best way to drill holes?

[LAVAB84615]

what do you think would be the best way to drill a hole into an aluminum case without messing up the paintjob?

thanks in advance

 

[akira34]

Ummm, with a sharp drill bit would be my suggestion. Start off small, and then increase to the size you need. If you want to drill 3/8" holes, start off with either a 1/16" or 1/8" pilot hole and then go to your end size. Put something under the material you're drilling into to "catch" the bit as it passes through too. It might also help if you either clamped down the item or had a friend hold it while you drill. Of course, the very best way to drill metal (and most things) is with a drill press. IF you have access to one of those, use it. Otherwise, make sure your bits are very sharp before starting.

 

[LAVAB84615]

do you think putting some painters tape or masking tape around the place where I want to drill the hole will help prevent mistakes or scratches?

 

[Gravity]

Originally posted by: LAVAB84615
do you think putting some painters tape or masking tape around the place where I want to drill the hole will help prevent mistakes or scratches?

Yes, use a tape that will not leave too much residue, like masking tape. It will also work to catch some of the little alum slivers produced by your saw.

 

[Mday]

cut slow also, and secure your tool and the case. and you tape off your entire case or part of the case you'e cutting, not jsut where you;re puting the hole. i've used sacrificial boards undermeath my case panel...

 

[TStep]

Don't forget, those little pieces of steel millings make excellent short circuit devices. Don't let them fall onto the motherboard or any other parts.

 

[helloedchen]

i assume you are talking about drilling a hole as opposed to a blowhole. maskin tape over the area, tap a small pilot, then drill. aluminum lets a drill thru like a hot knife to butter.

if it's a blowhole, grab a holesaw and go with it. just dont go too fast

 

[trexpesto]

Center punching it first will help keep it from slipping off to the side. Stepped drill bits are often used commercially.

 

[LAVAB84615]

thanks for all the replys, ill probably be using my trusty dremel with a drill bit. do y'all think that will work fine?

 

[eastvillager]

dremel is ok, low speed, and drill a pilot hole first, after using a punch or set to mark the very center of the where you want to drill.

Do the normal stuff too, like securing the piece you're drilling, masking both sides, and #1 Take your time. . I see more nasty mistakes from people in a hurry than from patient people doing something wrong.

 

[akira34]

How big of a hole do you need to make??? You won't be able to go that large with a dremel... Better off getting a cheap corded drill (you should be able to get a decent one for under $30 in a hardware store) and some good bits. Good drill bits will last you many, many years (of course, depending on how much you use them). The taping suggestions are good ones, as is the center punch and stepped bits. Just make sure you have something that can be drilled into (wood works really well) under the item before you go. Of course, as already mentioned, secure the work and tool before starting. If you end up getting a new drill, spend the extra money (if you need to) and get a keyless chuck. That makes things ever so much easier.

 

[LAVAB84615]

i have a couple of these fans and I want to take the fan controller part off the drive bay and install it onto the top of my case.

I know its not that big of a deal, but i just really dont feel like messing up and scratching up my case.

 

[Connoisseur]

HOLY CR@P. That's the most expensive case fan i've ever seen. And 103CFM?!? Lordie. Looks damn pretty tho i'll give it that. Just as a suggestion, if you're gonna use this fan as an intake, i would recommend some sort of filter material. I modded an old case to hold a 120mm fan and within a week both the fan and the area under the fan were covered with a thick layer of dust. I bought some Filtrete filter material from home depot for a couple of bucks a sheet. Seems to do its job as long as you have a high CFM fan pulling air in.

 

[LAVAB84615]

lol, yah i have a buddy that bought a bunch of them, didnt use them all, and ended up practically giving them to me...

good idea with the filter stuff though - ill go pick some up after work tomorrow...

 

[LED]

Just get 1 metal strip and tack it on top then bore through...