Who has a computer in their workshop?

[rodm]

I was going to do a poll on this but couldn't work out how to do it.

If you do have a computer in your workshop are there any clever ideas about keeping the dust out?

[bennylaird]

I just keep the plastic cover on and give her a good blow job with the compressor every time I think of it. Was going to put an air cleaner on but no piont as the fan blows out and it sucks air from any place it can. It's an old beast so the care factor is not that high. For faster work I just bring in the notebook and take it out when finished.

[Scissors]

Although tiny little computer fans aren't very good at creating pressure, you want to try to have positive pressure inside the case. Basically all computers have at least one fan at the back of the case that blows out (some also have one at the front blowing in), you want to add one or two fans to the bottom front of the case (under the HDs usually) so that the CFM in is greater than the CFM out.

You can then add filters to these front fans, you can make your own or get some from good computer enthusiast shops/websites.

Or just buy a Panasonic Toughbook.

EDIT: Oh, forgot to mention, you can pick up fans from pretty much any computer store, and they are very easy to install.

CAVEAT: If you need to cut a hole in the case to add a fan make sure you remove *every* component from the case and *thoroughly* blow/vac the case before you put the components back in; metal filings from cutting + electronics = bad.

[bennylaird]

There are good cases about with a bit of searching that will do the job well, but at a price. A good blow job regularly is cheaper.

Now if you smoke then you are in for a much harder job, the smoke creates a sticky layer of dust that eventually conducts, Benny General warns that smoking is a health hazard to computers................

[craigb]

The last thing I want in my shed is a bloody 'puter.

[HavinaGo]

The last thing I want in my shed is a bloody 'puter.

Well that is what I thought until Jotham arrived and we ran out of house.

Has worked well for the latest interest ... electronic gizmo based on PIC microcontroller ... as the soldering iron and computer are near each other.

Dust wise ... a cloth over the computer and printer .. most of the time. There are days I forget and then I have to find the keyboard again .. oops.

[DPB]

I was going to do a poll on this but couldn't work out how to do it.

If you do have a computer in your workshop are there any clever ideas about keeping the dust out?

You have got to be kidding!:eek: I took up woodworking to get away from computers.

[rodm]

Craig and Don

I have to agree with you but I don't have a choice because my CNC router won't work without a computer. :eek:

It is very stange having a computer in the workshop.

I was thinking of putting it in an enclosed box and a couple of fans sucking through a big sheet of foam to keep it cool.

Over the top?

[bitingmidge]

Working on electrical controls, and driving routers notwithstanding, why would you want a computer in the workshop really?

I admit that mine is a few metres away in my study, and I can stream music from there from it, but what practical use has it?

Please don't tell me the pencil note scribbled on the back of an offcut is being phased out too?

P

[Cliff Rogers]

Wathcya doing with the PIC? (I'm interested in Microcontrollers)

The best thing for a PC that has to run in a dusty place is an enclosure that is positively pressurised with clean air.
IE a small cupboard with a fan blowing in & either a good filter in the intake or a duct to bring air in from outside the dusty area.
The cupboard should have at least 150mm clearance all around the PC case for good airflow. (100mm is the bare minimum or it will over heat in its own radiated heat)
You will need to have a suitable slot or a hole with a foam rubber gland in it to pass the cables through & another on up near the top of the cabinet to allow the hot air out.
The monitor doesn't have a fan in it so it won't have too many problems with dust & an occasional blow out with compressed air or a vacuum cleaner will be find for it.
You can get a thin transparent rubberised moulded cover to suit your keyboard but they are more expensive than they are worth.
You can also get totally sealed dust & water proof keyboards but they are about $40 & you could buy 4 normal keyboards for that & the normal ones are much nicer to type on.
The best trick is to flip your keyboard upside down while you are not using it. If it is still on, prop it up with something.

[I_wanna_Shed]

I've got an old one in the shed. Doesn't get that dusty as it is in a 7ft sealed computer rack, which is also excellent as a tool storage cabinet.

I use it for no other reason than to easily play music on; all songs off all of my CD's are on it. Its also wired to the house, so any plans I do on the computer inside, I can simply view or change out in the shed.

[rodm]

Thanks Cliff
That is what I wanted to know.

Peter,
Get with the times - you need a computer in the workshop to hold all those sticky notes that remind you to do things.

[Zed]

The last thing I want in my shed is a bloody 'puter.

yeah ? and which microscopic cnr would you put it in then ????

[craigb]

yeah ? and which microscopic cnr would you put it in then ????

It'd have to be a notebook admitedly.

[silentC]

No puter in the shed at the moment but when I move into the new place (sometime in 2027 I think) my office will be in the shed. I'm planning on shutting the door to keep the dust out.

Anyway, my point is, could you put the puter in a different room and run some cabling out to the dusty end of the show? Or maybe put it in a dustproof box vented to the outside and get a plastic cover for the keyboard?