Fredthered
04-08-2008, 08:58 AM
:welcome:
Are you about to do your first Case Mod ? :clap:
Are you about to :eek: 'carve up' your 'pride and joy' ?
I've just finished, a pc build, with several modifications, using an Antec Nine-Hundred case.
Not exactly the most robust case on the market ! and one requiring special care if 'collateral damage' is to be avoided.
I don't claim to have 'all the answers', by any means, but can maybe cut your heartaches down a little.
Firstly, ALWAYS, wherever possible, 'G' clamp some scrap wood, behind the part of the case you're going to drill.
Some of the Guys, love a 'Dremel' with a cutting wheel. Indeed are 'dab' hands with them.
Personally, I find them a little 'fierce', and (in hands like mine !) all too easy to 'overun' the cut being made.
The actual cutting, sends sparks and minute steel 'filings' everywhere, (at great speed), and I find the neccessary eye-protection makes it harder to see what I'm doing !
(But, Hey! If you think you can handle it) ! :shrug:
So I've had to fall back on the time honoured, (but more laborious) method of, drilling a series of small holes INSIDE the 'scribed' line, of my desired aperture, joining them using either the blade only, of a Junior hacksaw, or a small 'modeller's' rat-tail file, before finally filing to size.
(You can make holes any size or shape you like !)
Shown below, for example, is the inlet aperture I made for a PSU fan.
At: '11 o'clock' the consequences of 'being lazy' and using too large a drill bit, can clearly be seen ! The drill bit causes massive 'trauma' to the surrounding metal as it 'bites through'. (I wouldn't recommend a bigger drill than 5mm on metal like the Nine-Hundred) :
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj16/terminatorphoto/000_0023.jpg
At: '8 o'clock' in the photo, can be seen my attempt with a 'cutting' wheel (in my drill), to join up the holes, and also the (very dangerous) 'razor-sharp' edges it leaves !
Contrast this, with the photo below, (by this time, I had a little more experience). The USB Port, holes in the case, were made using a 2mm drill bit to make a small group of holes, and then joining them with a fine rat-tail 'needle' file. I then used a slightly larger modeller's flat file to finish :
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj16/terminatorphoto/000_0001.jpg
It's a good idea to 'mask' around the area you're working. (just in case your drill or file slips !) :eek2:
Finally, Take your time !
Have a go on a scrap case.
Make up a cardboard template, (if applicable).
Think several times, before cutting once. (You can't 'put it back', you know !) :ROTF:
Do a little, have a cup of coffee (or a smoke), Glare at it,
Show it you mean business, even 'talk' to it ! :cussing: (they like that!).
And always remember, if you ':banana::banana::banana::banana: it up', It wasn't me ! :wasntme:
Post your mods !
Cheers :toast:
Fredthered
Are you about to do your first Case Mod ? :clap:
Are you about to :eek: 'carve up' your 'pride and joy' ?
I've just finished, a pc build, with several modifications, using an Antec Nine-Hundred case.
Not exactly the most robust case on the market ! and one requiring special care if 'collateral damage' is to be avoided.
I don't claim to have 'all the answers', by any means, but can maybe cut your heartaches down a little.
Firstly, ALWAYS, wherever possible, 'G' clamp some scrap wood, behind the part of the case you're going to drill.
Some of the Guys, love a 'Dremel' with a cutting wheel. Indeed are 'dab' hands with them.
Personally, I find them a little 'fierce', and (in hands like mine !) all too easy to 'overun' the cut being made.
The actual cutting, sends sparks and minute steel 'filings' everywhere, (at great speed), and I find the neccessary eye-protection makes it harder to see what I'm doing !
(But, Hey! If you think you can handle it) ! :shrug:
So I've had to fall back on the time honoured, (but more laborious) method of, drilling a series of small holes INSIDE the 'scribed' line, of my desired aperture, joining them using either the blade only, of a Junior hacksaw, or a small 'modeller's' rat-tail file, before finally filing to size.
(You can make holes any size or shape you like !)
Shown below, for example, is the inlet aperture I made for a PSU fan.
At: '11 o'clock' the consequences of 'being lazy' and using too large a drill bit, can clearly be seen ! The drill bit causes massive 'trauma' to the surrounding metal as it 'bites through'. (I wouldn't recommend a bigger drill than 5mm on metal like the Nine-Hundred) :
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj16/terminatorphoto/000_0023.jpg
At: '8 o'clock' in the photo, can be seen my attempt with a 'cutting' wheel (in my drill), to join up the holes, and also the (very dangerous) 'razor-sharp' edges it leaves !
Contrast this, with the photo below, (by this time, I had a little more experience). The USB Port, holes in the case, were made using a 2mm drill bit to make a small group of holes, and then joining them with a fine rat-tail 'needle' file. I then used a slightly larger modeller's flat file to finish :
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj16/terminatorphoto/000_0001.jpg
It's a good idea to 'mask' around the area you're working. (just in case your drill or file slips !) :eek2:
Finally, Take your time !
Have a go on a scrap case.
Make up a cardboard template, (if applicable).
Think several times, before cutting once. (You can't 'put it back', you know !) :ROTF:
Do a little, have a cup of coffee (or a smoke), Glare at it,
Show it you mean business, even 'talk' to it ! :cussing: (they like that!).
And always remember, if you ':banana::banana::banana::banana: it up', It wasn't me ! :wasntme:
Post your mods !
Cheers :toast:
Fredthered