Planning Need some advice on scratch build

I've been spending ages in sketchup, reading guides on modding and looking at project logs and I finally think I'm ready to take my design to the real life.

Only problem is I'm useless lol. I want this entire build to be about of brushed aluminium, I also want to powder coat so I've already made it a bit more difficult. On top of that I need it to have a easily removable motherboard tray.

I need some help on the tools and resources I need.

I've only really got a jigsaw, drill, a few thousand drill bits lol and a couple thousand hand tools such as screw drivers, wrenches, clamps etc all from my father.

I also have no idea what thickness aluminium I would need for a case.

I might be a lost cause I'm not sure but hopefully someone might be able to help.

 

Easiest is to use aluminium bars for a frame, but that is a bit plain. If you want to have more complex structural/supporting components, then you need nice thick pieces, but all depends on your design. You will also need some files.

Concerning the tools, I use a drill, jigsaw, small grinder (not really needed), a dremel (not really needed for big things) and files. Making a simple case don't require exceptional skills, just do everything as planned and precise.

Please post you design if you have one.

 

You want files and blue tape too. As in: blue tape the alu, print out pattern, glue to tape, cut and file clean, peel and eat.
1mm is good, depending on your design. something the size of a refrigerator will need structural support.

 

Thanks. we've got plenty of files at least .

the blue tape, will this do http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9254493&fh_location=//catalog01/en_GB/categories%3C{9372013}/categories%3C{9372033}/categories%3C{9502021}/specificationsProductType=tape/specificationsSpecificProductType=masking_tape&tmcampid=4&tmad=c&ecamp=cse_go&CAWELAID=266887380

 

I think a drill and some hand tools are enough (wood and metal saw + files, rivet gun, tap and die toolset)

 

Cases are usually made of 2mm aluminium. I'd go 3mm for added l33tness.

 

Ok

 

3mm is going to get heavy fast, but if you dont mind that, it will be pretty dam strong

 

It's aluminium. Trust me, that won't add a lot to the weight.

 

Vs steel, yes its much much lighter. But at 3mm it will still be quite heavy, at least for me it is, anything over 10kg (empty case) is heavy in my world! With 2mm panels I only just made it to around 9kg I think