cutting the perfect hole?

[lozina]

what tool should i use to cut a nice looking circle? I hear jig saws mentioned alot but that seems bad for my clumbsy hands... anyone know if there are metal cutting bits for routers? It would be nice to make a perfectly round jig using wood tools then using that as a guide for a metal-cutting router... would make the perfect circle!

 

[Echo42]

get a hole saw

generally the saw size will be a couple MM less than the fan size...works great Make sure you use cutting oil though. You can use it to straight thru the metal if ya want.

 

[tazdevl]

Case Etc. has mandrels (the bit you put in your drill, probably want 3/8") and hole saws for sale. Reasonable prices. Best method unless you have a stamp press with templates for the hole size you're looking for.

Theirs are metric and the proper size. No worried. Be sure to take everything out of your case (I mean everything). When you are done, use a vacuum, followed by wet cloth, followed by a magnet to clean it out. Also, Clamp a piece of wood inside the area you are going to drill. It helps pull the saw through.

If you are going to drill a blowhole do this to measure. Put cdrom in top bay and power supply. Find the innermost points and find the center from there. That's the center of your hole. The reason you do it this way... depends on your case... most cases don't have enough vertical space between the top of the PSU and drives and the top of the case. So if you drill a hole in the wrong place... you end up with a hole that you can't attach a fan to because your PSU or CDRom drive is in the way. The other reason why is that it also gives the fan unobstructed air flow.

 

[AkumaBao]

What ever you do, DON'T buy the adjustable bit with an armature. Learned that the hard way. Though it is hard to find a circular bit 3.25" & 5" in diameter, but they can be found.

 

[KouklatheCat]

I used a bi-metal holesaw I purchased from Home Depot. It has worked great on all of the cases I have modded.

 

[colonel]

go to your local Home Depot and look for the Agresor, is a round metal saw in white color. Take your fan too to compare sizes, because there are many .Get a good drill (I mean one, because is going to be tough)

 

[Viperoni]

<< What ever you do, DON'T buy the adjustable bit with an armature. Learned that the hard way. Though it is hard to find a circular bit 3.25" & 5" in diameter, but they can be found. >>



I cut a 9inch hole using the same tool in 3/4inch MDF for a sub box.....
The secret was the drill press

 

[lozina]

Thanks dudes, i appreciate the advice. i think im gonna go over to the home depot to check out their hole saws =)

 

[Evadman]

I work at HD Armature for said saw = $19.95 3" Hole saw ( 80 mm ) = $7.95

Cut's nice, but you better have a drill press, or the bit tends to wander as you drill deeper. It moves a little even after the center bit is through. Have fun