A Crazy Idea, comments welcome...

[sleepypost]

Ok, so NASA is in the dumps as of late. I am still a big fan though because space is the tightest concept and reality I can think of. So I was wondering if it was possible to make a custom case all out of tin foil (reynold's wrap) and make it look all 60's and 70's NASA themed? I might have to construct some type of skeletal structure out of wood or something. Then I will have it sport the NASA logo.
I don't know, what do you guys think? Will it have heating issues? (it'll be aluminum, but layered) Will it look cool?

[DrZaius]

Hi sleepypost,

I like the idea. I'm not sure about the aluminum foil, but with some research (check out old NASA photos), some paint, and some lights and switches, I'm sure you can make a great NASA-themed case.

You could take a regular beige case and get a NASA decal (and an American flag) for the side then paint some bolts and lines on the side to make it look like panels. You could replace the power and reset buttons with red switches. Just some ideas, hope that helps.

[ILLPHIL]

i agree with DrZ that the tinfoil may be skechy, but you could paint the hole case that gloosy silver color, then paint on the bolts, and cracks between panels. and if you feel really sure of hand paint NASA symbol, it would look cooler than a sticker. If you are willing to dish out the cash, and dont care about doing it yourself there are places that will paint it REALLY nice for ya.

[suitcase]

and when you're finished, send a .jpg to MaximuPc mag. cause they have a contest going right now for the just that thing. But be warned, they get some mighty fine entries in that thing. For example, a mini mounted in a '30's radio, a monitor that looked like a cube of ice, a pc case that looked just like the monster from Alien. Guy worked on it for two years. Some were just paint jobs and some had the side panels cut out in wierd shapes.

[trulad]

If you use a Deer Power Supply you might even get it to blast off with lots of smoke & flames.
Trudy

[DrZaius]

Originally posted by trulad If you use a Deer Power Supply you might even get it to blast off with lots of smoke & flames. Trudy

LOL

[Spyda]

that would be cool, having those FOX2 style missile switches for power buttons

[i3OSS]

LMAO, nice idea, but it doesnt seem like an easy job.

[varactor]

hey I really like this foil idea... but there is an advantage and a disadvantage.
In laws of physics, it is said that shiny surfaces ( which in this case is the foil ) reflect heat, so heat from the outside will be reflect back, preventing it to go inside your rig. this is great, but on the other hand, heat inside your rig will stay inide because as I already said shiny surfaces reflect back heat. So what I suggest is that u make the inside skeleton with copper tubes and fans pointing to them, so heat will be absorbed and radiated by the copper tubes.
Sorry for this long story but I think it is useful to know

[zimon]

i dunno bout that....

[Dangermouse1]

I do not think that the heat will be a problem as long as the air flow through the case is ok.

[sigmaseven]

Or you can leave your case as it is, and jsut put tinfoil on top of the outside....

[Tin]

i wouldnt use tinfoil by itself...as its highly conductive. what you could do is sandwich the tinfoil between sheets of plexiglas and get the same effect without the risk of shorting out your system.

[Punked Out Comp]

Originally Posted by trulad If you use a Deer Power Supply you might even get it to blast off with lots of smoke & flames. Trudy

lmao

Originally Posted by Dangermouse1 I do not think that the heat will be a problem as long as the air flow through the case is ok.

I agree. If you have fans then all the hot air will get blown out. if you have ice cold water cooling it would be even better.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Tin Canary i wouldnt use tinfoil by itself...as its highly conductive.

True, but so is any aluminum, even the stuff your case is made of. I would say, if you want that foil look, get a cheap case and wrap the panels with foil. That seems like it would be simpler.

if you do this, I hope you don't plan on moving it much. Foil tears awfull easy!

[Jaggannath]

Good call Quicksilver... unless he decided to varnish or coat it somehow.
Why not just make one, he doesn't necessarily even have to use it... obviously it would be nice, but not really necessary. Maybe make it for the fun of it

[Nickoli]

I think the tinfoil sandwiched between 2 panes of acrylic would create a very nice effect. it would look crinkled but wouldn't be exposed to tearing and such.