Good/Cheap dremel tool

[cowface3]

This is the case that I want to mod.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16811144109

I want to add 2-3 120mm fans to either side of the case. Anyone know of a good but cheap dremel tool? Obviously I don't need the highest quality one because I'm only cutting through plastic and very light aluminum.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Umm, can't recommend any specific models, but what's wrong with a regular drill (if you have one)?

 

[cowface3]

how would I use a drill to cut a hole for a fan?

 

[MegaVovaN]

Depends on how heavy the drill is. If it's light enough to hold in hands, just mark the spot on case with say, Sharpie, mount drill bit in drill and push into marked point while rotating the bit?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill

 

[cowface3]

lol im talking about makin a 12cm by 12cm hole in the case not just the freakin screw holes

 

[MegaVovaN]

Ahh...damn LOL!!!

solution: buy cheap case with paper-thin metal and cut it with scissors :laugh:

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: cowface3
Anyone know of a good but cheap dremel tool?

I have a Walmart house brand unit that cost around $15. Better yet, I've seen (near identical) units at Big Lots for around $20 but those came with a nice carrying case and a zillion spare bits/cutting wheels/etc.

 

[jackschmittusa]

A 120vac, ½" drill and a hole saw work wonders for fan cutouts. You need a quality hole saw to cut metal; not really cheap. When cutting on a non-flat surface, I have a piece of 2x6 with a precut hole in if that I clamp on for a guide. Drillpress works fine on flat surfaces.

IMHO, most Dremel knockoffs are junk. Low power and wimpy torque.

Sabre saw works pretty good too if you have a good one and a steady hand. If you have to rest the shoe on a visible surface, cover it with masking tape first.

 

[JackMDS]

You drill one starting hole with a regular drill, and then you nibble.

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-g...-tool--pi-2289712.html

It really works well. :thumbsup:

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: cowface3
This is the case that I want to mod.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16811144109

I want to add 2-3 120mm fans to either side of the case. Anyone know of a good but cheap dremel tool? Obviously I don't need the highest quality one because I'm only cutting through plastic and very light aluminum.

That's a pretty cool case. I think the 'ticket' would be to pop those panels off and use a drill and a hole saw like Jack suggested.

And if you had a buddy with a scroll saw they could cut some neat designs for your fans/ventilation.

 

[cowface3]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
You drill one starting hole with a regular drill, and then you nibble.

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-g...-tool--pi-2289712.html

It really works well. :thumbsup:

I read somewhere that nibblers can crack plastic. Can anyone shed light on this?

 

[heyheybooboo]

Deluxe Hole Saw Set ? 16 Piece - $12 plus free shipping

Can't argue with Dee-Lux

3-inch = 80mm

 

[Tsuwamono]

or just use a whole cutter... basicly what heyheybooboo said.. dremels aren't accurate anyway.

 

[jackschmittusa]

$12, 16 piece set! Not high end I'm sure. Might be OK for plastic, but I cut metal with mine too. I have individual hole saws that are more than twice that price.

 

[JackMDS]

I am a little surprise. I tried Hole Cutters, I found not suitable for Plastic or thin metal unless one uses a very slow Bench type Drill (i.e not a regular Hand Drill).

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: cowface3
Good/Cheap dremel tool

Anyone know of a good but cheap dremel tool? Obviously I don't need the highest quality...

All Dremel tools are high quality. :roll:

 

[Tsuwamono]

doubt he meant the brand

 

[cowface3]

alright i just went to home depot and bought a 300 series dremel tool

http://www.homedepot.com/webap...53&productId=100599038

and i bought a bunch of these metal cutting disc thingies.

http://www.homedepot.com/webap...84365&N=10000003+90045

I got the right discs right? It just says metal cutting.

 

[zig3695]

ouch... i picked up the same dremel kit at my local menards for $30. oh well, its a good drill, youll like it.

 

[cowface3]

Originally posted by: zig3695
ouch... i picked up the same dremel kit at my local menards for $30. oh well, its a good drill, youll like it.

lol u coulda kept that to urself...

 

[Tsuwamono]

lol ownt. Sorry cow..

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
You drill one starting hole with a regular drill, and then you nibble.

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-g...-tool--pi-2289712.html

It really works well. :thumbsup:

Nibblers are nice and I have one, but they're a PITA on the hands to use, and they're really slow going.

 

[jackschmittusa]

I've cut plastic with nibblers before. The plastic has to have some "give" to it, which most computer parts have. I would think plastic would have to be awfully rigid to crack with a nibbler.

 

[Zepper]

I have a NikoTa variable speed rotary kit that I got for under $30. shipped off eBay. I don't expect to last like a Dremel brand tool, but it works and comes with a flexible shaft. Of course I use only Dremel and Ryobi bits in it, not the junk it came with. But as was said above, a nibbler tool will work fine in the aluminum of that case - al. is easy to cut... Plastic is another story, as you say, don't want to use nibbler on that. You can touch up the nibbled holes in the al. with the Dremel if needed.

The dremel should work well in plastic. Use a side cutting bit on a fairly slow speed so as not to melt the plastic. Here is one side cutting bit:
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/at...188549&G=66357&I=66359
another this tungsten carbide one is for harder metal and will work on plastic too:
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/at...188537&G=66240&I=66303

Be sure to make use of the speed settings guides for each bit and other tips on the Dremel site.

That holesaw set above is for wood and drywall - not for metal. One 4.5" saw that's good for metal (case steel) can cost $30 to $40 with mandrel. But the one above would probably work OK for plastic and aluminum...

.bh.

 

[0roo0roo]

atleast 30 dollars for decent dremel. then you need edge guard type stuff to cover the cuts unless you do some heinous finishing job where you repaint stuff and grind the holes to perfection which would take a long time.

the best bet is to spend more on the case in the first place insetad of trying to mod a cheaper case.

you are trying to build a noise monster? 2-3 120mm on a case like that, you might as well leave the cover off