window mod help..

[Wiseass]

Okay just got my window for the side panel. 12 x 16 I believe or smoething similar to that. Any tips as far as putting it in? I'm going to use a dremel if that's reccomended what bit should I use? That's really about all I've got access to aside from a table saw. Should I center it on the panel, or offset it more over the mobo or what? I've seen pics of em and I like the way they turned out. I'm not sure what case I'm going to get, definately one with a side panel taht comes off and not one complete piece. Any special tricks/tips I'll need to know before putting it in?

Thanks in advance!

[mudguts]

If you can get ahold of one of these (see pic), it will go alot faster and cleaner than using a dremel. Yeah the dremel will work, but I wouldnt use it because ti would be really slow going ...especially if you have rounded corners. As to where you place the window...well thats a matter of personal taste. Let your imagination run wild! If you do decide to use a jigsaw..make sure you use the blades designed for sheet metal...good luck! :D

[Wiseass]

okay I can borrow my dad's jig saw, but what would I use to hold the case down? I mean it's the side of the case, but would it be smart to do it on a workbench or something with a bit of it hanging over the edge? I'll be able to pick up some metal blades for it, that's not a problem. What kind of blade do I need if they make different ones?

[zoopa_man]

for the metal cuting blade you want the one with the finest teeth you can find. Then the saw wont jump all over the place. What I did to cut was just hold the door over the edge of a table and moved it around as I cut. It's a pain but works. I think you'll end up going through a million cuting wheels if you try to use the dremel tool. It took me 10 of them to cut my hole.

[Über~PhLuBB]

Originally posted by Wiseass
okay I can borrow my dad's jig saw, but what would I use to hold the case down? I mean it's the side of the case, but would it be smart to do it on a workbench or something with a bit of it hanging over the edge? I'll be able to pick up some metal blades for it, that's not a problem. What kind of blade do I need if they make different ones?

What I did was set it on 2 cinderblocks. Put the 2 blocks with the "sides" facing up (So you don't have a hole under where you'll rest your palm, also this makes less edges that could catch the metal, and scrape it)

Set a large towel over the blocks, but make certain that about 1/4" of blick is exposed on one side--cut your metal on this side.

Sketch out your design on the INSIDE of your case panel. If you do it on the outside, and aren't able to cut exactly on the line, you won't have permanent marker marks visible.

Drill a 1/2" diameter hole about 1" in from a straight edge in your design. Start cutting from that hole, come at the straight edge at about a 45 degree angle, and cut in an arc, until the jigsaw blade is right on the line you want to cut. Then proceed on with cutting the design out.

Remember to slow WAY down when you're cutting round corners. Come up to the corner slowly, just up to where the curve starts, then shut off the jigsaw. Wait for the blade to stop moving, then you can start to adjust your angle slightly. Don't try to cut rounded corners too tight, you can snap the jigsaw blade, and end up with the jigsaw skittering along your case metal, leaving dents and scratches until you're able to regain control and shut it off. (I attached an image of the tightest cornet I'd reccoment you try to cut yourself.)

If you've got square corners, then you'll need to drill a 1/2" diameter hole by every edge. Cut from the hole to one corner, then take out the saw, and cut from the spot where your arc from the hole the corner meets the line you've drawn, to the opposite corner. Do this on every side, and you'll end up with a straight edge. (Second attachment)

[Über~PhLuBB]

Second attachment. I hope this shows what I'm talking about.