Ammo Box PC Idea

[warmwaffles]

Okay since I have this hypothetical 1 grand sitting here with me I have been thinking about how I can turn a profit on something I love doing, which is building PC's. I know this idea isn't new but to pull it off is amazing.

My plan is to take this 81mm High Explosive Mortar Case (Ammo Box) that I own and turn it into a computer case. I have enough room to fit a mini-ATX board into and ample space to put a PSU, 2 HDDs (SATA of course), Intel Core 2 Duo E6320, and 4GB of RAM. And I thought about doing a possible water cooling if I have enough space in my case (that rhymed ^_^ )

Now all of that comes out to about 800 bucks or so if I look for the deals on all the parts and what not. But here is where I come to a dilemma, I can sell just the case for oh say 1,200 and pull a 400 dollar profit OR I could spend an extra 300 bucks and include a wide screen monitor, nice keyboard, and mouse for about 1,400 - 1,500 bucks.

The question is, how many people are actually willing to buy something like that? Would people really say hey that looks awesome and I think its worth 1,500 bucks? I have all of the tools necessary to cut metal, bend metal, weld, solder, the works...but what I am not sure of is the demand.

In your honest opinion...is this a bust or a go?

EDIT:
Tomorrow I will post pictures of the case to give you guys the idea of what I will be working with

 

[Speedo]

The main issue with something like that is predicting what people will be interested in, both in terms of the custom case and the PC it holds, especially considering that most of those interested are probably gamer types.

If you do do it, just be sure to mount the components so that they can't short against the case, and give the components adequate air flow unless you water cool.

 

[warmwaffles]

The main issue with something like that is predicting what people will be interested in, both in terms of the custom case and the PC it holds, especially considering that most of those interested are probably gamer types.

If you do do it, just be sure to mount the components so that they can't short against the case, and give the components adequate air flow unless you water cool.

Yes yes I agree completely. I ran this idea by my father and he said "Build the PC as if you were going to keep it" So I think I am going to do just that and when I get it done and I am satisfied I will begin to look for ways to sell it...I plan to document how I made it so that everyone can see it ^_^

any ways heres the PC box to be:

I threw a ruler in so that you guys can see the approximate size of this puppy

If I do say so my self this is one of my biggest projects ever done pertaining to a computer, and quite possibly one of the coolest

My plan is to try not to use a whole lot of parts from a standard computer case but rather me weld mounting points in and making mounting spots for the hard drives...

look on the bright side...if this fails I have PC parts but no case and all I need to do is go buy a PC case

 

[Rheinmetall]

It would no doubt make a very cool case. You never know what people want unless you ask them. If you like customizing cases you could take requests from people. That way you'd have a paying customer for your work for sure. I'd wager its easier to sell just the case. People who buy custom built cases are generally tech savvy enough to build their own hardware.

 

[warmwaffles]

I'd wager its easier to sell just the case. People who buy custom built cases are generally tech savvy enough to build their own hardware.

Hmm very true

 

[Abaddon]

PC Gamer did this a few years back.. called it "Ammo lan" Since it was designed for lan partys... few google searches should get you there..

 

[warmwaffles]

did they now...cool

Well anyways I am going to need to find some PC on off buttons and a reset switch to go along with this.

On the bright side of this mod is that if no one buys it...I have a new pc that I would be proud of building

 

[Rheinmetall]

For power and reset, ordinary push buttons. You could glue bullet casings or something on them to match the theme of the case. You should find variety of these buttons from electronics stores or auto parts dealers.

 

[GoodGame]

I forget what PC mag it is, but one of the popular ones always has/had a 1-pager at the end for people doing mod conversions. I've seen the ammo box, a robot like Bender, one based on a bike that you sit on, etc..

I doubt I'd ever pay for that.

 

[El Koeno]

That looks like quite a cool idea. To me, personally, it wouldn't be worth the $400 premium you charge on top of the components. Nevertheless, I'd say go for it, as you say, if you don't manage to sell it, you can always keep it yourself (or lower your profits).

 

[Perfection]

Where will you put your ammo?