Project Space Saver - a custom wooden scratch build

[Albert1998]

 

Short introduction

Hello, my name is Albert. I live in the Netherlands and have a great passion for building PC's. 

 

Why a custom wooden case?

Short answer: because I can. Long answer: I really enjoy designing and building custom cases. This is the second wooden case I make. The previous one was a "see if it is possible" build, so more like an experiment instead of a serious build. That build can be found here: https://pcpartpicker.com/b/KXbj4D

This wooden case focuses more one the practical aspect of a computer case. That means smaller and full dust protection.

 

About the case itself

 The case will be almost completely build out of wood. Some pieces will be made of aluminium because of their complexity. The design process took almost 6 months, starting on paper to eventually a 3D drawing in SketchUp. It can hold a 31cm long GPU (there are some high restrictions, so ASUS cards won't fit), an 7,7cm high CPU-cooler (perfect for the Be Quiet! Shadow Rock LP), a normal full-ATX motheboard, one 3.5" HDD, five 2.5" SSD's, 7 80mm 25mm thick fans and a fancontroller + ledcontroller. And all of that in a case which is only 12cm thick. 

 

PCPartpicker link

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/LN8KHx

 

Specifications

The specifications can change later on.

Orange = acquired

 

Main hardware:

Processor                                            Intel core i5-4690K                                           

Motherboard                                       Gigabyte G1 Sniper Z97                                   

Videocard                                            Gigabyte GTX970 G1 Gaming                         

Memory                                                Corsair Vengeance Pro 2133mhz 2x4GB     

Storage                                                 OS: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB                     

                                                                Mass storage: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB + 840 EVO 250GB                    

Power supply                                      Silverstone SX500-LG                                       

 

Cooling:

Processor cooler                               Be Quiet! Shadow Rock LP                              

System fans                             7x Be Quiet! Pure Wings 2 80mm      

Controller                                Aqua Computer Aqearo 5 LT

 

Lighting:

Controller                                Aqua Computer Farbwerk                        

LED-strip                                 Aqua Computer 5050 RGB-LED strip 5m     

 

Updates

Update 1, workshop and tools

Update 2, starting on parts 001-004, a.k.a. the frame

Update 3, finishing parts 001-004, starting on parts 005, 011 and 012

Update 4, finishing parts 005, 006, 008 and 011

Update 5, started on parts 007, 009, 016-019, finished parts 011 and 012 (finally)

Update 6, the frame is finished

Update 7, almost finished the GPU-bracket

Update 8, making the storage areas and starting on the exterior

Update 9, stuff from Aqua Computer and Icemodz

Update 10, working on the exterior and some other small things

Update 11, stuff from Be Quiet! and some SSD's 

Update 12, installing the motherboard tray and some other stuff

Update 13, almost done with the case

Update 14, preparing the case for a clear coat of paint

Update 15, the case is done (almost)

Update 16, building the PC

Update 17, the entire setup and lighting!

Update 18, it has been a while, temps and such

 

Some drawings

Here are some drawings I made in SketchUp. 

 

 

The project in its current state:

 

 

 

[Nonco]

Cant wait to see the final build! Should be pretty awesome. Noctua fans would look amazing in this build

[Crazy Ginger]

Wish you weren't sponsored by bequiet and instead by noctua cause this would be one of the very few cases in which a noctua fan would actually look good

[Albert1998]

Wish you weren't sponsored by bequiet and instead by noctua cause this would be one of the very few cases in which a noctua fan would actually look good

Actually, Noctua's don't look that good at all with this case. I held them next to each other, and the colors are not the same. Because of the small difference in color it looks quite odd. Be Quiet! fans on the other end, do look quit good in this case. They have a neutral color, while still being different to standard OEM fans. And they are quiet . 

[Tjomme]

Das een mooi stukkie hout!

 

Do you sell these thing? I mean... I could still cancel my order on the NZXT H440 Designed by Razer

[Albert1998]

Das een mooi stukkie hout!

 

Do you sell these thing? I mean... I could still cancel my order on the NZXT H440 Designed by Razer

Daar heb ik wel eens aan gedacht, maar er zit enorm veel tijd in om zo'n kast te maken. Maar als je echt serieus interesse hebt als dit project klaar is, kan ik er na de zomervakantie nog wel eentje maken denk ik. Maar eerder wordt echt niet, ik loop nu al achter op schema vanwege die enorme hitte. 

[Tjomme]

Daar heb ik wel eens aan gedacht, maar er zit enorm veel tijd in om zo'n kast te maken. Maar als je echt serieus interesse hebt als dit project klaar is, kan ik er na de zomervakantie nog wel eentje maken denk ik. Maar eerder wordt echt niet, ik loop nu al achter op schema vanwege die enorme hitte. 

Dat klinkt opzich wel mooi. Ik ben wel van plan om een pc voor hosting te maken (ongeveer €400 budget). ik heb er wel ongeveer €100/150 voor over. 

[Albert1998]

Dat klinkt opzich wel mooi. Ik ben wel van plan om een pc voor hosting te maken (ongeveer €400 budget). ik heb er wel ongeveer €100/150 voor over. 

