DIY Cases: Need understanding on shielding

[MaxDepth]

In my lifetime I've bought very large down to thin client sized cases for different needs.

However I'd like to create a built-in case for my main rig that will install in a piece of furniture. With ventilation already considered, what do I need to concentrate on? Is it EMF shielding?

I've got a den room that still has the early 1950's knotty pine paneled walls and oak wood floors. I want to restore the rest of the room to that same theme but it is also the location of my computer work space. I can hide things like the printers and networking in the room's closet if need be but I'd rather keep the computer in the room for temperature control and other reasons.

I'd like to build a pine case with the same style of fabric face-front as the old TV cabinets had for their speakers. I would hide fans in the bottom and sides to ensure I have ventilation.

So back to the question of shielding...

I can salvage the bottom mount from a case where it slid out of the case with the mobo attached. Now for top and sides, do I need to line the box with sheet metal? Can I use metal fabric or rolled laminate?

The pictures aren't of my house, I just have them as inspirational ideas of what I would like to do.

 

[SimsReaper]

Well, some people may argue that you should protect against every eventuality, but in practice, no, you don't have to worry about EMF protection in most cases. As long as you don't have high voltage wires running near the computer or powerful radio's near it, you shouldn't have any issues. Lots of custom cases are made from acrylic alone and they function perfectly. Show case builds are done from wood as well, and run just as well as anything.

This seems like an interesting project, all the best of luck to you! If you can, post some pics on the forum as you progress with it, and give us a little computer pron

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You know, for very minor, and insignificant expected benefits -- take for instance some worry about security or cosmic rays or just "radiation containment" -- using old computer case-panels from the recycler (if you can get them) or simply old cases you planned taking to the recycler -- seems like I'd be inclined to cut up an old case and line the box if I were to build it, adjusting the dimensions slightly for the 1/16"-or-so SECC steel.

And if I had an aluminum case, I would neither recycle it nor apply it to this project in that way. Of course, you could simply go to the local metals store where they sell tools, perf-steel, bars of steel or alum, sheet-metal. Get the dimensions you need for rectangular panels and then install them.

There's a lot of ways to skin that cat.