building your own case

[TonyM]

I think that I'm gonna build myself a case out of wood. Just wondering about electrical interference though. Anyone have any experiance or know how to protect against it. I saw one guy use tinfoil......

[Joe]

a copper mesh would do it also. If you could find some.

[Vector86]

isnt wood a really really really good insulator ????:cool:

[PostModern]

Originally posted by Vector86
isnt wood a really really really good insulator ????:cool:

Yep. You need to plan case ventilation really really well when building a woody. I'm going down that path myself.

[Bignuts]

EMI interferance can be suppressed by a suprisingly small amount of material, hence the tinfoil example that you stated. While this is crude it is effective.

There are a number of Comercial EMI suppression solutions that can vary greatly in cost and application, some are as easy to apply as paint!

Here are some link to get you started:

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/841.html

http://www.cpfindusprod.com/AGHT/aght.html

Metalized window tint may also be another solution, though I haven't tried it myself, I know of a freind who had trouble getting his garage door opener to work through his metalized front window sticker..... Which is odd because I have also heard that a case with the side panel off it would cause a garage door to malfunction, a weird quinkydink don't ya think?

[bigben2k]

I've also heard that metalized film interfered with the old style cell phone antennaes, on the Chevy Lumina (built that way), so it's true...

[TonyM]

looks easy to use, just gotta find a place that sells that kind of stuff

just bought some 1/4" birch yesterday so im gonna start the cutting of the wood today, ill keep you guys updated on my progress

[imatation]

Does any one have a picture of what a wooden case would look like? I was just thinking about making one, but dont know what it would turn out looking like. Also, why would you want to sheild any emi? Do computers produce any emi that would hurt the monitor or something? I think the big problem would be grounding everything, since most computer parts are grounded through the case.

[bigben2k]

Plenty of links HERE (http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=computer+case+wood&hc=0&hs=1)

Grounding is very easy: a heavy copper wire screwed into everything.

EMI shielding is necessary, if you want to watch TV, or listen to the radio... (and your neighbours too!).

[Bignuts]

Try to ground all your connections to a common point. This will reduce the possibility of ground loops that may occur, which may cause some freaky problems.

[TonyM]

wow the case here is gorgeous! http://www.waiteworks.com/cases/

[Sanjuro]

I'm in the process of designing a wooden case myself. Since I have to house alot of stuff (3 cores, a little giant 2-md-sc pump and a huge airtrap) the whole thing is gonna be huge, therefore i'm considering either 1/2" or 5/8" particle board (so no surface finish is needed) Care to share more about your plans?

[TonyM]

well im gonna make it out of plywood with a birch face, the dimensions will be 12" x 17" x 18" (w x d x h) what else you want to know, how are your plans?

[Sanjuro]

i'm thinking medium density particle board since its got a nicer finish. 1/2" think material for a cube WTX box. its gonna be huge, i figure prob 18" H/D/W.

[TonyM]

well i wanted to make it that big but i got to bring my rig to college with me where space is unfortunitely at a minimum. personally i cant stand particle board because it chips and scratches easily. hey but you cant beat the price on the stuff its dirt cheap. how were you planning on attaching your motherboard to the case?

[Sanjuro]

i've been thinking about the mobo/drivecage too, as well as the PCI/IO plates cause thats the hardest to get. Rightnow I think I'll rip the drivecage, mobotray and cut the backplate out from a cheapo case and fitting it in there. i could use mobo standoffs instead of a tray, but I figure if i'm gonna cut a case i might as well take it all.

[TonyM]

just bought a cheap $20 atx case so im gonna cut that, im trying to get rid of the rivets that hold it together, anyone know a way to remove the rivets in your case, ive heard of people drilling them out?

[Sanjuro]

True. Any kind of drill is ok, but if you have a drill press the whole job takes like 2min

[bigben2k]

Personally, I use a Dremel, with a drill bit. It's so easy, you wouldn't believe it...

[Heavy_Equipment]

That "Alexis" (http://www.waiteworks.com/cases/index.html) is gorgeous...but be sure NOT to mount your PSU upside down like they did (http://www.waiteworks.com/cases/specs.html)

Otherwise, this thing is great.

[phantazm03]

Sanjuro, have you ever worked with MDF before? that case is gonna be incredibly heavy...unless that's what you want?

troy.