The metalwork was the hardest part of the project for me. A fair amount is required given that the original G4 Powermac case is not made to fit regular PC components. Main things needed are:
- Holes for additional airflow
- Accomodation for the micro ATX connector panel at the rear
- Cutting of the optical drive caddy and shelf so the case can close
- Removal of original motherboard standoffs
Some of this was done with a drill, some with a hacksaw and steel blade (thanks Olly!) and some with a Dremel. This was a pain in the arse and took a few weeks to do - spending thirty minutes at a time when I could.
As you can see in the pictures to the right, I marked up the case before cutting. A new hole for airflow into the PSU (the outer plastic case ducts air in from the bottom of the unit), a blowhole in the top, and a nibble out of the optical drive holder to make room for the RAM that would otherwise bang into it and prevent the case door from closing.
Some of the cutting changed as I worked through it too - for example, I originally planned to place two 80mm fans in the base. You can see where I marked it up. But I realised before we cut the holes that the bottom of the Powermac case would probably fall off if we cut right across. Hence the change to one 80mm at the front of the base and one at the rear.
