Modifying a HeatSink...

[bob4432]

i am modifying a heatsink and need to take off a bit of height. is it better to take a bit off the base and then the rest off the fins or just take it all off the fins?

or should the base be left in tact to absorb as much heat?

or will it not really matter since i could only take 1.5mm off the base and should just take it all off the fins?

 

[Oyeve]

NOT THE BASE! It needs to be perfectly flat and removing from the base will make it near impossible to get flat again.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Oyeve
NOT THE BASE! It needs to be perfectly flat and removing from the base will make it near impossible to get flat again.

i should have stated this will be done on industrial machining equipment, so i can keep the base perfectly flat (it will get a clean up cut anyway just to make sure it is flat, but that will only take off .005-.010 hopefully, the base appears to be pretty flat already so i don't see it needing more than that for a clean up and put a nice finish on it), i just wasn't sure if keeping the base thick helped out.

 

[Oyeve]

In that case, cut the base. You will have to lap it to make it smooth.