Nervous about jigsawing my Lian Li

[blowtorch]

I am hoping to finally get around to watercolling my PC. I have only 80mm fans in my 5 year old case, so that means I either have to attach a rad via a swiftech mount outside the back of the case or cut a big hole in the top.

There is currently a single chimney fan in the top which I would use as a starting point. Anyway, what I am asking is.... how hard is it to get a jigsaw to cut aluminium in a nice straight line without making a complete mess of it?

Can anyone recommend a particular blade? Is masking tape enough to stop nasty scratches?

[Steve B]

what size is the radiator?

[aidanjt]

Aluminium is easy enough to cut, just keep the RPMs down or the material will discolour horribly. Also it would be better to use a rotary cutting tool like a dremel than a jigsaw, as a jigsaw will leave a *lot* of torn up metal and nasty burrs that will rip up loads of sandpaper when it comes to the finish.

[Marci]

Also it would be better to use a rotary cutting tool like a dremel than a jigsaw, as a jigsaw will leave a *lot* of torn up metal and nasty burrs that will rip up loads of sandpaper when it comes to the finish.

Never had that problem meself... just down to the choice of blades, angle of blade, and speed of saw.

Have a read: http://www.over-clock.com/articles.php?action=show&id=6

[mr mister]

what case have you got? It may be worth getting a newer case with 120mm fans.

[Steve B]

@ Marci : Are you the Marci from XS?

why not just use a hole saw?

[blowtorch]

what size is the radiator?

It will be 120.2 (240x120) either Swiftech or BlackIce stealth (cant justify more expensive)

what case have you got? It may be worth getting a newer case with 120mm fans.

It's a Lian Li PC6100 It cost me a fair amount of money back when I bought it and I need to sweat my assets... must admit that if money was not an object I would just buy a new one.

@ Marci : Are you the Marci from XS?

why not just use a hole saw?

Not a bad idea, but I dont have a mains drill, I do have a dremel (cordless unfortunately) and a jigsaw though!

I will check out the link later thanks.

I was thinking that I could use the jigsaw and then needle file the edges and then use a nice grill cover the hide any nasty bits.

Will masking tape be sufficient to protect from scrapping etc?

[Pob255]

Masking tape should be fine for stopping the foot of the jigsaw from scrataching the surface of the case.

Have a read through of that guide Marci posted a link too. Cutting a hole in the top of a LianLi for a radiator with a jigsaw. Exactly the question you're asking.

I used my dremel (type) tool as a drill to make holes for fans, it worked quite well, get a metal drill bit and keep it at the lowest speed.
Also found that the best thing for smoothing off the edges on my case (1.5mm Steel) is a sanding drum.

Again keep the speeds low.

[Marci]

@ Marci : Are you the Marci from XS?

why not just use a hole saw?

Aye... and I don't use holesaws as they generally survive the cuts for a single triple rad, then they're too blunt to be of any use again. Would rather fork out fraction of price on a pack of jigsaw blades that'll last fer plenty of cuts... See http://www.over-clock.com/ivb/index.php?showtopic=19538