Case Cutting

[BionicSniper]

ok now I have a thermaltake xazer 2 case and i w

nt to put a window in it. Now this is an aluminum case,

atx (5-5.25 bays 2 floppy bays and 4 internal hdd bays)

and empty weighs 30 some lbs. So I am assuming that this is really heavy grade aluminum. What should ishould i use to cut into the case. i am mounting it with nuts and bolts so i need the cleanest cut possible. (also my dremmle wont cut it)

[TheSternMystic]

Dremmel won't cut it...? Literally, or are you saying it's too messy? Usually if you want it nice and clean, you do it rough with the dremmel, then clean it up with a ordinary metal file.

[hardnrg]

you could use a jigsaw... or even a coping saw if you are feeling up to that much manual work...

[crash]

It would be worth it to order a windowed panel rather than try to cut it and fix plexi to it.

[BionicSniper]

i cut plexi glass alot so that not a problem. what about one of thos metle nibblers?

[r_target]

i cut plexi glass alot so that not a problem. what about one of thos metle nibblers?

The nibbler would work, but it's time consuming in the extreme. I'm with Stern Mystic on this one-Dremel tool and file. Or even the rotary grinding bit on the Dremel for cleaning up the rough cut, then filing.

[kobalt]

If you have a bit of loose money, you could get one of those small grinder, you can get one from 40 to $65.

Beleive me there's nothing those small wonders cant cut and they make a darn good finishing job with the proper disk

[BionicSniper]

ya i've tried the grinding disks for my dremmle and thats a no go but are u talking about the big grinders?? also I can get a pc modding nibble from compusa for like 10-15$ so i might do that

[Rabbit]

What kind of bit are you using with that Dremel?

[DECwakeboarder]

go to any hardware store and buy a multi purpose cutting bit, or something like that for a dremel, it looks like a drill bit and is extremely effective, that reminds me that if you absolutly need to you can cut it with a drill bit by making a hole with it and then tracing your pattern

[BionicSniper]

i was useing a heavy cut off disk

 

u guys are talking about thoese drill bits that can be moved like a saw but for a dremmle

[MindDrive]

i use a $12 jigsaw from walmart with the finest tooth saw blade i could find - real fine teeth - and just so you dont scratch the crap out of your case - get 2" wide masking tape and tape 2-3 layers across the whole surface of the metal - this way the metal angle rest/base wont scratch or gouge - plus it makes it a little quieter while cutting it also acts as a template - if you mess up the outline of where you are cutting - you can always peel the tape off and start over

 

if you do wind up using a dremmel and cutting disk - after you are done you gadda wash the case - graphite conducts electricity as does the alluminum (duh like i had to say that :S srry)

 

oh btw r_target - thats a killer sig pic u got there - is that an actual mod???