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View Full Version : Looking for some case cutting equipment



archmaille
05-24-2006, 01:55 AM
I'm going to begin my Chainmail Window (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2484) project but I need a few things first. I just need someone to tell me where I could buy these items but if you've got them on hand if would like to sell that's great too!

I need a good Nibbler to cut through the 1/8" aluminum side of my Lian-Li case. At least I think they're called nibblers... you drill a hole stick this in and can cut down sheet metal w/o warping it.

Then I also would like this tool that I saw in some magazine a while ago in a case modding edition. The tool is used for cutting holes, its a hand tool, it looked like in the magazine the way they used it was putting the cutting blades inside the case and then a hole in the middle of where they needed to cut then a rod connected to the blades and a round flat sheet of metal on the other side and the blades were spun to cut the hole... just looked like a good way to cut a smoothe hole in sheet metal w/o warping it terribly. I need one to cut 3 120mm holes in the top of my case for the water cooling I'll be putting in. I'll try to find a picture or something of this tool online but it's freaking sweet! Sorry my description of it probably isn't great I just don't know exactly what to call it.

Cevinzol
05-24-2006, 05:55 AM
Nibblers are about $10 US. Radio shack has them. One size fits all as far as I know.

For your 120mm holes I'd just use a drill and a hole saw. back it with a board, clamp it tight, keep it oiled and go slow.

The second tool you describe sounds similar to a swedish disk puch I found in the Rio Grande Tool catalogue (http://www.riogrande.com/ordering.htm) years ago. (Something like D-5 or D-15 on this link (http://www.abm-corp.com/Abm_d1.asp))
It consisted of 2 heavy plates with matching holes through each.
the plates were held together by a rod that kept the holes lined up and just far enough apart to slide a sheet of metal between them.
You placed a punch in the hole and drove it through the sheet metal.
the result was a perfect disk the diameter of the punch. This tool works good on thin (22ga.) metal and up to about 1".

The problem is you need a hole 4.7" across through aluminum plate. You couldn't generate enough shearing force over that big an area without using a sledge hammer and I guarantee the panel will warp. Plus you need it away from the edge of the metal.

archmaille
05-24-2006, 09:58 PM
Thanks for the help on the Nibbler! The other tool was different though, I make jewelry and get the Rio Grande catologues but there isn't anything like it in there. The tool I'm looking for actually has cutting blades not a punch. I'll keep looking maybe I'll find the old magazine and be able to at least show you what I was thinking (maybe find where to buy one if I find the magazine as well).

vidas7de7jesus7
05-29-2006, 05:16 PM
Get a dremel

Maz
05-29-2006, 11:01 PM
i believe you are looking for This (http://cvfsupplyco-store.stores.yahoo.net/cihocuad.html)

archmaille
05-30-2006, 01:24 AM
That would work out... not exactly what I was looking for but that is close enough thanks! er, maybe not, the thing says it's not for use with sheet or other kinds of metals.

and a Dremel wouldn't be what I wanted. Not exactly the best tool for making large round holes... besides I already got one of these (http://www.blackstoneind.com/foundations/store/shopdetail.asp?product=M%2ES%2DSCT&ncluster=1&ngroup=4&name=1%2F8+hp+S+motor+and+SCT+speed+control&desc=Foredom%27s+most+popular+motor+is+teamed+up+w ith+a+heavy%2Dduty+cast+iron+foot+control%2E+The+b all%2Dbearing%2C+hang%2Dup+style+S+motor+is+rated+ at+1%2F8+hp+and+achieves+a+top+speed+of+18%2C000rp m%2C+no+load%2E+The+SCT+is+cast+iron%2C+painted+wi th+a+gray+powdercoat%2C+and+the+extra+weight+provi des+greater+stability+and+control%2E&image=M%5FS%5FSCT%5F200px%2Ejpg&weight=0&taxable=True&oversized=False&freight=0&fspecial=&tspecial=&start=1&category=132) for making my jewelry stuff :-D I like to call it my Dremel on steroids

