Hello syndicate, this is my first post so please be gentle...
I wish to make my own computer case or chassis. Something more...artsy which is also functional. My end goal is a statue type setup with the computer integrated onto the statue, hidden within or behind the statue. With this in mind I have several questions...
1. I have checked around, but can't find any real definitive guide as to what materials can be used to create a chassis. What physical properties are needed? What is the cheapest way to get a good motherboard tray (creation or scavenge work equally as well)? Can I just take an old motherboard tray and mod it somehow to work?
2. For the statue, what materials or processes must I follow to create a cheap, yet durable statue which can have the computer attached replaced every so often? Is there any guide I must follow to create this statue?
3. Other....am I missing some important detail?
Well, as long as you don't short out anything on the computer, anything should work. Cardboard box, plastic, nicely machined aluminum or steel, etc. Also, something with grounding would also be optimal.
Well firstly welcome to the forum. Secondly its awesome that you want to do something like this because most people don't have the balls.
1. Common PC materials: Aluminum, Steel, and Plastics (plexi, acrylic, polycarbonate). Anything else (wood, glass, etc...) take a greater degree of skill to work with.
That said depending on your statue there could be any number of appropriate materials with which to make the PC enclosure itself
2. Are we talking Abe Lincoln Memorial or a life-size Darth Vader?
3. Yes. Putting a pc case inside of a statue could lead to some major heat dissipation issues, problems getting cords to where the need to be, and just the general annoyance involved in creating a bloody statue...
Not sure if I have the balls yet either, but thanks for the assumption.
So would starting off just be easier if i were to salvage a motherboard tray from an old case? The statue is not suppose to be a massive thing maybe the upper half of a catgirl, maybe a giant aquatic turtle, maybe a giant wedge of cheese. Open air design just mounted to the turtle shell, or something like that would probably be easiest... any ideas as to what i could make the statue out of, or any materials to avoid specifically because of conductivity or something like that?
Personally i would salvage a Mobo Tray and just paint it to fit the theme. from there i would Measure the components that are going to take up the space The Mobo, Height and width, and the depth including the Graphics or longest/tallest piece of hardware. (careful how you handle the boards) once you have the area of those determined. Come up with your case idea that best fits those measurements and decide your orientation of the board. Do you want it seen? Will a 90 degree rotation work? do you want the I/O shield facing the back or "Spine" of the statue (if humanoid) As for materials depends on what you are comfortable with. if you are worried about static build up stick rubber tabs where things may come in contact, Possibly cable extensions may be required. Just a few things to consider, good luck and hope to see the progress of your project.
I took a cardboard motherboard box, and set all my components into that, then brought the whole thing to a LAN party. It confused many people, and brought lots of attention lol.
i have thought about doing a home built case, since i have looked at every single case for every single form factor on newegg and they still don't have one i really want. i settled on the fractal arc mini and while it's a great case, it's not what i had in mind. the drive cage is what's up in this case.
i need access to a sheet metal press, i know this, the material needs to be light yet sturdy. so i'm thinking thin gauge sheet aluminium and steel. then i'll have to add truss work somehow to keep it sturdy or bend it correctly. cutting holes like for windows and fans and bending the cut metal back on itself to reinforce areas on the panels as well as serve as drive cage mounts and window "frames".
i just want to do a cube design, not a statue, i can't imagine a statue since i have little to no creativity. you'd think they would make a decent cube with the 1000 million designs 'they' have out there, but no. the corsair air comes close, but it's like a bunch of other cases, either the hard drives are in the vertical position (which i just can't do) or there is no room for cabling the psu to the drives. the CM evo haf is attractive, i digress.
i started trying to learn blender to get something in front of me, but i've been doing other things and fell behind. thanks for posting this. i need to get the design done.
I would save a motherboard tray, and at least use it as a template.
I'm working on one with wood at the moment, but my designs are too complicated.
I've seen quite a few people make boxes from plywood to mount the parts in. It gives you almost limitless fan options from all 6 sides, and then you can decorate the outside of the "case" any way you want.
He did a build log on it on his website. I don't think he would care about posting a link to it.
http://ibuilditaudio.com/Projects/computer/computer-case-1.php
I would imagine with a way like that, it would do a really good job of blocking sound out.
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as for the statue part, I'm sure there are limitless ways to create that. You would really have to come up with a more detailed idea of what exactly you want to get a better answer. But I would be happy to help after that. It looks like that art degree isn't going to waste after all.
Best of luck on your build.
Blender isn't that bad to learn, But if you want a physical form to look over and make tweaks Foam Core and hot glue can work in a pinch. It is relatively cheap and can give you the overall perspective on tweaks that need to be made.
If you need a classy aluminum motherboard tray with PCI slots and an exhaust fan :
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/20427/cpa-276b/Lian-Li_Replacement_PC-6X_Motherboard_Tray_-_Black.html?tl=g43c157s483
Ok heres what I would reccomend:
First get a motherboard tray. Anything will do so long as you are satisfied. I would use engraving plastic nuts bolts and epoxy to make the rest of the case. Engraving plastic is wonderfull because it comes in any color you want and is easy to cut. As for the case feet I would rip some out of any old case along with led's/ powerswitch. This will be the absolute easiest way to start. Sheet metal requires special tools that would cost way way way more money than even a bnib antec lanboy air fully modular case.
Currently engraving plastic is $10 a sheet for a 2 ft by 3 ft sheet
so lets say 5 sheets, along with the nuts bolts, 120mm hole punch, exactoknofe and goodies
Should cost about $100-120 to make.