Please create an account to participate in the Slashdot moderation system

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Upgrades Hardware

Exotic Wood Computer Cases 227

Posted by CowboyNeal from the william-gibson-recommended dept.
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."
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Exotic Wood Computer Cases More

Exotic Wood Computer Cases

Comments Filter:

  • Pretty but expensive (Score:5, Informative)

    by erick99 ( 743982 ) * <homerun@gmail.com> on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:48AM (#8812793)
    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 [ebay.com], 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

    • Here [tinyurl.com] are two similar, less expensive ones (I used tinyurl.com, it links to ebay).

    • Re:Pretty but expensive (Score:4, Insightful)

      by nhaines ( 622289 ) <nhaines@@@ubuntu...com> on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:16AM (#8812950) Homepage
      Sure, but you thought it was hard to find drives and periphials to match a black case? ;)

    • Heat dissipation (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Geartest.com ( 582779 )
      While I'm sure it looks great (Slashdotted already) I would think that applying a wood veneer would negate at least some of the heat dissipation properties of the aluminum case. It's a big reason why case-modders go with aluminum cases in the first place.

    • Leather, too (Score:3, Informative)

      by Alien54 ( 180860 )
      They also have a leather, which is interesting. Shades of Ricardo Montabahn talking about "Rich Corinthian Leather"

      If you are going to be modding or painting a case, then other decorative elements like leather or wood seem in line... Although it is tricky to apply the veneers yourself.

      There is a decent review here [virtual-hideout.net]

      There are plenty of [oakwoodveneer.com] wood veneer [certainlywood.com] sources out there [indiamart.com].

      • Heh, time to make a Judas Priest "Hell Bent for Leather" case mod... er, well, maybe, depending on who you LAN-party with ;)

        As for wood, next stop: Amish Oak Case Mods

    • Keep in mind Home Depot sells all necessary supplies to build this very cheap. No matter how they advertise it, it's PLYWOOD after all. Cutting a sheet of plywood to make a box is not difficult, though it could be time-consuming. Every line is straight cut and all corners are 90degree angles. Can't be any easier.

      Although I don't dislike the cases on the site,

      1. combination of black plastic pieces and stained wood doesn't look pleasent
      2. sheets of plywood glued or bolted on top of aluminum case??? -- go
      • 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 furnitur
    • You might remember someone (once upon a time) thinking that wood veneer looked great on cars -- round about the time of National Lampoon.

      Your computer case will look "pretty nice" for all of about 5 days before some animal brought in for Dogs in the Office Day will mistake it for a tree and electrocute itself pissing on your computer. ;)

    • They make their own veneers (Score:4, Informative)

      by Alien54 ( 180860 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @09:11AM (#8814309) Journal
      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 [exoticwoodcrafts.com] - lots of pics, loading slowly for some reason. ;)

      • Re:They make their own veneers (Score:4, Funny)

        by lindsayt ( 210755 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @11:11AM (#8815567)
        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!
      • Okay, they make their own veneer, something that's hard to do at home. On the other hand, you can go to almost any hardwood store and buy a variety of hardwood veneers at reasonable prices, then glue them to the case yourself with contact cement.

  • First wooden post? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by plover ( 150551 ) * on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:49AM (#8812794) Homepage Journal
    I liked the black walnut burl. But none of them look like they have adequate ventilation for the AMD systems I run.
    • One more problem too is wood is a very good insulator so these cases would heat up more than any others as well.

      I suspect we'll see many dead CPUs because of this
      • I think this is a false concern, personally.

        Computers don't cool (much) by radiating heat. They cool by air exchange. Wood or aluminum, you'll still need a good airflow out of the case to keep everything cool.

