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Cutting case metal

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - Cutting case metal

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jay_l_a   10-01-2008 at 07:47:22 PM

Hey,
Anyone know a good way to cut out a piece of metal at the back of an old PC case?
I was going to use a mini hack-saw, but I'm worried about metal shards (read: I'm lazy, the pc in question is junk, and I can't be bothered removing the components first).
Any ideas?
Thanks,
J

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yathink13   10-01-2008 at 08:08:11 PM
- 0 +

I use a dremel to do all my case mods. You are going to end up with some dust/shaving no matter how you do it. Best way I can think to maybe keep the particles out of the box is put a fan inside the case blowing out and tip the case so that gravity pulls the particulate matter away from the site.

Reply to yathink13
orangegator   10-01-2008 at 08:08:21 PM
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Use a dremel tool or other rotary cutter. Cover the motherboard and components with a towel to keep out the dust and sparks created. I've done it and it's worked fine.

Reply to orangegator
JohnnyLucky   10-01-2008 at 08:12:35 PM
- 0 +

I agree with yathink13 - the dust and shavings will wind up everywhere. Any chance you are going to cut a hole for a fan? I use a hole saw attached to a drill to make the holes.


Message edited by JohnnyLucky on 10-01-2008 at 08:15:54 PM
Reply to JohnnyLucky
dobby   10-01-2008 at 09:16:07 PM
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yup a dremel is the way to go, get a dremel brand dremel, not a generic rotary cutting tool.

Reply to dobby
huron   10-01-2008 at 09:21:26 PM
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I've used a drill and a hole saw for bigger holes. Other than that, I would use a dremel tool as suggested.

Reply to huron
IH8U   10-01-2008 at 09:30:41 PM
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Dremel, Jig Saw w/ metal blade (will need a drill for this approach), or Tin Snips (Same as before, use a drill first).

I'd go for the Dremel, less hassle, but more mess (WEAR GOGGLES) the cutoff wheels can shatter and go everywhere.

Reply to IH8U
yathink13   10-01-2008 at 09:44:08 PM
- 0 +

There is actually a metal cutting attachment for the dremel that looks kind of like a drill bit. I like it alot more than the cutting discs for detail work. Just trace a template onto the metal and then i use the etching attachment to get a shallow line, then the heftier cutter to follow the line.

Reply to yathink13
ZOldDude   10-01-2008 at 10:05:16 PM
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What exactly are you trying to do?

When I build a new system I always take the new case and -remove- the exit fan cover(s) to get that extra 80% air flow (no matter how large the holes you have the "air dam effect" ).
I first drill out a hole large enough to insert a tool called a nibler and cut away.

------------------------------ *While we crash and burn, small, low tech, agrarian societies such as the Hmong in the mountains of Laos will continue on without so much as blinking an eye.*
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grieve   10-01-2008 at 10:20:44 PM
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Depending on the size of the hole a drill can be perfect, even better then a dremel... for say 1 inch holes..

If you need a big area like a fan opening then for sure a dremel or a router is needed... Dremel ftw. Do not try a hack saw, itll make a nasty mess of the metal, ripping it and what not.

Reply to grieve
piratepast40   10-01-2008 at 10:39:46 PM
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If I read right, you're worried about metal "shards". Wear gloves and file down the sharp edges when you're through. Let's face it, if it's old and you really don't care about the components inside, try a 30.30 or a 38 magnum hollow point and file down those edges :-).

Reply to piratepast40
roadrunner197069   10-01-2008 at 10:53:59 PM
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Oxygen Aceteline blow torch, or plasma cutter. LOL!

Reply to roadrunner197069
jay_l_a   10-01-2008 at 10:59:48 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm building up an old junker from parts laying around. I'm having to change out power supplies. The case is an old Dell case, and the old power supply has no ON/OFF rocker switch.
The case only has a small hole for the power cable to attach, but the new power supply has rocker switch. Hence I need to make the hole bigger..

I'm thinking I'll go with the dremel attachment.

------------------------------ GA-X38-DS4 (BIOS F3)||E8400 C2D (3.6GHz)||2x 1Gb Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 4-4-4-12||320Gb WD Caviar||2x 750Gb WD Caviar||Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W||2x HD4870 512Mb(Crossfire)||HT Omega Striker 7.1
 Reply to jay_l_a
stoner133   10-01-2008 at 11:09:14 PM
- 0 +

Shaped charge or thermite charge

Reply to stoner133
thogrom   10-01-2008 at 11:23:46 PM
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I like a tank shot =D

might be a BIT TOO BIG

but it will provide great airflow

Reply to thogrom
bobbknight   10-01-2008 at 11:42:48 PM
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Sheet metal nibbler will work, but it leaves jagged edges.

Reply to bobbknight
grieve   10-01-2008 at 11:51:11 PM
- 0 +

$50 bucks will get you a cheap case... same price as the Dremel

Reply to grieve
4ryan6   10-03-2008 at 11:57:21 AM
- 0 +

jay_l_a wrote :

Hey,
Anyone know a good way to cut out a piece of metal at the back of an old PC case?
I was going to use a mini hack-saw, but I'm worried about metal shards (read: I'm lazy, the pc in question is junk, and I can't be bothered removing the components first).
Any ideas?
Thanks,
J




Aviation Sheers work great, if you don't want to remove the internal components, start with a smaller hole in center and spiral out to your cut line removing interior cuttings as you go, this method will give a cleaner finish cut!

If you try to go straight to the finish cut line you'll get jagged results with sheers, so work out to the finish cut line, the least amount of waste metal you end up cutting the, cleaner the finished edge.

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