will this work - silicon caulking?

[guppie]

Since I don't have a dremmel tool and/or hole saw or whatever else to mod my case, I can't really mod my case to any decent degree. However, would this be a more viable alternative? Please don't throw hand grenades at me if its way off, but rather throw some constructive advice... Or just tell me to forget it!

I want to replace the 2 Sunon 80mm fans in my case (mid-rear and lower-front). Instead of trying to make new mounting holes, couldn't I just use some silicon caulking around the entire perimeter of a 92mm or 120mm fan and stick it to the lower-front part of case? It will basically rest on the floor of the case (maybe use a little silicon caulk underneath) in which I would have flush contact to the front case wall. For no other reason except for lack of ability/tools to mod case to fit larger fan. As for the mid-rear fan, I'm not sure how I'll be able to get that fan to stay in place, cuz eventually (more sooner than later) the silicon caulk will not bond to the case very well, right? Or maybe it will? If it does adhere good, then perfect!, If not, then I guess I will just have to to go with the lower-front fan.

What do you guys think? Does anyone know of a better material to use other than silicon caulk that might give better results? Seems like a pretty reasonable idea, yet it seems to easy. I will give it a try, but can someone tell me before I try it, what do you use to get silicon caulk off? Just so I don't end up with lumps of it on my fingers, case, and fan if it doesn't work out. Hopefullly, my temps will come a little bit as long as it stays in place, right? I'm getting desperate, I know!

[The Overclocker]

what are yopu scared of, just drill new hole, they will be hard to see, or get a dremal, they are very cheap(the copies are anyway)

[William]

if you can't afford a dremel, get a nibbler. The problem is that without a hole there, they are not going to be able to get the airflow they need. You can pick up a nibbler at Radio Shack for $10.

[guppie]

OK, OK... I guess you guys are right. I will look for a cheap dremmel tool. But what is a "nibbler"? Its that like some type of metal cutters or something? How should I go about this as well. Should I cut out the entire front grill (metal) covering the lower-front or should I just make it larger with more vents and leave the metal there to protect the fan? The plastic front plate will be covering everything, so i guess looks don't score much points here. However, I don't want the back grill to look like King Kong went off on my case with a dremmel tool! I want to keep it "Pretty" as my wife would say. Anyone have suggestions or website with pics and instructions? Or anyone have any pics of their own so I can get an idea of what a "pretty" job looks like? Thanks fellas! You gotta admit, that silicon idea wasn't that bad! I was thinking of doing the silicon quieting trick to a Delta HSF and this sparked my stupid idea (i guess).

[William]

a nibbler is this tool Nibbler Tool (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F005%5F005%5F020%5F000&product%5Fid=64%2D823). You drill a hole for the head, and then nibble away at it. It makes a clean edge unlike a dremel and instead of sending little metal shards everywhere it has a nice,visible, and rectangular piece of metal that falls out. The downside is that its slower and can hurt your hand some while using it. For the back, bet a fan guard that are sold just about everywhere on the net. They look good and protect your fingers.

[Burning Phoenix]

Those Nibblers are really nice to use. I bought one from Radio Shack when i decided to make another hole above my original power supply to attach a second one. It took a while but clean up was easier than a dremel for i didn't have to take everything out of the case to which i was worried above tiny pieces of metal flying everywhere. I would of used a dremel if the case was empty though.
About $10 for Nibbler
About $50 for Dremel
You decide

[guppie]

Cool, I'll get the nibbler. I just need to use a drill ti make the initial hole? Or can I start nibbling away at the current opening, cuz the vent slots aren't that small. Also, should I just cut that entire grill (case grill) out so that there is just a large "unobstructed" opening? Heck, while I'm at it, should I go for 92mm or 120mm and where do I get decent fans relatively cheap? Also, someone just throw a decent HSF at me that will work better than this Volcano II for around $20. I remeber seeing the Global Win WBK38 or Gladiator (not Glaciator) w/ Delta38. I figure if this Volcano is giving bearable temps with 80mm fans, then a better HSF (that won't break my wallet) with 120mm fans should drop my temps a little bit more... Then I can keep my OC at 1.35 GHz (9 x 150MHz). Keep the FSB high then go for multiplier is necessary, right?

[TUK101]

Get some self tapping screws and mount your fans with that. The screws can be purchased in any length and/or size that you need and look neat and tidy. Better than a bunch of silicone smudged all over the place, and they are much cheaper than a nibbler. Alls you would need for them is a drill with a philips head bit.

[guppie]

hmmmmm.... Thats sounds like a pretty easy and quick solution too. I might look into that as well. But, I'm going to Radio Shack tomorrow and check out those nibblers. But, can someone please address my question as to whether or not I should get rid of the case grills? Those things only obstruct airflow, correct? I won't need any grill for the lower-front fan, but I will need one for the external side of the mid-rear fan, right? Anyone have any any experience with those Radio Shack fans? Why are they so expensive?