        Yes, the cases get warm - but the amount of heat coming OFF of them, felt a few mm away from the case, is miniscule compared to the blowdryer you've got attatched to the power supply. :)

      • Re:First wooden post? (Score:3, Interesting)

        by iamhassi ( 659463 )
        "One more problem too is wood is a very good insulator so these cases would heat up more than any others as well."

        wood also absorbs sound more than sheet metal so the cases should will be quieter

      • I'd expect that the insulating properties of a 1/64th inch thich wood verneer glued to aluminum isn't that much different than an epoxy powder-coat on aluminum, and it would certainly conduct more heat than those neat plexiglass view-ports do. As an added benifit, the differences in the sound qualities of the aluminum, glue, wood verneer and finish coat would decrease sound conduction some.

  • Reviews -- and prices (ouch) (Score:5, Informative)

    by JoshuaDFranklin ( 147726 ) <joshuadfranklin@NOSPAM.yahoo@com> on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:49AM (#8812796) Homepage
    Since I'm sure their poor site will be slashdotted soon, you can look at the pretty pictures from these reviews: 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.

  • ok? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by pholower ( 739868 )
    These cases look great, but whats new here? I have seen this done plenty of times. I think even the Screen Savers on TechTV did this before. I guess what I am trying to say is, why is this on /.?

  • I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:5, Interesting)

    by gotr00t ( 563828 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:51AM (#8812810) Journal
    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 (Score:5, Insightful)

      by kfg ( 145172 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:11AM (#8812916)
      . . .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
      • Really, isn't everything we use some form of technology? As the parent poster pointed out, veneer is an example of a technology, but even cutting down trees and making lumber involves more than one tech.

        Weren't horse drawn carts at on point, high tech?

    • Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:4, Funny)

      by Amiga Lover ( 708890 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:17AM (#8812955)
      Same here. Wood just makes me think of trailer park fake wooden panelling, cheap porn, and 1960s station wagons.
      • Bingo, station wagon look. Ick.

        Wood floors, good. Wood cabinets in kitchen good. Wood furniture good.

        Wood + technology = bad.
      • Very strange, but when I am looking at those clear case or black and silver decorated with pink and/or purple neon. I am just thinking the same thing.

        Maybe a piece of orange/brown shaggy carpet sticked on the DVD/CDRW door can complete the picture. And why not a velvet/pastel nude picture on the left side of the case panel?

        Anyway, I don't know why you associate wood with porn, maybe some early age trauma...

    • I dare say the effect of a nice wooden case is ruined by all the lovely cords running out of the front and the back. A black or silver finish is still the way to go.

    • Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:5, Interesting)

      by zakezuke ( 229119 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @03:18AM (#8813148)
      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.

    • "Usually, when I think of computers, I think of something highly technological, characterized by cool, sleek designs ... wood is more natrual, thus being the exact opposite."

      In terms of imagery, I agree, but isn't it cool to combine apparent opposites? You have to love the beautiful woodwork that went into some of these cases.

      "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."

      I would. Imagine that you've got a nice looking

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

  • Beavis (Score:3, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:53AM (#8812819)
    heh heh heh -- you said wood.
    • Butt-head: Hey, Beavis, check out my wood. Uhh huh huh huh huh

      Beavis: Cool, it's like, ummm, ah ummm, it's like a computer, but with wood around it.

      Butt-head: Uhh huh huh huh huh, you said wood, uhh huh huh huh huh

      Beavis: Hey Butt-head, how'd they get the computer in the wood.

      Butt-head: Shut up, dumbass! They must of like, had the tree grow around it and then cut it out.

      Beavis: Ahhh yeah yeah yeah, heh heh heh

  • i found this [rainwalk.net] site. has some pictures of the inside which is quite interesting.

  • thermal properties!? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by MrFreshly ( 650369 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:56AM (#8812835)
    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!

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

      I was wondering the same thing.
      If the back isn't covered and the case fan is good enough would that work?

      If they only build the box, are they responsible if it overheats?

      Maybe it would be best to put a Crusoe [transmeta.com] chip in it.
    • Wouldn't the wood covering just act like an insulator?

      I have an old sony amp... linier power supply rated for the 300 watt range, passivly cooled. It's a wooden case with top vents and does just fine.
    • Wouldn't the wood covering just act like an insulator?

