Easy PSU Shroud

JonnieWhite · 6 Mar 2016 at 00:41

Hi guys, this is my first case mod (apologies if this is super simple compared to what you're used to seeing!!) but this is my guide to making a cheap, easy PSU shroud using sheet aluminium and some spray paint.

What you will need:
- 2mm Sheet aluminium
- Tin snips
- 3 planks of wood
- C clamps (optional)
- Spray Paint (Matte)

Step 1: Measure the space you want to cover. I measured the depth, width and height of the area, and then marked out that area on the aluminium sheet and cut to size.

http://cdn.overclock.net/2/2d/2dda3e5d_Step1.jpeg

Step 2: Set up a bending jig for the metal. Mark the line you want to bend along. I used my sliding workbench to secure 2 safety planks of wood to protect the bench, however placing the wood on a table with C clamps will also work nicely.

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2726409

Step 3: Use the 3rd plank of wood to evenly distribute force along the metal, keeping the force applied as close to the bend as possible, imitating a metal brake.

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2726411

Step 4: Spray several layers of thin coats at 20 minute intervals and then leave overnight to dry through.

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2726412

Step 5: Place in the case, and you're done! I plan to spray a decal on at some point and will update as soon as possible!

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2726413

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2726414

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2726415

davido_labido · 6 Mar 2016 at 02:29

Eeek, some pics are a huge on my phone, but nice first post buddy!

MT Mods · 7 Mar 2016 at 13:37

pictures massive for me too.
I would say this though, it's much easier to cut and bend using acrylic (Also a cleaner finish)
Don't get me wrong, metal can look good too.

LePhuronn · 7 Mar 2016 at 14:27

MT Mods said:
...it's much easier to cut and bend using acrylic...

Pah! Who wants easy? If modding was easy everybody would do it! Or at least nuts like me deluding themselves into thinking it's easy.

This is why I'm rebuilding 2/3 of a case and folding everything to make it look like stock

Sweet first post OP, although you seriously need to resize those images.

shadowscotland · 7 Mar 2016 at 17:58

one of the best first posts I've ever seen - welcome to the forums - love a bit of DIY

JonnieWhite · 26 May 2016 at 21:15

UPDATE: Decal now sprayed!

So OverclockersUK sent me their design templates so I could get a vinyl spray paint template cut to size and here is the now finished result!

Mega thanks to OCUk for providing the spray paint and decal to make this possible!

(Theme is black and white to match MSI Krait edition motherboard)

URL if picture doesn't show: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B49w378W95fkcUc5YnY4dHIzV0U

TechMinerUK · 28 May 2016 at 09:21

JonnieWhite said:
So OverclockersUK sent me their design templates so I could get a vinyl spray paint template cut to size and here is the now finished result!
Mega thanks to OCUk for providing the spray paint and decal to make this possible!
(Theme is black and white to match MSI Krait edition motherboard)

Very nice, didn't realise a PSU shroud was so simple, just a thought though but for added security when mounting you could use some brackets/mod cubes to secure the shroud to the case (Like Phanteks) but this would only be if you move your case around (LAN etc)

Great work

JonnieWhite · 1 Jun 2016 at 12:40

TechMinerUK said:
Very nice, didn't realise a PSU shroud was so simple, just a thought though but for added security when mounting you could use some brackets/mod cubes to secure the shroud to the case (Like Phanteks) but this would only be if you move your case around (LAN etc)

Great work

Very true, but in this case it's resting onthe corner of a few drive bays, so it sits flush against an edge both ends

Also noticed far better cooking by about 5° keeping a tunnel of air for PSU and GPU isn't drawing heat upwards from the power supply! I hadn't even considered the possibility!

I've had several requests to make more of these for people so might start branching into some acrylic ones for LED backlit builds

Cenedd · 1 Jun 2016 at 12:56

TechMinerUK said:
just a thought though but for added security when mounting you could use some brackets/mod cubes to secure the shroud to the case (Like Phanteks)

You could just cut it about 10mm longer and put another 90° bend at the bottom where it meets the bottom of the case to create a hidden flange. Then you can drill through the bottom of the case, through the flange, tap a thread in the holes through the flange and then you can screw it in from the bottom. That's what Phanteks did....I know 'cos I'm trying to model an acrylic replacement at the moment

pastymuncher · 1 Jun 2016 at 12:56

I have been using a custom built shroud for years. It makes things much neater looking as it hides the cables. My mk1 version was part of a cardboard box covered in black vinyl but the mk2 version is the corner of a old case cut to fit. It has a hole cut in the top and lined with rubber under the motherboard for the front panel connectors to come out of. It doesn't look like it was there from the factory like the op's but it does the job.

RJC · 1 Jun 2016 at 20:41

JonnieWhite, I have edited your post as the picture are huge and also Hotlinked - even though they are your build from the Overclock forum please use a image hosting website to host here.