Upcoming project.

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Custom built wood case. I'm tired of the metal look, and no matter how you trick them out, they still look like.......computers.

Expect something big, as it has to be wide enough to accept a 19" rackmount patch bay for audio gear.

I'll probably start designing this week, be a month or so before the first saw cuts. The idea is flowing, though.........
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JayDubya · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

This idea has been around for a while, but i have yet to see a finished project. I really hope to see this thing soon.

Are you worried about heat at all? Is the inside going to be metal with a wood finish or is this whole project going to be a suprise?

Hurry up already!
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

I'll be using a metal mobo tray, as soon as I find one, and the drive rails will be......a little different. Other than that, it'll be all wood. Not really worried about heat, the way I'm thinking this out. Should be plenty of ventilation, and the size will be big enough that there won't be the heat buildup typical of a smaller mid-tower case.

It'll take a couple of months, keep yer shorts on!

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PolarPyro · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject:

**Finished Project**
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showpost.php?p=531155&postcount=441
Yeah, its wood

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JayDubya · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:15 pm Post subject:

Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

If it is a glorified casket like JW is suggesting, be sure to ventilate well as wood is a good insulator. Although this is great for sound dampening, not so hot for heat disappation. I wish the best of luck in research and design.

next mod:
Lincoln Logs VS Legos
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chef · TweakNOOB Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 187

Definitely go for the wood finish look. Why bother painting it if it's just going to look like metal and NOT dissepate heat. You could build it with sides that have slits in them. Kinda like the back of a mission oak chair. Looky here for some ideas http://www.stickley.com/gallery/catalogPDFs/Mission.pdf.

zhensem · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:23 pm Post subject:

Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet? Is it done yet?

Btw, chef, that link isn't working.
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Don't want to give out all the details, but it's going to be more of a '20's radio style.

Already got the prelim sketches done, have to blow it out in measurements, see where I need to make adjustments.

The main waiting time is for the tools, since I don't own a router or power saws. The guy who'll be letting me use his needs them for a little bit yet.
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JayDubya · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

chef · TweakNOOB Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 187

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Ok, parts together, more or less. I don't have a camera right now, so photos will be a while coming.

Dimensions will be double width of a standard ATX case, so I can fit my Firewire unit and a front-mounted patch bay. Standard ATX depth, front to back, and a bit shorter than a standard ATX. Oak laminate plywood back and sides, solid oak front and door. Ventilation will be provided by vintage grille cloth on the sides, with a flip-out door on the bottom/front of the case, like the old style console phonographs. The door is going to be the fun part.......covering the drives and patch bay will be an oak door, with a vintage radio tuning dial and knobs embedded in the front. If all works as it should, the knobs will also be fan controllers. Cooling is already laid out, with 3 120mm fans, two back, one side, with an additional 80mm in the front, behind the lower door.

Internally, I'll be using a mobo tray/pci slot guard from a regular case, the PSU will be mounted sideways, so the cabling is at the top, and the exhaust fan on the bottom (now facing the vent grill cloth) can pull cool air in from outside and through the PSU. Drives will be mounted on sliding shelves that pull out from the side, for easy mounting.

Think gradma's old Victrola radio, you get the idea.

Give me a few months, I'm doing this one right. It's gonna be a big mofo of a case, that's for sure. I still have to find the "vintage" hardware (feet, hinges, so on) but that shouldn't be too hard. Plenty of antique shops and junk shops around here.
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