Where to get material for your custom computer case?

[Digestive97]

I am thinking of making my own ATX compatible computer case. Where do I get the material for the panels and all the connectors and buttons and LED light's etc. Also what are good materials that are cheap for making such cases? So far I've Steel, Aluminum, Acrylic, Plastic, Wood, and even Lego. I've heard both good and bad about all of them but I can't know if all of what's said is true but I thought I'd ask here because a lot of people are experts and give reliable info.

I am mostly doing this because it would be fun to do especially since it's something I do myself not to mention I can customise how I want it. I have no specific budget but I'd like to keep it cheap. I also wonder if there are any cheap cool/somewhat useful features you can add to your custom cases that a case normally wouldn't have. Any reply is appreciated, thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

Buy a couple of cheap cases You will use these for measurements, etc. Take them apart. See what goes where, and how.

Where to buy? That depends completely on what materials you will use. You don't buy steel at the lumber yard.
What tools do you have?

 

[Eximo]

Simplest to start looking up the individual components you are looking for and see what is available.

Electronics parts are fairly easy to come by from major parts suppliers like Newark / Element14, Mouser, Digi-key etc...

Raw materials: Local hardware stores. There are online sheet metal and acrylic/lexan providers that can pre-cut smaller sheets for you. mscdirect.com is one I have used before (though unrelated to computers)

Can't recall off the top of my head who we used to buy lexan sheeting from. I thought it might be been GE, but I may be mistaken.

 

[Digestive97]

Buy a couple of cheap cases You will use these for measurements, etc. Take them apart. See what goes where, and how.

Where to buy? That depends completely on what materials you will use. You don't buy steel at the lumber yard.
What tools do you have?

I've had quite a few cases, got one right in my room and all the measurements are specified in a sheet of paper that came with the box that I still have. It's a fractal ATX case, not too big nor to small. It can fit all components and longer graphics cards along with having plenty of slots for 3.5 hdd's, ssd's, and the bay is also removable.

For tools I got: Hammer, screwdrivers, scissors, pliers, cutters, wrench, drill, axe, measuring tape, L-square, saw, glue, tape, anti-static wristband, scale, spirit level. I probably forgot a few but that's what I can think of as of now.

 

[Digestive97]

Simplest to start looking up the individual components you are looking for and see what is available.

Electronics parts are fairly easy to come by from major parts suppliers like Newark / Element14, Mouser, Digi-key etc...

Raw materials: Local hardware stores. There are online sheet metal and acrylic/lexan providers that can pre-cut smaller sheets for you. mscdirect.com is one I have used before (though unrelated to computers)

Can't recall off the top of my head who we used to buy lexan sheeting from. I thought it might be been GE, but I may be mistaken.

Is lexan any good for computer cases and is it expensive?

 

[DelroyMonjo]

An AXE?

 

[Wisecracker]

At the local disposal/recycling site (Okay ... The DUMP ) we have a section for old electronics/computer parts. If you do not make a mess, they may allow you to 'salvage' a few power switches/LEDs, etc. Free is about as frugal as you can go

I like taking really old, excellent condition cabinets and making LAN boxes out of them with current stuff. I've converted old IBM Aptivas and HP 'desktops' -- all kinds of stuff ...

I particularly like leaving the old good-condition stickers on 'em for the yucks ...

You need to be handy with the cutting tools for PSU installation, new fans, etc. The old floppy drives can be a pain but some pop out (I just block the slot types like the one above) and can be replaced with card readers / USB3 panels, etc.. I'm working on an old silver HP Pavilion a1000n case that's in *As New* condition at the moment. It's got the old "Celeron D 340 2.93 GHz - 512 MB - 80 GB" stickers :lol:

... and more than enough room for a Radeon R9 290 as soon as they hit $200

 

[USAFRet]

I've had quite a few cases, got one right in my room and all the measurements are specified in a sheet of paper that came with the box that I still have. It's a fractal ATX case, not too big nor to small. It can fit all components and longer graphics cards along with having plenty of slots for 3.5 hdd's, ssd's, and the bay is also removable.

For tools I got: Hammer, screwdrivers, scissors, pliers, cutters, wrench, drill, axe, measuring tape, L-square, saw, glue, tape, anti-static wristband, scale, spirit level. I probably forgot a few but that's what I can think of as of now.

Measurements like precise location of the motherboard and back panel, clearance for fans...stuff like that.

There have been a zillion case mods, bit just modding an existing case, and fully custom.

Design is the first part, implementation is the second part.

 

[tech-wreck]

if you can salvage (cut out) the motherboard tray from an old case, you can fix a motherboard to pretty much anything and not have to worry about drilling the mounting holes in exactly the right position.
good luck and have fun

 

[USAFRet]

if you can salvage (cut out) the motherboard tray from an old case, you can fix a motherboard to pretty much anything and not have to worry about drilling the mounting holes in exactly the right position.
good luck and have fun

Exactly.

 

[Digestive97]

An AXE?

if you can salvage (cut out) the motherboard tray from an old case, you can fix a motherboard to pretty much anything and not have to worry about drilling the mounting holes in exactly the right position.
good luck and have fun

I'll see if anyone of them will do. It would indeed be a good idea to not have to worry about that. Still don't know what material to go for on the custom parts. Is steel any good? Anyone?

 

[USAFRet]

I'll see if anyone of them will do. It would indeed be a good idea to not have to worry about that. Still don't know what material to go for on the custom parts. Is steel any good? Anyone?

Is steel 'good'? Is it no better or worse than anything else. Just a different material.
Plastic, Lexan, wood, alu, cardboard, LEGO, expanding foam....
Or some combination of the above.

 

[Eximo]

Reminds me, I have some 3" aluminum round stock I should make into something hilarious, and an old wind tunnel...the possibilities...