cutting 120mm hole in case

[leegroves86]

I want to cut a new 120mm hole in the bottom or top of my old case. I don't own a dremel but I own a drill. How hard is it to locate a 120mm hole cutter that fits on like a drill bit? 120mm is like 4.7inches??? seems like it might be an odd size. Can i find it at wal-mart or do i have to buy it online?

 

[mshan]

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

May be easier to drill a starter hole, then use Wiss tin snips to cut the hole cleanly. (I got my Wiss tins snips for under $15 at my local Lowes home improvement store).

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: leegroves86
I want to cut a new 120mm hole in the bottom or top of my old case. I don't own a dremel but I own a drill. How hard is it to locate a 120mm hole cutter that fits on like a drill bit? 120mm is like 4.7inches??? seems like it might be an odd size. Can i find it at wal-mart or do i have to buy it online?

120 mm = 4.724". A 4 3/4" (4.75") holesaw will work. Some use a Dremel, others holesaws, I use a jigsaw and clean the hole up with a Dremel. I use a CD-R as a template. It's 119 mm in diameter.

 

[Zepper]

Some of the better fan mfr's (sanyo denki, NMB, etc.) have cutting templates for fans on their web sites that you can download. And here is a page that links to a cutting guide: http://www.overclockersclub.com/guides/blowhole.php

.bh.

 

[Howard]

Good luck if you're doing it by hand. I really messed up the last one I did.

 

[0roo0roo]

120mm bit sounds like a handfull to work with heh. u got an axe? whackity whack whack + hot glue ftw!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm not sure buying the hole-cutter (drill-type) for a one-time use is particularly cost-effective.

Look for a sale at Radio Shack on a "nibbler" tool -- they usually sell for less than 10 bucks but I've got them for half price, and they're at least good for several projects until they weaken and die (usually from application to metal that is too thick.)

I've found that a dremel cutting wheel works very well -- with patience -- on 120mm fan holes. Maybe you could borrow a dremel and cutting wheel.

Also -- suggest you look at some projects at Overclockers.com and other web-sites devoted to case-mods. One mod I've seen adds some cabinet-work to the case, by designing an oak (or other) wood box with a rabbited edge at the top to snugly fit the bottom of a computer case. Air is drawn through filtered holes in the bottom and rear, by a fan flush with a fan hole in the metal case-bottom. With or without foam padding inside the wood box, it is a virtually noiseless fan deployment, and not only can you add more than one fan-hole and intake fan, but the filters and intake ports can be large enough to really increase airflow while keeping the dust out . . . . and the noise in . . . .

 

[Ika]

if you want to be tedious you could draw the outline of the hole you need, then drill every 1cm or so around the edge, then either punch it out or drill more holes.

 

[pacho108]

which one is effective to cut a hole on the side plastic window?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: pacho108
which one is effective to cut a hole on the side plastic window?

The way I'd do it. Drill the fan mounting holes. Sam-itch the plexi between to 1/4" pieces of plywood held together with long 8-32 bolts, mark an X between the bolts and use a cheap hole saw from Harbor Freight in a slow speed 3/8" drill.

Prior to the sam-itch cover both sides of the plexi, in the area being worked, with masking tape to pre-vent scratching. Also direct a fan at the hole saw to keep it kewl.

After the work, chamfer all the dead 90s to pre-vent cracks from starting. Do all mounting holes and the main hole.

The above will ree-sult in a pleasent a-peering holely moley.


...Galvanized

 

[996GT2]

Here this may be useful for you. I made it for when I need to cut the 120mm hole in my Wave Master. It should be exactly 120mm by 120mm (may be off by < .5 mm)

http://img118.imageshack.us/my.php?image=120template9wn.jpg

 

[Greenman]

A good quality fine tooth hole saw is the way to go. Yes, they cost 30 to 40 bux, but they work very well and will cut a lot of holes. A nibbler will also work very well, but takes a lot more time. If you don't want to do it yourself, find a machine shop and have them do it with a punch press. Takes 3 seconds and you end up with a perfect hole.

 

[pkme2]

I used a RotoZip to cut out my 120mm hole on top of my Lian-Li.
You can used a protracter to mark and cut with a drill cutter/grinder to do the job too.
One can used almost any tool, but a clean, neat hole is always firstplace, right?
Your choice.....