Custom Making Cases

ToshiroOC · Dec 20, 2002, 01:16 PM

I had a revelation - almost everyone, including modders, buy cases. That in and of itself isn't that exceptional, except I realized that if you built your own computer case, you would have near infinite control over everything having to do with the computer case, instead of being limited to someone's notion of cool that probably doesn't coincide with yours (if it did, you wouldn't be modding that case, now would you?). So I've decided to build myself a nice computer case to fit my 5 computers worth of parts all at once. However, I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm still working on conceptual drawings, and I could use some help. Does anyone have any ideas for material? I am thinking maybe wood frame, with 1/8" aluminum outside and 20 guage aluminum lining inside, with sound proofing between the two aluminum panels... Any ideas/suggestions? One other thing, I don't want to make my own motherboard trays if I can avoid it, nor 5.25"/3.5" racks. Does anyone know where I can get these premade without spending a fortune? Thank you to anyone who can help!

ToshiroOC

Zarathustra · Dec 20, 2002, 03:31 PM

You should make the whole thing out of clear plexiglass. Have channels builtin to the sides for water to flow, have builtin radiators, have builtin cold cathodes, etc etc

ToshiroOC · Dec 20, 2002, 07:59 PM

I thought of using plexiglass, but I want to integrate a safe place to hide stuff (including some paintball-ish sort of weaponry) and some cash, and plexiglass won't let me hide those effectively

Also, how difficult would it be to work plexiglass? I was under the impression that it was very difficult to make something look good with plexiglass because it scratched so easily and then ruins the "crystal" look...

ToshiroOC

Zarathustra · Dec 20, 2002, 08:34 PM

It can't be all that hard, but the problem is it is expensive. You need really think panes for the top and bottom of the case, and the thicker it is the more expensive it is. Oh yeah don't forget to install wheels and a gasoline motor...

ToshiroOC · Dec 22, 2002, 02:50 AM

Lol ya, I was already planning on having a monstrous UPS in the back and using it as a UPS while the computers are on and as power for electrical motors ($120 for 150lb/in at 140rpm one is at a local surplus store...) that power treads/wheels on the bottom. I've drawn up some preliminary things, and it looks like I'd probably frame it in wood, build plexiglass up on the inside of the frame, then cut ducting, then build metal up on the outside of the frame, then fill everything with soundproofing except for the ducts, which will have fans in them. Windows would be cut though the outside, metal would be put in the space between the outside and the inside, and the inside would be plexiglass (and thin stuff too, as I wouldn' t need thick stuff on the inside, only on the outside, and that will be cheaper metal) I want to use ducting both because it will allow me to recess and therefore sound-proof the fans a bit and because it will keep EMI problems with my computer to a minimum - I have a wireless 802.11b router near my computer, and I don't wanna blast it's signal to hell with all of the gear I'm going to be running there...

ToshiroOC

Zarathustra · Dec 22, 2002, 03:33 PM

Damn so you really have given this thing some thought. When you actually build this beast, for the love of god write up a detail article for us!

reno · Dec 22, 2002, 04:16 PM

I want to make a lan with all the computers arranged on a giant shelf, with a half-cut open air conditioning duct running ACed air right over all of them...that'd be kinda cool.

ToshiroOC · Dec 23, 2002, 01:47 AM

I plan to take pictures of the entire process of making it, and I will write an article, though I know I will have problems at the end as I would have no-where to host it, but that is a worry for some other day... I have put wuite a bit of thought into it, and I have the specifics thought out completely, I am just considering materials before I make drafts of the blueprints, as working with plexiglass or lucite or acrylic would be totally different structurally from making it out of 1/8" aluminum or steel. I have a local surplus store that I am going to need to haunt soon... Anyway, once I have some preliminary drawings that I am actually proud of, I will post again with the pictures. if anyone else has suggestions, pls post.

