Building a Stained Glass Computer Case? 49
Ldyandrea asks: "I'm a stained glass artist, and also a bit of a computer nut....but I'd like to build an actual stained glass computer case, and don't know enough about hardware design to build something like this from scratch. I have seen the acrylic cases, and this would be one of the best things to base a design upon, but wondering if there is simply (rather than a case with cutouts) a "skeleton" that has the metal framework and whatnot that I can build around? I realize that cooling is a big issue for this idea, and would want to have a few different fans involved. Can anyone point me in the right direction of either a supplier of such a framework, or some general good ideas I should keep in mind when constructing this case?" This is such an interesting idea, I had to post it. When you think about it, it shouldn't be too hard to do, even if you can't get such a case "skeleton". How hard would it really be to take an ordinary case to a metal worker to get it cut to specs? I just hope Ldyandrea sends us back some pictures of the finished product whenever it is finished.
interesting, but... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:wow (Score:1)
Vibrations? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Vibrations? (Score:1)
Re:Vibrations? (Score:1)
How fragile will this be? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:How fragile will this be? (Score:2)
*cough*
Story dupes, grammar dupes.. what'll they think of next?
Re:How fragile will this be? (Score:1)
Hrmm, Neat Idea (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm not 100% sure, but it makes sense that most of the strength of a stained glass window would come from the frame, right? Well, if that's the case, you'd need a real heavy and stiff frame to support all the weight of the pc parts, keep it true (Don't want to pick up a case and have it fold in on you like a stepladder) and any other unforeseen events.
Can stained glass handle being opened up and closed a bunch of times? Being knocked over?
Your dealing with something in 3 Dimensions here, not the mostly 2 Dimensions you use with a window, so you'll have to adjust your thoughts accordingly.
But, if your deadset on building one from scratch, most metal workers will build the frame you need, and fairly cheap as well. It's almost trivial to them. Then you can go online and get parts [pcmods.com] you'll need [pcmods.com] to finish it up. Hope it helps!
Re:Hrmm, Neat Idea (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Hrmm, Neat Idea (Score:2)
I highly recommend the use of the lead and solder method. Y
OT: Your sig (Score:1)
Thank you very much, now I have chocolate pie coming out of my nose. People with a sense of humor really shouldn't eat/drink and read slashdot.
lead came isn't strong at all (Score:1)
Lead came construction works for flat windows. As far as making shapes, forget it. It's way too weak.
Ever lift a Tiffany lamp shade? They're pretty hefty, yet, they retain their shape over time and they're not bendy. Tiffany glass (foil-and-so
Re:Hrmm, Neat Idea (Score:2)
This guy has done it... (Score:2, Informative)
check out the rust (Score:1)
Maybe ask these guys: Computer Success (Score:4, Interesting)
Computer Success [computersuccess.com] has one on display (warning, requires IE to successfully navigate their site), and it looks like LucentRigs [lucentrigs.com] is the website of the guy who built it.
Never shop there (Score:1)
Just buy this one... (Score:2)
Hmm, Electronic Interference (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Hmm, Electronic Interference (Score:1)
Subtract from something, don't add from nothing... (Score:3, Insightful)
If I were you, I'd worry about not just cooling but dust -- after a year of running dust will collect all over the inside of your glass and in the little unreachable parts. You might want to look at air filters for the fans.
on the market (Score:3, Interesting)
Plycon (Score:2)
http://www.plycon.com/cases/diycase.htm
stains (Score:3, Funny)
Windows! (Score:4, Funny)
use 'tiffany style' construction.... (Score:2, Interesting)
In short, treat the whole project like a Tiffany lamp.
This case [lucentrigs.com] appears to be built that way, although for Tiffany glass it's fugly. Plus he mounts a fan to a glass panel. Bad idea.
If you work stained glass I don't need to explain the advantages of Tiffany style construction. But for the other folks, it's stronger and prettier than 'lead came' ("H" channel lead) construction commonly used in windows.
So, for the glass I would definitely go
Re:use 'tiffany style' construction.... (Score:1)
Re:conductivity (Score:1)
I've done some stained glass before... (Score:1)
Re:I've done some stained glass before... (Score:1)
Consideration for heat (Score:1)
Now truth be told I also do quite a bit of video editting for a media group, but I do all that on my Mac (which might also sound
*sigh* www.google.com (Score:2)
Results 1 - 10 of about 16,500. Search took 0.16 seconds.
Oddly enough this story has already been caught by google.
Consider Aluminum Structural Framing (Score:1)
You might consider the aluminum structural framing used in a lot of custom industrial equipment. This is basically bolt-together aluminum channel. It is fairly easy to put together, makes a very nice rigid frame, is easy to attach brackets to, can be cut with simple hand tools, and some brands look pretty good. A lot of small to mid-sized custom industrial equipment is in boxes built with these frames - often with rectangular tubing forming the edges of a box and glass or PVC sheets forming the face of