No0b Needs some help here :)

[AMD RULES]

Hello Guys. Im new here and very new to modding.
I want to mod one of my cases with some custom
fan holes. What tools are good for this application?
Thanks for your help.

http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/9125/img00043gp.jpg

Here's the case. It's the case I used for my new AM2 rig. (See sig for specs)
I want to mod a 120MM fan on the top and possilbe an 80mm on the window or side pannel
where there is not window

[maximan1]

Well if you want to make exact holes get a holesaw (in the size of your fan) and make a hole. But if you want to go through the hassle of cutting it out with a dremel and then filing it down, be my guest.
Hope this helps, maximan1

[AMD RULES]

thanks alot man.
So a hole saw will have a cleaner cut?
How much will one of these hole saws set me back? :)
Also, if i use a hole saw on the window, do you have any tips
on how to prevent the plexi from cracking? Thanks alot man

[maximan1]

The hole saws will have a much cleaner cut, but the dremel will probably be cheaper. I don't know how much the holesaw will cost.

EDIT: I REPLIED 2 MINUTES AFTER YOU POSTED!! NEW RECORD!!

[maximan1]

Oh and make sure that you know where you are putting the hole cause you cut the hole and pow. OMG. My CD drive is right there :(.

[AMD RULES]

The hole saws will have a much cleaner cut, but the dremel will probably be cheaper. I don't know how much the holesaw will cost.

EDIT: I REPLIED 2 MINUTES AFTER YOU POSTED!! NEW RECORD!!
actually 3 minutes, but Can you add a hole saw bit to a dremal? Cause I already have a dremel.

[FyR]

A dremel will spin way to fast for a hole saw, you should use a standard masonary drill or even better a press mounted machine drill.

You can get hole saws in various diameters, obviously you will need a 120mm and an 80mm

Expect to pay about £15 for the 120 and £10 for the 80, you can get them from pretty much any DIY store, but check online first. And yes, a hole saw will give you a pretty much perfect cut at a low speed, much better than a dremel and 100 times quicker and easier :)

Paul

[crazybillybob]

You can also get an adjustable hole saw. IT looks like a drill bit with a single cutting blade attached to a bar in the base of the bit. Thes things have the nickname widows makers because if you run them to fast you can get hurt. The plus side is that they work very well on wood, Alum, and plex. I'm try and remeber to snap a pic of mine in the workshop next time I'm out there. I used one of these to make all the round holes in my R2 Dome, As the cut was on a compund curve I had to do a bit of sanding to claen up the hole, but on flat stock there should be minimal clean up needed. You should never try to use a hole saw with your dremel, the lowest speed on a dremel is 1000rpm, most hole saw are speced at 300-600 Rpm... go to fast and they walk, then heat up and you'll burn them up. A good by metalic hole saw will run you $20-60us based on size. but cheaper sets for drilling wood only (which can do plex, and alum if you run them slow) can be picked up from harbor frieght for $5-15 us and they have many sized saws in a set. The widow maker is about $10 but you should never run it faster then about 300RPM... A variable speed drill Press is best for a perfectly sright hole, but a steady hand can get away with using a normal variable speed drill motor (I prefer Cordless, but I move arouond allot when I mod from bench to bench and house to shop).
Cutting a round hole with a dremel and a cutoff wheel is very dificault, and normal leads to oblong holes and lots of sanding to make it roundish...It can be done but if this is your first mod....buy the holesaws you'll be happier with the out come!

Good Luck, Post pics of progress and finished work.(we love pics here...it's like digital crack for moders!)

CrazyBillyBob

[AMD RULES]

A dremel will spin way to fast for a hole saw, you should use a standard masonary drill or even better a press mounted machine drill.

You can get hole saws in various diameters, obviously you will need a 120mm and an 80mm

Expect to pay about £15 for the 120 and £10 for the 80, you can get them from pretty much any DIY store, but check online first. And yes, a hole saw will give you a pretty much perfect cut at a low speed, much better than a dremel and 100 times quicker and easier

Paul


You can also get an adjustable hole saw. IT looks like a drill bit with a single cutting blade attached to a bar in the base of the bit. Thes things have the nickname widows makers because if you run them to fast you can get hurt. The plus side is that they work very well on wood, Alum, and plex. I'm try and remeber to snap a pic of mine in the workshop next time I'm out there. I used one of these to make all the round holes in my R2 Dome, As the cut was on a compund curve I had to do a bit of sanding to claen up the hole, but on flat stock there should be minimal clean up needed. You should never try to use a hole saw with your dremel, the lowest speed on a dremel is 1000rpm, most hole saw are speced at 300-600 Rpm... go to fast and they walk, then heat up and you'll burn them up. A good by metalic hole saw will run you $20-60us based on size. but cheaper sets for drilling wood only (which can do plex, and alum if you run them slow) can be picked up from harbor frieght for $5-15 us and they have many sized saws in a set. The widow maker is about $10 but you should never run it faster then about 300RPM... A variable speed drill Press is best for a perfectly sright hole, but a steady hand can get away with using a normal variable speed drill motor (I prefer Cordless, but I move arouond allot when I mod from bench to bench and house to shop).
Cutting a round hole with a dremel and a cutoff wheel is very dificault, and normal leads to oblong holes and lots of sanding to make it roundish...It can be done but if this is your first mod....buy the holesaws you'll be happier with the out come!

Good Luck, Post pics of progress and finished work.(we love pics here...it's like digital crack for moders!)

CrazyBillyBob
Thanks alot guys. Well I'll have to go to Lowes and pick up a hole saw.
I'm probabley going to put a 120mm fan on the top for better airflow and like someone else said, I know to watch out for the space between the psu and optical drive. My psu is actually not that long and my optical drive is pretty short so I think I will be able to fit a 120mm fan in with no problem.
Thanks alot guys for the help.
I really appreciate it alot;) ,

AMD RULES

[Rankenphile]

For those who may come across this thread and are curious, the way to do it with a dremel is pretty self-explanatory, but there are a few steps you can take to make it easier on yourself. First, mask off the area you will be cutting with masking tape. Mark your circle exactly where you want it and then carefully cut away the tape, exposing only the area that will be cut out. This leaves a very clear boundary of what needs to be cut and what doesn't, as opposed to pencil lines that become obscured with dust and scratches once you start cutting.

At this point if you have a drill press you can drill holes around the perimeter of the circle - stay slightly inside the boundary to make sure you leave yourself some "oops" room. Then take your dremel, with the proper cut-away disks, and basically connect the dots. This will leave a lot of clean-up work, but with a good file you can make relatively short work of it. This helps cut down on the total amount of cutting work and leaves you with a very good idea of what you have left to do once you have started.

If you are using a hole cutter make sure to brace the back side with something solid that you can cut into, such as a piece of scrap plywood. This prevents the hole saw from forcing the edge or the entire surface in as it cuts and keeps your piece from getting warped. Clamp it down securely and go to town.

And just as important as the rest of the tips, be sure to follow proper safety precautions - always wear eye protection, and if you are going to be cutting metal wear gloves to prevent painful splinters in your hands.

And most importantly of all, welcome to TBCS.

[AMD RULES]

thanks for the explanation and reply. And thanks for welcoming me here.:)

[Canadian Eh?]

Cut a hole, figure out where you are gonna mount the fan and if you it to look like a blowhole, put a put a little barrier around it and put some bondo to make a very short volcano like thing. sand the bondo and paint