Icrontic's EPIC Duct Tape Case
Poles and tubes
The poles were formed by rolling strips of duct tape edge-wise. Through experimentation, we discovered that six strips of tape presented the right balance of both diameter and strength to support the weight of the outer case as well as our PC components.
The first step was the most difficult; we needed to start the roll by folding over one thread’s width of tape. To do this, we pinched down the edge of a tape strip using a fingernail and folded it over itself. After this first fold was completed, the cycle was repeated to create a tight cylinder. Once we’d run out of tape, the next strip was laid out to again repeat the process. We weren’t satisfied until each cylinder had utilized six strips of tape. Wound tightly, each six-strip cylinder was about 3/8 inch in diameter.
Making side panels
The panels created from many layers, so as to make them as sturdy as possible. We began by forming a series of strips out of two pieces of tape. Again, the first step was the most challenging. We had to place the two pieces of tape together, sticky side in. If misaligned, the pieces would become impossible to salvage.
These strips would then be ‘woven’ together into a sheet, using small duct tape ‘darts’ to hold them together temporarily.
CB’s mother was a basket weaver.
Then, a series of tape slices (each a bit larger than the one before) would be placed diagonally across the woven sheet. In doing this, we were careful not to overlap. The goal was to create as smooth a surface as possible.
We then cut the panel to the correct size and wrapped the edges in a single layer of tape to keep the panel together.
That is some serious craftsmanship right there. Kudos to you both.
That case is saweeeet!! Excellent work guys! You're both definitely
The case looks really good. Excellent write-up, I'm sure you guys enjoyed building at least as much as I enjoyed reading about it.
Great Job Guys... Nice to finally read the article.
One Typo on the last page... "Me Fortress 2."
One Typo on the last page... "Me Fortress 2."
It's not a typo, actually... CB called it that because I was playing by myself.
Thanks for the kind words, folks!
One Typo on the last page... "Me Fortress 2."
I saw that too, but I think it was on purpose. He wasn't playing with anyone thus there couldn't be any "team" just himself or "me".
Also I wasn't sure how to visualize a duct tape "dart"? is it just a pointed tightly rolled piece of duct tape?
Added to reddit btw http://reddit.com/info/6lamx/comments/
This is awesome in so many ways. Good job guys!
Also I wasn't sure how to visualize a duct tape "dart"? is it just a pointed tightly rolled piece of duct tape?
So many people have thought the Me Fortress 2 was a typo, that maybe we should change it... :/
The duct tape 'darts' are just thin strips used as fasteners. The problem was that the word that means what we needed was 'tape'. but we didn't want to say that we were making strips of duct tape 'tape'. 'fasteners would have been equally ridiculous, and we had already used up the word 'strips' elsewhere.
Trust me. I fretted over using 'darts', knowing that that usage is a bit obscure, but in the end it sounded best...
I can only imagine
"darts" makes sense to me now thanks.
Fantastic work, guys
I really enjoyed the write-up! Who do we talk to if we'd like to get one in for testing in the IC labs?
Fricking awesome
Nice 
Dude you guys got onto Gizmodo! Congrats.
http://gizmodo.com/394121/if-you-bui...eeks-will-come
Sweetness!
Digg alone has three different links to stories. Congrats all around!
Congrats, guys!
Think you will have a problem with heat form the pc softening the glue and the tape losing its composure? Thats why we lost the duct tape challenge last year, except it was the sun not a pc melting our tape. nice work though.
Your Duct Tape Challenge entry didn't have sweet cooling fans and a stylish air vent, did it?
sweet//// awesome to finally see it complete good work guys
That's flippin sweet.
Thanks for the comments, folks!
Yes, [[][][[v]][[]]]agic, we were concerned about the heat. If we were going to be housing a PC in the case longer term, we had planned to cut a 120MM exhaust fan hole and possibly include a front intake fan behind the vent.
Duct tape, is there nothing it can't do?
So what's the next big project?
I say... build a working duck-tape rockband drum set. And then give it to me
Wow, well done guys. That's an impressive feat.
Also, I didn't think ME FORTRESS 2 was a typo - I believe we've called it that in-game before.
Excellent!
hehe nice.
[...] presents the 10 Ultimate Ghetto Gadget Creations, featuring such rubbish luminaries as a PC case made of duct tape, a car stereo made of an internal IDE CD-Rom drive and a sponge, and anything whatsoever to do with [...]
Bwahahahah total win!
We made Gizmodo's Top 10 Ultimate Ghetto Gadgets list!
Congrats (again!) CB and Rob!
That's awesome!
Congrats guys!
Awesome!!