G+_Chris O'Riley Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Hi guys, just thought I'd post a little weekend project. I was lucky enough to pick up one of the first Raspberry Pi Zeros before they immediately went out of stock and wanted to make a nice case for it. The idea of a $5 computer was so cool, I wanted to make a case worthy of that idea! Here's how it turned out, and here's a quick page I threw together with some info and in-progress photos: http://www.chris3d.com/copperpi/ and here's a video clip: Hope you like it, and if anyone knows of a good clear coating or process to protect bare metal, please let me know. Copper can't be anodized like other metals, so it'd probably need to be some type of spray or brush on coating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Derek Souter Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Very nice job, it looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 That looks amazing! And I know it's no powerhouse, but I'd be curious to see how much you could overclock the Pi Zero with such a large heat sink. And really, it doesn't matter if you ever use the Pi. That case is worth just carrying around to show off with your pocket-sized computer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Chris O'Riley Posted June 6, 2016 Author Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks guys! Ben, yea, I figure it could be overclocked a fair amount. I'm still waiting to figure out how to protect it before I put it together with some heat sink paste. And yea, I haven't found a critical use for the Zero yet, but it's now proudly sitting on a shelf above my desk! Wayne, I've considered just letting it tarnish, and I'll test out the vinegar and salt... on a scrap piece of copper first! I've always loved the color of polished copper though, so the green would have to look real good for me to go that route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Carlton Dodd Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Beautiful! Any problems with short circuiting on the underside? (Maybe a little Kapton tape on the Pi would be sufficient?) For a protective coating, any good spray clear coat should work. Obviously, try it out on a scrap piece before endangering this beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Chris O'Riley Posted June 6, 2016 Author Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks Carlton, no, the bottom case is recessed enough that nothing touches. I did carefully sand down the little tabs from the HDMI connector housing just a bit, but it probably wasn't necessary since they're grounded, so even if it did touch, it would just ground to the case. I'm probably going to make some really small o-rings out of silicon sheet to put between the board and the bottom case, which will put some light tension on the processor against the heat sink. All probably overkill, but why stop now! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_610GARAGE Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thats realy good. To protect it, I have used this product before on alluminum and it's not bad. http://www.eastwood.com/diamond-clear-gloss-set.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Chris O'Riley Posted June 6, 2016 Author Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks 610, I had read about Diamond Clear and it sounded like it would do the trick. Good to hear a first hand review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Chris O'Riley Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 Here's a little video of the case, still photos just don't capture the look of the polished and brushed areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Scott Richards Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Superb!! Stunning, etc. I've had some good results on church brass with some spray coatings, applied at the correct temp and humidity that allows it to flow out properly before setting - several retries with trial & error. Finding one that doesn't change the color in a way that bugs you can be a challenge. Generally for the alter-brass applications I decided that quarterly buffing was more satisfying to my eye, though no one else cared too much if the color wasn't perfect bare metal, or that there was a slight droop or speckling of the surface clear coat. I used: Staybrite clear gloss brass laquer, by protective coatings unlimited inc, Denver, Co Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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