hey.
I was working on my little popsicle stick case for my linux box (you'd be amazed how many popsicle sticks $3 can buy) and I seem to have hit a little snag. I can't find a pattern that would allow me to make nice, even, twoply sheets of popsicle stick. I tried to do a staggering pattern, like brickwork, then do a parallel one on the side, but due to glue constraints it makes a zig zag. My brain seems fried and I'm running out of ideas. Any suggestions to make this hurt less?

maybe put a sheet of paper in between the layers. then you can glue the sticks to the paper, it would be easier to handle i would think. If you do it tightly, you won't even see the paper.

look up hard-wood flooring patterns...there is a bunch of options.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dakas maybe put a sheet of paper in between the layers. then you can glue the sticks to the paper, it would be easier to handle i would think. If you do it tightly, you won't even see the paper.

poster board?

good ideas, thanks. I'll give some of em a try

What kind of glue are you using? Cause I would use hot glue, it dries fast and you can rip it off really easy if you make a mistake. Lets see a pic of what you have now, it seems like an interesting project. Good luck!

1. hardwood flooring interlocks on the sides, so most hardwood flooring patterns won't work.
2. I don't have a digital camera, as soon as I can scavange the cash I'll get a webcam or something so I can take pictures.
3. I'm using wood glue, dries fairly fast, is thinner than hot glue, and can be sanded.

Give me a minute to scan the piece I was working on yesterday and I'll show you what I mean.

Edit: if you look at the picture, you see I'm doing a brickwork style in groups of 6. The problem is that if I do it the same way in the back, it makes a zig zag pattern that can't make square sheets. I'm thinking about making a series of zig zags like this one and then bonding them together with more sticks in the back, where you wouldn't be able to see it, but I'd prefer a solid sheet.

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I'm not sure the popsicle stick idea is working for me, but hey...whatever floats your rubber ducky. To me it just screams "Popsicle!" But maybe that's what you want. I'd at least cut the rounded ends off of them. Very original idea....looking forward to seeing the final result.

Quote: Originally Posted by Psylariser I'm not sure the popsicle stick idea is working for me, but hey...whatever floats your rubber ducky. To me it just screams "Popsicle!" But maybe that's what you want. I'd at least cut the rounded ends off of them. Very original idea....looking forward to seeing the final result.

heh.... well, for one thing, I used to devour popsicles, around 5 a night.
The other thing is that I just think it'd look rather interesting to see a case that looked as if it was made by a little kid. Most definitely unique. Even more unique after the stain and finishing.
That and it's going to be my linux box, and a home made operating system deserves a home made case.
Oh, and I'm crazy.

Why dont you just use some acrylic as a backing for the popsicle sticks? Or maybe you could use some chicken wire. But if it is solely going to be sticks alone then I would suggest trying to make them like you are framing out a wall in a house.

I finally got a working pattern together..... as you can see in the earlier picture, I was grouping the sticks in 6... if I just use individual sticks in that pattern I don't have any of the problems.

EDIT: oh, and don't think this is really serious... this is my 'joke' mod. My main rig will be much more serious once I finish framing out the AT case for ATX.