PDA

View Full Version : A quickie fan mount


Drum Thumper
02-15-2007, 05:42 PM
Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but to get my feet wet (and since mother nature is being somewhat nice this weekend) I've decided to add a fan to my music server, which is currently residing in a rather cramped Micron case.

I had to replace a fan in 'Blue', as the one right next to it got cracked somehow. Zipzoomfly.com had a special going on CC lighted fans, so I picked up two to put in Blue. Rather than just having this spare fan laying around, I've decided to chop away @ the Micron side panel. On a side note, this case IS going to get replaced, http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6582 for more info on the two cases I might be acquiring in the not too distant future.

And please, forgive the crappiness of the pictures, the only camera I have that works worth a damn atm is on my cellphone.

Anyways here's the plan:

I'm going to take this side panel:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/case1.jpg

mock up a template like so(props to sgtm for the template!):

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/case2.jpg

obligatory closeup, fear my masking tape skills!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/case3.jpg

and dremel the bejesus out of it.

More pics either tomorrow or Saturday!
Drum Thumper
02-16-2007, 08:46 PM
Bump to get this moved to the how to section.

Pics later tonite as well.
SgtM
02-17-2007, 02:12 AM
Cool man. Glad to see this one kick off. Enjoy the template
Drum Thumper
02-18-2007, 05:25 AM
This damn side panel is 95% plastic!

Lemme tell ya, it ain't pretty.

I'll get some pics up tomorrow night--need to buy batteries for my crappy camera.
nil8
02-18-2007, 03:31 PM
That looks like a dell side panel.
There's a thin bit of steel on the inside and thick plastic shell outside.

If it looks bad, maybe some 80 grit sandpaper could clean it up?
Omega
02-18-2007, 03:44 PM
Holesaw. =]
Drum Thumper
02-19-2007, 06:49 AM
Holesaw. =]

Yeah I shoulda bought a bigger holesaw than what I started out with.

Spaced buying the batteries today, I'll have to get em tomorrow.

FWIW, 3 1/2" holesaw ~= 80mm fan hole.
Drum Thumper
02-20-2007, 04:59 AM
As promised, here's the carnage:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/Picture004.jpg

Sorry about the photo quality, my camera sucks. It's on the 'needs to be replaced' list.

I'm gonna try to sand it somewhat smooth and get a decent grill guard on it.