Got wood: Can I make a custom PC case out of wood?

[Arya]

I like wood. And I can handle it pretty well. I also need a new PC case, and I'm wondering if I could build one out of plywood. My immediate concern is grounding and discharge - would a wooden case work long-term? And what electrical safety precautions would I need to take?

I have a somewhat-vintage i7 3770K and motherboard combo, with 32GB of high-spec DDR3 RAM. They've been de-commisioned for a while because the side-door jammed shut on their case and I wasn't strong enough to open it. Today I burned it off with an angle-grinder and after shopvaccing the bits I'm re-assembling the build so I can test my new Liquid Cooling loop without frying my main PC.

After that's done and assuming the loop works, I'm going to have enough spare parts to rebuild the system and pass it on. All I need is a case that I can actually open. I'd rather not buy an entire new case, rather I feel adventurous and I'm wondering if I can make a custom case with my woodworking skills.

[ugafan]

sounds like a cool project. go for it.

[King_BR0K]

Don't see a reason why it won't work
Just make sure the wood is completely free of moisture

[REZ₪NIK]

"Today I burned it off with an angle-grinder and after shopvaccing the bits" I loved this part

[Kaihekoa]

Sure you can, check this dude's wooden case out:

https://youtu.be/sU42RvYGXrA

[Monk]

Plywood, no, but not because it won't work, but because it will look crap, real wood would look classy, but, you'll spend more money than you would for a surprisingly good case these days, just bought a bitfenix neos the other day for £34 to build my old htpc into for my mum, it's remarkably decent for the price, mind you, the fans going g in it are worth double the price of the case as I've got a bunch of Corsair af120's laying around lol

[Arya]

Messaggio originale di Monk:

Plywood, no, because it will look crap, real wood would look classy

I don't like you anymore.

Jokes aside, Plywood can look really nice. And it's very fashionable at the moment. Exposed plywood furniture is really 'in' at the moment, along with other industrial materials.

I haven't made any firm decisions yet, but this will probably end up in my living room. With that in mind, I'm looking at an ultra-fashionable industrial design. Simple plywood sheets held together with big metal fastenings. And with some glass feature sections. It's not meant to have a gamer-y look, I'd rather it fit in with my other furniture.

[RGX12]

Messaggio originale di Monk:

Plywood, no, but not because it won't work, but because it will look crap, real wood would look classy, but, you'll spend more money than you would for a surprisingly good case these days, just bought a bitfenix neos the other day for £34 to build my old htpc into for my mum, it's remarkably decent for the price, mind you, the fans going g in it are worth double the price of the case as I've got a bunch of Corsair af120's laying around lol

Actually, plywood is the way to go. Sturdy, and resists warping. The one wood case I've seen (was featured in a PC mag quite a few years back, maybe PC Accelerator) was done with a plywood frame, then veneereed. Plenty of nice veneers to choose from: oak, poplar, etc. Then paint or stain to taste. Can use 1"x4"'s cut to size for the base (almost like furring strips).

Pretty cool project.

Oh, and if you're handy with a router you can maybe do some nice scroll work, even bevel or ogee the edges for that tasteful and classy furniture-PC finish.

Post pics when you're done ;)

[Monk]

Well, guess each to their own, I prefer antique dark oak myself.

[hawkeye]

Marine ply could be good.

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

LGR made a 486 DOS gaming machine and lined it with wood grain veneer ;-)

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Wood is fine; but the Motherboard and PSU should all be grounded to steel or copper directly; or they are simply sitting there with zero grounding.

One way around this is use standard copper stand-offs for your Motherboard mounting; then have a thick copper ground wire go from a screw on the PSU and connect to a stand-off

[Arya]

Messaggio originale di Bad_Motha:

Wood is fine; but the Motherboard and PSU should all be grounded to steel or copper directly; or they are simply sitting there with zero grounding.

One way around this is use standard copper stand-offs for your Motherboard mounting; then have a thick copper ground wire go from a screw on the PSU and connect to a stand-off

I was wondering about that. I think I'll use a steel frame and then add some wood sections rather than making a complete wood case, I don't understand electricity very well and may as well play it safe.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Well when you typically use a metal case; the PSU grounds the whole case; then the Motherboard gets grounded from the stand-offs.

You can easily make your entire case out of wood; but here's the problem.
You may find it difficult when it comes to make shrouds for where all your fans need to intake or exhaust your airflow. The ground issue is easy to over-come, and I explained that. The ground wire you can easily make yourself; like this:

Finished:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1K_x6RXXXXXaMXVXXq6xXFXXXE/-font-b-Motorcycle-b-font-font-b-Battery-b-font-Negative-Cathode-font-b-Cable.jpg

The Tabs (or similar ones)
https://cdn3.volusion.com/hexhm.dsvxx/v/vspfiles/photos/GEN-2GA38LUGKIT-4.jpg

And of course a decent gauged wire. Just ensure the entire wire is covered.
Then have the tabs of that wire connect to Motherboard Stand-Off

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Three_types_of_standoffs.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHXQyP-JK_M/VqZbXidGXLI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/yJCW_x0e9y8/s640/PICT9918.JPG

connect the other end to a screw attached to the Power Supply.

Another issue with wood though might be heat dissipation; as wood will act as a heat insulator.
But wood would also help shield alot of the fan noise overall too.
Just ensure it's all setup for good cooling and airflow and you really shouldn't have a problem.
I'd try to work in some sort of filter-mesh for any fan area that will be where fans will intake air. Dont filter the exhaust areas or you'll just end up trapping dust between the filter and fan on the inside of the case.

You can refer to pages 15 and 17 in here for the screw hole sizing / distances and such for ATX Motherboard Specs > http://www.formfactors.org/developer%5Cspecs%5Catx2_2.PDF

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Wolfie, what type of wood are we talking? Poplar, Oak, Spruce?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Well you are going to want to treat the wood once you are closer towards your finalized product too; you don't want it absorbing moisture; which just having 40-50% humidity inside a room, the wood will absorb this and change over time and even sometimes remain "damp"