Zarathustra · Dec 23, 2002, 04:05 AM

Excellent man sounds good. Either DH or myself personally can host the article for you if needed

ToshiroOC · Dec 23, 2002, 04:39 AM

Cool, glad to hear it Zarathrustra! I'm still working on some details, and one that is bugging me a lot right now is that I want automated covers for the ducts so that I can plug it in, flip a switch, and have the ducts open (like, a wedge-shaped piece of outside with one side moving down and one side staying level with the outside, forming sort of a triangle-oid depression on a slope leading to a duct), and I'm trying to figure out how to do that easily... I think that that is going to get cut out of the final because I'm not seeing any easy solutions that would be practical for me aside from maybe a nitinol actuator and a pulley, which is going to be damn expensive... ideas, anyone? If you don't quite get what I'm talking about, I'll post again with what would hopefully be a better explanation.

EDIT: Zarathrustra, your sig, is, well... er... you see... to say it plainly... its disturbing dude. Not to say I don't like it, just... ya...

***craig5320*** · Dec 23, 2002, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ToshiroOC
Zarathrustra, your sig, is, well... er... you see... to say it plainly... its disturbing dude. Not to say I don't like it, just... ya...

Rumour has it, he's actually posing himself in that picture

ToshiroOC · Dec 23, 2002, 07:23 AM

Oh jeez craig, thats JUST what I needed for a mental picture! Dammit, now I'm going to have to go browse some pr0n to erase that image...

Zarathustra · Dec 23, 2002, 05:06 PM

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Anyway....ToshiroOC I think you should use some sort of hydraulic system to actuate the doors and whatnot. Plus I wouldn't mind seeing a computer case doing some Three Wheel Motion

ToshiroOC · Dec 23, 2002, 07:29 PM

I am considering hydraulics for everything I can (and I'm trying to see if I can get some automation in there...), but my understanding of hydraulics is limited to the fact that they are cool, smooth, and are spelled "hydraulics"

I think I will be doing some research into those to see what I can do about them... And I'm still debating putting in the motors. The thing is, some good rims on this baby will let me push it around, and I could just lay plyboard down onto steps to make a ramp for her (er, I mean it), so whether or not the computer case does that motion on its own with motors and a big UPS is still up in the air...

Dec 20, 2002, 01:16 PM	#1
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Custom Making Cases I had a revelation - almost everyone, including modders, buy cases. That in and of itself isn't that exceptional, except I realized that if you built your own computer case, you would have near infinite control over everything having to do with the computer case, instead of being limited to someone's notion of cool that probably doesn't coincide with yours (if it did, you wouldn't be modding that case, now would you?). So I've decided to build myself a nice computer case to fit my 5 computers worth of parts all at once. However, I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm still working on conceptual drawings, and I could use some help. Does anyone have any ideas for material? I am thinking maybe wood frame, with 1/8" aluminum outside and 20 guage aluminum lining inside, with sound proofing between the two aluminum panels... Any ideas/suggestions? One other thing, I don't want to make my own motherboard trays if I can avoid it, nor 5.25"/3.5" racks. Does anyone know where I can get these premade without spending a fortune? Thank you to anyone who can help! ToshiroOC __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Dec 20, 2002, 07:59 PM	Thread Starter #3
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	I thought of using plexiglass, but I want to integrate a safe place to hide stuff (including some paintball-ish sort of weaponry) and some cash, and plexiglass won't let me hide those effectively Also, how difficult would it be to work plexiglass? I was under the impression that it was very difficult to make something look good with plexiglass because it scratched so easily and then ruins the "crystal" look... ToshiroOC __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Dec 22, 2002, 02:50 AM	Thread Starter #5
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Lol ya, I was already planning on having a monstrous UPS in the back and using it as a UPS while the computers are on and as power for electrical motors ($120 for 150lb/in at 140rpm one is at a local surplus store...) that power treads/wheels on the bottom. I've drawn up some preliminary things, and it looks like I'd probably frame it in wood, build plexiglass up on the inside of the frame, then cut ducting, then build metal up on the outside of the frame, then fill everything with soundproofing except for the ducts, which will have fans in them. Windows would be cut though the outside, metal would be put in the space between the outside and the inside, and the inside would be plexiglass (and thin stuff too, as I wouldn' t need thick stuff on the inside, only on the outside, and that will be cheaper metal) I want to use ducting both because it will allow me to recess and therefore sound-proof the fans a bit and because it will keep EMI problems with my computer to a minimum - I have a wireless 802.11b router near my computer, and I don't wanna blast it's signal to hell with all of the gear I'm going to be running there... ToshiroOC __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Dec 22, 2002, 04:16 PM	#7
reno Painlord of Ichor Join Date: May 2002 Location: bloinkin! Posts: 1,610 Rep Power: 0	sdf I want to make a lan with all the computers arranged on a giant shelf, with a half-cut open air conditioning duct running ACed air right over all of them...that'd be kinda cool.

