custom side panels with maybe acrylic windows aswell but not totally convinced on this. The only problem I have with doing this is how to secure the 2nd side panel but I have a few ideas for this.

I think I will also need some sort of strengthening inside the case so am thinking either getting a 5mm sheet cut to the shape inside for both sides and then screw through that, the original case and into the handles to support in and also give some mounting for a different motherboard mounting plate too.
My other solution is 2/3mm aluminium roundbar with one side flattened and rolled to the inside. Again, prob bolted through to the handles/feet.


Colour scheme, im thinking black and silver or black and white. So black perferated sections defo and either silver or white side panels.


Although this is an ambitious first mod, I am very good at problem solving and good with tools although limited availability to a decent workshop. But being Autistic, I have extremely good attention to detail and good eyeballing!

Thoughts? This by no means is going to be a quick project but feel should be flawless and appear to be as Apple as possible to the original design.

Will update as project progresses but atm, still planning as much as I can and sourcing bits ready to start and tackle as much as I can without having to wait too long.

You have outlined a very interesting hack. I hope that you use this forum space for a work log with photos so that we can follow your progress.

Do you have access to a workspace with a reasonable set of tools?

Good modding,
neil

Thanks Neil! Seen some of your work and if I can get anywhere near your's i'd be happy lol!

Ive got a fair bit already of hand power tools and hand tools aswell. Also access to bench drill at grandparents. Got basics like Dremel, jigsaw, files, taps & drills etc.

What I haven't got, if I need anything extra, I am going to source as it will get used on other mods aswell. Like I said in the first post, Ive got 3 G5's to play with and more ideas so another mod after might also be on the cards!


If I can pull this off, I want to make it look like it was designed that way and as flawless as possible.

Im planning on using the Forums for the worklog. Just taking my time though atm to source things and plan as much as I can.!


The only thing im not sure how to do yet it to support the new pieces to extend the height. Im thinking of bonding a 0.5mm/1mm panel all the way round on the inside to make it as flawless as possible.

Could you draw a pic of your plan? maybe this might give others the chance to give you some ideas and tips

razer1x2 said:

Thanks Neil! Seen some of your work and if I can get anywhere near your's i'd be happy lol!

Ive got a fair bit already of hand power tools and hand tools aswell. Also access to bench drill at grandparents. Got basics like Dremel, jigsaw, files, taps & drills etc.

What I haven't got, if I need anything extra, I am going to source as it will get used on other mods aswell. Like I said in the first post, Ive got 3 G5's to play with and more ideas so another mod after might also be on the cards!


If I can pull this off, I want to make it look like it was designed that way and as flawless as possible.

Im planning on using the Forums for the worklog. Just taking my time though atm to source things and plan as much as I can.!


The only thing im not sure how to do yet it to support the new pieces to extend the height. Im thinking of bonding a 0.5mm/1mm panel all the way round on the inside to make it as flawless as possible.

Click to expand...

razer I would think that you would start with the inner core front and back pieces (from two systems). Slice one set horizontally and then slice the two inch patch from the other set. From the second set, also cut some alignment strips.

This sounds simple but is really quite demanding to get it right. You may want to find someone with a good table saw that has experience cutting aluminum as clean true cuts make this type of sectioning much easier.

Once you get past this point, the core can be used to size the front frame and the side panels.

Again, this is a very interesting project.

Good modding,
neil

Yeah, I had thought of doing it that way. Just looking at options.

I do have access to a table saw and also a circular saw table mount aswell so have cutting options.

I wanted to have as cleaner inside as possible hence why looking at putting a thinner panel inside all the way from top to bottom instead of pieces. Hopefully this combined with the thicker reinforced side panels, would be enough to support the case?

Need to get it apart again properly after the weekend and look at options again.

Thanks Neil, Might be seeking your help at times soon!

Raz