Split Loom vs. Spiral Wrap

[PCPhreak]

I am just beginning to mod my Antec SX1035B case, and I had a few questions.

My first challenge (before I even think about doing any windows or fan ducts) is to clean up the mess that is the inside of my case. One of my friends who recently rewired the sound system in his truck suggested that I use black wire loom. I went to our local car audio shop and picked some up, but only a few feet since the guy was asking a buck a foot for 3/8" tubing. Seemed a little steep to me. How much do you all pay for yours, and where did you get it. I guess to address my subject, I have also heard that spiral wrap offers better insulation. Is this true, does it really matter? If so, where can I find it for a reasonable price?

My second question is regarding my drive bezels. As you can tell from the "B" in my case number, the case I got is black. Actually more of a midnight gray, but that is besides the point. I have heard of people painting their drives, and others dying them. I was wondering what method you all have found to be the most succesful, and where I can find the materials needed.

Again, sorry if this is a repost (which I am sure it is) but I am new to case modding, and I would hate to mess up such a beautiful case! Thanks in advance.

Brian

 

[JeffBot]

I asked a similar question about matching beige drives to a black antec case. The general consensus seemed to be to go for the vinyl dye. Prices seem fairly reasonable and you can pick it up at hardware stores or art supply stores (?). Try searching this forum for "vinyl dye", or maybe some other members can suggest some other site with info.

 

[mudboy]

My local Sears Hardware has a bunch of diameters for split loom (and heat shrink), I bought a couple of 10ft packages for like $4 each. Radio Shack might also carry it.

Pete

 

[bbarnes]

My local Radio Shack has 10' of Spiral Wrap for $4.99

Maybe not the best price (haven't checked around), but it sounds pretty good to me.

I am thinking about going and picking up some myself, as I recently used 1/2" Split Loom to cover the wires from the power supply to the motherboard. Looks nice in my opinion.

 

[PCPhreak]

I was up until about 2 this morning working on wrapping the wires inside my case. I decided to try it out with the few feet of wire loom that I had already picked up. What can I say, the stuff works like a charm. It is amazing how much more organized everything seems, simply by placing the cables into the wrie loom. Now, my next question is regarding rubber boots. I have seen many rounded IDE and floppy cables which use rubber boots to cover the "bare" wires petruding from the end of the tubing. I am going to go to Ace after school to look for vinyl dye after my classes this afternoon, and I am going to see if they might have anything of use in their electrical department. Have any of you done anything like this before? What did you use?

Other than that, things are going great with my pre-mod. I am still looking around for ideas for what type of mods I want to put in. I am pretty sure that I am going to put in a rounded-rectangle window in the top, but have not decided on a design for a side window. I actually like the midnight gray of the Antec case vs. painting it a jet black. I am also debating striping the case, and painting the frame either a dark red or orange. I am thinking about using a flame theme, and am looking into the possibility of cutting a flame window into the case side, and using red, orange, and yellow cathodes to give it that fire effect.

I will post some pics once I get a little further along. I will also let you all know if I have any luck this afternoon.

Thanks for help.

 

[SWScorch]

dude making a flame case would be so sweet!!!! (I like fire, as you can tell from my handle )

As for rounded cables, you can buy them from most online PC stores, like 2cooltek. I wouldn;t recommend you do it yourself, as with 80-pin IDe cables, the chance that you will ruin it is almost 100%.

I've never been too fond of split loom; dont like the way it looks. Instead, I just tucked ll my cables into corners and ran them in the edges of the case, and used duct tape to not only make sure they stay where I put them, but also to wrap up loose wires. go to ftp://Anonymous@66.66.37.94 and click on "blackfongXX.jpg" to see what I mean.

 

[Lizardman]

Hey scorch is that funny look blond dyed haired kid you.

I can't help it haha