Exotic Wood Computer Cases 227
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."
Pretty but expensive (Score:5, Informative)
Happy Trails!
Erick
Re:Pretty but expensive (Score:2)
Re:Pretty but expensive (Score:4, Insightful)
needs to match wooden mouse and monitor like this (Score:3, Insightful)
Heat dissipation (Score:2, Insightful)
Leather, too (Score:3, Informative)
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].
Re:Leather, too (Score:3, Funny)
As for wood, next stop: Amish Oak Case Mods
Good DIY material -- for less! (Score:2, Informative)
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
Re:Good DIY material -- for less! (Score:3, Informative)
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
Re:Pretty but expensive (Score:3, Funny)
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)
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)
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!
Re:They make their own veneers (Score:2)
Re:I'm getting one.... (Score:2)
Functionally Illiterate, too! (Score:2, Funny)
I can put a laminate on anything for less than $30 and the case you give as an "example" is ugly as all get out and NOTHING I would EVER want in my life. What the heck is that for style or craftsmanship???! Give me a break. If you think THAT piece of $10 junk laminate plastered on a metal case is worth the ridiculous price tag, you need to get a real world clue.
The craftsmanship of their webpage is also really horrible... come on, this is a high-end product, the sort of thing being sold to lawyers and CEO
First wooden post? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:First wooden post? (Score:2, Insightful)
I suspect we'll see many dead CPUs because of this
Re:First wooden post? (Score:3, Informative)
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)
wood also absorbs sound more than sheet metal so the cases should will be quieter
Re:First wooden post? (Score:2)
Reviews -- and prices (ouch) (Score:5, Informative)
Larry Ellison's probably got a custom one on his desk.
Re:Grammar is hard!!! (Score:2)
So, you're saying that a good site requires CSS. Hate to burst your bubble, but the majority of sites on the Internet do not use CSS. HTML is good enough for most people. Yeah, the site looks crappy, but maybe that's because they spend more time making a good product than advertising it. Granted, good business usually requires good advertising, but not always.
ok? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:ok? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:ok? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:ok? (Score:2)
Re:ok? (Score:2)
Re:ok? (Score:2)
I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:5, Interesting)
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)
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 (Score:2, Insightful)
Weren't horse drawn carts at on point, high tech?
Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:2)
Wood floors, good. Wood cabinets in kitchen good. Wood furniture good.
Wood + technology = bad.
Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:2)
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...
Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:2)
Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:5, Interesting)
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.
Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:2)
I must admit, I do like this one on the Finnish site. Design wise I think at my level I could construct such a case with the use of plywood, pre formed molding, and a touch of hard wood. I imagine also I could do something
Re:I still prefer metal/plastic cases (Score:2)
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
Re:Geeks and Taste (Score:2)
Now if only Apple started designing kitchen appliances and livingroom fixtures so everything could look as nice.
Re:Geeks and Taste (Score:2)
I'm waiting for a cardboard case. (Score:3, Funny)
It would be even better if it was a "tab a into slot b" thing that could be easily taken apart and reassembled.
Re:I'm waiting for a cardboard case. (Score:2)
Or unless it is built for you that would be a little more complicated than "tab a into slot b"?
Re:I'm waiting for a cardboard case. (Score:2)
Beavis (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Beavis (Score:2, Funny)
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
another site (Score:2)
thermal properties!? (Score:3, Insightful)
Now, if they made one out of concrete - Fred Flintstone style - I'd be really impressed!
Re:thermal properties!? (Score:2)
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.
Re:thermal properties!? (Score:2)
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.
Re:thermal properties!? (Score:2)
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.
So what? Where's the shag carpet? (Score:3, Insightful)
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.
Re:So what? Where's the shag carpet? (Score:3, Insightful)
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
Re:So what? Where's the shag carpet? (Score:2)
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)
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)
Re:Wood LCD Frame (Score:2)
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)
Re:Why buy one? (Score:5, Interesting)
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)
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... (Score:2)
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?
Re:For those of you a little more knowledgeable... (Score:3, Informative)
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)
Why porous? (Score:2, Insightful)
Wouldn't the same be here: you can't glue to air?
Re:Why porous? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Why porous? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Why porous? (Score:3, Interesting)
KFG
Re:Hardwood veneers on sheet metal? (Score:3, Interesting)
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!
Re:Hardwood veneers on sheet metal? (Score:2)
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.
I have to wonder (Score:2, Funny)
This is really nothing new... at all.. (Score:2, Informative)
A quandary... (Score:5, Funny)
But . . . (Score:2, Informative)
drive covers (Score:2, Interesting)
do they have a special cover for it?
if they don't, it'll change the look in a bad way
Re:drive covers (Score:2)
Wood case just not a good idea. (Score:2, Informative)
Some of the originals cane be found here: (Score:3, Informative)
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)
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)
Praise the day!
--Stephen
it looks ugly... (Score:2)
seriously, what's wrong with matte black
Unlike previous proposed wooden case (Score:2)
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.
They'll be doing laptops soon. (Score:2)
exoctic wood? (Score:2, Funny)
It deserves it. (Score:5, Funny)
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?
Veneer? (Score:2)
= 9J =
Guilt... (Score:2)
Pretty - if your American (Score:2, Insightful)
Not even a nice job.... (Score:3, Interesting)
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
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)
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.
Someone has to make the joke... (Score:2)
Have any wood grain you want for cheap... (Score:2)
Why kill a tree?
Re:Have any wood grain you want for cheap... (Score:2)
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.
Necessary? (Score:2)
Do we really need cosmetic veneers for PCs made out of exotic woods?
Re:Necessary? (Score:2)
This could just be me, but, (Score:2)
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)
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.
Re:It's Recyclable! (Score:2)
Re:Its on fire! (Score:2)
I have made a joke about a server converting into a pile of smoke before. This seems to be a time when the image might be appropriate.
Re:Its on fire! (Score:3, Interesting)
As I recall it cost a few million dollars to repair the dammage.
here's a page with pictures
http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/dbrunner/cbe
Re:Bah!!! (Score:3, Funny)
In my day, we made our CPU's out of crystals! Our motherboard was a clay tablet. And we hammered the gold into thin sheets, baked it in a dung-fired oven, and we LIKED it.
-cp-
ObFollowUp (Score:3, Funny)
Back when I was a young'en, we didn't have any o' those fancy crystals, ovens or precious metals. We 'ad to make due with a bunch o' stones, manipulating the electrons by hand!