BUILD - Custom Plexiglass Computer Case

[OG buckshot jr]

SERIOUS POSTS ONLY, PLEASE, I FUCKING BEG YOU. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME. ANY HELP OFFERED IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Well, as the title says, I'm embarking on a mission. My birthday is coming up (June 18th), and as I had no gift idea for my girl to get me, I've been cooking up ideas to build a custom all-clear plexiglass computer case, for which she will buy me the plexiglass, maybe some hardware - pending cost of course, I don't wanna break her bank lol.

First off, it won't be shaped like a "normal" computer case, but rather boxy, with some pieces sticking out for PSU, HDD cage, and 5.25" drive bays. Think Workstation type shit.

Secondly, I've been cooking this shit up for a while now becaues of a few main issues/reasons:

1 ) It's gonna look fuckin WICKED when I'm done. I'm going to really take my time and get it right.

2 ) Using a larger boxy design will enable me to use much larger fans (and less of them: 230mm fans maybe?) toward a goal of supressing noise while improving cooling.

3 ) It's 100%, all me, custom. I LOVE building shit, and I LOVE building/working on/fixing/upgrading etc. computers. What better way to mesh the two and have fun while doing it?

What I ask here is:

- anyone have any experience doing such a thing?
- building tips
- mounting tips
- hardware tips
- cutting tips
- fitting plexiglass together tips
- where to get plexiglass cheap tips

Generally: Any tips anyone could offer is always really greatly appreciated. It's quite a task, and I know this. But I know my time and effort will really pay off in the end.

Thanks a ton in advance guys and gals!

 

[iSeize]

is this gonna be one of those computers submerged in oil? lotta vids on youtube for that.

if you're NOT considering it being oil cooled, this still shows how he made the plexiglass case


[yt=width450,height350]qZ8L1Prl6tk[/yt]

 

[OG buckshot jr]

[quote1276139782=iSeize]
is this gonna be one of those computers submerged in oil? lotta vids on youtube for that.
[/quote1276139782]

Hell no. That's real freaky shit, and I don't intend on a BP accident in my bedroom lol.

 

[sir-drek]

(resists urge to post reaction face)

That would be cool iseize but he said hes using fans and stuff. Maybe do water cooler? It's kinda expensive but looks cool as shit.

As for cutting glass I got nothing, maybe catch SJ on a cold day.

edit: yea plexi glass :)

 

[iSeize]

jigsaw will get the job done.

you should probably buy alot more plexiglass then you think you need, incase you fuck up.

its pretty cheap anyways.

 

[OG buckshot jr]

[quote1276140342=SiR-dreK]
(resists urge to post reaction face)

That would be cool iseize but he said hes using fans and stuff. Maybe do water cooler? It's kinda expensive but looks cool as shit.

As for cutting glass I got nothing, maybe catch SJ on a cold day.
[/quote1276140342]

You can post reaction faces only WITH something useful. Meet me half way? :)

Not glass, but plexiglass, almost more plastic than glass - a really cool material to work with.

@ iSeize - imagine changing that oil? Your PC is DONE.

 

[TurboTaco]

plexiglass can be cut with a jigsaw no probs. The problem arises with sanding and buffing the edges so they are pretty much flat, even and smooth. You can use a polymer contact glue for plexiglass that literally melds two pieces of plexiglass together permanently. You prob will need some clips n stuff to hold the sides together while the glue sets in. Asides that, plexiglass is pretty easy to work with man. Just make sure you do all your drafting, measuring, and planning before you start cutting up shapes and gluing them together lol

 

[47]

its gonna be HARD ! i wanted to do something like this before. use minimum 1/4" plexi. u gonna want at least one side of the case removable, so think of a way to embed nuts into the plexi so u can screw shit in. i am thinking: drill a hole deep enough to cover the thickness of the nut and glue it in there. as for the mobo "legs" screws, just drill holes directly into the plexi wall, slightly smaller than the screws and force those fuckers in. im looking forward to seeing this shit. thick plexi is expensive as shit, so shop around.

 

[Cock]

http://www.plasticworld.ca/
They should have everything you need for building the case,

I might suggest:
"Devcon 5-Minute Epoxy
A super fast, clear liquid epoxy for high speed bond even in thin films and at low temperature"

you can also just use an Acrylic Glue but I think it's harder to get it clear.

Good luck!

EDIT: @47 you can drill Plexiglas just fine =\ you just need to do it the right way and be patient
http://www.ehow.com/how_4885510_drill-plexiglass.html

 

[OG buckshot jr]

Holy shyte, cock the hit the jackpot. Plasticworld cuts to size, maybe I'll just have them fabricate the four walls and top and bottom. I'll do the mounting, drive bays etc. I sure as fuck hope it's not too expensive.... I'm gonna call them tomorrow... I'm takin my girl out to shop for it anyway, maybe I'll just go there.

This is already a huge help, thank you boys! Keep em coming, I'll post my findings tomorrow!

 

[skd_mrk]

Let me know if you need tips on mounting. I've got years of practice. Anything I can do to help you out in the old bedroom buddy.

 

[B.From.Acc]

yeah epoxy is hella strong too, just can get expensive to get all the chemicals. but i guess you wouldn't need a lot on this project. my buddy used it to build a kayak and he said it got expensive. i also fixed my headphones with epoxy. strong stuff.

i'm really tempted to try this myself, getting a new system this summer. post all your findings and learnings!

 

[iSeize]

[quote1276202871=skd_mrk]
Let me know if you need tips on mounting. I've got years of practice. Anything I can do to help you out in the old bedroom buddy.
[/quote1276202871]
i see what you did there

 

[OG buckshot jr]

A ton of help already guys, an I really appreciate it. I went this morning and got my box cut from 3/8" plexiglass at PlasticWorld (thanks cock!!!). It was cut to exact internal displacement that I measured for, cost my girlfriend $99+tax. Well worth it.

I've got a sick way of mounting which I'll get started on tonight.
As my pc is currently in pieces for the build, I'll be offline for a while, but will update this thread with pics of plans and progress!

 

[47]

niiice.

 

[Keeripes!]

[quote1276224651=OG buckshot jr]
... cost my girlfriend $99+tax. Well worth it.

...
[/quote1276224651]

LOL.

 

[47]

make sure u find extra clear glue. if its yellow tinted, it'll make the whole case look piss colored.

 

[sir-drek]

^ protip

 

[TurboTaco]

most binding epoxy's are clear. I don't think BJ is gonna use Wal-Mart yellow wood glue lol

 

[LT_Clash]

you could probly use mounting bays from an old case. dont be lazy and create proper mounting for the mobo the last thing you want is that shifting in your case.

take plenty of pics so we can see a step by step prosess.
gl hf