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Hardware

Building a Stained Glass Computer Case? 49

Posted by Cliff from the aesthetic-and-functional dept.
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.
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Building a Stained Glass Computer Case? More

Building a Stained Glass Computer Case?

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  • interesting, but... (Score:5, Informative)

    by bencc99 ( 100555 ) on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @04:55AM (#5779537) Homepage
    here [techtv.com] and here [computercathedrals.com] seem to have some interesting examples of this, but I guess you already know this, since you already did a google search [google.com]? :)

  • Vibrations? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Associate ( 317603 ) on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @05:19AM (#5779584) Homepage
    Wouldn't all the vibration made by the various pieces of hardware resonate off the glass? You'd have to dampen it somehow, which I'm sure someone here can suggest how.
    • Glass picks up low frequencies pretty well, but only when its width is small compared to its area. Most of the stained glass that I've seen has been divided into smaller parts, with metal "beams" (for lack of a better word) holding them in place, so I don't think that resonances are going to be a very big problem. It might even be quieter than metal cases, due to the diversity of the materials used.
    • The Glass cases are quieter, and cooler than any aluminum cases that I have come across. I am the guy who created the cases at www.lucentrigs.com Thanks Jer
  • This is an awesome idea and I imagine it will look so nice when it's finished but wouldn't you be afraid to work with your case since it's so nice but stained glass isn't exactly the same ol' sheet metal here. I have a mirror finish done on my case and I'm really apprehensive about working with it in fear of scratching it, I just think in your case shattering glass would be much worse than just a scratch on the paint.
    • I bet the finished product would look awesome.. especially once the finished product got finished!

      *cough*

      Story dupes, grammar dupes.. what'll they think of next?
    • I made the glass cases at www.lucentrigs.com. These cases are pretty solid, but it is glass and pieces can get scratched, or broken. I learned over time the weak points, and have changed my designes to strengthen them. check out my new case, its the black one on my site. Not only is it made of glass, it has a lava lamp built into it.

  • Hrmm, Neat Idea (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Judg3 ( 88435 ) <jeremy@pa[ ]ck.com ['vle' in gap]> on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @07:56AM (#5779931) Homepage Journal
    I know you don't really want to use an acrylic case [pcmods.com], but it might be a good idea. AFAIK, Stained glass isn't the hardiest substance around, and PCs can weight upwards of 30 pounds or more, so I would think using a clear case, which is sturdy and will hold the weight, as a base then putting the stained glass on top of it might be a better idea.
    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)

      by eXtro ( 258933 )
      Stained glass might not be the sturdiest stuff on earth, but on the other hand how much do you think a stained glass in a church weighs? A whole lot more than 30 pounds.
    • I notice the guy who's built a case out of stained glass did it using the copper-foil method, which is pretty common for making very small jewelery boxes and such. The only problem is that it's not overly strong, and will break over time in an application such as this one. I know because I have many small copper foil projects that have not lasted over time. I have many that have, but they are all projects that were display pieces, and not used.

      I highly recommend the use of the lead and solder method. Y
      • $665.95 -- retail price of the beast.

        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.
      • Stained glass windows using the lead-and-solder method (lead came) are very bendy and whippy; most of their strength comes from the frame. Large panels generally need to be braced. Also, lead came panels sag over time, especially if the cement (grouting) comes loose.

        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
    • He could just take one of those acrylic cases then make a "slipcover" for it out of stained glass that he can slide over the top... kinda similiar in idea to those little toaster covers that just kinda drop on...
  • maybe you can pick his brain: lucentrigs.com [lucentrigs.com]
    • That rust case is about the coolest case mod I've ever seen. It is incredibly well done and very creative. It wouldn't work well for a LAN party machine, but it would certainly look great for your hippie/artist/granola friend that lives in a cabin near the mountains.

  • Maybe ask these guys: Computer Success (Score:4, Interesting)

    by gozar ( 39392 ) on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @08:47AM (#5780167) Homepage

    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.

    • I live in Columbus, Ohio, and have made the mistake of buying things from Computer Success three times. Unless you like DOA parts, an incompetent staff, and refusals by a company to honor their own written return policies, I'd stay away from there.
  • Check out this one. [computersuccess.com]
  • The metal in the cases wasnt chosen only because it looks pretty, it blocks out the EMI coming from the PC inards, as well as the EMI from the surrounding environment from interfering with said PC innards. Hopefully the lead in the stained glass (is there lead in stained glass? or only in the sodder) will block some of it. (This type of issue got a lot of talk when the clear PCs came out) That being said, i would suggest using a regular PC case, where the sides and front can be removed as a starting point,
    • I have created several stained glass computers (see www.lucentrigs.com) Iwas worried at first about EMI, but I figured it would be a fun experiment. My blue case has sat next to my 27" philips Tv, dvd player, and VCR for a year. I havn't had any problems with interference with any device, this computer runs 24/7. So I continue to build them. thanks Jer

  • Subtract from something, don't add from nothing... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Tom7 ( 102298 ) on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @09:48AM (#5780483) Homepage Journal
    Why not just take an alumnium case and cut out the panels? You could paint what remains black and then build the stained glass around the frame.

    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)

    by jjshoe ( 410772 ) on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @10:37AM (#5780920) Homepage
    on the market there are cases with pull out mother board trays. that might be something to start with. basicaly you could take a cheap case and cut out all the parts you need individualy. Personaly.. if you did a nice design stain glass window in each side of your case though.. i think that would be incredibly bueatiful

  • Plycon (Score:2)

    by p7 ( 245321 )
    This is almost what you describe.

    http://www.plycon.com/cases/diycase.htm

  • stains (Score:3, Funny)

    by Spudley ( 171066 ) on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @12:46PM (#5782030) Homepage Journal
    I don't know about glass, but I got a stained computer case just by spilling coffee on it...

  • Windows! (Score:4, Funny)

    by 56ksucks ( 516942 ) on Tuesday April 22, 2003 @09:07PM (#5786179) Homepage
    Now your computer IS windows!
  • [Disclaimer: I made lamps and terrariums in the 70's, so sue me.]

    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
    • Hi, I'm the guy who made all of the cases at www.Lucentrigs.com The fans are mounted in glass bays that I made. they fit "snugly" into these, and can be removed easily. None of the drives are screwed into place either. everything fits into place snugly, with the help of electrical tape when needed. Check out my new case, I just put it on the site Monday. Not only is it glass, I mounted a Lava Lamp into it. Jer
  • What you'll want to do is form a blank that you can work onto. Take a piece of yellow foam (or build one out of plywood, or use an old case) and work on that. Use lead came (non-tiffany, non-foil) construction to flesh out the large structural bits. Then slide panels that you have already made using the foil technique into this came. You have to plan out the whole thing quite precisely beforehand, as you know, but it should be a maneagable project, especially if you do something with a lot of rectangles or
  • Heat is a big concern for you if you want a quiet machine. You should totally underclock it- I know it sound unethical here on slashdot but underclocking saves a lot of cool air. I had to underclock my P4 'cause some some caps were humming and suprise suprise I hardly notice the difference in daily activities. There's no difference in Mozilla and my mail pops up just as fast.

    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
  • Search term: stained glass pc case

    Results 1 - 10 of about 16,500. Search took 0.16 seconds.

    Oddly enough this story has already been caught by google.

  • 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

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