Thinking of A Home Build

Conrad11

Conrad11

Conrad11

Soldato
Joined
12 Jun 2005
Posts
5,361
Hi there,

Having been inspired by the GCSE project a couple of threads below, I thought I would give a go at making my own case out of wood.

I have (or think I have) pretty good knowledge on how it should be constructed (for instance ATX, aireflow, size). But I want this case to look rather stylish too.

I only have wood available so does anyone have any good "finishing off" tips that will make it that extra special?

Also, does anyone have an pictures of the cases they have made?

Thanks
 
Try get a removable motherboard tray from any type of case, because this will really really help you with your build, if ATX. It will save on so much work trying to fit standoff's etc.

I'd suggest using 2x120mm fans, so compensate for those in design, i think that your use of wood to finish could be quite executive if stained or similar. This post isn't really overly informative, but remember to have air vents as wood will be warmer than conventional alu/steel cases.

Google images > wooden pc case mod. :)
 
You can link as long as it does not say, I got it from this *compeitor* directly showing, the links are fine.

These cases never turn out how you planned, as they morph and evolve with you.

If you need someone to bounce ideas off my msn is always open, if im there or not is another matter :p
 
take your time to get an awesome finish on the wood

from my experiance in Resistant Materials at school (and not to blow my own trumpet but the finishes on my last 2 projects was schaweet) sand it first with a fairly rough grade maybe 180 grit paper, then down to a 500 grit, around 1000 grit then by hand with wet n dry paper and if you take your time it will be oh so smooth then you can varnish, wax etc as you wish

the key is taking your time, great prep = great results, poor prep = nasty

any more questions feel free to ask
 
I wish id of had a PC when i was doing my 3 year cabinet making coarse at college, we had access to a full workshop and could make anything we wanted. I ended up making a TV cabinet but if i would have had my PC at the time i would have made a walnut desk and a matching walnut PC case. You would defiantly struggle to make a solid wood PC case without a Thickneser, surface planer, band re-saw, overhead sander, spindle moulder/ router, unless you can find a workshop/ timber store that will machine the timber into boards for you. If this isn't possible you'll have to use plywood, you can get decent veneered ply but your still faced with the problem of hiding the end grain. A dark walnut PC case would look ****hot, i might even enroll for a night refresher coarse at college to do it. If you have any questions regarding the construction or anything don't hesitate to ask.

Regarding the finish, it depends what timber you use, for a PC case though id suggest a tough finish that doesn't require maintenance eg poly varnish or cellulose lacquer. The best looking finish is danish oil and then a coat or 2 of wax IMO but that would require waxing once every now and again to keep it looking its best, which you don't really want to be doing. I got a good finish using poly varnish diluted 50% using white spirit to achieve a high build finish.

Mark
 
my acrylic a-level project. still need to do some finishing touches on it

P1010010a.jpg
 
KizZ said:
Have a go at making a PC-7+ out of wood :cool:
Click to expand...
That would be quite easy, but would need to buy some moders mesh for the air intake or. Screwing a metal sheet into place for the pci cards and mobo tray would be a good idea though. This is defiantly something I'm going to look into, it would be very quiet as well id of thought. I think it would look smart using timber, like them speakers you can buy that are cherry or ash.

Mark
 
after all the messups (tried doing some metal casting that went horribly wrong) it took about a month measuring up, cutting, drilling, sanding, gluing, assembling. its also proof that you don't need technical drawings when you have your heart set on something.

acrylic is really easy to work with. what i also loved about the project is that acrylic has protective layers on (in my case white + blue) so uncovering it for the first time had the most satisfying feeling.
 
Hi there,

I was hoping to do something SFF style and have no case fans with just a standard 12cm fanned psu at the back, with holes at the front and maybe the top.

What would I do for filtering, so it doesn't get dusty, anyone know of anything?
 
The foam filters you can buy work very well and will allow air to be sucked in easily, plus they're only a couple of quid, otherwise i hear that tights work. It depends on the spec of the kit your putting in but if its a powerful PC id suggest having at least an exhaust fan as heat might build up in a wooden case more than a steel/aluminum case.

Mark
 
Hi there,

Thanks for your replies, I am planning to put a lower powered spec in it. Possible a Mini ITX system with a laptop hard drive which would produce very little heat i expect.

I i do go Mini ITX, I may have a 12cm fan at the back and a laptop style psu.
 
Hi there,

OK I have been thinking more about the case now.

I have decided the cut the mobo tray out of an old case as it makes it easier as suggested.

I have taken the PSU out of its case and that will be at the back of the case.

I will have a 140mm fan at the back of the case as the exhust, and hopefully that will cool everything and take the hot air out.

I will also have holes at the top of the the PSU is so that hot air can rise out of there aswell.

I will have holes at the front of the case, on the bottom at the front, and also thinking about at the top on the front which is where all the air would come in. I have so kind of dust filter for the inputs.

The DVD Drive and hdd will be mounted at the front with the switches etc. The motherboard will be mounted in the middle and will have holes on the top of the case where the hot air from the CPU can rise and escape.

What do you think? Any suggestions/improvements?

Thanks...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom