Computer Cabinet
 Here
is the computer cabinet for
the shop's CNC machines.Behind the bottom doors is the computer in its original tower. The top doors hide papers and memory sticks. Again, it is not networked so all file transfers are via sneaker-net, or rather steel-toed-work-boot-net.  As shown in the left image, the unit now has more shelves on the top, and a trackball has been added along with a control for the Geckos. The number keypad resting on the monitor serves as a low cost plug and play pendant. It is wrapped in a sandwich bag to help with dust. It has a tendency to rest on the corner of the CNC machine's cutting table. The cabinet has an intake cooling fan through the back wall with a small AC/furnace filter between it and the outside. The wires out of the back are the power cord and parallel cable with a 5 vdc line for the Geckos. The cabinet is on quality casters so it rolls easily. The inside shelf has to be high enough to clear a computer tower. The one in this cabinet is 17.5 inches from the bottom. The middle shelf may also support the back edge of the monitor, so that also needs to be taken into the design considerations. The middle shelf in this cabinet does not extend full depth; this allows air to circulate, and it makes it easier to run the cables. A 2 x 2 cross member on the shelf is visible in the photo below; it helps to hold the monitor into place. The top back edge of the monitor rests on the back of the cabinet. |
 Different monitors will require different
layouts. The red circled boards in the left image are the remnants of a
support board that held the first monitor into place. The second larger monitor only fit after the boards were cut so their ends caught the monitor’s edges rather than base. ......................
There have been requests for plans for the cabinet, but this unit was
made from scrap, so its dims matched the leftover materials rather than
a
predetermined design. |
However, I did draw the draft below; it has not been built, but it should help to get one started.  It was designed to use only one sheet of 3/4 inch plywood or MDF. The angled cuts on the sides allow enough leftover wood for the back. With the middle shelf not being full cabinet depth, there is enough material available for most any door layout. The keyboard shelf can be cut down to allow more space for the monitor. Before building, check the width of the keyboard; they can be a few inches longer than the monitors are wide. The 20 inches shown is usually large enough. The drawing below is designed for the sides and back to stand on top of the bottom, and the back is between the sides. See right image of the basic carcass. |
| Full sheets of lumber can be
difficult to haul home; it may be easier to have the store make a few
cuts. First cut off the 20 inch end for the back and keyboard. Next, rip the long remainder into two 24 inch widths. Split the line so the bottom and sides will be the same width (24 inches less half a saw blade's kerf). MDF is 49 inches rather than 48 inches wide, so with MDF this would not be an issue. I'd mark it myself; the guys operating the saws are not always concerned about accuracy. |
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| A
visitor to this site designed a cabinet, and was kind
enough to send some pictures. His work
follows. Thanks Ken! His monitor rests on closet rods rather than on a shelf and angled board as was shown above. |
 The rods are a great improvement. They are easier to assemble and permit monitor upgrading. The system also allows more freedom in the placement of the middle shelf. |
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His mouse shelf hinges out of the way and is supported by angle brackets when in use. That extra room, I am sure, is appreciated. On my unit the number keys are eclipsed by the track-ball ledge. Notice the big handles on the sides; these help considerably when dragging the unit around. Ken's cabinet has an angled top which looks much nicer than the flat top edges on my unit. That feature really dresses up the appearance. |
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