[WIP] cardboard case!

[BlueAcolyte]

In the absence of other hardware-related activities, I have decided to cut up a big cardboard box in my basement and make it into a case. It's way lighter than aluminum and doesn't need standoffs (I think :thumbsup: )

So I think good dimensions (ATX motherboards, PSUs, and large coolers will fit)

are 7 inches (h) x 18 (l) x 18 (w)
or 175mm x 400mm x 400mm.

Any tips on how to attach it? How to lay out the stuff inside? What tools do I need besides a screwdriver, scissors, rulers, and something to make holes with?

Or am I more insane than you guys are? :laugh:

 

[WoodButcher]

6-32 screws of various lengths and nuts, maybe nylon to help w/grounding or absence of. Fender washers, 1/8 or 3/16" hole w/ 1" or larger OD to stabalize things and hold onto the cardboard, doublestick tape, foil duct tape for the "bling factor", "plumber's goop" would be good for this becase it sets fast and sticks to most anything.

edit- "more insane"? nah, can't tell you why I even considered your idea. Now using the box that my rocketfish is sitting in,,,,,, What would I keep the RF in??

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Fender washers? Sorry, can I have a picture?

Also, can I hot glue or solder the cardboard?

 

[WoodButcher]

fender washer

hot glue? sure
solder? why not? as long as you try this at your home! turkey.
I won't think about this anymore.

I won't think about this anymore.

I won't think about this anymore.

I won't think about this anymore.

you turkey! did you ever have a song stuck in your head?:roll:

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Are you ok?

Also, you can get a song out of your head if you listen to the whole thing.

I'm not sure what the equivalent of that would be in this case.

 

[WoodButcher]

HAhahaha. ROLF, yeah, I tend to get stuck on things but yeah, I''m good. I've always thought about a PC flat on the wall, mount everything on plexy or lexan w/ a clear top to cover it like a picture in a frame. I have a desk I built w/ a hutch type back that would lend itself nicely to this idea and you got me thinking about it again. I saw a pic of a PC somone had hanging on a refridgerator when the thought popped in. I just spent the day cleaning my room of my latest build and the wife is happy, if I start another build today she will kill me...... Suicide by PC. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Oops, murderer at 14.

 

[Zepper]

Cardboard is not a suitable case material for the same reasons plus one that acrylic isn't: total lack of grounding and shielding. Mounting mobo directly to cardboard is not wise either because cardboard is flammable (that's the plus one)... Use spacers to help prevent fires.
. But if you're just strokin', go ahead and stroke...

.bh.

 

[Bluefront]

The fire thing is something I wouldn't worry about. The flash point of cardboard is way higher than any point of a computer. Of course if something in your computer shorts out, or blows up, many things could burn. I've heard stories of flames shooting from a failing GPU, and power supplies.

In the past there was even a cardboard case being sold commercially..... it folded up, and came as a flat package.

RF worries... line the inside with sticky-back aluminum tape (Dynamat would work). Roofers tape is cheap and has an aluminum backing.

 

[Syzygies]

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
Also, you can get a song out of your head if you listen to the whole thing.

This somehow reminds me of the Beatles song where John wants to sleep with the girl so he can find out what he's missing.

Originally posted by: WoodButcher
I've always thought about a PC flat on the wall, mount everything on plexy or lexan w/ a clear top to cover it like a picture in a frame.

I love this idea!! I've long dreamed of a four bit adder I could hang up, using marbles or water. Your idea is far more practical. If you ever get adequate treatment for your condition, you've got to tell me what it is.

 

[aigomorla]

ROFLMAO

my torture rack is made out of USPS cardboard boxes.

Im looking for a good shell right now. Its between the DD acrylic Torture rack, or a regular HiTech Station rack. :\

But a little advice about cardboard. It doesnt do well blocking all the noise, and its very weak if you have something heavy on it. If you use long cards which are heavy with sinks, you need a pci- brace or the cards will bend.

You still need fans even for an open bench system on your ran and motherboard.

 

[Tim]

Originally posted by: WoodButcher
I've always thought about a PC flat on the wall, mount everything on plexy or lexan w/ a clear top to cover it like a picture in a frame.

Here

 

[BlueAcolyte]

So, problems with this idea:

1) Grounding: Doesn't a power supply ground everything it's connected to? I'll use spacers anyway, I have a Sears/Home Depot near me.
2) Interference: I have aluminum foil, I suppose I could get aluminum tape.
3) Lack of strength: If I put anything in a cardboard box, it wouldn't be super valuable and thus not super heavy.
4) Flammable: Oh well.

And finally: Who ever says I'm gonna use it? I'm just very bored/obsessed/mentally ill.


Case layout:

I guess I would have two 5.25/3.5 slots in the front of the case. The power supply is behind the hard drive/optical drive. The motherboard is to the side of both. One fan slot on the side to feed air to the graphics card, one exhaust in the back, one intake on top, and exhaust from the power supply.

Also, the power button (who needs front ports) would be in front of the motherboard.
I suppose I could make a door if I had to.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Hmm, question. In order to shield I could use a sheet of foil between two pieces of cardboard. However, I can't connect the foil to the power supply, because that would do bad things, such as shock and/or death. So if I'm correct, the only way to ground myself to work with the case is to touch the power supply.

Sides and top and dual-cardboard sheets with aluminum foil between, bottom is triple or quad layered.


This is a picture of my proposed setup.
Text

 

[Gillbot]

I've used cardboard cases for years. Never worried about shielding and I used zip ties for attachment, or just screwed the mobo to the cardboard.

For the I/O shield, I'd just use construction paper and cut one out then tape it to the back of the "case".

 

[BlueAcolyte]

If I have a motherboard, doesn't it come with its own I/O shield?
Also, I'll worry about the motherboard when I get one

BTW, zipties to attach what? I'd rather hot glue or screw the case together.
What do you think of my case layout?