Cutting Plastic

ZachM · Nov 22, 2003

I am currently in the process of modding a full tower. I want to cut out areas of the front (plastic) bezel so I can replace it with modders mesh so the front fans can get airflow. Now I'm wondering what you guys use to cut plastic. I was thinking about buying a mini hacksaw from the hardware store. Instead of having the band around the top, the blade just sticks out the front. That way I could grind down the tip of the blade a bit so I could get it in a hole to start my cut. I was wondering if you guys have any better ideas. I could chain drill it, but that sucks to get smooth afterwards. Anyways give me some ideas if you have any.

Stedeman · Nov 22, 2003

A Dremel dose a good job also a soldering iron with selectable temp 300-350F and it melts the plastic and works like a hot knife in butter

ZachM · Nov 22, 2003

Don't want to use the Dremal because it is near impossible to get decently straight lines. It always melts the plastic, and then you have wavy cuts. I don't like the idea of melting it out either. Too risky to the surrounding areas.

Stedeman · Nov 22, 2003

Only other thing is a small saw like a key hole saw (hack saw blades are for cutting metal and will clog up real fast)

hawtrawkr · Nov 22, 2003

you can use a small hacksaw blade or a keyhole saw like stedeman mentioned just dont saw like you would cut wood or metal make slow strokes then bull saw up out and repeat and you shouldnt have to much trouble with it melting on you as you cut

ZachM · Nov 23, 2003

Ok, thanks. I'll take a look at keyhole saws.

weponhead · Nov 23, 2003

Keyhole saws are a little too rough i think , and if your careful with a dremel you can get straight lines without melting the plastic, you can get a Cutting bit for your dremel instead of using a cutoff disc.. cutoff disks arnt really made for what your implying, you can get a hacksaw with a slightly rough blade and use that, it should work fine.. personally if i could i would use a jigsaw with a plastics cutting blade and dont run it too fast.

Robrules18 · Nov 23, 2003

jigsaw.

sounds like a jigsaw, is what your looking for, but make sure you drill a pilot hole first or it might walk off into some where that shouldnt be cut or wors, your fingers.

Captain Slug · Nov 24, 2003

Robrules18 said:
jigsaw.

sounds like a jigsaw, is what your looking for, but make sure you drill a pilot hole first or it might walk off into some where that shouldnt be cut or wors, your fingers.

Also, use a jigsaw blade meant for plastics. It will help get you a much smoother cut edge.

KfistoRok · Nov 24, 2003

Dremel at low rpms shouldn't really burn the plastic.

hawtrawkr that avatar looks like Kenyon Martin with face paint.

juliendogg · Nov 24, 2003

there is a carbide cutting wheel that u can use in a dremel. works a whole lot better than cut-off discs for plastics.

J.

ZachM · Nov 25, 2003

Hmm, jigsaw. I have one, but it is old and crappy. juliendogg, are you talking about those little metal "saw" looking discs that mount in a Dremal? Like the ones that have teeth. Post a pic if it is something different.

Strida · Nov 26, 2003

KfistoRok said:
Dremel at low rpms shouldn't really burn the plastic.

If you turn your dremel up enough it will kick the old (melted) plastic out before it melts together. This'll make your cutting disc kinda gross after a while though.

Orange Fire. · Nov 27, 2003

Personaly if i was modding my computer i would just go with a small Saw. Unless you want to be a perfectionist.

touser · Nov 27, 2003

I personally use a table saw with a carbide tip blade and it works great, but only if you want to cut perfectly strait lines.

ZachM · Nov 27, 2003

I have access to a friend's table saw, but my design involves curves.

Cutting Plastic

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