Contemplating a wood PC

[cwestwell]

I would say that doing this for less then $200 with no access to tools is a pink elephant....it is unlikely you will get what your looking for in your final build without spending some cash on tools..clamps...dremel....saw...glue...lacquer.... stain.....saw....sandpaper...router....all this will likely cost more then $200 without any wood let alone the labour...if you had the tools I would say go for it...however unless you have a handy friend who is willing to hook you up with tools and help.

[S_G]

I don't mean no tools whatsoever, I mean I won't have access to anything that will give me precision cutting (drill press, router, etc.). I'll have a dremel, clamps, sandpaper, saw I can pick up, and the usual stuff for working with wood I will obviously buy (wood, stain, etc.). I'm thinking it'll be doable, just a PITA.

[DK2]

Not that you care but one thing you won't get with a wooden case is RFI and EMI shielding. You know those little FCC and CE labels.
Others have made wooden cases without problems but its something to think about anyways.
The only time I can think of where it might be an issue is if you already have a wireless device that is operating with a weak signal or near its maximum range.

This might be more than you want to know;
EMI shielding solutions

[S_G]

That's something I hadn't thought about. I'll have to look into shielding solutions, but where it is most important is for audio output. Luckily, I output digitally over optical, so it's less of a problem for me. Still, gotsta shields them there magnets 'n radios!

[cwestwell]

It isn't as big of an issue as it seems a wooden case is not that different from a tech bench setup for interference and shielding....Maybe throw your HD in a enclosure but its hardy necessary...if anything I would use an old Mobo try out of any old case and mount that into the wood case.....ensure you are grounded and then rock and roll.

[DK2]

Originally Posted by S_G

That's something I hadn't thought about. I'll have to look into shielding solutions, but where it is most important is for audio output. Luckily, I output digitally over optical, so it's less of a problem for me. Still, gotsta shields them there magnets 'n radios!

I wouldn’t worry about it too much, but I work the industry and we have to comply to all
these regulations, so I felt it was my duty to warn you about violating federal regulations!

Only thing you could do is use some kind of metallic paint on the inside and that very
likely wouldn’t help much, just a better than nothing kind of solution.
Also it would suck if you wanted a nice stain finish inside and out.
Originally I had wanted to make my case wooden too, but it was the amount of work that
stopped me, not this issue. So carry on…..

[S_G]

I didn't want to use an old mobo tray, but from the looks of it, that might be a more appropriate solution. Well, unless I can get access to some sheet metal and, more importantly, metal cutting tools.

Went to go check out a car yesterday, and the dude had an old 1950 Ford Country Squire (mint, with original paint and everything, the car even runs fine if you can believe it). Turns out the interior dash was made of metal, but PAINTED to look like wood, whereas the exterior had actual wooden door panels. So, that kinda gives me an idea of what to do with the interior.

Originally Posted by DK2

I wouldn’t worry about it too much, but I work the industry and we have to comply to all
these regulations, so I felt it was my duty to warn you about violating federal regulations!

Originally Posted by DK2

Only thing you could do is use some kind of metallic paint on the inside and that very
likely wouldn’t help much, just a better than nothing kind of solution.
Also it would suck if you wanted a nice stain finish inside and out.
Originally I had wanted to make my case wooden too, but it was the amount of work that
stopped me, not this issue. So carry on…..

If I can find out more about this whole wood-colored paint thing, then it might be a non-issue.

[cwestwell]

Hell if it's only a wood look your going for.....frigin vinyl would go it and for way cheaper...but it would look cheap. however some of that nice walnut wood grain (like the stuff in Caddies and Lexus) might be cool but it would still look fake.

[S_G]

Naw, I mean for the interior only. The exterior must absolutely be real wood. I'm thinking of going with a metal interior (on some parts at least), simply because it'll be much easier to work with and I wouldn't have to cut my own mobo tray. The only real problem is that it wouldn't match the wood of the rest of the case -- that's where the paint comes in.

[Menello]

I look forward to the final build, for sure. Unfortunately I don't know enough to give you any technical advice...

But good luck!