Custom psu shroud

[SweDerpZ]

So it is time for me to finally build my first pc. And I want to include some modding. The only thing I want to make is a simple power supply shroud, and I want to know about the usable materials. I know that acrylic is the most common, but could I use cardboard or something like that? It would be easier, considering that I probably need a heat gun for the acrylic. 

So is it possible to use and paint cardboard or is acrylic a better choice? 

 

 

[MR_D_1]

Hi SweDerpZ

 

While Cartboard could prove to be sufficient to accomplish the task of hiding your PSU and it`s cables, it could prove to be a fire hazard having it inside your computer depending of the application and your case. Secondly paint become hard when dry, contrary to the cardboard that is flexible, if not handled correctly you could end up cracking your paint job.from an aesthetics standpoint, cardboard is not always even and can be easily be damage. I would not recommend it

 

Acrylic is a good choice as it aesthetically pleasing as it is but, will required additional tools and/cost to make it fit your application and if you want a specific color of acrylic can be challenging to get it in small sizes unless your local shops already have some spare sheets lying around (i tried to get orange acrylic but had to buy a huge sheet of a few foot x foot only when i only need a few inch x inch, and that had a cost of a few hundreds dollars),

 

their are cheaper kinds of plastic that can be used for this purpose, (ask a local plastic shop) like the one`s used for the hockey rings ( i forget the name of the plastic), i would recommend that specially if you are painting it as the point to pick acrylic is for it`s natural looks.

 

soft metal sheets could be a good options like aluminum they can be painted and are easier to work with (cut, bend etc..) to make then fit in your case.

 

Hope that help you,

 

have a nice day

[KazerTheKeen]

Cardboard is great for figuring out how things are going to fit together but it warps a bit when it gets painted. Unless there are Sparks it shouldn't be a significant risk of fire, particularly if it's  painted. Clear acrylic is relatively cheap and can be found at your local hardware store. In a pinch a powerful blow dryer will substitute for a heat gun. You can then paint either side of it for the look you want.

 

Aluminum is also a relatively easy material to work with, all you really need to bend it is a vice. And a pair of tin-snips or a handsaw/Dremel tool with the right blade will cut it fine.

 

Also this really belongs in the modding section.

[Zusafek]

3 hours ago, SweDerpZ said:

So it is time for me to finally build my first pc. And I want to include some modding. The only thing I want to make is a simple power supply shroud, and I want to know about the usable materials. I know that acrylic is the most common, but could I use cardboard or something like that? It would be easier, considering that I probably need a heat gun for the acrylic. 

So is it possible to use and paint cardboard or is acrylic a better choice? 

 

 

Acrylic is actually really easy to work with.  All you need is the acrylic, a steady hand with a good saw, an acrylic sander (which is basically a two handed stick to smooth the edges), a small torch to carefully heat up the edges to make them perfect, and the adhesive.  I use it to build aquariums and over flow boxes all the time.  Thinking of dismantling my P400S to do a bunch of custom acrylic work inside of it soon.

 

If your not sure, look up acrylic aquarium building online and they can actually walk you through completely.  Its quite easy actually.

 

 

[SweDerpZ]

Thank you everyone for helping me and I have taken note of all your tips and I will look into it. 

 

Thank you and have a nice day