Attempt at polymer computer case

[Enski]

hey all .

 

At the moment I have a forty dollar gift voucher for a hardware store and my plans are to turn that forty dollars into something more (because Im broke and bored ). I have friends who would buy a case if I could make my ideas come true . I'm intending to build the case from scratch and I just want some advice on a couple things I'm tossing around in my head .

 

Whats the best way of making a mould ?

at the moment I'm thinking of just plastering a couple layers of wroughted mesh , any other (easier) alternatives .

 

What kind of polymer is best & cheapest to use in a mould ?

 

Any other advice from people who've attempted this .

[YT2095]

if you have an exsisting case already, I`de recommend vacuum moulding, it`s great for getting all the little tiny details and stuff

 

from there I would imagine you`de need something sturdy to make the positive with, fiberglass springs to mind for that, both for it`s easy of use, it`s speed and "patchworthyness" if you want to change or add something to it later, it sprays up quite nicely too

 

hope that helps as at least One option

[Enski]

thanks .. for the tips , never heard most of the stuff before but they all sound good .

[YT2095]

you`ll be able to get fiber glass from a car body shop OR a good hobby/model shop.

 

basicly it`s a fine mesh weave of glass fiber (like loft insulation but thinner and more rigid), then you have 2 liquids that you mix together (the resin and hardener), dip in a small paint brush, and wet part of the mesh, stick that that to where you want it on the mould, and continue until the mould is covered, you`ll need to make several layers and make sure there`s no air pockets, it sounds harder than it is really, when you`ve seen it done, it`s easy

 

later when it sets, take it out of the mould and leave it for 24 hours, you can sand it down then and spray it what ever color you like.