NEWBIE QUESTION: How do you mod a case to put a new fan in? Thanks! =)

[junthin]

I'm a newbie when it comes to modifying cases, and I was wondering how I would go about putting a nice hole in the case panel (or the top of the case) and then attaching the fan on it. The fan size would either be a 92mm or 120mm. I saw those holesaws, but do you just make a hole and put the fan in? How would you make the screw holes? Any help would be great, thanks!

 

[Tschaft]

Well, if you use a hole saw, then all you havbe to do is get a drill, and drill the holes for the screw out, just make sure they arent too big.

 

[junthin]

Thanks for the help.

So is that the easiest way to get holes for the fans?

 

[shiznut123]

You can always use a Dremel Multipro tool and cut out a hole yourself. My first cut was kinda messed up but it looks all right with the grill on.

 

[junthin]

Yeah, I heard Dremels are very versatile, but they are sometimes hard to use for newbies like me.

 

[ivanov]

how much is one of those dremels?

 

[junthin]

I dunno. Depends on where you buy them from. I'm going to be checking out the local Home Depot or Lowe's. But you can get them online. I think www.caseetc.com has them as well.

 

[Jalapeno]

Use something like THIS.

You won't regret it. Much easier than the Dremel.

 

[junthin]

Yeah, Jalapeno isn't that that a holesaw? I wanted to know how to get the holes now? Since holesaws are the easiest things I can find. But thanks for the site. Much cheaper than the place I was originally gonna get it from.

 

[Croton]

use a holesaw for the fan hole...
and for the screw holes..find a 1/4" drill bit (i think) and just make the holes! measure it out first tho!

 

[SammyBoy]

another silly question, if you put a hole in the side then do you have to leave enough slack in the wire that you can unclip it every time you want to open the side??? seems kinda like a pain to me, or is there something that I am missing?

 

[shiznut123]

Usually the power wire is long enough so you can take the side of the case of. You can get a Panaflo fan from teamawe.com and the can have a custom wire length.

 

[Duvie]

I didn't use a hole saw at all...I laid the 120mm fan done on the side of the case drew the outline...took a circle template drew a 120mm diameter circle, aslo drew inner cicle where the fan motor is. I then drew out 1/8" circles spaced at 1/8" spaces and drilled with an average plug-in drill and drill bit...

I wish I had my dig camera still it looks great...be sure to punch center of 1/8" holes so drill bit doesn't wander and you get nice even line up holes. Air flows smoothly with minimal hampering to the fan...might keep it a tad bit quieter than the other way...This is my fourth case fan blowing across my pci cards.

I then used rubber washer and between case and fan...I need to get a filter.

Next drill vent holes on top front to get to stubborn air that gets caught between back of PS and 5-1/4 bays.

 

[junthin]

Wow, thanks for the responses guys!

SammyBoy, I didn't even think about the slack on the wires for the side fans. Good point. I'll have to reconsider some options I had then.

Btw, the side fans, should they be blowing in or sucking out air?

shiznut123, let's hope the fans I want have long enough of wires.

Duvie, thanks for the alternative method. I'll consider that as well.