Can a dremel cut through thin sheet metal?

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jtvang125

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2004
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I need to cut out the mesh vents on my computer case to allow better airflow. At the moment there's a whine and slight whooshing noise possibly caused by air turbulence. The case is made of steel sheet metal. Can a dremel cut through this?
 
R

Ramma2

Platinum Member
Jul 29, 2002
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Yes but make sure to take all components out of the case before cutting, and blow out the case really well after you cut. Metal shavings are obviously not good for PC parts.
 
O

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
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I've cut 1/4" angle iron with a dremel.

Yeah it takes a while, but it works.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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it's more likely your fan being cruddy rather than your vents. get a nice FDB scythe.
 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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It will work, but unless you're really good, it will be sloppy as hell.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
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Originally posted by: Eli
It will work, but unless you're really good, it will be sloppy as hell.
Click to expand...

They have an attachment that works as a guide, I think.
 
JasonSix78

JasonSix78

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Mar 5, 2005
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Originally posted by: jtvang125
I need to cut out the mesh vents on my computer case to allow better airflow. At the moment there's a whine and slight whooshing noise possibly caused by air turbulence. The case is made of steel sheet metal. Can a dremel cut through this?
Click to expand...

Yes it will but you'll need to pick up some cutting wheels for it. Be sure to buy the reinforced kind and wear safety glasses.

Like this.
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
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buy the reinforced fiberglass cutting wheels. they are much stronger and last longer than the standard thin wheels that tends to break off and throw shards at your eyes.
 
F

funkymatt

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2005
3,919
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make sure you get the right cutting disc, and wear eye protection! you can also get some plastic sheath to go around the sharp edge and make it a little cleaner.
 
M

mshan

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2004
7,868
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Tin Snips:

"Dremels, the ever present. I admire and appreciate the one-tool versatility of dremel cutting, and have no argument with the many excellent results. Dremels have good strengths for modding: they can cut a line across/through an existing corner, drill-grind-polish, and do touchups. And they work in almost any material. I do however dread the notion of using them much for most sheet metal cutting. They are just slow.

I recently spent two years working in a sheet metal shop. There are lots of fancy big special tools (makes you drool), but the most basic hand tools still do most of the work. My favorite way to cut metal is with Red+Green tin snips (yes you need both). With a little practice you can work honest miracles in mere minutes. Oddly, computer people just never seem to use tin snips, as though they don't exist. I don't get it, since they are my first choice.

Tin snips cut anything from aluminium to stainless steel, from tinfoil to 32 guage (very thin like PSU's) up to 16 guage (thick like a credit card). Thinner is generally easier. Way too thin (tinfoil), very hard (stainless) and very thick (20-16 guage), can all get more challenging, but can still be done very well. Everything in between those extremes is just plain spiffy."

http://www.silentpcreview.com/...s/viewtopic.php?t=2307




edit: This was done with those recommended Wiss tin snips (basically Antec SLK3700 clone with same thick quality steel; very easy and you don't end up with tons of metal fragments all over the place)
 
radioouman

radioouman

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2002
8,632
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0
I agree on the tin snips.

But i've also used a dremel to cut out a u-joint from a drive shaft.
 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: mshan
Tin Snips:

"Dremels, the ever present. I admire and appreciate the one-tool versatility of dremel cutting, and have no argument with the many excellent results. Dremels have good strengths for modding: they can cut a line across/through an existing corner, drill-grind-polish, and do touchups. And they work in almost any material. I do however dread the notion of using them much for most sheet metal cutting. They are just slow.

I recently spent two years working in a sheet metal shop. There are lots of fancy big special tools (makes you drool), but the most basic hand tools still do most of the work. My favorite way to cut metal is with Red+Green tin snips (yes you need both). With a little practice you can work honest miracles in mere minutes. Oddly, computer people just never seem to use tin snips, as though they don't exist. I don't get it, since they are my first choice.

Tin snips cut anything from aluminium to stainless steel, from tinfoil to 32 guage (very thin like PSU's) up to 16 guage (thick like a credit card). Thinner is generally easier. Way too thin (tinfoil), very hard (stainless) and very thick (20-16 guage), can all get more challenging, but can still be done very well. Everything in between those extremes is just plain spiffy."

http://www.silentpcreview.com/...s/viewtopic.php?t=2307




edit: This was done with those recommended Wiss tin snips (basically Antec SLK3700 clone with same thick quality steel; very easy and you don't end up with tons of metal fragments all over the place)
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

I was going to recommend some of that rubber molding stuff regardless, to get rid of the sharp edges.
 
buck

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
Originally posted by: Maximus96
buy the reinforced fiberglass cutting wheels. they are much stronger and last longer than the standard thin wheels that tends to break off and throw shards at your eyes.
Click to expand...

This^, i will never use the standard wheels again for anything like a case door.... I had scratches and scabs for weeks.
 
eplebnista

eplebnista

Lifer
Dec 3, 2001
24,123
36
91
Originally posted by: JasonSix78
Originally posted by: jtvang125
I need to cut out the mesh vents on my computer case to allow better airflow. At the moment there's a whine and slight whooshing noise possibly caused by air turbulence. The case is made of steel sheet metal. Can a dremel cut through this?
Click to expand...

Yes it will but you'll need to pick up some cutting wheels for it. Be sure to buy the reinforced kind and wear safety glasses.

Like this.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link! :thumbsup:
 
D

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
81
Will it cut thin sheet metal?! Does the tin man have a sheet metal cock?

Heh, I've actually done the same exact thing you want to do with a dremel. I borrowed a buddy's dremel and I think was just a regular old cutting wheel. It needs to be cranked up pretty high but it cut it okay.
 
Jeff7

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
19
81
Originally posted by: Maximus96
buy the reinforced fiberglass cutting wheels. they are much stronger and last longer than the standard thin wheels that tends to break off and throw shards at your eyes.
Click to expand...
Agreed. They're a bit more expensive, but they last a LOT longer.

 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
Originally posted by: Jeff7
Originally posted by: Maximus96
buy the reinforced fiberglass cutting wheels. they are much stronger and last longer than the standard thin wheels that tends to break off and throw shards at your eyes.
Click to expand...
Agreed. They're a bit more expensive, but they last a LOT longer.
Click to expand...

Ebay, I got a hundred of them for 10 bucks or so and they work great.
 
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