Cutting out the fan 'grill' on my case. wondering how to go about it.

[KillaKilla]

I have a case with terrible fan grills. See here.

How should I go about cutting out the grills on the back of the case? I have 2 more wire grills but I can't get a hacksaw edge onto the grill, and I don't have a dremel. Any suggestions?

 

[beatle]

Time to buy a Dremel. Seriously! Sometimes it's just time to bite the bullet and buy a tool that you can use for years to come on several projects. They're only $30 or so on ebay.

 

[KillaKilla]

Originally posted by: beatle
Time to buy a Dremel. Seriously! Sometimes it's just time to bite the bullet and buy a tool that you can use for years to come on several projects. They're only $30 or so on ebay.

awww damn. Is there no other way?

 

[beatle]

You might try a nibbler. I've never used one myself, but I've heard of people using them in case modding. It'll be significantly more work than a Dremel, however. Here's one at Harbor Freight. I believe Radio Shack also sells them, but they're probably more expensive.

 

[klah]

Dremel. After buying it you will realize their are a dozen other reasons you needed it. Just make sure you get the variable-speed and not the single-speed.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea, shred a screw? dremel a new grove in.. or cut off its head. cut something like pipe? sure! engrave? ok... sand.... its got lots of uses.

 

[trexpesto]

Other ways:
hammer and cold chiesel, dikes, jigsaw w/metal blade, angle grinder, plasma cutter, welding torch, shotgun

 

[Zap]

I'd recommend against buying a nibbler. It is very labor intensive to use and the handle on the one I have kinda presses uncomfortably into the hand. Also, I paid $10 for mine. I bought an off-brand rotary tool at Walmart for $15 and have used it for many projects. It is variable speed and will take the normal (not the thinner) Dremel attachments. Very worthwhile at $15. Well, you'd probably want to buy a kit with it for around $8 that includes the basic bits plus the cot-off wheel bit with a pack of wheels. Otherwise you can use tin snips (but you'd have to buy them if you don't already have) or some diagonal cutters, but then the edge will look chewed up and be very sharp.

 

[Safeway]

Get a Dremel. If yous be a po' bastage, use wire cutters and make sure never, ever to touch your case again; else, you will pull back bloodah fingahrs.

 

[Delbert]

Yes, those look very restrictive and need removed. I'm a jigsaw man myself.

 

[Delbert]

I just noticed the front intake cutout. Same with the PSU opening. These are a breeze to open, because you only need to cut the little pieces bridging the outer ring.
Whatever you use, always cut just inside the line so you can file to the line and end up with a nice round hole. Not one that looks like some animal chewed it way thru.

 

[irishstag]

I removed all the plastic or painted parts of the case and had my dad take a reciprocating saw to those stamped fan grilles. With some rough filing afterwards, it worked really well. Loudest noise I've ever heard, though.

 

[gotensan01]

Everyone is saying Dremel. I actually just purchased one on ebay for about $24 after S/H. I was also thinking about RotoZip. Remember all the cool infomercials? I think it's made by Bosche (if this is correct spelling) which is a good thing. Either way, buy one and rip your case apart!

 

[Blain]

I cut out the factory grills on just about every case I work on. I use a jigsaw with a good Dewalt metal cutting blade.

 

[gotensan01]

btw, how do you guys get nice circle cuts with a dremel?

 

[Wedge1]

Hi all,

I say use Wiss Tin Snips. They cost about $11 at Sears. Don't buy the cheap red/green/yellow combination of some other brand that you might see. Wiss is the brand you want.

Have a look at this tutorial . This guy knows his stuff.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Wedge1
Hi all,

I say use Wiss Tin Snips. They cost about $11 at Sears. Don't buy the cheap red/green/yellow combination of some other brand that you might see. Wiss is the brand you want.

Have a look at this tutorial . This guy knows his stuff.

Yup, I also used Wiss tin snips to mod a $200 case. Then I used some small rubber pipe, slit it open w/ a razor blade and covered the edge of the hole with it.

 

[peonyu]

I cut out the fan grills on my case with a small pocket-knife [no joke]. All i did was put the end of the blade into one of the holes then seesawed the blade [carefully] until the bridge between the holes snapped. Once done all it took was 5 minutes of filing and it looked just as good as if it was done with a dremel and it didnt cost a dime.

 

[Wedge1]

Wiss Tin Snips and C strip Window/Fan molding. The finished product will look professionally done.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: irishstagLoudest noise I've ever heard, though.

I always use eye and ear protection when using my rotary tool.

 

[gotensan01]

I assume you use the cut off wheel when cuttin out the circles with a rotary tool. Doesn't this make a jagged circle? I figured that since the diameter of the wheel is kinda large, when you cut you basically cut a straight line that is about 1/4" long.

 

[xbassman]

I have done many with my dremel, but I have to say that my hole saw attached to a variable speed drill is now my favorite way!.
(It makes perfect holes!)

The one I have is 76mm (3" I think)

Although I learned the hard way recently to cut out a 2x4 or something first to use as a guide. Clamp your guide to your case and go! I cut a hole in my alluminum case in about 3 seconds using an 18v drill. Using my cordless dremel One hole uses up my battery and I have to recharge.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
yea, shred a screw? dremel a new grove in.. or cut off its head. cut something like pipe? sure! engrave? ok... sand.... its got lots of uses.

Have a screw that's just too long? Slice it in half. (Just don't touch it right away, as you'll get one hell of a nice burn.)
I love having a Dremel around.

btw, how do you guys get nice circle cuts with a dremel?

Cut it roughly circular with the cutting wheel, then use a sanding bit to round it out and make it slightly less sharp than a surgical scalpel.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: gotensan01
I assume you use the cut off wheel when cuttin out the circles with a rotary tool. Doesn't this make a jagged circle? I figured that since the diameter of the wheel is kinda large, when you cut you basically cut a straight line that is about 1/4" long.

Don't necessarily need to use a cutting wheel. For my side fan, I used a router-type bit with my dremel. Also used the "router" attachment. Looks like cone-shaped plastic thingy you hold on to when using the dremel.

Edge was fairly smooth, used a grinding stone attachment to smooth it further. Circle wasn't perfectly round, but it's hard to tell when you get the grill screwed on. So it looks pretty good.

Even if you use the more common (less expensive) cutting stone, you can smooth it out pretty good with a grindstone attachment.

 

[0roo0roo]

well when dremeling case fan holes i do square holes with slightyly rounded diagonal like corners.... if you look at the fan, thats how it is too. there are fan templates on google...http://www.moddin.net/news2.asp?mnth=2&yr=2002

you'd have to be slightly mad to go for a round circle with a dremel.