Building a Wooden Case?

Potence

Potence

Potence

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I am considering building a custom case for a project in school.
Unfortunately my school is cheap and won't buy any materials for me to use other than Wood & Plastic. I saw This & This in issue 089 (Feb 2011) of PC Gamer but wasn't sure if they used just wood.

Could anyone tell me:
If I were to attempt this, what materials should I try to get?
My current case is: 478mm (H) x 210mm (W) x 520mm (D). Would this be too big to replicate?
How much cooling would I need?
I am assuming I would need more if the case was made from wood?

Thanks in advance :):)

-Rob
 
The amount of heat that a case absorbs is minimal really soni wouldn't worry about a wood case being that different to a metal case.
 
Cooling would need the same. Sounds like a nice idea, when you say project for school is this going to be assessed? As I don't see there being much room to gain marks (just saying). ^^
 
remember, unlike metal, wood expands and contracts which could cause problems.

if you have a vacuum forming machine in your school (usually in the design and technology departments) you might be able to make a case out of plasic by creating a mold out of cardboard and then using the machine to form the plastic around it.
 
roguekiller2323 said:
remember, unlike metal, wood expands and contracts which could cause problems.

if you have a vacuum forming machine in your school (usually in the design and technology departments) you might be able to make a case out of plasic by creating a mold out of cardboard and then using the machine to form the plastic around it.
Click to expand...

Yes we have one of those, unfortunately I think it's too small to make an entire case with... I'll take a look on Tuesday though :p

@oliver2601
I have to design in in the style of an artist or time period (Maybe 80s style? :p)
 
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Potence said:
Yes we have one of those, unfortunately I think it's too small to make an entire case with... I'll take a look on Tuesday though :p

@oliver2601
I have to design in in the style of an artist or time period (Maybe 80s style? :p)
Click to expand...

Ok, purple and lime green LED's and some sort of curvy body? ^^
 
roguekiller2323 said:
remember, unlike metal, wood expands and contracts which could cause problems.

if you have a vacuum forming machine in your school (usually in the design and technology departments) you might be able to make a case out of plasic by creating a mold out of cardboard and then using the machine to form the plastic around it.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about the wood expanding and contracting.
 
Maybe an even cheaper material could be used rather creatively - cardboard!

Check out the ASUS biodegradeable case they had on display at CeBIT this year. David at Vortez got a few snaps here.

Might even give you some inspiration.
 
What about Bendy MDF?

Wonderful stuff,usually 6mm thickness, made some cabinets with quite sexy curves a few years ago.
Some Timber merchants have off cuts of it.

http://catalogue.chilterntimber.co.uk/product1240625catno370625.html

http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/ProductDetail.335.html

It quite easy to make the sides for a case, all I done was use a piece of 18mm ply, draw the shape you want on the ply, then drill holes either side of the line to take wooden dowels, I used a 4" nails (stronger) cover in tape, so not to mark the mdf .
Glue two pieces of bendy mdf together & follow line & use dowels, you also need cramps to hold mdf together while it dries.
 
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@ Nightglow Thats what wood I will be using :p
I had an idea.
I could probably get enough perspex to make a ghetto blaster type case with 2x 120mm fans (+ Green LEDs) & 2x 80mm fans (+ Rainbow LEDs) :p
Would that would work better?
Really appreciate the help/advice :)
 
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Perspex, but it's only one sheet, usally screwed in place.

If your making a whole case from perspex, then you have joins, which need to fix together some how, usually glue.

Google perspex or arcylic pc case for a few ideas.
 
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roguekiller2323 said:
cases don't tend to be made out of mercury.
Click to expand...

And that comment has nothing to do with the question I was answering which concerned the thermal expansion and contraction of mercury and not its suitability for building a PC case.

You started the discussion by saying that metal doesn't expand and contract.
 
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Nightglow said:
Perspex, but it's only one sheet, usally screwed in place.

If your making a whole case from perspex, then you have joins, which need to fix together some how, usually glue.

Google perspex or arcylic pc case for a few ideas.
Click to expand...

I see you're still about.

Any chance you could answer my question as to how a mercury thermometer works without expansion and contraction?
 
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