One of my hobbies is building gaming computers, added with some case modding(not much though). I've been tossing the idea of designing and building my own cases in my garage. I know it's probbly not good money or anything, but is something I like to do while I'm not at work welding forklifts. I'd also like to go the cnc machine route for acurracy and easness of designing it on my computer and cuting it out. Any suggestion on what Controller/mill/etc would make for a good combo that's not too terribly expensive? Also, is there any good write up's?

Caleb

lots of guys are building the old arcade game machines with old computers and Mame , they look like the real deal , ive been thinking of building one or two in the future , old p1 computers are a dime a dozen
google and you'll find lots of them ,i saved some pics because the control panel i'm going to build will be similar to the old game paneles , just more buttons

Two thoughts.

First, cases are not small, you will need a mill that can address a large enough work envelope. You probably can't get by with a little Sieg mill, for example. Might need an Industrial Hobbies or retrofit a Bridgeport. That means more $$$.

Second, you may get away with a gantry table. You'll have to think about it as there are some trade offs there. The gantry will have a hard time if you decide to make custom water blocks or need to work on very thick material. However, if you're working sheet metal, it ought to be fine for cutting out cool windows and such.

Best,

BW

Milling a computer case is perfectly fine if that is what YOU want.
If you are looking to produce computer cases the proper machine would be a fabricator.
Wouldn't be in the price range you appear to be looking at though.

DareBee, case modding is a pretty one-off activity:

http://www.thewarfields.com/HotRodPCGallery.htm

The more extreme, the better. In most cases, diverging from basic sheet metal work is the desired end result. Most of the players do not have the equipment, so a CNC mill would definitely be an advantage.

Best,

BW

Thats some pretty nice stuff Bob.
Working with Polycarbonate or Acrylic is nice in the mill.
Trying to mill a sheet of aluminum or steel 0.020 thick is not fun (for me anyway) and I steer clear of it.
Plasma, laser or waterjet are my go-to guys for sheet cutting.

An inexpensive router (JGRO?) is likely a good choice for this specific work.

Clueless!!!
Might I make a suggestion. Build yourself a cnc router, or cnc a mill, or build a plasma talbe, or any of the above. You may find that all of your time is taken up with mods, improvements, servos, steppers, control systems, drive chains, ball screws, software, cad, cam, drivers or any combination of the above. Game case fabrication may pass before you get over the cnc bug!!!
Just a thought!
Bill
:wave:

I found the Anonymous CNC-addiction group very helpfull. With lots of patience they talk you into doing something usefull with your life, such as drinking beer and watching television. I'm completely happy now;). I am learning to talk with other people about the latest fashion, last night TV, new cellphones and all the other (seemingly very) important things. But now my wife gives me a strange look and asks me "When I'm going to do something?".

You may find that all of your time is taken up with mods, improvements, servos, steppers, control systems, drive chains, ball screws, software, cad, cam, drivers or any combination of the above. Game case fabrication may pass before you get over the cnc bug!!!
Just a thought!
Bill
:wave:


Hah!

If you check carefully you would find I've done absolutely nothing on the case modding since taking up machine tools. Move on to the Hot Rodding section of my site, which was my real excuse for getting into machine work, and you'll find exactly the same thing.

In fact, I am so tired of being asked what I'm building with the tools (only to reply, "more tools"), that I am desperately searching for something really simple to do as Christmas gifts this year so I can actually claim to have made something other than just more tools!

At least I am wasting less time playing video games, and the tools are cheaper than cars, though more expensive than modding a case with a Dremel tool!

(chair)

Best,

BW