Case Cutting Tools

[Arcane_Disciple]

Aside from a Dremel Tool, anyone else know of a good tool to cut into my case. Everyone I have asked doesn't have a Dremel or they just can't find it. Its no fun having neons in your case when you can't see them.:( If anyone knows of anything that would work, that would be great. This is the last thing before my case is done...(for now.)

As a side note here is what I did to my case thus far:

Added a neon light
Wired my fans to dimmer switches so I can control the speed.

What I need to do to the case:

Cut the out case in half along the top so that it opens like a door. ( I eventually want to have it open via compressed air or hydrolic system.)
Cut out a spider web on the side of the case.

[teeitup]

Drill & hack saw

cutting torch

sheet metal stamping machine

depending on the material a good set of "tin snips"

[ShieldWolf]

Do a Google search for "case mods" and you'll come up with lot's of hits. A couple of my favorite sites are pheaton.com (http://www.pheaton.com/) and bit-tech.com (http://www.bit-tech.net/). Both sites have tutorials on case mod methods.

I used a hole saw in a drill press to drill the corners for my top and side windows, and then cut the straight edges using a quality set of tin snips. This method does leave a rough edge, and you have to be careful not to cut yourself, but it looks good once you apply your edge trim. I used automotive door edge trim. If you use this, make sure it's good and warm. It'll be nice and flexible, and much easier to apply.

My mods so far; metallic red paint(case keyboard and mouse), blue power led, blue neon string around the bottom of the case, 4 color lighted fan in a custom front duct, blue and ultraviolet neons, blue uv reactive side window with Bugs Bunny engraved in it, blue tinted top window, stainless steel handle, and a custom fan and light bus.

Mods to come; "Knight Rider" style hd activity meter, windowed hard-drive(not my main drive), lighted plexi case feet, lighted plexi mousepad, lighted keyboard, and lighted plexi stand for my LCD monitor. I have the parts for most of these already, just don't have the time to do them.

Have fun! :D

[Arcane_Disciple]

I never thought of using tin snips. I'll have to go see if I can round a set of those up.

[Can O' Beans]

Standard tools:

- Jigsaw - larger cuts, i.e. windows
- Holesaw - fan holes
- Drill
- Dremel/RTX(better) with cutting discs(FG reinforced recommeded) and various grinding/sanding bits to smooth cuts. Don't even bother with cordless ones. This is the default tool that does an ok job if you don't have above tools. Perfect for smaller work.

Optional - tin snips, nibbler(very handy), files, soldering iron, wire crimpers, rivet gun, and your other standards, like screwdrivers, etc...