      So what? A computer doesn't cool by radiant heat transfer. Hold your hand an inch from the case -- feel any heat radiating off it? The case is not a heat sink. It's made of metal primarily because it shields EM radiation.

      The air being blown through the case by your fans is what cools the system. The thermal resistance of the case material is irrelevant.

  • Why would such a simple "case mod" make the Slashdot front page? It isn't even a "case mod", it's a "case decal".

    I might as well dig out some shag carpet from my parent's house basement, glue it to the sides of my desktop machine, and post some pics. Results would be the same: something that looks cool for a couple weeks, then becomes tacky, then downright ugly and embarrassing in a few months.
    • Why would such a simple "case mod" make the Slashdot front page? It isn't even a "case mod", it's a "case decal".

      Veneer and wood finishing work is actually a specality field, and a respectable profession. I respect it as highly as good carpentry work. I'm only an amature as far as this goes and let me tell you the hours involved in steaming, shaping, cutting and getting the damn thing to stick, and not to speak of the time involed with applying a finish. And don't get me started on the mind numbing h

    • Why would such a simple "case mod" make the Slashdot front page? It isn't even a "case mod", it's a "case decal".

      You're thinking of wood laminate, which is the fake, wood-looking vinyl covering you see on really cheap furniture

      This is wood veneer, which means it really is wood, just cut into very thin sheets. This is not a partical board or anything like that. It can be difficult working with a wood veneer. Very easy to cause the wood to split if handled improperly.

  • woodgrainpc.com disappeared... (Score:3, Informative)

    by bergeron76 ( 176351 ) * on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:57AM (#8812849) Homepage
    These guys used to offer woodgrain finished keyboards, mice, peripherals, etc... but the website vanished.

    Here's a picture [dashpc.com] of a keyboard they used to sell and here's [dashpc.com] a picture of a car computer finish that was offered.

    There's also a company called Oberhofer [oberhofer.com] that sells 'designer' keyboards / mice / etc. at a premium. The last time I checked the website, however, it was de-funct. They had some great peripherals at (albeit) grand prices. I think they have a showroom or two in San Fran or LA somewhere.

    Anyone have any info on what happened to them?

    Overall, this is a GREAT mod / hack and I'd love to know how they did it...

  • Wood LCD Frame (Score:5, Interesting)

    by DeadBugs ( 546475 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @01:57AM (#8812850) Homepage
    I am looking into making a wood LCD frame [digitalwreckage.com]. 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.

    • if you're going for cheap and easy, a plain old wood frame would probably be the way to go. As long as you have access to a shop. Veeneer is not very cheap, attaching it to metal is bound to cause problems, and any conditions that will damage a plain old wood frame will probably wreck the LCD anyways.

  • Why buy one? (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Flingles ( 698457 )
    I don't see what's wrong with making a wood box and cutting the right holes in it. I s'pose that would also be a good opportunity to make my ultimate case mod (for LANs). Get a flatscreen monitor, and stick it to the side of the pc. And you could make a compartment in the computer for storing headphones, keyboard, mouse. Next time you go to a LAN, this would be all you need... (and it's a space saver). So, any entrepeneurs here?

    • Re:Why buy one? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by cybermace5 ( 446439 ) <g.ryan@macetech.com> on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:41AM (#8813050) Homepage Journal
      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.

  • For those of you a little more knowledgeable... (Score:3, Informative)

    by Murmer ( 96505 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:00AM (#8812864) Homepage
    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.

    • The fact that it makes a generic computer case actually look nice doesn't matter then?

      Might as well not have paint on your car because everyone knows that paint just covers up that nasty looking anti-corrosion stuff on plain old steel, and who knows how that will look in a few years.

      Or maybe making something that is at best "industrial looking" look nicer is a valid effort and may be worth something to some people?
    • 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

  • Hardwood veneers on sheet metal? (Score:5, Informative)

    by Nakito ( 702386 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:05AM (#8812892)
    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?

    • Why porous? (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward
      I used to screen print textiles, and we had a saying when people brought us garments with big holes in the threading: we can't print on air.

