| Project by bobasaurus | posted 76 days ago | 1207 views | 2 times favorited | 12 comments |  |
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This wooden computer case was my first “real” woodworking project that I made a few years back. I was a complete novice at the time and had next to no tools. All I really had to work with was a cheap drill, an ancient jigsaw (that overheated easily), a coping saw, a flex shaft grinder (that my Father used for jewelry making), and a tiny finishing sander. I somehow cobbled it all together, and I think the result is nice to look at for the minimal skill level involved.
It is made of 1/4” baltic birch plywood, basswood framing/supports, and figured quarter-sawn sapele veneer. I attached the veneer with contact cement and large heavy books for a press, which didn’t really work at all. Thus, there are a few bubbles and imperfections in the final product. Both sides are hinged for access to the interior, with threaded inserts and machine screws holding it together. I finished it with several coats of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane (high gloss).
The computer I built into the case is mostly spare parts from other builds I had done, along with a few ordered parts. The case and CPU fans I bought with very quiet noise ratings so that the wood case wouldn’t conduct the sound as badly. I installed Mythbuntu on it to record TV like a TiVo. Overall, it works pretty well, though I rarely find anything worth recording on TV.
Making this project was my first real exposure to woodworking, and started the unending spiral of tool buying and project making.
Here are bigger versions of the pics:
http://imgur.com/tWmUh.jpg
http://imgur.com/egzIG.jpg
http://imgur.com/oVgAF.jpg
http://imgur.com/0kuyL.jpg
http://imgur.com/rkQyC.jpg
http://imgur.com/ZHSDS.jpg
There was even a slideshow on treehugger.com that showed my project:
http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/02/15-awesome-wooden-computers-slideshow.php?page=9
12 comments so far
Dalbergian
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56 posts in 93 days
posted 76 days ago
Excellent case,a fantastic example of the beautification of an ugly,everyday object into something that is a delight to the eye.
Very,very nice.
-- "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible." ~ Frank Zappa
DAN
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6438 posts in 876 days
posted 76 days ago
I like it ! welcome to lj’s
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
huff
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1608 posts in 178 days
posted 75 days ago
What a cool idea. The PC is usually the eye sore for a computer desk. You can now make your computer match your desk ( well, in your case, you’ll have to make the desk to match your computer) Great job.
-- John @ Myrtle Beach
joeob
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20 posts in 222 days
posted 75 days ago
Bobasaurus!
Welcome to LJ’s and well done. A return to a time when when these things were prized possessions and things to show off. Things like radios, the first televisions, gramophones and music centers were made as fine pieces of furniture.
Again well done.
Joe.
-- To finish something you must first start!
Innovator
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3125 posts in 306 days
posted 75 days ago
Nice work bobasarust. It brings back memoeies when I used to build computers (in a past life). I had never thought of making the case for it though.
-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
a1Jim
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16683 posts in 470 days
posted 75 days ago
Great job
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
RexMcKinnon
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652 posts in 88 days
posted 75 days ago
That’s a nice computer / piece of furniture. Do you have any overheating issues with it.
-- If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!
bobasaurus
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16 posts in 77 days
posted 75 days ago
Rex, I haven’t had any issues with overheating. The air flow from the case fan and power supply seem sufficient.
RexMcKinnon
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652 posts in 88 days
posted 75 days ago
Great. Plywood was the perfect route to take. I’m sure that the heat and air flow would have dried out and cracked any solid wood you could have used.
-- If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!
bobasaurus
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16 posts in 77 days
posted 75 days ago
That’s a good point. I didn’t have the ability back then to make solid stock panels anyways (not sure if I do now either). I am planning on making a wooden case for my old Nintendo NES someday, hopefully with solid stock for the short sides, but it doesn’t really produce any heat.
RexMcKinnon
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652 posts in 88 days
posted 75 days ago
That would be cool. Can’t wait to see it.
-- If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!
Dusty56
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3458 posts in 581 days
posted 71 days ago
Overheating was my first thought as well. Glad you haven’t had any issues with it though . Beautiful veneer and the entire case is awesome : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .