Exotic Wood Computer Cases

Alien54 writes "Exotic Wood Crafts has turned an aluminum case into a wood veneer case. For those who don't know, a veneer is a very thin layer of wood, in this case, pressed onto the panels of the case, maintaining the strong and stable characteristics of an aluminum case, while giving it a one of a kind wood finish. Lots of pics, some pretty nice looking stuff."

Comments

Pretty but expensive

[erick99]

They are pretty nice looking cases. However, the range in price from $250 to $600 so they are quite pricey. You can buy them from them via eBay,Here's the inexpensive one, or via online retailers. I don't think they are so nice that I would pay that much, though. But, if you wanted your computer to match the decor in your oh-so-very-expensive-and-professionally-decorated office, then it might be worthwhile.

Happy Trails!

Erick

Re:Pretty but expensive

[nhaines]

Sure, but you thought it was hard to find drives and periphials to match a black case? ;)

Reviews -- and prices (ouch)

[JoshuaDFranklin]

Since I'm sure their poor site will be slashdotted soon, you can look at the pretty pictures from these reviews:

• Voided Warranty
• Virtual-Hideout.Net

Looks like they're not cheap--US$350-600--but they do look nice.

Larry Ellison's probably got a custom one on his desk.

I still prefer metal/plastic cases

[gotr00t]

Usually, when I think of computers, I think of something highly technological, characterized by cool, sleek designs (casemodding?). However, wood is more natrual, thus being the exact opposite.

Though it is great for matching furniture, I would never buy one of these, because in my mind, nature and technology just don't mix.

Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases

[kfg]

. . .in my mind, nature and technology just don't mix.

Where do you suppose silicon comes from? I like computers because they match the hand hewn exertior walls of my home.

My computer runs on electricty. Without electrons nature would be pretty much hosed. Although I have found out from experience that's it's best not to allow the naturally occuring electrons in the atmosphere to mingle with those in your computer. Lets all the magic smoke out and stuff.

Veneer itself is the result of technology, you'd be pretty hard pressed to make any without some, not to mention the technology of a wood-aluminum composite material, and composites are all the technological rage these days.

Got blue jeans? Nothing more than plant fibers twisted together ( depending on the brand there may also be some copper rivets. That's the only thing that seperates them from being neolithic. Copper is a natural material). You should try making a pair from scratch though. You'll find there's lots of technolgy involved.

Maybe your idea of nature needs reconsideration?

KFG

Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases

[Amiga Lover]

Same here. Wood just makes me think of trailer park fake wooden panelling, cheap porn, and 1960s station wagons.

Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases

[zakezuke]

Usually, when I think of computers, I think of something highly technological, characterized by cool, sleek designs (casemodding?). However, wood is more natrual, thus being the exact opposite.

I say this often... there was a time where wood was common place for household technology items. Classic radios like Philco or Maganox use to make, television sets, you name it. Wood was a low cost material, good strength to weight ratio and very easy to work with. In fact I go out of my way to collect a few classic wooden pieces simply because I like it's character. I think of it less being nature vs technology but rather a balance between what is in fashion and what is cheep to produce.

I'm not going to say there is anything wrong with the modern plasic and powder coated computer cases. They typicaly can take more abuse then your typical wooden finish with the exception of good thick epoxy.

The last time I wanted something diffrent I selected spray paint, hunter green with black trim. It was hip, it was spiffy, it was a baby AT. Knowing my luck, the next time I custom style a case they'll change the standard again.

I'm waiting for a cardboard case.

[handslikesnakes]

It would be even better if it was a "tab a into slot b" thing that could be easily taken apart and reassembled.

Beavis

[Anonymous Coward]

heh heh heh -- you said wood.

thermal properties!?

[MrFreshly]

Wouldn't the wood covering just act like an insulator?

Now, if they made one out of concrete - Fred Flintstone style - I'd be really impressed!

Wood LCD Frame

[DeadBugs]

I am looking into making a wood LCD frame. This is for a home built Digital Picture Frame project. Maybe a wood veneer over a metal frame instead of a true wood frame would work better.

For those of you a little more knowledgeable...

[Murmer]

Wood veneer is also generally pasted over particle board, to make cheap, nasty substandard crap look expensive, so that people who don't know any better spend way more money than the things are worth.

And, at $250 to $600 for a freaking computer case, I'd say that trick still works.

Re:For those of you a little more knowledgeable...

[kfg]

On the other hand, wood veneer is also pasted over particle board to make the very finest hand made cabinetry that still looks like solid wood.

Particle board is a composite material, just like carbon fiber composite, only using wood fibers instead of carbon. Wood fibers, in certain uses are superior to other types of fibers.

For making furniture it has the advantage over solid wood of being uniform in dimension, extremely stable in varying temperature and humidity ranges, denser and harder. Really just the stuff for cabinets. It's chief disadvantage is that it's heavy. Goes with the dense. Thus it's best for installed furniture. You wouldn't want to carry it to a LAN party.It's also hell on blades. Goes with the composite material.

Many of the finest cabinet makers, when making articles for their own use or for a few select customers who they know can appreciate it, work in veneered particle board, because it's the best material for the job.

Mind you, there is cheap, crappy particle board, and more expensive high quality particle board.

Just as in everything else.

KFG

Hardwood veneers on sheet metal?

[Nakito]

I've worked with hardwood veneers on musical instruments. Two points: (1) you want a porous substrate so the veneers adhere properly; (2) you want a reasonably rigid (non-flexible) substrate so the veneers adhere properly. I can't image a worse substrate for fine veneer work than sheet metal. How intact will the veneers be after a year of normal use?

