Question for Garage guys

[Eric_On_Web]

If you own a garage at home and decided to put a computer in it instead of going home and put grease everywhere what computer did you choose for this? Even old ones are welcome

 

[micropage7]

If you own a garage at home and decided to put a computer in it instead of going home and put grease everywhere what computer did you choose for this? Even old ones are welcome

it looks you need a fanless system or minimal fan so the grease wont touch your rig.
what about intel atom based, its small so you can put it in the bucket and seal it, just leave several breathe holes
or via based, its on mini itx form and pretty cool

 

[caleb]

Old laptop

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Not really understanding the meaning behind this question. Seems pretty simple to me. If I was to set up a computer in my garage, because of the garage being alot more open to the elements outside, it would be the least expensive computer I could get($300-400 prebuilt or maybe one of those used prebuilts on craiglist for $100-150). Also, if it was set up in a "shop" area of the garage, and not a office area, I would possibly look into making the case as air tight as possible and set up a cheap liquid cooling loop to protect the components from dirt/moisture.

 

[HookeyStreet]

A total piece of sh!t that you don't mind wrecking tbh ie an Alienware system (joke).

But like someone said, an old laptop would be ideal. Less components to damage because you wouldn't need a seperate monitor, mouse, keyboard etc. Plus, when it isn't in use, you could just close the lid to protect it or tuck it safely away

 

[Mike0409]

fanless, cheap system. And a plastic keyboard cover. Network backup to something outside the garage.

 

[Kreij]

To me, it would not matter what kind of computer as it's relatively easy to mitigate the problem.

I would build a wood box using 2x4s and plywood to house the computer with a couple of output fans on in the back and a big filter on the front door (something like a furnace filter would probably work fine). Just make sure you have strong enough fans to get adequate airflow through the box.

Cover the keyboard and monitor when not in use. This won't save it from greasy hands though, so put a box of alcohol wipes nearby.

Make it a point to open it up ever 2-3 months and clean it out if need be.

Here at the shop we mill graphite for EDM machines. Thin layer of black dust on everything, but with a little forethought on the problem, it's pretty easy to keep managable.

 

[pantherx12]

Fanless?

No need folks.

Stick some filters over the fans.

Computers are more hardy than you think, after all drills and dremels don't seize up even though they're sucking air/debris through them for cooling. ( they still have circuit boards inside, so can suffer the same damage as pc components)

Your computer won't even be getting debris thanks to the filters and the fans hitting into particles that do get through.

How do I know this? My friend lives at a fishery, and has his rig on the floor. Thing basically sucks up mud ALLL day.

And is fine.
Now I know grease is a bit different, but it's not as if it's airborne all the time.

 

[95Viper]

I saw this in Popular Mechanics recently.

We Build the Perfect Garage PC
PDF of the shop plans
Quotes from site:
"It turned out to be an interesting exercise in thermal management."
"We knew that a standard, air-cooled rig with filters on its fans could block some of the particulate, but the only way to truly protect the computer's interior bits would be to seal it off completely from the outside world."

 

[Eric_On_Web]

I dont even have garage yet i am in the shed outside and gonna screw my old mobo parts right into the plywood wall

ECS P6STMT skt 370
1.27gig 512k cache tualatin from Compaq
30 gigs Quantum Fireball ATA66
Floppy
DVD reader
TigerPro 300w psu
PC133 128megs+64megs

Gonna add a wi-fi usb card and Voila!

 

[erocker]

I have 8 computers in a relatively large auto repair shop, the oldest being an old IBM 486 DX and the newest being two years old. Even it a somewhat rough environment such as this nothing really breaks any more than usual. Just keep it maintainted by using compressed air once in a while to clean it out. Since you'll be in a garage might as well use an air compressor if you have one.

 

[Eric_On_Web]

I have 8 computers in a relatively large auto repair shop, the oldest being an old IBM 486 DX and the newest being two years old. Even it a somewhat rough environment such as this nothing really breaks any more than usual. Just keep it maintainted by using compressed air once in a while to clean it out. Since you'll be in a garage might as well use an air compressor if you have one.

For now its Hair dryer and water hose

 

[scaminatrix]

For now its Hair dryer and water hose

I did that once - I think you're supposed to unplug the PC first though. Someone on here used toothpaste as thermal paste once aswell, I might have to gave that a go.

 

[Eric_On_Web]

I did that once - I think you're supposed to unplug the PC first though. Someone on here used toothpaste as thermal paste once aswell, I might have to gave that a go.

Unplug first?? You mean that the fans are not there to dry the water???

Seriously I tested this one without thermal paste and the cpu went to 45 max lol so i wouldnt even care to put the paste on my old 370 after cleaning it. if it blows ill put another one i have in stock.

 

[yogurt_21]

I saw this in Popular Mechanics recently.

We Build the Perfect Garage PC
PDF of the shop plans
Quotes from site:
"It turned out to be an interesting exercise in thermal management."
"We knew that a standard, air-cooled rig with filters on its fans could block some of the particulate, but the only way to truly protect the computer's interior bits would be to seal it off completely from the outside world."

holy crap why would you pay that much for a garage pc? wtf are you doing out there other than browsing the net and taking inventory?

when i'm working in my garage I need my pc for the internet to look up guides/manuals/parts, etc. no need to take up extra space in the tool box, it's typically overflowing already!

 

[95Viper]

holy crap why would you pay that much for a garage pc? wtf are you doing out there other than browsing the net and taking inventory?

when i'm working in my garage I need my pc for the internet to look up guides/manuals/parts, etc. no need to take up extra space in the tool box, it's typically overflowing already!

Depends on your garage, habits, and needs/wants, I guess...
Manuals, video streaming, information, music streaming, parts ordering/lookup, porn streaming, friends gaming, pizza ordering, porn, how-to guides, porn, running diagnostics, porn and, of course, Cruising/Posting on TPU and GN.

PM and other mags have a habit of going overboard on the actual needs and go more for the wants.

 

[CDdude55]

I wish i had a garage.

 

[yogurt_21]

Depends on your garage, habits, and needs/wants, I guess...
Manuals, video streaming, information, music streaming, parts ordering/lookup, porn streaming, friends gaming, pizza ordering, porn, how-to guides, porn, running diagnostics, porn and, of course, Cruising/Posting on TPU and GN.

PM and other mags have a habit of going overboard on the actual needs and go more for the wants.

a ghetto laptop can stream porn, that's bandwidth dependant not machine dependant.

what they did was essentially take a tool box, dropped in a gaming machine and said "look it's a garage pc" fail. A garage pc is grungy and essential. No frills are necessary because you're going to beat the tar out of it. you'll cover it in grease when searching for parts and prices as well as guides, videos, and pictures.

you don't fap in the garage anyways. I mean sure the lube has great viscocity but you'll regret using it later.


ghetto laptop is the best as you can unplug it and drop it right on top of the engine while you work.

 

[95Viper]

a ghetto laptop can stream porn, that's bandwidth dependant not machine dependant.

what they did was essentially take a tool box, dropped in a gaming machine and said "look it's a garage pc" fail. A garage pc is grungy and essential. No frills are necessary because you're going to beat the tar out of it. you'll cover it in grease when searching for parts and prices as well as guides, videos, and pictures.

you don't fap in the garage anyways. I mean sure the lube has great viscocity but you'll regret using it later.


ghetto laptop is the best as you can unplug it and drop it right on top of the engine while you work.

Yep, I know that. Glad you clarified that for those who don't.

I was attempting humor. I guess I failed at the attempt.

 

[Eric_On_Web]

If you dont have a laptop just take an old tool box of wood or platic crate and dump the part in it with tie-wraps