So, I was thinking about making my own case...

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Like it says, I'm thinking about making a case for my planned winter rig (so far, if I can get it, Q6600, G33 mobo, 2-3GB RAM, dual 160GB HDs (not in RAID), X1900XT, etc, etc. All this will cost me about $450, since I get that nice Intel Bundle (CPU, mobo, Vista) for $220.

So, to save some money and to have some fun, I'm planning to make a case. I wanted to ask what type of materials should I stick with. I assume aluminum and plexiglass are great ways. And I'd assume wood is a bad idea.

Also, can you get colored plexiglass? And anyone have any ideas?

[Yellowhello]

No chance I inspired you in any way?

Aluminum and plexi are great materials it work with I think you should stick with them. Wood's mot bad, but it looks bad IMO and I like plexi better.

you can get colored plexi, but not from Home Depot, where i got it from. You can order colored acrylic (same as plexi) on line here: Performance-PCs.com

I personally think you should make a tech station-like think, but maybe that just me...

Good luck man!

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

No chance I inspired you in any way?

Aluminum and plexi are great materials it work with I think you should stick with them. Wood's mot bad, but it looks bad IMO and I like plexi better.

you can get colored plexi, but not from Home Depot, where i got it from. You can order colored acrylic (same as plexi) on line here: Performance-PCs.com

I personally think you should make a tech station-like think, but maybe that just me...

Good luck man!

Well, I'd prefer a system that wouldn't collect dust, but on the contrary, if I just closed it off all the way around, then it's not a bad idea. Thanks for the thought.

I'm gonna be cheap on this one, so I think Home Depot plexiglass works. How much did it cost you per sq. ft?

EDIT: And yes, you pretty much inspired me on this one.

[Stormcrow]

I've actually been rolling around the idea of a custom case/work station for a few months now. I've been leaning more towards a workstation for convenience, but a case shouldn't be too hard. The best material is titanium, obviously, but since that'd cost you way too much aluminum is the better choice. You could go with rolled steel, or even make the entire thing out of plexiglass. Wood isn't a good pick at all, it holds heat and is cumbersome. I've been thinking of doing a cardboard case as a gag, but its not going as I've wanted it too.

Basically you just get the specs for whatever size ATX case you want, and get matching sheet metal/acrylic and form your basic box shape. The hardest detail I'm thinking is the front panel. You can just keep it flat, but thats boring. One way I know is using Bondo then sanding/cutting in details and polishing it. I'm lucky as I worked in a boat factory and can still use on-site equipment, if you have a way to do that it'd be better to form one out of fiberglass or similar composites. I'm pondering on building the entire chassis out of fiberglass.

The other alternative is buying a cheapo case from Newegg, and then modding the crap out of it. Granted you didn't build it from the ground up, but it includes all the essentials like power switch, prebuilt chassis, and the like. Adding a side window, giving it a color scheme, modding in some fans, custom lighting, and making or adding to the existing front panel would give you a brand new case pretty much. The upside to this is you don't have to measure out the expansion slots and assemble the drive bays and whatnot.
I'm still browsing around on the subject, but thats maybe something to help you out with.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Not bad. I need something to keep me busy for a while. This would be perfect. I think I'd need a combo of plexiglass and aluminum... to attach the plexiglass together.

As for the fiberglass idea... That would be one HEAVY case. I dig the idea of FB the front panel for design.

[Stormcrow]

Fiberglass is actually very lightweight. The boats we churned out were 14' long rowing shells with hollow hulls blocked off by bulkheads. One guy is able to carry the fully assembled boat out on his shoulder, so I'm thinking that since a case is practically hollow with only the components inside it should weigh less then aluminum. It's impractical of course because fiberglass is an excellent thermal insulator, but as a workstation it would be more viable due to it's nice tensile strength.

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

Well, I'd prefer a system that wouldn't collect dust, but on the contrary, if I just closed it off all the way around, then it's not a bad idea. Thanks for the thought.

I'm gonna be cheap on this one, so I think Home Depot plexiglass works. How much did it cost you per sq. ft?

EDIT: And yes, you pretty much inspired me on this one.

At Home Depot it cost me about $6 for a 24" x 18" piece that was 1/4" thick.

You could make the tech station-like thing and just make a "shield" to put on it when it's not in use or you don't have to access the internals. Just a thought.

[polobunny]

Fiberglass is quite expensive, isn't it?
Edit: Oops my bad, I was thinking carbon fiber. Which is expensive. :P

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Fiberglass is quite expensive, isn't it?

Not really, depending on the grade and thickness of the mats you get in. You also have to factor in the resin and catalyst, which is considered a hazardous material and limited to licensed builders/contractors. Then there's the "rolling", or laying out the mats and rolling on the resin to form the part you need. Then it has to be heated so the catalyst reacts and forms a nice hard shell. Getting air bubbles between the mats really wreaks havoc on it; we always used a vacuum pump but for someone doing it at home it would be a real pain.

[Yellowhello]

I guess fiberglass is out then. Seems like a REAL hassle for the average person. I'd stick with aluminum and plexi.