AlphaTeam
05-17-2008, 12:10 PM
So I bought an Popcorn Hour a couple months ago because it was the new thing of the block and it was cheap. Retail was $180 and eBay was flying at $500+. I figured I'd either use it or make a nice profit. Well I never sold it or used it. So now recently I broke the seal to start it up and all was well, except I noticed the video processor was very hot; the built in heatsink was terrible and all. So I went and bought myself an Northbridge heatsink with a fan; for those who don't know, the Northbridge is chip on a computer that links the CPU to the rest of the computer (video, PCI, etc.), so I figured that would be the best cooling method.
Now here is where the problem arises: To my surprise the heatsink and fan combination is a flush fit with the who unit with the cover ON. Now that is the problem I'm having; since it's a fan it can't sit flush or there is no way air will blow from! I decided I would have to cut the aluminum cover to create a vent to suck air through when the fan is blowing.
I went to Home Depot yesterday and I bought myself a Dremel because I figured sooner is later I would need to use the tool anyways.
If it matters, I bought a 300-series Dremel which includes a bunch of tips. I did buy a Tungsten Carbide Cutter which I was told is used to cut sheet metal. I have a conventional drill with bits as well if I need.
Since this is first time using a Dremel and doing a project like this, I would like some good advice on how to do a good cut, start the cut, etc. Also precautions, etc. Also what to use as a workbench because I do not have one. I also forgot to mention is how far in do I put the bit into the collet? I'm a college student, so I don't have access to a lot of things and I can't go around buying a million things.
Thanks in advance!
I posted a question on how to cut aluminum in the rookie section; if y'all could answer that, it would be nice.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14606
I know this sounds really basic and it's probably a quick job, but it's my first real project involving cutting metal.
Now here is where the problem arises: To my surprise the heatsink and fan combination is a flush fit with the who unit with the cover ON. Now that is the problem I'm having; since it's a fan it can't sit flush or there is no way air will blow from! I decided I would have to cut the aluminum cover to create a vent to suck air through when the fan is blowing.
I went to Home Depot yesterday and I bought myself a Dremel because I figured sooner is later I would need to use the tool anyways.
If it matters, I bought a 300-series Dremel which includes a bunch of tips. I did buy a Tungsten Carbide Cutter which I was told is used to cut sheet metal. I have a conventional drill with bits as well if I need.
Since this is first time using a Dremel and doing a project like this, I would like some good advice on how to do a good cut, start the cut, etc. Also precautions, etc. Also what to use as a workbench because I do not have one. I also forgot to mention is how far in do I put the bit into the collet? I'm a college student, so I don't have access to a lot of things and I can't go around buying a million things.
Thanks in advance!
I posted a question on how to cut aluminum in the rookie section; if y'all could answer that, it would be nice.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14606
I know this sounds really basic and it's probably a quick job, but it's my first real project involving cutting metal.