Cevinzol
05-30-2006, 01:35 AM
the tool maz linked says it will cut metal but I can almost guarantee you thta unless you have a drill press and everyting clamped tight. One of those cutters will catch and then torc your sheet metal. My dad has one like it but with one cutter and I never saw him use it because it was a pain in the butt.

just get a cheap hole saw blade from Harbor freight (http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=hole+saw). Aluminum cuts easy if you take your time.

nil8
05-30-2006, 10:20 AM
nibblers are cheap and amazingly slow. If you know how to work a file right, a hacksaw blade with part of it taped(handle) works faster. If you're not too rough trade with your window, you won't warp.

Either way you need a lot of patience and a good amount of arm stamina.

DaveW
05-30-2006, 10:48 AM
must...resist...dirty...joke!!!

-Dave

Omega
05-30-2006, 02:12 PM
must...resist...dirty...joke!!!

-Dave


you and me both.

archmaille
05-30-2006, 04:44 PM
I think I'll probably be using a hole saw for the fan holes... I found the tool I was looking for and they ain't cheap. this is what I was after (http://www.irvansmith.com/catalog2/parts/greenlee_hole_punches.shtml) you drill a hole put this thing on either end and attatch a socket to one end to rotate it and cut the hole, they give amazing results that don't need to be filed or cleaned up at all with minimal mess... unfortuneately they're a little too much for me doing a single case mod :-P

Cevinzol
05-30-2006, 10:02 PM
Oh those things.
I saw them a while back but forgot what they were called.
the largest one is only 101mm and you're right $370 is a little steep.

Nice site. I bookmarked it for future perusal

nil8
05-30-2006, 11:18 PM
That's way more money than a hole is worth.

Wow, I just keep diggin myself deeper in this thread, don't I?

ComputerKing
06-01-2006, 08:10 AM
check the shop toosl

bighead
06-20-2006, 07:08 AM
Help ! I don't know why I can only see 2 topic in this box ???

maximan1
06-30-2006, 03:19 PM
That would work out... not exactly what I was looking for but that is close enough thanks! er, maybe not, the thing says it's not for use with sheet or other kinds of metals.

and a Dremel wouldn't be what I wanted. Not exactly the best tool for making large round holes... besides I already got one of these (http://www.blackstoneind.com/foundations/store/shopdetail.asp?product=M%2ES%2DSCT&ncluster=1&ngroup=4&name=1%2F8+hp+S+motor+and+SCT+speed+control&desc=Foredom%27s+most+popular+motor+is+teamed+up+w ith+a+heavy%2Dduty+cast+iron+foot+control%2E+The+b all%2Dbearing%2C+hang%2Dup+style+S+motor+is+rated+ at+1%2F8+hp+and+achieves+a+top+speed+of+18%2C000rp m%2C+no+load%2E+The+SCT+is+cast+iron%2C+painted+wi th+a+gray+powdercoat%2C+and+the+extra+weight+provi des+greater+stability+and+control%2E&image=M%5FS%5FSCT%5F200px%2Ejpg&weight=0&taxable=True&oversized=False&freight=0&fspecial=&tspecial=&start=1&category=132) for making my jewelry stuff :-D I like to call it my Dremel on steroids

If you want to make large round holes get a holesaw:rolleyes:

simon275
07-02-2006, 05:52 AM
Yeah go with a dremel you cant go wrong.

This is the guide I'm learning to cut circles from Clicky (http://www.mnpctech.com/DremelCircle.html).

archmaille
07-02-2006, 09:54 AM
If you want to make large round holes get a holesaw:rolleyes:

I so wish I could delete this post for you so you don't look like a fool.... but oh well.

And as far as going with a dremel I've got a Foredom that would eat any Dremel ever produced 8)

.Maleficus.
07-02-2006, 01:07 PM
Yeah go with a dremel you cant go wrong.

This is the guide I'm learning to cut circles from Clicky (http://www.mnpctech.com/DremelCircle.html).

Good find right there. I'm bookmarking that.