Re:Why porous?

[Nakito]

So the veneer glue can get some tooth into the substrate. With a wooden substrate, the glue penetrates the pores of the wood for a better bond. Otherwise, it tends to peel off when the piece is stressed.

A quandary...

[taernim]

If a wood-case gets slashdotted on the web and nobody sees it, does it make a sound? ;-)

needs to match wooden mouse and monitor like this

[coughman]

http://www.swedx.com/

Re:Why buy one?

[cybermace5]

Actually, I think that this is the right approach to making a wood-grain PC, though I agree with you about the price.

There is one problem with building your own case out of chunks of wood (or plastic for that matter). The problem is shielding. Computers are extremely noisy RF interference sources. That's why most normal retail cases are metal or have shielding inside. If you build a wooden case, and I've drawn up a few concepts before, it would be a good idea to get some adhesive foil to line the inside, or some EMI spray (conductive paint).

Everyone thinks that their computer is such a small influence that it doesn't matter. Well, RF noise pollution is a real problem that engineers have to deal with...don't complain if your wireless connection or cell phone doesn't work very well in the room with all your unshielded computers. Or if there's a persistent buzz in your stereo system.

If you start with a good metal case and then apply a wood layer to the outside, you don't have to worry as much about it. Unless, of course, you cut a huge ugly gaping hole in the side and glue in some plexiglass so people can see a couple of blue LEDs rattling around inside. You can't completely shield a computer, but cutting it open doesn't help.

Finally!!

[illuminatedwax]

The station wagon of computers has arrived!
Praise the day!
--Stephen

It deserves it.

[The Desert Palooka]

Think of all the times you've spent with your computer.

All the hours of internet surfing, emerging and gaming.

All the good times.

All the time looking at pr0n.

All these years your computer has given you the gift of wood.

Won't you do the same for it?

Re:Why porous?

[kfg]

Well, the article does say "propriatary" process, although if this process is much different than smearing it with epoxy and vacuuming bagging it I'd be surprised.

KFG

Not even a nice job....

[hawado]

I have been building wooden computers for a while now and I can't stand all these stick the plastic mac tack on the plastic case crap. No matter what you do with veneer, it only looks good on wood. Shameless Plug -- take a look at some real wooden mods here and here and here and here --/Shameless Plug then tell me what a computer should look like.
As to the price of $600 bucks for their stuff... I hope it comes with hardware and some glue to re stick the veneer when the heat makes it bubble.
On the up side, I am really glad that people are starting to take an interest in making cases out of some natural materials, as per some of the complaints here on /. during the last article on wooden computers, the resources needed to manufacture a metal case are astronomical compared with the renueable materials.
I just hope no one starts doing computer cases that look like those big ass TV's from the early 80'. The last thing we need is another big piece of furniture.
I would be interested to see something made out of reconstituted wood though as it does have a great pattern to it.

Easily done

[Trailwalker]

Adhesisve backed wood veneers have been around for decades. Normally, they are used by people with few woodworking skills. Anyone with a just a few bucks and a small amount of skill can use it on anything. Puting it on empty cans is a good way to get the feel for using it.

I had my own fruniture shop for a dozen years, specializing in computer desks and related furniture. This was before you could buy them in Wal-Mart, etc.

I never used adhesive backed veneers. They are very thin, about 1/32 of an inch, or less, and are easily damaged in everyday use.

Re:Good DIY material -- for less!

[GarthSweet]

Comparing Veneer to Plywood is like comparing a Luxery Sedan to a pickup truck.

Venner is meant to be a very thin single layer of an exotic or other fine wood. It is a non-structural product that requires a sub-surface to bond to. Veneers have been used extensivily for 100's of years and can even be traced to use in ancient Eygpt. These days veneers are thought of as a way to build things cheaper, this is sometimes the case but traditionally veneers were used to allow exotic woods not suitable for furniture to be used for that purpose. It also allowed furniture makers to express curves and other fine details in ways not possible traditionally.

Plywood is a utility product. It is a combination of the structural material and a veneer (assuming you are talking a finish grade product). You would rarely (if ever) see an exotic wood plywood (like Walnut Burl). Finish grade plywood is aimed at the DIY folks and contractors and is a common staple of home projects and kitchen cabinets.

There's nothing wrong with plywood but for myself:
I would be willing to use veneers if I was building a fine piece of furniture.
I would not be willing to use plywood/mdf/etc if I was building a fine piece of furniture.

They make their own veneers

[Alien54]

Burl hardwood is put into a hot water tank for a few days to soften the material. The hardwood is then cut into thin sheets with our own in-house wood lathe. The cut Burl hardwood is then laid out in sheets. A 3-ton heat press is used to bond the backing to the Burl hardwood. The Special Bonding Method uses a proprietary process. Next, the burl hardwood is carefully coated with a coat of premium Lacquer.

After the completed sheets of hardwood veneer have been prepared, each case is prepared to receive the unique, new skin. Each and every case is hand crafted. Each burl pattern is like a fingerprint, and your Burl hardwood case will be one of a kind.

Veneer making process seen here - lots of pics, loading slowly for some reason. ;)

Re:They make their own veneers

[lindsayt]

The Special Bonding Method uses a proprietary process.

What? Proprietary process? Why don't they release their process under the GPL? I'm not going to support a company who uses closed-source case compilation techniques! Open source forever!