Custum built acrylic case

[StephenIsTheMan]

Hi, To repace my huge addtronics 7896A full tower case I'm thinking of building my own. What I wanted was a case that was half desk top half tower, I also liked the clear cases, but not their price. So I started to dessign my own in movray

The Mobo is blue. It has no FDD. Two CD drives. One place for a 120mm fan. The PSU is on it's side on the right. I haven't drawn a lid on it yet, but it will be hinged on in the back.

So what are your thoughts? I'm tinking of using one 24x24x1/4", and one 24x24x1/8" plexiglas sheet to make the case. Any one know what kind of glue you would use for this? should I use polycarbonate instead?

 

[HitmanZ]

u could use hot glue or just drill a screw into it

 

[CubedPC]

Get some acrylic cement from tap plastics, and a couple of syringes from the local drug store. After clamping the acrylic in place, take the syringe and inject the cement. Since the cement is a solvent for acrylic, it hides minor imperfections in the edge and makes a strong bond.
If you plan on doing a lot of cutting of curved shapes I would go with polycarbonate, as acrylic chips a lot when cutting. If you are just doing mostly straight cuts, go with cast acrylic for its clarity and scratch resistance. You will need a acrylic drill bit to get a good drill hole in acrylic, otherwise they will chip or be very cloudy. You can find them online at a number of places. HTH

 

[kuyaglen]

I'm also designing my own case, but with lack of proper tools
my progress has slowed. I wanted to use as little glue as
possible so that I can take it apart easily (for upgrades and shit).

I've also tried to optimize the airflow.

I'll change the Zaman 6K to the 7K and will probably have some
kind of ducting tube from the top.

 

[StephenIsTheMan]

kuyaglen, I like your dessign. I don't see a way for the mobo power cable to get to the mobo. It could go to the front, over the ram and then to the mobo power connector, but is the cord that long?

I tried to have one 120mm fan cool the entire case. The air comes in the back past the HDD to the top through the 120mm fan and out above the USB/PS2/and sound ports. I'm hoping that by having the fan in the middle of the case it will make it quieter.

 

[kuyaglen]

I've switched the postition of the cdrom/floppy with the hdd's.
with the psu being behind the hdd's, this way the mobo power
cable is long enough to be routed from the side.

Whever you position the fan, you'll find it will be less whiny if you
postion the exuast away from you...i.e. on the left side if you
set your case to your left of the user.

 

[klaatu51]

Stephen,
Have you looked at the Aero Cool Lubic over at Frozen
CPU? It appears t be a collection of parts from which you
can make any number of types of cases. Good luck.

klaatu51

 

[CrimandEvil]

Wasn't there an Acrylic case kit that cost about $59? I would figure that you could get alot of your parts from it (if it does exist).

 

[StephenIsTheMan]

Hey,

klaatu51, I have seen the Aero Cool Lubic it is a cool idea, but for $130 I could buy two premade clear cases

 

[StephenIsTheMan]

okay I bought an GE Crystallite sheet .093x36x48 from home depo for $17.00. I spent about 15mins asking around the store for Acrylic Cement and then another 15mins going to Middletown Plate and Glass co. to find that they had closed 8mins earlier. Having failed at finding it at a store I look online and guess what: Acrylic Cement is just acetone! DIY Acrylic Cement

mad: I walk out to shed and grab a can.)

Since I only bought the .093" thick sheet I will have to go with cutting a mobo tray out of an old full tower case I had in the attic.

I hope to start work on it some time this weekend/Spring break. I'll keep you posted. Suggestions are always appreciated, just not right after I've just done it.

 

[CrimandEvil]

Damn thats nice to know!