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View Full Version : Case mod pricing


starlon
02-04-2008, 08:10 PM
I queried an online company about putting a window in my case's side. Nothing fancy, just a large square window so I can keep an eye on the water loop -- or at least keep myself feeling better about having water running inside my computer. They sell the cases with the window already. My email stated I could send them my side in exchange for one of theirs. Well, the reply was a bit shocking. They want 69 bucks for this. I had to double check to make sure he didn't think I was looking to buy a whole new side. But nope, the itemization said no such thing - materials and labor is all that's mentioned. I think he's crazy personally. This company sells case sides for less than the labor cost I'm being asked for, unless you count the specially etched windows, or the higher end Lian Li sides.

Ok, so maybe it's my case's material that has him charging so much? It's pretty thick aluminum I believe. The case is Silverstone's tj07. Are these hard to cut? They sell this case, as I mentioned, already modified with the window, handles and casters, and adding it all up doesn't equal to 69 bucks in labor. In fact, if I had shopped around a week longer I would have seen their cases and saved myself a whopping 75 bucks, according to my math.

Anyhow, just trying to make some sense out of this. Is this guy as crazy as I think?

DShankar
02-04-2008, 08:27 PM
No he's not. IMHO: Labor would probably be at least $15-20. Cutting tools (not an expense but..) = $5. Glass = $10-15. Total = 40. Profit = $29. Give or take $10. He needs to make money...

edit: I would make the window myself if I were you..

starlon
02-04-2008, 08:51 PM
So what happens with those charges when the company makes to order? click (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=158_281)

I don't see this as a highly custom job. It's a square window.

superbowtie
02-04-2008, 09:11 PM
honestly get a dremel, some plexi, and some masking tape and go to work. you can order the black rubber window channel from frozencpu or performance-pcs.

check with your local machine shops, have them cut the panel then you do the plexi. It's not that hard and for 70 bucks?!? If your lucky, you can get a cool shape cut with a waterjet or lazer at the local shop and just put plexi with rivets on the panel backside.

Some colleges with a robotics class(manufactoring style) have the lazer cutting\etching machines... professor may do it for free! :up: