Antec P182 / Custom window

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JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
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P182 window This is the window completed.

P182 Window 2 Just another pic

Side Panel 1 Bottom right corner of glass.

Side Panel 2 Upper right corner of glass.

Side Panel 3 Upper left corner of glass.

Side Panel 4 Bottom right corner of glass.

Side Panel 5 You can see in this picture how the glass is flush with the panel.

Say HELLO to Carrie

I didn't want the drive bays showing, and I am pretty sure I accomplished that.

To hold the glass on the panel, I used 3M part#4010 double sided tape. This stuff works extremely well. I also only used 2 heavy duty cutoff wheels with the Dremel.

Guide coming step by step.





 
Z

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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The case panels of the p180 series are made of a sandwich of aluminum and plastic. IDK for sure what would be best to cut it. I suppose you could run some tests with various cutting tools within the area to be cut out. I hope that others may be able to point you to specific info. You may be giving up some of the noise containment properties of the case by replacing a large portion of a case side with acrylic or polycarbonate which are relatively noise transparent.

.bh.
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
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Yea, I noticed PerformancePCs sell after market Antec side panels for the P180's. But they dont have them for the P182 :(

I am kind of hesitant of *running tests* on the side, even though it would be in the center.

Guess I need to research even deeper.
 
daw123

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
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There are companies that will cut the window for you on a CNC machine. The one I'm going to be using (in the UK) is about $30.00, which I didn't think was too expensive. I suppose the main expense is going to P&P the side panel to and from them.

The CNC machine will easily give you a clean cut through the aluminium, plastic and whaterver else the side panel is made of. (I read somewhere that a CNC machine can cut through 6" thick aluminium)

You could always dig deeper in you wallet and have it laser cut :)

If you choose to cut it yourself, I agree that you need to find out exactly what the panel is made up of. You don't want to ah heck up a perfectly good side panel.
 
mpilchfamily

mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
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Your best option for cutting the side panel is a good jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. Use a 3/8" drill bit to give you a starting point with the saw and go for it.

You could use a dremel with cutting disks but those will tend to give you buggers from the plastic melting.

just be sure to stay just inside your line and then use files to finish off the hole. Should give you a nice clean edge.
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
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Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Your best option for cutting the side panel is a good jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. Use a 3/8" drill bit to give you a starting point with the saw and go for it.

You could use a dremel with cutting disks but those will tend to give you buggers from the plastic melting.

just be sure to stay just inside your line and then use files to finish off the hole. Should give you a nice clean edge.
Click to expand...

Ahahaha...

I have had a lot of those before from previous cutting.

 
daw123

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
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Just out of curiousity, if the steel / aluminium is thin, how do you stop it from bending when you are creating the clean edge?

I understand that you do the majority of the cutting with a jigsaw (keeping inside the line) and finish it off with a file. Or is it better to finish it off using a Dremel?

The reason I ask, is that I'm going to be cutting a large hole in the top of the case for a 360mm long fan grille.
 
mpilchfamily

mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
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A file or a sanding wheel on a dremel is fine. Whatever you can use to clean up the edges and even out the lines of your cut.

On a large surface like the side panel i like to clame some boards on either side of the panel around the cut area. This helps to support the panel to minimize vibrations that could warp it. It also rases the panel off the table to the blade of the jigsaw doesn't damage the table. Smaller areas like the top of the case are faily ridged so vibrations shouldn't be to much of an issue.
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
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Well, I am going to attempt to put a window in the P182 panel. Wish me luck :)

Once I have it completed, I will post a guide to exactly what I did so others have some information.

Because I have searched online for days for a particular guide for this panel on what to do, with no luck.

So here goes !
 
daw123

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
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Good luck.

The guide will probably come in handy when I start attacking my case with the Dremel.
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
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I am guessing that the majority of people who put a window in this case that shows the drive bays, is because on the inside of the panel, it is alot easier to do so since it is raised out in an X pattern. Well not me.

Yea, I agree. My window is only going to show the motherboard compartment. I dont like the look of drive bays. :)

Working on this slowly though, Although I must say, it is looking quite nice :thumbsup:

Will post pics once it is completed.
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
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Well, the window is now cut. The panel has three layers, and each layer has a different size hole cut into it for layering.

Pics coming real soon.

Stay tuned :)
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
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The window is now completed and installed. Just got to add some U-channel now to make it have the professional look.

Pics coming.

By the way, even though the P182 has 3 layers on the side panel, this only took me a little over 2 hours, and it is actually simple.

People would be surprised how easy this is on this case.
 
T

TLW

Member
Dec 7, 2005
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how has removing the sound deadening affected the noise level from the case? i might be tempted with something similar to show off the massve TRUE in my case but quietness takes priority...
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
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TLW,

Well, the case was damn near silent before I installed the window. However, I do NOT notice a difference in the sound what so ever. It is still just about silent. And the case is about 2 feet away from me on my desk.

So imo...no difference :thumbsup:

EDIT: I still have to purchase and put something like U-Channel around the window for the more *professional* look :)
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
89
91
Originally posted by: balloonshark
JPB, I really like the size and placement of the window. Nice work :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

I am not completely finished yet though. Gotta get some U-Channel molding to go around the edge of the window hole.

I am really disliking the red lights now. I think I am going to just remove them and install some Antec 120mm Green LED fans. One above the cpu, on on the IO and two in the front behind the door.

Once I receive the TRUE Black, It may get a blue one.

I am currently writing up a guide on exactly what I did to install the glass. It is alot easier than what I was expecting. It was actually easier than the last case I installed a window in, and it just had a one layer solid steel side panel.

I will be uploading a few more pics here shortly. One of the inside of the panel as well.
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
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Yea, I plan on picking up a digital camera really soon. The pics should turn out ALOT better then.

The ones in the OP were taken with my cell phone :(
 
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