Help modding a case

[Jayws]

Hey, I have the case listed in my sig and I want to make it look better!. There is some grating in front of the front intake fan and I want to remove that then put a metal piece in place that isn't nearly as much of a blocking thinger. So I'd need a new metal piece and some screws? Then I'm guessing I'd have to drill some holes? I'm just not really sure how to go about it.

I'd also love to cut a piece of metal out of the side of my case, something that takes up most of the space and has rounded edges. Again, I'm lost on how to go about doing this and I don't want to mess up so I'm lookin for some advice.

[NeoSpawn]

Any chance you can get us a photos of your current rig with lil sketches on what you were thinking about?

Im sorry I couldnt understand really what you were asking for totally.

[Jayws]

Here's the inside:
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4396/1003223fg2.th.jpg (http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1003223fg2.jpg)

Here's where I want to put some plexiglass windows, I'm not sure which of the 3 pieces I sectioned off that I should cut out:
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2695/1003222fi7.th.jpg (http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1003222fi7.jpg)

And then I was wondering if it would be worth it to replace the metal covering the front intake fan:
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/4866/1003224wm7.th.jpg (http://img162.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1003224wm7.jpg)

With something like what's covering this fan:
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1320/1003225yf7.th.jpg (http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1003225yf7.jpg)

I dunno, it just looks so plain right now. I just want to do something, anything to make it look better.

[shirker]

no point in modding the front intake fan, nobody will see the mod anyways and airflow won't improve significantly (you could drill the holes and enlarge them though for airflow, or remove it altogether and stick a filter in its place). as for the side panel mod, cut out the upper section but make it smaller so you don't see so much of the drive cages.

[Jayws]

Yeah I meant the front for airflow not aesthetics, there's already a filter on the panel that goes on over it so that's no prob but I still might make the holes wider.

But, how do I cut the side panel out w/o warping the metal, like I said I don't really know how to go about all of this. I'd like rounded edges on the cutout and I also don't know what kind of plexi I'd want nor how to install it.

[shirker]

you might need to go find a friend with a workshop or the like. your best bet would to used a band saw

[spyware]

I always cut out those metal grates (front and back)
Just use a pair of m3 metalsnips and snip around the outside, it gets the temp down a few degrees.
To cut out the window you can tape it off with masking tape, draw your line with pencil. Then drill a starter hole and use a jigsaw(with metal blade) to make the cut.
Unless you have a special design in mind theres alot of cheap window csaes out now, $30 and up

[shirker]

^It would be quite hard to cut rounded corners with a jigsaw though, wouldn't it? Straight/simple cuts are more or less easy to do, but getting a clean rounded corner is exceedingly difficult. at least with a rough job, you could always file/dremel away edges and trim it to fit

[djrussell]

^It would be quite hard to cut rounded corners with a jigsaw though, wouldn't it? Straight/simple cuts are more or less easy to do, but getting a clean rounded corner is exceedingly difficult. at least with a rough job, you could always file/dremel away edges and trim it to fit

nope, you can cut just about any curve with a jigsaw. it definitely takes a little patience or it will look botched but that's the same with anything. don't get a super wide blade or it won't be able to make the turn in the material. for the best finish though, i'd say rough it out with a jigsaw and clean it up with something (preferably a dremel).

[spyware]

Drilling the apropp size hole in each corner first will give you a nice corner,
Dremels are a good purchase if your going to use it often,but you can usually borrow a jigsaw/drill/snips from anyone who has basic tools.
I agree you could cut some nice patterns with a bandsaw

[Navig]

Saw this the other day. (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21616)

Practice Practice Practice. If this is the first time you've ever held a jigsaw, find something to practice on.

[NeoSpawn]

The jigsaw itself makes a difference. I found out that Delta's cordless jig is good for soft metal, or thin, and soft woods. I would imagine a corded jigsaw makes a world of a difference. If you can when you get your jig find some metal scraps and play around with it.

If its hard for you going though it even at a slow speed, either the pattern in small parts lil by little, going in straight lines only. Remember a circle is only a series of straight lines that are very close together.

[djrussell]

If its hard for you going though it even at a slow speed, either the pattern in small parts lil by little, going in straight lines only. Remember a circle is only a series of straight lines that are very close together.

as important as straight lines are....the fact that circles are made of a "series" of them (infinite number) doesn't really help. 99% of the time you want to remove the material inside the circle and the straight lines that "comprise" is are outside.
if you want to practice curves and circles do just that. free hand some curves and draw some circles and see how well you can follow them before you tear into your case.

[astrojunkie]

i just did a window in my ultra case and it turned out good so far, im still in the paint stage but i used a jig saw and when i was done i used a file to get it strait but here a a few pictures hope this helps
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x155/astrojunkies420/Picture002.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x155/astrojunkies420/Picture003.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x155/astrojunkies420/Picture006.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x155/astrojunkies420/Picture010.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x155/astrojunkies420/Picture013.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x155/astrojunkies420/Picture017.jpg
if you need any more help just ask