Wood case

[Toastedlightly]

I am bored, and thinking of making a custom case. I am thinking that a wood case (like a cabinet) would be fun to make and be semi-nice looking. Can this be doen w/o having problems?

 

[gotensan01]

Would wood be nice? In my opinion it wouldn't be. But it's your call. Did you consider plexi-glass? They sell sheets at Home Depot or any other hardware store I bet.

 

[Toastedlightly]

I am going for something that doesn't look like a computer. I'd be nice oak, routed, decorative corners..

 

[zpapasmurf]

i think you can find wood plated cases @ Frozencpu

 

[Toastedlightly]

it is just the "I made this" factor i am looking for. Also, i like the sound deadening properties of wood.

 

[MDE]

I'd get a case with really nice internals, gut the outside and add a wood exterior to it. It would save a lot of headaches.

 

[Jen]

Big Lar made a very nice wood case , i am certain he would send you pictures



I am building a metal computer case for myself




Jen

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: MDE
I'd get a case with really nice internals, gut the outside and add a wood exterior to it. It would save a lot of headaches.

Indeed, that would help tons so you dont have to accurately measure where you need to drill holes for certain threaded screws, or worry about drive bay sizes.

Wood is a terrible conductor of heat, so you dont want to bolt - say a HDD, directly to it. Since it is terrible for conduction, you will have to make up for this in terms of forced convection - make room for at least a 120mm fan for intake and exhaust.

Your HDDs would have to be directly cooled by the front 120mm fan.

Or... if you want to take full advantage of the wood deadening properties, these 120mm holes would be counterproductive.

You could try building it to accomodate a water cooling setup and maybe hide the radiator underneath the case with 2x 120 at low rpm blowing through it (youd have to have like 4-6" clearance

 

[TripperJoe]

you could add sinks to the sides of the drives to passively cool them. you still have to worry about EMI though. x2 for wood paneling on a metal case.

 

[Codyz28]

I would be afraid of the wood warping a bit. Ive worked with wood alot (more so than computers), and I have seen the finest grade of aged seasoned wood slightly warp, even being indoors. Wouldnt think that would be too great for a pc???

Maybe a case covered with some nice oak or maple wood veneer or just plate the ouside with wood

 

[miketheidiot]

I saw a wood humidor that had been made into a 5 board cluster once. One of the most ace things ive ever seen imo.

*Edit* ok it was surprisingly easy to find
2 pics at top
another pic on bottom