      Wouldn't the same be here: you can't glue to air?

      • Re:Why porous? (Score:4, Informative)

        by Nakito ( 702386 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:15AM (#8812944)
        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.

        • Re:Why porous? (Score:3, Informative)

          by zakezuke ( 229119 )
          I'm not an expert with wood to metal bonding, but I would tend to agree the fact that even epoxy i've enjoyed only limited success with veneer to vinyl. I have enjoyed much luck drilling holes into the substrate and allowing the glue to flow through and allow it to mushroom with the assistance of wax paper. Helps prevent seperatation in the same way the rivits do.

        • Re:Why porous? (Score:3, Interesting)

          by kfg ( 145172 )
          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
    • My thoughts precisely - and another thing veneers dont enjoy is temperature fluctuations - or localised heat which will both cause bowing and general loss of adhesion.

      I almost want to buy one just to see how bad it looks a year later - but hey - if your spending that kinda cash on a case something funkier will come along in the next 12 months to catch your eye and this thing will be in the basement anyway!
    • The LianLi 6070 case is anything but flexible. It's made out of pretty heavy gauge aluminum. The door on the front is easily 1/8" to 1/4" of an inch thick. The side panels are quite beefy also.

      I own one (non-veneer) and love it. The thick metal, sound absorbtion material, front door, and rubber gasket (around the door) makes for a very quiet case. It's also pretty stylish to boot.

  • How's the bass? how much sake?
  • FrozenCPU.com has been offering wood cases for quite a long time.. if you want to take a look for yourself, go ahead [frozencpu.com].

  • A quandary... (Score:5, Funny)

    by taernim ( 557097 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:17AM (#8812953) Homepage
    If a wood-case gets slashdotted on the web and nobody sees it, does it make a sound? ;-)

  • But . . . (Score:2, Informative)

    by xaaronx ( 660963 )
    Didn't Yoshi do this on The Screensavers like two weeks ago? And not just a wood case, but wood veneer, because I remember he did something strange in the way he glued it on, although I can't recall exactly just what he did.

  • drive covers (Score:2, Interesting)

    by name773 ( 696972 )
    what happens when you put in a cdrom drive,
    do they have a special cover for it?
    if they don't, it'll change the look in a bad way

  • Wood case just not a good idea. (Score:2, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward
    You should never have more than 4 ingredients on a pizza, never cover a toilet seat with fur (real or fake) and you should never use an insulating material like wood for a computer case.

  • Some of the originals cane be found here: (Score:3, Informative)

    by Bug-Y2K ( 126658 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:28AM (#8812990) Homepage
    on Applefritter.com:

    Like the (gorgeous) Old Time Radio Case [applefritter.com].
    Another Old Time Radio case [applefritter.com].
    The (fugly) Popsicle stick case [applefritter.com].
    The (just homely) plain wood box [applefritter.com].
    OK, and the just plain whacky, like a Mac in a Floppy Disk Box! [applefritter.com]

    Check out the other stuff, that site is seriously cool.

  • If it's good enough for Washington (Score:3, Interesting)

    by KalvinB ( 205500 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:42AM (#8813054) Homepage
    George Washington (yes, that one) actually painted "wood grain" on his walls to make the wood look more expensive that it was.

    And his house looks like it's made of stone. But actually it's made of wood, beveled to look like stone and painted with white paint mixed with sand to give it a stone like finish.

    Despite his apparent cheapness, Mt Vernon is quite the sight to see.

    I dunno though. I have a case that has plastic colored to look like wood going up one side which looks alright but it's technology. Unless you're trying to blend in with the furniture trying to give a natural look I think is a bit over the top.

    Especially when the "natural look" is just a sticker. It's a bit tacky. Cases made out of real wood with real carvings and other woodwork, now that would be something. If it didn't burst into flames.

    Ben

  • Finally!! (Score:4, Funny)

    by illuminatedwax ( 537131 ) <stdrange@alumni. ... u ['go.' in gap]> on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:52AM (#8813083) Journal
    The station wagon of computers has arrived!
    Praise the day!
    --Stephen

  • seriously, what's wrong with matte black
  • .....I'd buy this one.

