Carpentry and Woodworking - Help with building a Computer cabinet
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yogibear
11-16-06, 09:28 AM
hello,
I wanted to ask if anyone knew of any plans or books i could buy to build somthing like this http://www.execulink.com/~ibox/cabinet-mini.htm but out of wood. I'm really not sure where to look any help would be great. thanks
I wanted to ask if anyone knew of any plans or books i could buy to build somthing like this http://www.execulink.com/~ibox/cabinet-mini.htm but out of wood. I'm really not sure where to look any help would be great. thanks
IBM5081
11-16-06, 04:16 PM
Go to your nearest office supply that carries furniture as well as paper goods. Find the computer desks and take measurements.
Here's my setup (it just needs to work, it does not have to look pretty):
1. Get a good chair that's comfortable to use with whatever you build. The chair will place a few requirements on the desk.
2. I use a 2'x4' with folding legs for the basic table. There is no storage.
3. Get a finished piece of 1x12 six feet in length. I like the stuff that is already coated with Formica on 3 sides. Bookcase shelf stock. Cut two 9" sections from one end; these become legs. Attach the legs to the bottom of the remaining piece at least 12" in from each end. Put this device on the table.
4. Printer, monitor and PC sit on top of this shelf made from 1x12 material. Keyboard, mouse, router, cable or DSL modem sit on the table under the middle section. UPS sits on the table under the printer, speakers sit on the table under the PC. Telephone goes someplace on the table and is connected through the internal modem in the PC.
5. All wiring hangs off the back of the shelf or table in this contraption. I have 3 of these setups, one for each desktop system.
Here's my setup (it just needs to work, it does not have to look pretty):
1. Get a good chair that's comfortable to use with whatever you build. The chair will place a few requirements on the desk.
2. I use a 2'x4' with folding legs for the basic table. There is no storage.
3. Get a finished piece of 1x12 six feet in length. I like the stuff that is already coated with Formica on 3 sides. Bookcase shelf stock. Cut two 9" sections from one end; these become legs. Attach the legs to the bottom of the remaining piece at least 12" in from each end. Put this device on the table.
4. Printer, monitor and PC sit on top of this shelf made from 1x12 material. Keyboard, mouse, router, cable or DSL modem sit on the table under the middle section. UPS sits on the table under the printer, speakers sit on the table under the PC. Telephone goes someplace on the table and is connected through the internal modem in the PC.
5. All wiring hangs off the back of the shelf or table in this contraption. I have 3 of these setups, one for each desktop system.
IBM5081
11-16-06, 04:30 PM
I took a look at the metal cabinet. That's fairly spendy for just something to hold a PC. What kind of harsh environment is this going in?
It's just a box with a door, intake vent and exhaust vent. Any cabling and power will probably come in the exhaust vent.
Build 5 faces of the box from interior plywood. 1/2" or 5/8" should be enough. Glue all the joints to form a good seal. Go to the auto store or home center and get strip rubber to seal the front face onto the box. Put some wood strips in place to hold the PC in a nearly fixed position in the box interior. Drill vents where appropriate. Mount the fan and filter. Filter inside the intake vent, fan inside the exhaust vent, wire mesh on the outside of both vents.
Cut out a door, add rubber strips, hinges and latch.
I would measure the PC case first and allow airspace on all 4 sides except the top and bottom of the PC.
It's just a box with a door, intake vent and exhaust vent. Any cabling and power will probably come in the exhaust vent.
Build 5 faces of the box from interior plywood. 1/2" or 5/8" should be enough. Glue all the joints to form a good seal. Go to the auto store or home center and get strip rubber to seal the front face onto the box. Put some wood strips in place to hold the PC in a nearly fixed position in the box interior. Drill vents where appropriate. Mount the fan and filter. Filter inside the intake vent, fan inside the exhaust vent, wire mesh on the outside of both vents.
Cut out a door, add rubber strips, hinges and latch.
I would measure the PC case first and allow airspace on all 4 sides except the top and bottom of the PC.