new mod idea.

[ThePunkGeek]

I pretty much have all the parts i need to make a computer and i was thinking about making a box outta wood.

first question is what kinda wood.

i was thinking MDF with a hole in 1 piece with a acrlic where a subwoofer would go and a port hole that ducts over the heatsink.
it would be 12inch squared.

next what about grounding?
how would i ground it all and would i need to? advantages/disadvantages.

and last for the holes to mount the motherboard would it be best it try to find 1 of the metal trays used in most cases or could it be something custom? if custom would could i find out the measurements of where they would go.

Thanks for the help pics will come if i ever finish.

[Doc_Skurlock]

some cases have little markings all over the motherboard tray area that designate atx, at, etc. You could "borrow" one of those and use it for your mounting points. I don't have much experience with MDF, but I imagine that you would also need a way of grounding the mobo and the power supply, so think about a metal frame or grounding straps.
On the subject of grinding, do you want a roughhewn surface or a smooth surface? That answers your question, I believe. Generally for grounding, just use a sander, but 12" squared is a pretty decent area, so go for a belt sander, and then you can use it for the edges. Hope I helped a bit.
Doc

[gahdzila]

errr...are you thinking of building a computer case out of MDF, and mounting a subwoofer in it? as in, a huge magnet in the same box as, and inches away from your mobo and HDD? Don't do that...it would be a very bad thing(TM).

try a search on google for wood cases...I know it's been done before, maybe you'll find some tips.

edit---OH! I just remembered...search the arstechnica.com forums. I know some of those guys have done wood cases before, I remember seeing them.

[mbentley]

Originally posted by gahdzila
errr...are you thinking of building a computer case out of MDF, and mounting a subwoofer in it? as in, a huge magnet in the same box as, and inches away from your mobo and HDD? Don't do that...it would be a very bad thing.

try a search on google for wood cases...I know it's been done before, maybe you'll find some tips.

OH! I just remembered...search the arstechnica.com forums. I know some of those guys have done wood cases before, I remember seeing them.

i know that i have seen wooden boxes before... there might be a couple in the computer mod stickies if you are looking for ideas... and the 12" sub would kill your hard drive... don't even consider it. even if it had a seperate enclosure, and it was just sitting next to the case, it could cause some major data loss... plus i don't know how much the components inside your case would like the quick movement of air that a sub can produce... i mean just hold your hand in front of a sub and feel the air move... all of that will be banging around inside your case to some extent... could make some come loose or something... if done right and with a lot of time and patience a wooden case can look really good. good luck with the case.

[UnLoadeD]

The only grounding you need to worry about is the 3 pronged piece that plugs into the wall. The m/b, psu and all componets are grounded via the black wires on molex and atx connectors.
For a 12x12x12 cube you're prolly gonna need a mATX m/b to fit in it. Also you haveta take into account the thickness of the wood you'll be using. if 12" is outside size and you use 3/4" wood you will lose upto 1-1/2" inside each direction, depending on how you configure the panels.
To attach m/b you can a)mount it to wood with standoffs b) hack a tray out of an old case c)buy a replacement removable tray (eg. lian li) d)make a m/b tray outta plexi or similar.

peace.
unloaded

[ThePunkGeek]

just a computuer in it the blow hole for a sub will be a window to see inside and a port hole to duct over the heatsinkfan
Originally posted by gahdzila
errr...are you thinking of building a computer case out of MDF, and mounting a subwoofer in it? as in, a huge magnet in the same box as, and inches away from your mobo and HDD? Don't do that...it would be a very bad thing(TM).

try a search on google for wood cases...I know it's been done before, maybe you'll find some tips.

edit---OH! I just remembered...search the arstechnica.com forums. I know some of those guys have done wood cases before, I remember seeing them.

[ThePunkGeek]

ya i have all that figured out
12x12x12 3/4in wood leaves 10.5(squared) inside
the motherboard i am using is 10x9 so its all good

i should i made it more clear i am just using the idea of a sub box there will be no sub in it.

i was just look for a way to keep it grounded

Originally posted by UnLoadeD
The only grounding you need to worry about is the 3 pronged piece that plugs into the wall. The m/b, psu and all componets are grounded via the black wires on molex and atx connectors.
For a 12x12x12 cube you're prolly gonna need a mATX m/b to fit in it. Also you haveta take into account the thickness of the wood you'll be using. if 12" is outside size and you use 3/4" wood you will lose upto 1-1/2" inside each direction, depending on how you configure the panels.
To attach m/b you can a)mount it to wood with standoffs b) hack a tray out of an old case c)buy a replacement removable tray (eg. lian li) d)make a m/b tray outta plexi or similar.

peace.
unloaded

[mbentley]

Originally posted by ThePunkGeek
just a computuer in it the blow hole for a sub will be a window to see inside and a port hole to duct over the heatsinkfan


oh now i understand :) sounds cool... scratch off my little magnet remark... :D

[FeralCom]

Directron sales ATX skeletons where they stripped the panels for other mods. I think they are only $10 each. You get the frame and tray (I think). Seems to me that you could easily attach the wood pieces to the framework.

[ThePunkGeek]

This is pretty much just a budget project for a folding box and shipping on something like that to canada would be a little more then i care to pay. so far for the computer i have a

mini atx kt133 motherboard
750 duron + copper heatsink/fan
geforce 2 mx400
onboard sound
nic

i plan on getting a psu/small hdd for cheep so far i have spent

$80CND(that includes all the wood/hinges/acrlic for the box) few things i had laying around also

Originally posted by FeralCom
Directron sales ATX skeletons where they stripped the panels for other mods. I think they are only $10 each. You get the frame and tray (I think). Seems to me that you could easily attach the wood pieces to the framework.

[incorporeal]

You gonna paint the wood, stain it or just sand it up all nice like?