Wooden Case Plans

[potato28]

I need some really good case plans. This is one of the many summer projects for me to do... so you can take your time.

 

[soydios]

Most cases are made of metal because metal doesn't warp with moisture, and it conducts heat away, instead of insulating.

If you're really set on it, and you can cool it, look at a regular case, figure out where mounting holes for various items need to go, then just drill them into blocks of wood.

 

[SparkyJJO]

scraps of plywood nailed together 😛
lol jk it sounds like a cool idea. Post pics when you build it 🙂

 

[EagleEye]

I had the same idea, but I eventually went with a P180. I was going to combine elements from these two cases:

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=95981
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article237-page1.html

while doing some of my own design by using some square rods (1in by 1in by 8 feet long) to make the overall shape and then using some walnut to go inbetween them.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: soydios
and it conducts heat away, instead of insulating.

The effect is negligible.

To make things easier, you can salvage a motherboard tray from an old case, along with a rear panel. Maybe a drive cage for the optical drives (you should suspend the hard drives).

 

[snor]

I just recently built a wooden computer case I bought from Ikea. I mounted an ATX mobo with the zalman 7700 with a micro psu. It dimensions around 13"x 10"x7". I used a spare 2.5 HD and did not use a optical drive. For cooling, I just drilled many holes and it works. If I game, I just remove the top lid. Everything looks fine and the temperatue its steady. It does work, it just takes lots of time. I made a bunch of models to simulate the parts before I ordered anything.

 

[imported_redlotus]

I was recently in the same boat as the OP. I don't like the thought of having to pay $100+ for a case that really wasn't exactly what I wanted, so I sketched out an idea for a cube case. Here is the rough layout. It has separate chambers for the drives and the mobo. It also uses a semi-convection idea for cooling--cold air is brought in from the bottom, through the CPU HSF and the vid card, and out the top. My idea is to use two low-RPM 120mm fans on the mobo side and use the PSU to pull air through the hard drives. This should help to keep things as quiet as possible.

The only problems with this design are:
1. The back of the mobo is at the top of the case.
2. The top of the case is wide open. I plan on using some sort of shroud to deflect sound away from me. Not sure how this will affect airflow, though.
3. In the layout, I had planned on the mobo being attached to the outside wall of the case. I've since decided to attach it to the divider wall so that I have the option of using a window to show off the mobo.
4. Not sure if the power cables will be able to reach.

Although I've built a prototype out of corrugated, I haven't tried putting all of my parts into it yet. Luckily, one of the vendors that I work with is going to be laser-cutting the pieces. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to post pics on this.

For anyone interested, here are the blueprints for making it yourself.

-red

 

[A554SS1N]

Can't a standard metal chassis be used, and a wooden surround for the sides, top, and front be made? i.e. take a case you like and remove all the panels and replace with a wooden frame, with a hinged door for the side access panel.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: A554SS1N
Can't a standard metal chassis be used, and a wooden surround for the sides, top, and front be made? i.e. take a case you like and remove all the panels and replace with a wooden frame, with a hinged door for the side access panel.

No this is for a home theater thats made out of cherry, and the new tv can be gamed on. So Im gonna move the main pc into it, and make a better one this summer(thus new case). Also I like how wood wont vibrate, and is pretty quiet. Alright, thanks for the plans.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
scraps of plywood nailed together 😛
lol jk it sounds like a cool idea. Post pics when you build it 🙂

Consider it done 😀.

 

[VballCoach]

you want wood?? -

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=449069

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've done a lot of woodworking and cabinet-work -- furniture, coffee tables, desks. Personally, a wooden case is not on my list of useful ways to build a PC. I've seen some really nice ones, even so -- Teak, for instance.

You can buy sheets of 2'x3' aluminum or larger, in thicknesses matching retail aluminum cases. It has the same polish or finish. All you need to do is build a jig which allows you to bend and crease it.

My favorite and latest machine, "The MOJO," uses a 1995 Gateway full-tower. Except for the fact that there are not removeable side panels and that the only way to open it up is to pull the U-shaped shroud completely off, it's great. I'm still modding it. Just debating how big to cut the Lexan window, or if it is possible to mod it neatly for a slide-off sidepanel.

 

[imported_redlotus]

Originally posted by: potato28

Originally posted by: A554SS1N
Can't a standard metal chassis be used, and a wooden surround for the sides, top, and front be made? i.e. take a case you like and remove all the panels and replace with a wooden frame, with a hinged door for the side access panel.

No this is for a home theater thats made out of cherry, and the new tv can be gamed on. So Im gonna move the main pc into it, and make a better one this summer(thus new case). Also I like how wood wont vibrate, and is pretty quiet. Alright, thanks for the plans.

Don't keep us in suspense. What sort of pieces/parts are going into this case? How many drives? Which mobo? Are you planning on watercooling? What kind of size limitations do you have? What thickness of wood do you plan on using?

It's kinda hard to design a case without this kind of information.

-red