Custom case materials, what is required?

[mrHoot1]

Ok, I've designed my own computer case in Google Sketchup and I'm planning on building it in real life (just a small project). But there is one little hiccup; I don't know what materials are needed. If you would be so kind in recommending the specific materials I need, that would be well appreciated.

 

(p.s) there's no need to worry about measurements, I'll have that covered.

 

Thanks.

[ARikozuM]

3 minutes ago, mrHoot1 said:

Ok, I've designed my own computer case in Google Sketchup and I'm planning on building it in real life (just a small project). But there is one little hiccup; I don't know what materials are needed. If you would be so kind in recommending the specific materials I need, that would be well appreciated.

 

(p.s) there's no need to worry about measurements, I'll have that covered.

 

Thanks.

If you have a metal worker in your area you could see if he sells sheets of metal. Hardware store, etc.

It mostly depends on what you're trying to do.

Aluminum can be easier to drill and carve while various steels have higher strength. I would probably stay away from iron or copper. Wood is a good and unusual material for PC's if you're willing to insulate it properly. Zinc is good as accent pieces as is tin.

 

And no, the wood won't catch fire with the PC.

[mrHoot1]

1 hour ago, ARikozuM said:

If you have a metal worker in your area you could see if he sells sheets of metal. Hardware store, etc.

It mostly depends on what you're trying to do.

Aluminum can be easier to drill and carve while various steels have higher strength. I would probably stay away from iron or copper. Wood is a good and unusual material for PC's if you're willing to insulate it properly. Zinc is good as accent pieces as is tin.

 

And no, the wood won't catch fire with the PC.

If you care, this is the design, to give you a better idea of what im talking about:

[mrHoot1]

Ok, I've designed my own computer case in Google Sketchup and I'm planning on building it in real life (just a small project). But there is one little hiccup; I don't know what materials are needed. If you would be so kind in recommending the specific materials I need, that would be well appreciated.

 

Quote

(p.s) there's no need to worry about measurements and pricing, I'll have that covered.

 

Quote

(p.s x2) the hardware in the design isnt the same as my own hardware its all just an example

 

 

Thanks.

[NaLu]

Hmmm... no holes for air intake? IMO it is missing one under PSU and at least one in front or bottom.
Also only 3 holes/grommet? It would be good to have one extra near sata... and under gpus.

 

I would suggest using steel, 0.7mm for panels and... 1 - 1,5mm for frame since I can't see any thing that strengthen the construction.

[mrHoot1]

1 hour ago, NaLu said:

Hmmm... no holes for air intake? IMO it is missing one under PSU and at least one in front or bottom.
Also only 3 holes/grommet? It would be good to have one extra near sata... and under gpus.

 

I would suggest using steel, 0.7mm for panels and... 1 - 1,5mm for frame since I can't see any thing that strengthen the construction.

Its not the final version just FYI, considering you just bought it to my attention i'll most likely re-design the whole thing piece-by-piece in precise detail so i can be exact about where to poke those precious fan intake holes and those other tiny details, but thanks for the heads up man

[NaLu]

Best luck man!

[ARikozuM]

A mix of aluminum (different alloys as well) and steel would work well. You can also use plastics, like acrylic, for the PSU shroud.

 

The choice of metals is up to you, your budget, and dependent on what techniques you can employ. Aluminum alloys are easy to roll and conform to many shapes whereas steel once carved is very difficult to deform.

 

For the outer chassis and doors, I'd use Aluminum.

For the motherboard tray and drive bays, I'd use any light alloy of steel.

PSU shroud could be anything.

 

 

[W-L]

11 hours ago, mrHoot1 said:

-SNIP-

For regular computer cases they are usually made from SECC (steel, electrogalvanized, cold rolled, coil) or out of aluminum which is also great to work with. One tip though make sure you know how your assembling together the panels and manufacturing the parts for ease of assemble. If you provide a CAD drawing or even a detailed sketch most metal shops can fabricate it for you.
 

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