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Design and Material Suggestions Needed!

1K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  oldnovice 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey everyone!

I hope this is in the right forum, if not let me know and I will re-post in the correct one.

I need some help with design and material suggestions. I build custom PC cases, and this is the first time working with wood to build one.

The shape is 23"(H) x 25"(L) x 9"(D) (Figure 1). The case will have a 1.5" boarder, with the inner and outer corners rounded. Notice Figure 1 has a 2 inch boarder, and I decided that was too much.

My first idea was to make 13 23" x 25" x 3/4" panels (Figure 2), cut out the center, and glue them together making a hollow box. I wanted the box to have as little seams as possible, and since I was thinking about Oak plywood, the seams would go with the plywood edge. However, the price adds up quick.

My second idea was to still glue the plywood together, but each 23" x 25" x 3/4" board would be made up of 8 pieces, 4 - 4" x 4" x 3/4" (Figure 3), 2 - 16" x 1.5" x 3/4" (Figure 4) and 2 - 18" x 1.5" x 3/4" (Figure 5). The 4" x 4" pieces would be cut and have the inner and outer edges rounded with a router. I would use dovetail joints to merge all 8 pieces (Figure 6). Still using Oak, I can fit everything on one sheet of plywood, but its a lot of cutting.

I feel like I am making this way more complicated than it needs to be, but I have been staring at AutoCAD for the last 3 weeks and my brain has turned to mush! How can I make this less complicated? What types of would would you recommend?

I have access to your typical household woodshop, Table saw, Circular Saw, Router, Drills and Chisels

Thanks in advance, friends!

Figure 1
Rectangle Wood Audio equipment Flooring Gas

Figure 2
Rectangle Triangle Wood Asphalt Font

Figure 3
Slope Font Parallel Circle Rectangle

Figure 4
Rectangle Font Parallel Slope Electric blue

Figure 5
Rectangle Font Parallel Electric blue Space

Figure 6
Rectangle Slope Parallel Font Triangle

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Wood Rectangle Audio equipment Gas Hardwood
 

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#3 ·
I would build the box with plywood and use solid wood for the corners. Just put it all together with plain doweled joints. I think it would look better than dovetailed joints and a lot easier to do. I personally think 3/4" is too thick. Maybe 1/2" might look better.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Let me understand what you are really building by offering theses images
Do these look anything you want to build?
Or these

Then you really don't have to create AutoCAD drawings, just take some and combine into the one you want to build.
However, unless you have a jointer and planer, use plywood (I typically use MDO for electronic enclosures smooth surface no sanding on the inside of technology case) like MrRon and trim it off with hardwood like Monte Pittman suggested.
 
#6 ·
I'm looking at your design and I am thinking this is just a box and way over complicated. First I would eliminate the base, it is not needed and is superfluous. For upper box I would use solid wood and miter the corners and add decorative splines for strength. Then you could round the corners as you wish, there is no need to round the inside corners is there? If you really want the base then, use the same method solid wood, miter, spline and round. It is the plywood that is really complicating your design, having to hide the ends. A couple of board feet of hardwood is going to cost less than a sheet of plywood.
 
#7 ·
Hardwood like teak, oak, walnut, etc. As far as design, I am a "leave it to your imagination" type person.

Welcome to Lumberjocks

- Monte Pittman
Thanks for the warm welcome and ideas Monte! I love the look of Walnut, and got a few samples to try out a few different dye/stain/poly coat combinations.

I would build the box with plywood and use solid wood for the corners. Just put it all together with plain doweled joints. I think it would look better than dovetailed joints and a lot easier to do. I personally think 3/4" is too thick. Maybe 1/2" might look better.

- MrRon
MrRon. I think you are right with the thickness. My original idea was going to be a smaller box, and might have looked better with a 3/4" edge. My concern with using joints like doweled is the seam the boards will make. My idea with the dovetail joins was it would breakup the straight line.

I don t have much design advice but I don t believe the type of wood will matter. Definitely plywood for the case and a matching or contrasting hardwood for the corners.

- Rick M.
Rick, thanks for the ideas! Selecting the right contrasting wood or dye/stain could give the project some life!

Let me understand what you are really building by offering theses images
Do these look anything you want to build?
Or these

Then you really don t have to create AutoCAD drawings, just take some and combine into the one you want to build.
However, unless you have a jointer and planer, use plywood (I typically use MDO for electronic enclosures smooth surface no sanding on the inside of technology case) like MrRon and trim it off with hardwood like Monte Pittman suggested.

- oldnovice
Hey oldnovice! Those images did pop up in my initial research, however are a bit over my head in terms of skill level right now. This is more of the idea I was going for, and where I got the idea to fist build it out of multiple boards glued together to make the thickness: Box Project

I m looking at your design and I am thinking this is just a box and way over complicated. First I would eliminate the base, it is not needed and is superfluous. For upper box I would use solid wood and miter the corners and add decorative splines for strength. Then you could round the corners as you wish, there is no need to round the inside corners is there? If you really want the base then, use the same method solid wood, miter, spline and round. It is the plywood that is really complicating your design, having to hide the ends. A couple of board feet of hardwood is going to cost less than a sheet of plywood.

- bondogaposis
Thanks for the tips Bondo! The bottom of the box is needed however, unless I am miss interpreting you. My thoughts are like this project: Box Project

Inside rounded corners are for looks. My friend who has a 3D printer has already made me a jig for my router, that allows me to round both corners with ease.

Your reasoning for going with hardwood over plywood for cost is as good as any, and the conclusion I came to. But I am having a hard time sourcing the lumber in the thickness I need, as the corners need to be at least 2" thick.

Thank you for all the reply's!
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am in the process of making a PC case too but mine is for a very different purpose.
A BOX in which to mount my shop PC, the entire case, with a 3M air filter on the front, fan(s) in the rear, and the required connections ( AC, 2 USB slots) accessible on the outside of the BOX.
I am going to use air flow sensors to insure that air is flowing and the filter is not clogged.
The intent is to isolate the PC from most, if not all, airborne shop dust and/or resident cat fur!
I am going to use MDO as this does not have to be pretty, just functional.
 
#9 ·
I am in the process of making a PC case too but mine is for a very different purpose.
A BOX in which to mount my shop PC, the entire case, with a 3M air filter on the front, fan(s) in the rear, and the required connections ( AC, 2 USB slots) accessible on the outside of the BOX.
I am going to use air flow sensors to insure that air is flowing and the filter is not clogged.
The intent is to isolate the PC from most, if not all, airborne shop dust and/or resident cat fur!
I am going to use MDO as this does not have to be pretty, just functional.

- oldnovice
Being sealed up tight will help with positive pressure, so you will get good cooling as long as the air is moving!

Something to think about, if you haven't already, is even enclosing the connection you need. Make an access door and a hole with a rubber grommet to feed the cables through could further prevent that annoying dust we create!
 
#10 ·
I don't want to hijack this forum but …..

CheckPleaseTY, all the connections will be brought to the outside of the BOX with the proper interposing cables so there will be no need for grommets.
I dislike grommets!
I used to work with industrialized PCs and I am keeping all that in mind.
 
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