Putting holes in the case: Dremel vs. Plasma Cutter

[BrunoPuntzJones]

has anyone tried to use a plasma cutter on a case instead of going the dremel route? seems like there would be less crap (shavings etc) if using a cutter. i need to put a 80 on top an 80 on back, a 92 on the side, and a 120 on front. lots of cutting. only problem is the plastic front (which i'll dremel). just wondering if anyone has tried a plasma cutter and what the results were (bad burn marks, etc). i may go this route as i dont have a dremel that's strong enough nor want to shell out for bits/discs. i can use the cutter for free.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

humm, this was supposed to be in case/cooling...sorry

 

[mschell]

A plasma cutter would be fine for cutting the case sheet metal. It imparts very little heat to the area outside the cut when done correctly. The only problem I see is guiding the cutter accurately enough to minimize the grinder work to clean up the hole. You could try clamping a round object such as a can to the surface to serve as a guide. The cutting rate on thin material has to be very fast so I doubt if it could be done freehand with good results.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

humm...well this would be done on a case top and a case side. so pretty thin. i didnt think about having to go fast...was just going to trace the hole with a grill and go at it. that's why i was curious

 

[The Sauce]

A plasma cutter, eh? That makes me think....maybe I could borrow the argon beam coagulator from the hospital OR...or maybe the harmonic scalpel ...heh heh. Then the metal would really fly.

 

[SammyBoy]

plasma cutters are expensive!

do it ! do it!

where do you have/have access to one?

 

[WarCon]

It will most likely make the thin metal around the holes very brittle. So make sure you drill the screw holes before you cut or use the torch to do them too.

 

[thevillageinn]

if you practiced enough, you could get to a point where the burn/scorching of the metal and paint could offer up a nice industrial effect. you could also paint the whole thing before hand so that you don't ruin the burning by painting over it...this effect could look really cool on the screw holes as well

 

[MaxDSP]

Where can I get Dremels and how much do they cost?

 

[trenchfoot]

i have had good results cutting fan holes with plasma cutter in 'puter cases. the only added advice i can offer when using a plasma cutter on a 'puter case is to surround the HAZ (heat-affected zone) with wet rags on both sides of the sheetmetal (with grounding directly to metal being cut) or better still heat barrier putty; and to drill a starting hole that is located very near to but inside of the actual diameter of the hole being plazzed.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

worked fine.

used a cutter on the top, the edges (about 1/8") around the hole were down to burned aluminum (paint was burned away). the fan grills cover it up fine. ill have to take pics and show. i had forgotten i had access to hole saws that made things a ton easier. after that one hole i made the rest with the hole saw and were all perfectly sized. drilled the holes and mounted the fans/grills.

1x120+1x92 intake
2x80+power supply+pci slot exhaust

 

[RPB]

if you can find a shop with cnc plasma machine and a skilled setup person you can have holes or designs cut very acurately.
the rig at the shop where i work can do this and it is only a hand held cutter fitted to a cnc controled table powerd by a packard bell pc.
total cost of about 10k which is pretty cheap and it came with software that can create a tool path from a .jpg or .bmp

 

[Sukhoi]

<< Where can I get Dremels and how much do they cost? >>



Just about any decent hardware type store. A Dremel is just a brand name for a rotary tool.

 

[rickn]

I just a hole saw to cut holes in mine. you need some 1/4 lumber and some clamps. Mine came out real pro, perfecty round, no damage from slipping etc. That is how I would do it again too.