Build your own case?

[ElKevbo]

I'm sure this question has been asked many times and that there are FAQs available somewhere, but I can't find them (except for one old Ask Slashdot). Is there any good info out there for people interested in building their own case?

Specifically, I'd like to make my own case with wood as the prime material and a thin metal covering on the inside for EMI shielding. Any thoughts? For example, I know I'll have to pay attention to expansion & contraction since I'm using wood.

Like most other things we do to our computers, this is purely for fun and educations. Is a giant black pyramid really the best way to go for a case? Nope. Will it look really cool if done properly? You bet.

 

[puppet]

oops

 

[puppet]

If your gonna build a pyramid and the finish will be black consider using 1/2" baltic birch plywood.(finply)
The dimensional stability is there and the surface is an excellent paint medium. Smooth and tight. Your biggest problem is cutting your long edge joints from base to point. Read up on compound miters.
See if you can find a book by Tage Frid (his first one). That will be a big help to you,along with having access to a table saw.
I do this for a living,check into the plywood.

 

[ElKevbo]

Thanks for the advice. I have access to all of the woodworking tools I could possibly need and some knowledgable help. But nothing beats actually knowing what you're doing yourself.

My current plans are to mount the motherboard in the case backwards so that all of the connections are in the front. I'll have that inset quite a bit so I can place a panel in front of it. I want to have easy access to all of it but not have to look at the ugliness. All in all, it should be a fun project and a great learning experience. Note the absence of the word "easy" from that description...

 

[Imaginer]

I am currently planning for such a case. My case would be like the norm but with a motherboard door. One that opens out like a drawbridge. Then there is drawers for the drives and some fans. Then a cabinent like door for one side of the case. Home Depot has sheet metal too if you want lining. I too am looking into that.

I am trying to get precise measurements and a drawing. It turns out with 3/4 inch thick wood that the case would be the size of a full tower. But that is ok. I think with a good finish, it would prevent shrinking and warping but that is what I think. Not a fact. Can someone enlighten me on this?

Well, good luck to you. Even though mine would not be a pyramid, even though the ide seems cool, I am building mine for strength and life with features.

 

[puppet]

ElKevbo,Good luck with the project! Take your time and all will be well. "measure twice,cut once"

Imaginer,3/4" stock is probably overkill in your case. I've made tool boxes that hold 50lbs of tools with thinner material. Gonna be heavy, too! Finishes do little in the control of the effects of moisture content on lumber. Making small cases of solid stock is tricky and requires a knowledge of the material,joints and how they will react to the changes in seasons. Unless you don't mind the case flying apart one day. Look into the plywood I mentioned above. It is a birch
veneer and is attractive with a finish applied. If your after a hardwood species,consider a veneer over the plywood. I'm sure that whatever you decide you'll have a great sense of satisfaction on a job well done.
Good luck to both of you. I'm glad to see the interest in woodworking has not died out just yet. I've see alot of changes in the last 25 years in the trade. Materials change and your concepts for their use must change,too. Consider your hardware as you design,
making sure you know what you will be using for hinges,slides,ect.
How they will integrate in your finished case will be real important and often overlooked. They make nice concealed hardware but this kind of thing must be designed into the project.
Maybe when your done you'll find that you guy's like that kind of work. People that work well with their hands are hard to find these days.
Now get to work!

 

[Imaginer]

Plywood? Isn't that stuff used in rocket kit fins?

I know it is overkill. Could it be overkill to use the outdoor type of finish as well? Just a thought. I like working with my hands but this is the first time I ever gave myself a project. I did some wood work back in a shop class. Never did did it again. but I found it creative at times.

Overkill is also right. Since I plan to use pull out drawers for the drive bays, one for the cd rom and the other for the hard drives, that measures my case width to be 10 inches!

 

[puppet]

Exterior finishes don't really dry. That's by design.(spars and such)
The plywood I speak of has about 7-9 plys in the 1/2" thickness.
Strong and straight. "Apple Ply" is a similar product available with hardwood veneers already applied(maple,oak,and others.) This alone will save you lot's of time in
"stock prep"(facing,thicknessing,ripping,edging,gluing/clamping,scrape/sanding). If you foul up in the edging,gluing step,you lose.
"Plywood.....it's not just for rocket fins anymore"