Wood cabinets for electronics have been used a huge amount. In the US, we can
go back to the older TV's and stereos. I have a floor model stereo now that's a
piece of furniture. You lift the lid and it has an AM/FM radio and a turntable,
but no 8-track durn it. I think it was bought back in the early 70's. Floor
model TV's were built with wood cabinets. The inside in places was shielded
with aluminum foil that had an adhesive on the back. Last, lets not forget
guitar amps and equalizers. They had an aluminum chassis but the case was
plywood which had a vinyl covering applied over it. I've seriously though about
building an amp this way as I like the look. Of corrse things would have to be
shielded on the inside, but it's dooable.
For cabinets though, I've used Charled Byers K3IWK. He makes cabinets specially
for amateur radio folks. I fully recommend his work as I have used him on a few
projects.
http://home.flash.net/~k3iwk/
Oh yea, I did see an all wood car at the Detroit autoshow, I think it was, a
few yeras back. I wasn't personally there, but seen it in a magazine I receive
on automobile engineering. All wood and varnished up, a sight to behold.
Best,
Will
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
On 3/16/06 at 6:22 AM k7fm wrote:
>"Amen, Arne, and plywood is stiffer pound for pound than metal. During
>WW-2, the most common beach landing craft were made of mahogany
>plywood. These craft were designed and manufactured by Andrew Higgins
>in New Orleans, Louisiana. Higgins' boats were used in both Europe and
>the Pacific theatres."
>
>The main spar in my aircraft is a box made from thin plywood. The leading
>edge of the wing forms a D spar and is made from thin birch plywood. I
>trust my life with the stuff.
>
>What wood does not do is shield rf. But, that can be solved fairly
>easily.
>Many years ago I built a regen receiver using wood. But, I found the hand
>capacity, when I got near the front panel, changed the frequency (bad). I
>solved the problem by covering the inside of the wood panel with household
>aluminum foil, which was connected to the frame of the tuning capacitor.
>Still have that gem.
>
>When using wood, changes need to be made in construction techniques.
>Thick
>wood chassis is not conducive to installing tube sockets or other
>components
>designed to be mounted on thin materials. Breadboard construction works
>well, and power supplies adapt nicely to wood construction, especially
>since
>they usually do not need rf shielding.
>
>Often, you can blend the two materials for some gorgeous equipment. Use
>the
>wood for exterior cabinets and make the panel and chassis with metal. If
>the chassis components are self shielding, it can be a pretty package.
>
>And, the British even made wooden automobiles. There is nothing like
>seeing
>a Bond, with a burled walnut hardtop.
>
>Colin K7FM
>
>
>
>
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