Dremel or Jigsaw for case holes?

[Psyche911]

So,
Now that I've been looking into a jigsaw, I'm thinking it might be better for what I need but I wanted to know what people here thought.

I'm going to be cutting out a hole in the front of my case big enough for twin 120mm fans. That part isthick aluminum, not the thin stuff like the sides & top are made out of. I think 1mm thick. In addition, I may in the future add a blowhole and/or enlarge my side fan to a 120mm fan (side is clear plexi).

No detailed cuts, just holes really. Would you all get a Dremel or a jigsaw for that kind of stuff?

The only reason I can think of getting a Dremel over a jigsaw for this task is for the sanding of the holes afterwards it would do a great job.

Any input?

[echow87]

120mm hole saw drill attachment to use on power drills?

[LFATB]

Holesaw or jigsaw, since the stuff is thick, jigsaw>dremel

[NeGe0]

120mm hole saw drill attachment to use on power drills?

Definitly get you some hole saws...your cuts will be nice and clean not like a jigsaw.

[Psyche911]

I don't think the drill I have is strong enough for a 4.5" holesaw. It's only like a 9.6v cordless. Plus, the front hole will not be rounded, it'll be a rectangle like my heatercore.

Sounds like a jigsaw is the way to go.
Hopefully I can get one somewhat cheap.

Thanks all.

[lalPOOO]

Depends on the kind of cutout you want and the type of metal. For aluminum I personally wouldn't bother with the jigsaw unless I was doing something very square like or with simple shapes, or in a hurry. On an aluminum case the dremel cutting discs cut through it with a fair amount of ease so that'd probably be my weapon of choice. As for steel cases, there are really 2 different kinds. Theres the cheap thin steel cases, and the thick steel cases (such as the antec cases). For the thin steel cases I generally just treat it like I treat aluminum, as its not really much harder to cut. For the thick steel cases I would suggest the jigsaw, and then the dremel for clean up work. Using the dremel for thick steel will almost literally burn through cutting disks.

[Fun Guy]

A holesaw would be my first choice. They also make some pretty nifty tin/metal snips that are much more accurate than the snips of old, might be the easiest, cleanest way to do it.

[dqniel]

dremel...much more control and cuts through aluminum just fine. i cut through the side of my old full-tower inwin steel case with a dremel. it took a long time, but i'm glad i did it with a dremel because the cuts are smooth and where they are supposed to be.