Tool to cut a window?

[bluehorizon]

I'm thinking of getting a window kit from frozencpu.com for my v1000b. What do you mod'ers use to cut the holes? What exactly is a dremel...

 

[powerMarkymark]

I used a jigsaw and a very good metal saw in it.

A dremel is a brand name for a rotary cutting tool.

I never used a dremel as they tend to be a little expensive.

Mark

 

[Cheetah8799]

Some guys use a "nibbler". It's a hand held cutter, like a special scissors for metal. Kinda hard to use from what I hear, and may hurt your hands for a big window.

You can also use a jigsaw like powerMarkymark suggested.

I own a dremel. You can get a cheaper one for about $30ish. I use it for a lot of projects, so it is nice to own. You may want one with variable speeds, mine is a set speed. Sometimes it's too fast...

I also own a few sized hole saws that I use on my dad's drill press. They really come in handy for cutting blowholes for fans. 😉

 

[powerMarkymark]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Some guys use a "nibbler". It's a hand held cutter, like a special scissors for metal. Kinda hard to use from what I hear, and may hurt your hands for a big window.

You can also use a jigsaw like powerMarkymark suggested.

I own a dremel. You can get a cheaper one for about $30ish. I use it for a lot of projects, so it is nice to own. You may want one with variable speeds, mine is a set speed. Sometimes it's too fast...

I also own a few sized hole saws that I use on my dad's drill press. They really come in handy for cutting blowholes for fans. 😉

Yes, the hole saw is a must for installing fans.

 

[MeSh1]

I wanna cut a hole for a 120mm fan. Maybe ill borrow a tool or find one thats not that expensive and just buy it. Im hopin to install the fan w/ a suction type device on my hs/f for my cpu.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

a dremel is expensive but will give you the cleanest cut, and is far easier to use than a jig for cutting circles (esp. for plastics, i.e. plexiglass, ceramics, etc.)

 

[Ethex]

The V series side panels are pretty thick make sure to pick up some extra wheels. Dremels are expensive but I'd go with it instead of the off brand. It you treat it right it will last you a lifetime.

Dremel

I go for the cheaper off brand wheels and stuff, I picked up a set at Costco with a ton of sandpaper, wheels and stones for like twenty bucks. If you get the dremel brand stuff you'd get 5 maybe seven things.

 

[cheapgoose]

dremels are pretty cool. but be sure to use the right tool for the right job. holes saws are great, if you wanna save some money, get an adjustable one. if you have a harbor freight in town, you can buy one for under 10 bucks. it's great for aluminium and acrylic. Jigs are great for large windows. and nibblers are good too, but it takes a very long time and it hurts your hand after awhile.

and if you have the space, a drill press wouldn't hurt either. or at least try to get one of those hand drill guides to give you some help. especially with acrylic, you wanna make sure you drill straight.

oh yea, and Harbor Freight has a off branded dremel like tool for about $15 bucks, $10 on sale. and the poster above mentioned Costco, the kit I think he's talking about is $27 and it comes with everything you need and more.

 

[alexXx]

a dremel will be so f'in slow for cutting out a window. drill a hole and use a jigsaw with a metal blade on it, or if you have access to a nibbler(air powered ones are so easy) then it is even better

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: alexXx
a dremel will be so f'in slow for cutting out a window. drill a hole and use a jigsaw with a metal blade on it, or if you have access to a nibbler(air powered ones are so easy) then it is even better

are you nuts? the dremal rotary saw will get the job done in mere seconds.

 

[alexXx]

unless you have tried it, then please dont post your input

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: alexXx
unless you have tried it, then please dont post your input

actually I have (many times in fact), I used to put 3 to 6 inch holes in plexiglass all the time in high school and college building competition subwoofer enclosures. a rotary saw is vastly supier to a jig saw in that situation. A jig saw will get the job done (if you use a fine enough bit), but you'll have to spend a lot more time sanding to get the edge smoothed out, not to mention you have to use a few long clamps (depending on where you plan to cut the hole) to get the glass to be stable enough to prevent the glass from bouncing to prevent errors and breakage.

 

[0roo0roo]

he's not sawing plexi, he's doing steel... dremel go slow as heck on hard steel.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
he's not sawing plexi, he's doing steel... dremel go slow as heck on hard steel.

ahhh, the first post reads like he bought a window kit and wanted to cut a hole in the window.

 

[imported_Smithy]

Originally posted by: alexXx
a dremel will be so f'in slow for cutting out a window. drill a hole and use a jigsaw with a metal blade on it, or if you have access to a nibbler(air powered ones are so easy) then it is even better

Excellent !!! Air tools will get any job done faster. Never thought to use such power on fine sheet metal and acrylic work.

Just get a drill, a hole saw, and some A claps. Clap the acrylic to a flat 2x6, or what ever you got lying around, secure the 2x6 to a bench and drill as straight perpendicular as you can. Drill at high RPM and don't stop once you start. Be sure to mark it out first or course.