Modding my first case

[Gretzky]

This is gonna be my first mod, im gonna put in a window in my case and i have read many sites that explain how to do this. Im confident and all but parents wont let me, is there a place that can cut the hole for me? Could Home Depot do it?

 

[EKAtBzboyz]

maybe
go ask them?

do you have a shop in your school? maybe you could convince shop teacher to let you in there after school or something (provided you are in school....it seems you probably are since your parents wont let you do it, so maybe its their money or they are worried you cant handle it )

 

[ChrisADuffy]

Gretzky, Your parents are smart - they are just using that excuse to cover up their real reason which is - they know how addictive case modding is. check out this thread where I have posted quite a few links to case mod sites and galleries: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=37&threadid=901493

Good Luck with the window.

 

[deerslayer]

Your parents wont let you physically cut the hole yourself? Or do they just not want you to mod your case at all?

Good luck with the window

 

[Syclone4]

Home Depot won't do it. At least not the one I went to. You may have to try a smaller "mom & pop" hardware store. I ended up using a dremil drill and about 5 or 6 bits. Good luck.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Syclone4
Home Depot won't do it. At least not the one I went to. You may have to try a smaller "mom & pop" hardware store. I ended up using a dremil drill and about 5 or 6 bits. Good luck.

HD will not. I know Lowes will cut stuff you buy there, but don't know about holes. Maybe try a metal shop if you don't want to do it.

 

[Gretzky]

its not that i dont want to do it cause i do but parents dont trust me with tools ehehe.

 

[Ness]

like previously said, HD and Lowes won't do it. Not even for bribes


You best bet is to grab the phone book, open the yellow pages to "metal" and look for things metalworking, metalcutting, etc. and ask if they can do it for you. Be very polite and courteous and people may do it as a favor, since for most industrial size shops cutting a hole in one piece of metal not only takes less than 2 or 3 minutes, but isn't worth the paperwork to document the work done.

W
Things to say:

(Take note if they say their name when answering the phone)

- I was wondering if you have a laser cutter or simliar equipment capable of cutting fairly thin steel very accurately.
- Do you deal with individuals or large orders only?
- This may sound somewhat strange, but I have a panel to a computer case that I would like to make some modifications to, and was wondering if there was a chance you could do the cut for me.
- And what would you charge for the work?
- Sir (or Ma'am) do you mind if I ask your name?
- Do I need to schedule a time to have it done, should I drop it off and pick it up, or can I bring it by anytime?

End the conversation with:
- Well, (name of person) thank you for your time.

one more important tip:
If the first person you talk to says they can't do it, ALWAYS ask if they can recommend someone that can. Call that person, and mention how you were referred to them.
"Yes, I was referred to you through company X, I was looking to have some metal work done and they said that you might be able to help."




All in all, just jot down the questions you might want to ask before you call, and make sure you have paper handy to write down what people say.


Hope this helps!