    It'd look fairly nice, I'd drill air holes where needed, varnish it.

    Pfft, yeah right, like I have the money to worry about what my computer case looks like.
  • I spoke with the business owner, who'll be doing up a press release -- which will include mention of their upcoming support for hardened wood laptops; I asked if he could convert my aluminum powerbook, and he said yes.
  • pft, i'm waiting for the endangered species line of computer cases... they are much more vogue. The bengal tiger case is to die for!

  • It deserves it. (Score:5, Funny)

    by The Desert Palooka ( 311888 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @03:33AM (#8813197)
    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?

  • Try solid [woodcontour.com] wood or stone [woodcontour.com]? Okay, so the stone is actually, Corian [moaec.com]. Still, not too bad looking. Not that any of these are anywhere near affordable of course.

    = 9J =

  • I switched to an energy efficient computer to save on CO2, but now I'm going to cut down a rail foreest to make the box?
  • If I really streach it I can understand nice wooden details inside cars, but you guys even put it externaly. Veneer is butt-ugly when applied to the wrong stuff, like computer cases or cars.

  • Not even a nice job.... (Score:3, Interesting)

    by hawado ( 762018 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @06:06AM (#8813633) Homepage
    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 [im-not.com] and here [im-not.com]and here [im-not.com] and here [im-not.com] --/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 (Score:3, Informative)

    by Trailwalker ( 648636 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @06:21AM (#8813677)
    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.
  • Now my geek lady can give me "wood" in a different sense.
  • You could probably obtain the same results easily and inexpensively with your existing case by simply picking up a role of self-adhesive wood grain decal sheets, which you could find at almost any large hardware store, and in a wide variety of grains.

    Why kill a tree?
    • === Why kill a tree? ===

      Wood = renewable resource
      Vinyl sheets = petroleum-based product with petroleum-based inks
      Printed-paper sheets = renewable resource with petroleum-based inks

      Throw in a water-based stain and finish for the veneer, and I'll take the wood, thanks.

  • The forrests of the world have been and are being further depleted.

    Do we really need cosmetic veneers for PCs made out of exotic woods?

  • I want a computer case made by fusing the electronic components with a living [lexxdirectory.co.uk] starship [watchfarscape.com].

  • "Stained" wood makes me think (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Artifakt ( 700173 ) on Friday April 09, 2004 @02:12PM (#8817716)
    The perfect material for a case seems to be stained glass!

    1. It's got good heat resistance and is seriously non-combusting for the extreme overclockers out there. While it won't help cool the computer much, computers don't cool by radiation much anyway, so that drawback is really trivial.

    2. Leading canes are mostly real lead, and are put together with silver based solder, and panes are tinted with various metals (for example the usual bright red glass has about 5% metallic gold by weight inside, and blues are usually achieved with cobalt or copper). This means stained glass is a functional EMF shield, which those plexiglass windows are not. Just use lead crystal instead of plain glass for the completely clear panes, and your system should remain UL compliant.

    3. It's a high prestige material, at least on a par with walnut burl. It's commonly used in upscale construction and implies both beauty and durability.

    4. It will coordinate well with accessories such as Tiffany style desk lamps. Many computer accessories already feature substantial areas of luminescent glass, (although sadly most of these offset it with cheap plastic trim in colors such as beige or black).

    5. Glass is an excellent insulator for electron flow. Connectors can be fitted direct to holes cut or drilled in glass and not trimmed with leading, to keep users safer from shock than conventional metallic cases.

    6. no other material occurs in so many varieties of opacity, from clear or monochrome tinted varieties to extremely sophisticated polylucent and irridescent finishes. Individual pieces are often found in unique patterns, every bit as much a never to be duplicated arrangement as any wood grain pattern.

Slashdot Top Deals

"What man has done, man can aspire to do." -- Jerry Pournelle, about space flight

Close