Portable Desktop Computer Case HOWTO

Louziffer writes: "I've just upgraded the case on my computer with a modified IBM P70/P75 Traveling Case with solid rubber wheels, a steel retractable luggage handle, and a combination lock. The project page includes a tools and materials list, a full set of instructions, and other ideas for making your own. These instructions could easily be adapted to making a case out of nearly anything similar. (The RF debate is addressed in the pages, for those who want to rant.) I'd like to see what other cool projects people are working on in this capacity. Computer cases can go far beyond the neat-but-overdone realm of clear cases." This one looks ready for a beating, or to arouse the suspicions of airport security. Lucid directions let you join the fun, too.

Comments

Don't worry about airport security

[Anonymous Coward]

No problem. I have a similar case. An overclocked celeron in an aluminium briefcase with a single large red button next to the handle. I was a bit concerned about airport security when I bought it to the US from NZ as cabin luggage last month. But nobody look twice. Thinking about adding an alarm clock and bundle of candles for the trip back :-)

Travel Case

[Quintin Stone]

The point, for those of you who haven't realized it, is not for airplane travel, but making the CPU easier to transport to and from LAN parties. LouZiffer and a bunch of us run a North Carolina LAN party, so having a portable system becomes a real advantage. No need to worry about getting a hand cart or dolly when you can just pop out the handle and glide the sucker around with its own wheels.

An alternative is always PC Tote, but then that requires all the lifting and the carrying and the kicking and the screaming.

Re:Just one little problem with that...

[1337d00d]

x-rayed.

You mean, at the x-ray machines that have those huge labels on the front that say that everything besides scientific and high-speed film can go through? The same x-ray machines that have the nice little happy face next to the picture of a laptop? X-ray machines are fine on portable electronics except things that store information via x-ray (or something like that, can't remember). Magnetic data is fine.

However, it would be rather interesting to come into the airport dragging a gray box with several strange openings and buttons, refuse to have it x-rayed, and then not let them disassemble it for examination (what do you mean I can't take apart this hard drive thing? It might have a gun inside!). Got to try that sometime.

um

[delmoi]

why not just get a laptop?

Re:um

[Louziffer]

why not just get a laptop?

Good question, delmoi.

I'd consider this to be a case upgrade more than anything else. I already had the tools and materials other than a box of bolts and lock nuts, and I wasn't too happy with the recent paint job I gave Daemon because it looked WAY too much like an iMac (nothing against iMacs, I just don't like "pretty" cases). So... I upgraded.

Now I could have paid $1,500-$2,000 for a decent laptop; However, I don't know of any in that price range with a 19" monitor, 256MB RAM, and decent 3D gaming performance. In fact, I can't think of any laptop that I'd want to replace Daemon with simply because of what it's used for. (Anyone out there have any ideas? I'd love to see them.)

Hope that answers your question.

LouZiffer

Re:rack

[orpheus]

I'd rather build a 19" rack... but gee, how to do it for cheap???

I've done this. Admittedly, "cheap" is relative to the price of buying a factory made, but it wasn't that hard, and the thing is incredibly sturdy

1) The box frame is made from 1.5-2" construction angle iron. I got mine surplus, but I've seen 6-10 foot lengths from a HQ/Home Depot for $10-20. Use perforated angle iron for the two vertical corners in front. It doesn't have the same hole spacing as a 'real' rack, but that hasn't been a problem yet!

2) Half a dozen carbide masonry bits makes for a cheap way to cut the 1/2" holes I used for bolts

3) to assure squareness, structural rigidity, and a aesthetic side, I cut plywood panels slightly smaller (by the thickness of the angle iron) than the final desired dimensions. I bolted these inside the frame as templates to hold everything together as I drilled and bolted. A cheap sheet of 4ftx8ft BC grade plywood is about $11-15

4) Then I removed the panels, sheathed them in aluminum roof flashing (a single $8 roll was plenty for the whole project) It was like wrapping a huge flat present - aluminum sheet is easy to work with. Then I bolted the sheathed side and bottom panels back onto the frame as EMI/RFI shielding and structural reinforcement.

5) I used aluminum angle iron for the rack slides. I could've used steel, but I was impatient, and aluminum is much easier to cut/drill

At this point I could have stopped, painted and been done, but I decided to make this way cool.

A) I removed the panels, welded the corners (which had been bolted) and replaced the panels. It was my first real welding project, but it went pretty well. My grandkids will be able to use it in 2030.

B) I painted the frame black, and I plan on laminating some jade green marble formica veneer onto the side panels. A jade marble tower with black steel corners will outclass any commercial rack (from past experience, I know to keep a black permanent marker handy for touch-up)

I took (old-fashioned film) photos as I worked, and someday I'll get them developed, scanned and posted on the web. If I can sort them out from the 20+ other rolls of undeveloped film I have lying around (I have a darkroom I haven't used in years, but it's hard to force myself to send film *out* to be developed)

The whole project took me a week (of spare time) but it was a real hands-on rush. I'd do it again! (well, maybe... )
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