Wooded PC Case?

hopeful_builder

hopeful_builder

hopeful_builder

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As a Professional carpenter I always fancied the idea of making a Case entirely of wood.

Has anyone else done this on here before? any points to remember?

I'm just thinking along the lines of a small, compact yet efficient pc for use as a media center. Nothing fancy - in fact quite the opposite - super cheap! but wooden and stylish of course.

title correction *wooden!
 
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Not to put a downer on your idea but wouldn't this be quite a fire risk?

Also I believe the standard metal case actually shields the internals from magnetic fields*

*I think the risk of anything happening now days is very slim but probably worth considering :)
 
How would the joints be butted? If it's going to be a Media Centre you'd have to keep the corners at 90degrees free from butting pieces.

Edit: Fireproofing it with dope like stuff would be ok but costly?
 
Could be onto something here, Wood doesnt hold heat does it?

Agree'd the metal case stops interference or something, im no expert.
 
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Maybe you could just use the right sheet metal on the inside of the case = Wooden case from the outside?
 
cokecan72 said:
Not to put a downer on your idea but wouldn't this be quite a fire risk?

Also I believe the standard metal case actually shields the internals from magnetic fields*

*I think the risk of anything happening now days is very slim but probably worth considering :)
Click to expand...

It could be lined with metal sheet or tinfoil! Doubt electromagnetic shielding is much of an issue though afterall test benches have no shielding.

It could be treated with fire retardant. Again not sure if thats much of an issue unless you're thinking of selling it, theres probably some regulation or other about that.
 
Nothing wrong with a wooden case. It's not used primarily due to bulk and cost compared with steel and plastic.

Unless you have a massive magnetic field near the PC it won't make any difference whether you use metal or wood. Even if you did have a massive magnetic field close to the case a steel case wouldn't block anything. Radio and micro waves, now that's a different matter as steel blocks them, but as soon as you put a fan hole in the case the effect is negated.

If you were to have a fire in a steel and plastic case the effects would probably be worse than if it were made of wood as plastic is nasty stuff when it melts and burns.

As for temperature, well, steel cases don't absorb all that much heat so the difference would be negligible and if this is a HTPC type build then temperatures would be lower anyway.

Post pics please if you decide to build something.
 
I really dont think it would be a fire hazard...maybe if it were straw but solid wood will not ignite at 60C (assuming that the CPU cooler is pressing into the wood, which it wouldn't be)
 
The ignition temperature of wood is between 275oc and 300oc. What may be of more concern is the ignition temperature and flammability of any glues used.
 
cokecan72 said:
Not to put a downer on your idea but wouldn't this be quite a fire risk?

Also I believe the standard metal case actually shields the internals from magnetic fields*

*I think the risk of anything happening now days is very slim but probably worth considering :)
Click to expand...

Maybe, but only under certain circumstances.

It did cross my mind, but I think provided its well ventilated etc. My only concern is regarding magnetic shielding? can anyone shed some light on this?

I would like to build something around the size of a sky box/ maybe a little taller. I m just looking at various parts and spec - although I'm very tempted just to go for something ION based (along the lines of my Acer REVO perhaps) and just upgrade core components.

Once I have an idea of components and spec then I'll probably make a first go just out of MDF :) then the fancy wood final version can happen later on :)
 
King Damager said:
It has been done similar before yeah....

A further link to the Cygnus stuff:

http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/systems-2010/cygnus-x1/cygnus-x1.htm

kd
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That's not a wood case. That a metal case with wood accessories to detail the sides, front and top.

Google "wood computer case" and look at images.
https://www.floorstoyourhome.com/blog/2010/03/10-awesome-wooden-pc-cases/

http://www.techfresh.net/wood-computer-case/

I'm a bespoke joiner and build all kinds of fancy things, and if I was building a "wood computer case" I would use a donor case as starting point. I could build all wood, but is impractical, expensive and would be outdated in a couple of years and much harder to upgrade with newer components. Donor case would provide the electrical parts, drive racks and bays, mobo mounting, back panel, etc.
 
There are a few wooden cases around.
Simular to above really, but imho you only really need a removable mobo tray of metal to get you started.
The rest of the design / build can be as non-standard as you like.
 
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