
The kids are back in school, and it seems the rest of us are back to the "same-old, same-old" once more. I don't really remember the last time I got that cliché assignment to write about the summer break, but that doesn't mean I have not been busy. "Doing what?" you might well ask, and I would have to reply with "Building yet another computer, of course." My project this time was not one selected for the technology aspect, but one I wanted to do just for the "artistic" modification phase.

In the QuetzalMod Feathered Serpent case, I suggested that one did not have to use anything other than some simple craft techniques to create a unique, personalized, computer chassis. However, for this project, I applied some of my more specialized jewelry metal-working and lapidary (gemstone cutting and polishing) skills. Add a dash of rough stone working, sixty or seventy pounds of limestone floor tile, and a stuffed dog and I created my EgyptianMod case. Oh yeah, I did add a computer system board and some other components in there somewhere too.

Starting with an approach like the Quetzal case, I took a decent five 5.25-bay Nzxt Nemesis gaming case (it was on sale, what can I say...) and promptly stripped the case down to the side panels and frame. As with the other system, I covered the side panel window with steel sheet. In place of the front bezel, I attached lengths of 3/4 inch square aluminum tubing to extend out beyond the front of the chassis to enclose the drive bays. Two brass plates were cut for front doors and riveted to sections of piano hinge. The lower door fastens with a simple cabinet latch, and covers the front fan opening and provides access for the power switch and LED indicator lights. The upper door covers the five 5.25 inch drive bays and has a strong magnet glued on the outside; a second magnet glued inside the aluminum tubing creates a hidden magnetic latch.


The tile store suggested using epoxy to attach the tile to metal, but I was concerned about differences in expansion and contraction of the metal and stone, and have seen epoxy shear away from metal under those conditions. Discussing this with them, I asked about silicon adhesive, which would be much more flexible; they agreed this should work fine as long as the surface was rough enough to bond to. To prepare the case for the limestone tile, I used a coarse grinding wheel over the top, sides and front doors. ...
... With the limestone shell complete, it was time to get creative. Before starting this part of the construction phase, I had sifted through numerous books on Egypt, Egyptian Jewelry, Tutankhamen, hieroglyphics, and did lots of Internet photo searches for inspiration or possible source material. Rather then depicting some static deities just standing or sitting, I ultimately decided on a composite hunt scene for one of the panels and a partial recreation of a Tutankhamen chariot scene for the other. For some "authentic" hieroglyphic text, I selected several translated passages from "The Egyptian Book of the Dead" by E. A. Wallis Budge. ...

[Ed. Note: Curious the way the last image is broken up in places, like an ancient papyrus scroll. ;) ]