Moet ik ff kijken of het voor 150 kan. Maar dat zien we dan wel weer. Eerst maar eens kijken of dit een succes wordt. 

[IMPERIUS]

Actually, Noctua's don't look that good at all with this case. I held them next to each other, and the colors are not the same. Because of the small difference in color it looks quite odd. Be Quiet! fans on the other end, do look quit good in this case. They have a neutral color, while still being different to standard OEM fans. And they are quiet . 

 

Ewwww, noctua doesn't look nice anywhere...except if you're making a toilet build

[Albert1998]

 

Small update. I have not started with the building process, I will most likely start monday fabricating the first parts. However, I can show you where everything will happen. I will make everything just like last time in our garage. It is not a professional wood workshop or anything like that, but it should be enough. With a little bit of creativity, you can do without some tools  . 

 

[Albert1998]

All the parts I have to make:

[Norman_the_Owl]

You haven't even built the damn thing yet but oh man does it look good!

[Albert1998]

You haven't even built the damn thing yet but oh man does it look good!

Don't worry, I am starting tomorrow with parts 001-004 (the frame). The heat-wave in The Netherlands is finally over, so it is not 35 degrees in our garage any more  .

[id101]

This looks amazing already, can't wait to see the progress! May I ask why you chose to do another wooden build?

[ManWithBeard1990]

Gotta love a good wooden case. I've built one too, but a space saver, it is not.

[0ld_Chicken]

uh... wow.  Nice work!  looking at your previous wood case build this should turn out great!  I'm definitely subbed in and can't wait to see some things take shape.  Bringing back my case making aspirations  :wub:

[0ld_Chicken]

Actually, Noctua's don't look that good at all with this case. I held them next to each other, and the colors are not the same. Because of the small difference in color it looks quite odd. Be Quiet! fans on the other end, do look quit good in this case. They have a neutral color, while still being different to standard OEM fans. And they are quiet . 

could always lightly stain the wood to match noctua colors!  (I can't help but feel that would have a really neat look to it)  I've heard so many good things about be quiet! fans thou I actually bought one today

[Albert1998]

This looks amazing already, can't wait to see the progress! May I ask why you chose to do another wooden build?

 

Why a custom wooden case?

Short answer: because I can. Long answer: I really enjoy designing and building custom cases. This is the second wooden case I make. The previous one was a "see if it is possible" build, so more like an experiment instead of a serious build. That build can be found here: https://pcpartpicker.com/b/KXbj4D

This wooden case focuses more one the practical aspect of a computer case. That means smaller and full dust protection.

[Antibull]

Finaly a dutch modder :3 Go DUTCHIES  

 

Followed 

[Albert1998]

 
"It does not have to look perfect. It's not bad if it looks like you made it yourself."
- My dad, a long time ago
 
Today I started working on the wooden parts, starting with the frame. I don't have acces to a router or cnc machine, so I had to do it all by hand (and with that, I mean with a jig saw and dremel). Which takes a lot of time, but that is not a problem since I have vacation  .

 

The drawings

Cutting the different parts to length

Done

Drawing part 001

Part 001 almost done

Drawing part 002

Working on part 002

And so on...

Part 002 almost done

Part 003 almost done

Drawing part 004

Working on part 004 with a dremel

Part 004 almost done

Jeez!

Tadaa! Some connections need a little bit of sanding to make them fit perfectly.

That connection though

 

Next update probably tomorrow, but could also be wednesday evening.

[X_Rated_Box]

Man if i just could clock the like button more than once

[Albert1998]

 

"It's not about how many times you fell, it's about how many times you stood up."

- Albert de Vries, today

 

Today a lot of things didn't go according to the plan. Things like discovering that cutting table is a couple of millimeters off, and batteries dying without any reasons. Despite that, I still managed to do something. I finished parts 001-004, the fit perfectly and some extra cuts were made. I also started working on the panels that cover the frame, 005, 011 and 012. The three panels are equal in size, and cutting those is done. I started to work on 005, but then the battery of my drill died. I think I'll continue later this evening. After that, I have to draw all the cutting lines on the panels of 011 and 012, which will take a long time. 

 

Cutting lines on 003

Done

Mounting spots on 002

Improved joints

Panels for 005, 011 and 012

Drawing cutting lines on 005

Working on 005

The frame atm

Progress on 005

All the cutting lines I have to draw on 011 and 012, I'll probably do this tomorrow morning

Bye!

[Albert1998]

 

Another two days of hard work. I finally managed to figure out what was wrong with my saw table. The measuringtool on it is incorrect. So I will us my own measuringtool next time. 

 

 

Battery fully charged and drilled all the holes

Cutting the middle out

Done

The saw table problem

Starting on 006 and 008

The magnets for the mountingsystem

Drawing the cutting lines on 006

Almost done

Starting on 008

Almost done

Done 

The cutting lines on 011, this took me a whole morning! I'll probably do the lines on 012 tonight or tomorrow morning.

Starting on 011

Completing 011

Some majestic shots

Cable management for the fans

Thanks for watching.

Bye!

[MrBlame]

Definitely following this! From the drawings it looks like this has a lot of potential!

[X_Rated_Box]

Nice i love to see it come together !