Wanting to add more fans to side panel of case

[mOeeOm]

My current case is the Antec SLK2650 and I wanna put it more fans on the side panel. I have an electric drill, will that work? If so, how would I go bout it, will it drill smoothly right through or do I need to put something on the case first side panel first? Some sort of lubricant(no silly jokes plz)? Also what would be better and at which spots on the side panel, 80mm or 120mm?

Thanks.

 

[Jojo7]

Your best bet would be to find a hole saw and attach it to your drill. Lowe's or Home Depot has hole saws that will work. From memory, 3.5'' hole saw is the size you want for a 92mm fan and 4.5'' is for 120mm.

 

[JackMDS]

Under No circumstances, you should drill while the Panel is attached to the case.

Go to your local Radio Shack and buy a Nibbling Tool 64-2960 for $12.99

Take the panel off put it on a flat wooden board.

Take a Fan Grill of the size that you intend to use put it on the panel at the spot of you choice, draw a circle around the out side perimeter of the Grill.

Drill one hole that is slightly larger than the head of the nibbler's blade and use the nibbler to cut out the perimeter of the drawn circle.

Drill four holes for the Fan screws and enjoy.

:sun:

 

[Thezeroone]

I like the hole saw in this case. or freehand it with a dremel using jack's suggestion of using a fan grill tracing as your patern. be sure to clean all metal shavings out before putting the panel back on. But honestly, I don't see the point of putting more fans in that case. Its got enough already (assuming you have a 120mm intake fan installed).

 

[mOeeOm]

Originally posted by: Jojo7
Your best bet would be to find a hole saw and attach it to your drill. Lowe's or Home Depot has hole saws that will work. From memory, 3.5'' hole saw is the size you want for a 92mm fan and 4.5'' is for 120mm.

After I make the hole, I will need to drill 4 holes at each corner for the fan right?

 

[mOeeOm]

Originally posted by: Thezeroone
I like the hole saw in this case. or freehand it with a dremel using jack's suggestion of using a fan grill tracing as your patern. be sure to clean all metal shavings out before putting the panel back on. But honestly, I don't see the point of putting more fans in that case. Its got enough already (assuming you have a 120mm intake fan installed).

You can never have too many fans? Or?

But ya right now I have two 80mm fans blowing in(you can't see the 2nd one in the picture, but its in the inside) and one 120mm blowing out.

Also..instead of the hole saw, is it possible after I make the four holes for the corner of the fan, to just keep drilling holes so it will be like the 80mm fan that comes with the case? Just a bunch of holes everywhere.

 

[Jojo7]

Originally posted by: mOeeOm

Originally posted by: Jojo7
Your best bet would be to find a hole saw and attach it to your drill. Lowe's or Home Depot has hole saws that will work. From memory, 3.5'' hole saw is the size you want for a 92mm fan and 4.5'' is for 120mm.

After I make the hole, I will need to drill 4 holes at each corner for the fan right?

Correct. It's easy.
Also, to clean it up big time, after making the hole with the hole saw, put "door edge molding" around the inside of the hole. It makes it look amazing.

 

[mOeeOm]

Originally posted by: Jojo7

Originally posted by: mOeeOm

Originally posted by: Jojo7
Your best bet would be to find a hole saw and attach it to your drill. Lowe's or Home Depot has hole saws that will work. From memory, 3.5'' hole saw is the size you want for a 92mm fan and 4.5'' is for 120mm.

After I make the hole, I will need to drill 4 holes at each corner for the fan right?

Correct. It's easy.
Also, to clean it up big time, after making the hole with the hole saw, put "door edge molding" around the inside of the hole. It makes it look amazing.

Door..edge..molding...that is? :S

 

[Thezeroone]

its this or something similar to it.
http://www.mnpctech.com/UChannel.html

It would be almost impossible to give the hole your making the look of the grill on the side panel. I think you would need a drill press to come close.

Btw I would disagree, you can have too many fans. The antec cases have pretty well designed airflow. Adding more fans blowing in from the side will probably confuse the air flow through the case. It doubt it will worsen the temps of your comp, but it won't have the simple elegance of the well designed flow patern.

 

[mOeeOm]

Ya..decided to leave it alone for now, when I overclock and if i notice bad temps, I'll try adding more fans then.

 

[Oyeve]

Black and decker Dremel and cutting discs. Been using it for years.

 

[arcas]

I've found that a jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade in conjunction with a Dremel-type tool work well for cutting fan openings. Use the jigsaw to rough-cut the opening. This goes very fast...60 seconds or less for my old steel case and no cutting discs to break. Then use the Dremel to fine-tune the opening.

 

[LED]

I use the Jigsaw method myself but whatever you choose when you're ready