[Fendulon]

Hi, I plan to build a completely custom wooden case out of Walnut. I plan to have 2 120mm intake fans in the front and 2 120mm outtake fans on the top.... Now the question is, do I REALLY need an outtake fan on the back? I know heat rises and I could make my CPU Heatsink Fan point up so is there really any hurt in changing my total airflow in the case from, front to back, to a more front to top method?

Also, anyone have suggestions for mounting fans on wood? I'm trying to avoid a direct mount due to resonance, so I plan to surround the fan in a small layer of foam or rubber or something, and then do a cutout of that size in the wood, and secure it inside that cutout, without ever actually securing the fan TO the wood. Any ideas would be nice, I'm pretty close to starting this, this is my only holdup really.

[thingie2]

I would just say get some rubber washers or something similar and use them between the screw, fan, and case, which should dampen down vibrations, also about the cooling, it should be fine, also, if you mount the PSU at the top rear, that will also help air flow out of the back.

[Fendulon]

I actually plan to do a bottom rear power supply mount on this case to reduce cable clutter and make the mounting easier. Thanks about the airflow, I thought so as well... we'll see what some other people think. I could just use rubber washer.... we'll see on that as well.

[Bubba]

Are you sure you want a walnut case? I know it's not what you asked about but I'm curious. With the fairly constant extreme heat changes, won't wood have a tendency to expand and contract causing problems? There is a reason manufacturers use this nasty plastic crap and it's because plastic is fairly inert. I know what the Georgia sun will do to a wood door (Mahogany, Oak, Walnut, you name it, I've put wood doors in houses that cost more than $20,000 a pop, hell I put in about a million dollars worth of doors in Evander Holyfield's house), and the bottom line is that they warp. With absorbed temps of 110-120F on the outside when the sun beats down on them and the air conditioning on the inside keeping them a cool 73F, all hell breaks loose. The outsides crack, peel, the grain starts separating, ect.........

You have the reverse conditions with a computer inasmuch as the internal temps are high with heat beating the hell out of the inside face of the wood while the external face will be experiencing temperatures much cooler. Also the heat isn't even in a computer case.

How will you join the parts? I'm by no means a computer expert, but I have put a piece of wood or two together before........ I know it's been done before, but I wonder how successfully.

NOTE: I researched this for close to an hour to try to find an answer about the heat issue and finally found one here. http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2008...wood-by-cc3e/1

He also addresses your fan question and my joinery question. Please let me know how it turns out as I would love to do the same thing if I ever find the time. (I definitely have the tools lol).

[Fendulon]

Well... I have done extensive thought in to the mounting of everything, I didn't put much thought in to the warping because of how dry this wood is, it has been kiln dried, and then sat around for 2 years. On top of that I will be laying down quite a few layers of polyeurothane on the inside and outside of this case, and I figure with the air moving through it and keep a decent temperature it shouldn't cause TOO much trouble if I use very strong joints (finger jounts on the 4 main corners). I live in michigan and when the weather is cold outside, the heat is on inside, and when it's hot outside, the AC is on inside. So it's a relatively constant temperature with the computer being out of the sun at all times. I will draw up something and scan it to give you an idea of my entire concept, so give me a bit, it might not be until later tonight or something. And thank you much for the link, though I have seen that artical and his wood working is a bit beyond me. But that case is QUITE impressive. I plan to have something more basic, but still very unique. You'll see what I mean when I scan up a drawing.

[Bubba]

I found some others but they were using pine. That article was the only one I came across that A). was solid hard wood (as opposed to a metal or plastic case with wood veneer added), and B). addressed the heat issue.

When you get going, if you have any wood working issues feel free to PM me. The way the site is set up though, you will have to make a few more posts before your PM feature becomes active. Meanwhile, I'll check out some woodworking sites I've used to see if any of them have done a wood case and pass the info on to you. As I said, I would love to build a wood case, but I'm spending all my available time right now trying to learn about the computer innards so the case is going to have to wait.

[Fendulon]

Alright thanks for that. Yeah, I know Pine is a softwood so it would tend to warp more easily. Walnut is a very hard wood obviously so being dry as well it will not warp too easily at all. I have done quite a few wood projects and if I'm not capable my dad can give some pointers. I am lucky enough to have both a dad and a grandpa in woodworking, both with full woodshops at my disposal. I'll get some plans up later tonight after some AP physics work and then I'll perhaps take some pictures as I mode along in the project when I start.

[thingie2]

Yea, would be good if you could make like a photo diary sort of thing of the construction, it will be interesting to see how it goes

[computeruler]

wood retains heat or so i herd so the more fans the better!

[Fendulon]

Sorry that I can't put up something tonight, It may have to wait till this weekend. Thanks for all the support, it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. Just finally getting around to it.