Dec 23, 2002, 01:47 AM	Thread Starter #8
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	I plan to take pictures of the entire process of making it, and I will write an article, though I know I will have problems at the end as I would have no-where to host it, but that is a worry for some other day... I have put wuite a bit of thought into it, and I have the specifics thought out completely, I am just considering materials before I make drafts of the blueprints, as working with plexiglass or lucite or acrylic would be totally different structurally from making it out of 1/8" aluminum or steel. I have a local surplus store that I am going to need to haunt soon... Anyway, once I have some preliminary drawings that I am actually proud of, I will post again with the pictures. if anyone else has suggestions, pls post. __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Dec 20, 2002, 03:31 PM	#2
Zarathustra Elite Bastard Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Confederacy Posts: 841 Rep Power: 0	You should make the whole thing out of clear plexiglass. Have channels builtin to the sides for water to flow, have builtin radiators, have builtin cold cathodes, etc etc

Dec 20, 2002, 08:34 PM	#4
Zarathustra Elite Bastard Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Confederacy Posts: 841 Rep Power: 0	It can't be all that hard, but the problem is it is expensive. You need really think panes for the top and bottom of the case, and the thicker it is the more expensive it is. Oh yeah don't forget to install wheels and a gasoline motor...

Dec 22, 2002, 03:33 PM	#6
Zarathustra Elite Bastard Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Confederacy Posts: 841 Rep Power: 0	Damn so you really have given this thing some thought. When you actually build this beast, for the love of god write up a detail article for us!

Dec 23, 2002, 04:05 AM	#9
Zarathustra Elite Bastard Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Confederacy Posts: 841 Rep Power: 0	Excellent man sounds good. Either DH or myself personally can host the article for you if needed

Dec 23, 2002, 04:39 AM	Thread Starter #10
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Cool, glad to hear it Zarathrustra! I'm still working on some details, and one that is bugging me a lot right now is that I want automated covers for the ducts so that I can plug it in, flip a switch, and have the ducts open (like, a wedge-shaped piece of outside with one side moving down and one side staying level with the outside, forming sort of a triangle-oid depression on a slope leading to a duct), and I'm trying to figure out how to do that easily... I think that that is going to get cut out of the final because I'm not seeing any easy solutions that would be practical for me aside from maybe a nitinol actuator and a pulley, which is going to be damn expensive... ideas, anyone? If you don't quite get what I'm talking about, I'll post again with what would hopefully be a better explanation. EDIT: Zarathrustra, your sig, is, well... er... you see... to say it plainly... its disturbing dude. Not to say I don't like it, just... ya... __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Dec 23, 2002, 07:23 AM	Thread Starter #12
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Oh jeez craig, thats JUST what I needed for a mental picture! Dammit, now I'm going to have to go browse some pr0n to erase that image... __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Dec 23, 2002, 05:06 PM	#13
Zarathustra Elite Bastard Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Confederacy Posts: 841 Rep Power: 0	MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Anyway....ToshiroOC I think you should use some sort of hydraulic system to actuate the doors and whatnot. Plus I wouldn't mind seeing a computer case doing some Three Wheel Motion

Dec 23, 2002, 07:29 PM	Thread Starter #14
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	I am considering hydraulics for everything I can (and I'm trying to see if I can get some automation in there...), but my understanding of hydraulics is limited to the fact that they are cool, smooth, and are spelled "hydraulics" I think I will be doing some research into those to see what I can do about them... And I'm still debating putting in the motors. The thing is, some good rims on this baby will let me push it around, and I could just lay plyboard down onto steps to make a ramp for her (er, I mean it), so whether or not the computer case does that motion on its own with motors and a big UPS is still up in the air... __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)