Wooden PC Cover

Have you ever had an accidental spill or knock over a drink onto your computer? It can be a costly mistake that can damage your hardware or cause data loss. That's why I decided to create a protective cover for my PC using plywood. Not only does it prevent spills from reaching my computer, but it also provides additional desk space for my other work-related items. "I destroyed my motherboard by spilling a Pepsi into the top of my case"

One of the other features of this PC cover is its built-in USB hub. Instead of struggling to reach the back of your computer to plug in your USB devices, this cover makes it easy to access all your USB ports from the top of your desk. Whether you need to wireless mouse dongle, or a thumb drive, your new computer cover will make it easy to stay organized and efficient. With this cover, you'll never lose track of where you plugged in your USB drive again.

In this instructable, I'll guide you through the process of building your own PC cover out of plywood. You don't need to be a woodworking expert to complete this project. With some simple tools and materials, you can make a protective cover that fits your computer perfectly while also adding functionality to your workstation. So let's get started!

• 3/4" Plywood
• USB Hub
• 4ct - L Brackets with screws
• Tape measure
• Hand saw
• Screw gun
• Pencil

To start making your computer cover, you'll need to measure your computer's dimensions to ensure a perfect fit. Take a measuring tape and measure the depth and width of your computer case. For instance, my computer case measures 18.5" inches deep and 9" inches wide.

Next, measure the distance between the table height and the top of your computer case. This will determine how tall your cover should be. In my case, my computer is 10" shorter than my table, so I need to make my cover 10" tall.

Once you have your measurements, it's time to draw a sketch of your cover design. Use the measurements to draw a rough picture of your cover on a piece of paper. This sketch will serve as a guide when marking and cutting your wood in the next step.

Next, you'll need to draw out the dimensions of each piece onto the wood. It's important aesthetically to make sure that at least one side of each piece is smooth and clean. If you notice that one side has an imperfection, such as a knot, you can face that side inward instead of outward. Once you have drawn the dimensions on the wood, you can proceed to cut the wood into the three usable pieces.

NOTE: When marking the size of the sides for your computer cover, it's important to keep in mind that you need to subtract the thickness of the top piece when setting the dimension. This ensures that the top piece fits snugly onto the sides while keeping the height the same. Additionally, when cutting the wood, make sure to cut over the line and not directly on it. Cutting directly on the line can result in a slightly smaller piece and can affect the fit of the pieces.

Screw the sides together. The sides are too close to fit a screw gun inside to screw them in, therefore you need to screw the brackets to the sides first, then screw the sides to the top.

To assemble the cover, start by screwing the brackets onto each of the side pieces. Make sure that the brackets are flush with the top edge of each side piece.

Then, take the top piece and lay it flat on the ground, with the good side facing down. Next, place the two side pieces onto of the top piece so that the brackets sit on the top piece. Make sure that the sides are flush with the edges of the top piece. You could use a clamp to hold the sides in place and prevent them from moving around during assembly. Now, use a screw gun to screw the brackets into the top.

After all the pieces are screwed together, remove the clamp and turn the cover over to ensure that everything is flush and even. Sand down any rough edges or surfaces if necessary.

To make sure that the cover fits perfectly and doesn't interfere with any parts of your computer, you may need to make some adjustments. For example, in my case, I have a small protuberance at the front, this caused me to have to cut out a piece from the walls to accommodate it. Additionally, you may need to repeate the previous step by sanding down any rough edges or uneven surfaces to ensure a smooth fit. Take your time with this step and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.

Now that your computer cover is complete, you can add some additional functionality by installing a USB hub. This will allow you to connect more USB devices onto the front of your computer giving the PC cover one more functional use.

To install the USB hub, you'll need to screw it to the underside of the top piece of your computer cover. Make sure to position it flush with the front of the cover so that you can easily access the USB ports.

Once the USB hub is securely attached, you can connect it to the back of you PC. Whether you need to connect a wireless mouse dongle, or a thumb drive, your new computer cover will make it easy to stay organized and efficient.

Your computer cover is now complete and ready to use!