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Thread: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

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    What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    What it says up there^

    I'm looking to cut some holes (some large) in my Antec TX1050 both internally (mobo tray) and externally ( feeding ATX 24plug outside the box and back in again closer to the plug ) - have you seen where the plug is on an Asus P5QL-E mobo? Ridiculous.....

    So what do you guys use?
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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    For long straight lines a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, great for cutting windows. Otherwise a dremel will be your tool of choice. They are just a bit fiddly and fairly time consuming. I prefer a jigsaw personally but its personal choice.

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?


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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Frickin' laser beams. Mounted on sharks.

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Quote Originally Posted by Flewis View Post
    For long straight lines a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, great for cutting windows. Otherwise a dremel will be your tool of choice. They are just a bit fiddly and fairly time consuming. I prefer a jigsaw personally but its personal choice.
    Not got a Dremel - I didn't realise they'd be able to cut through 1-2mm steel...maybe I should invest?

    Which model Dremel is best for this?
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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Hole saws FTW!

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gibbo View Post
    Not got a Dremel - I didn't realise they'd be able to cut through 1-2mm steel...maybe I should invest?

    Which model Dremel is best for this?
    You would be suprised, kids round here use them to cut locks & bolts off garages lol.

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    For round holes for fans etc.I use a tank cutter (a bit dangerous in a hand held drill) with a piece of 19mm ply bolted or screwed to the back of where Im drilling the hole to keep the metal flat.

    For straight lines or sweeping curves (like fitting a window) I used an electric sheet metal nibbler with a guide to follow.

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Hole saw every time makes like work of a fan hole, just mask the rest of the area off 1st else shrapnel could mark parts of the case

    Lee
    Last edited by Re-Invented; 05-06-2009 at 03:44 PM.

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Hole Saw/Step Drill

    Step Drill is best for making those cable management holes like the Antec 1200 has. If you are making large ones above 1" in size then go for hole saws.

    Could try freehand with a Dremel but it's quite hard to get straight or curved lines perfect with it.

    Make sure you have a set of files

    With the Dremel mask off everything else, in case you slip and do some bad damage, better safe than sorry.

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Hole Saw when i did mine, i have tried a dremel before but i advise against it as you can muck it up really badly, really easily.

    Andy

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    Personally I have cut many circular holes in computer cases using my cheap jigsaw, I find it works like an absolute dream. If you draw the circle first in felt tip pen you can get an almost perfect Circle. Obviously you need to get blade for cutting metal which has finer teeth and you can also get narrow ones which are a bit easier for cutting small holes. Standard size will cut a 4 inch diameter hole no problem.

    Obviously you start of the jigsaw by drilling a hole. the only thing to be aware of is metal shavings which are pretty deadly. What I do is strip absolutely everything off the computer case first if possible cover any nooks and crannies with tape. and after the cut use a round file to smooth the edges or some sandpaper. Then I stick my computer case in the bath and blast it with jets of water to clear any remnants of metal shavings or filings. good luck.

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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?


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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?


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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    For small holes a hole punch gives an excellent finish - and you can also punch square holes, and specialist shapes (D connectors for example) - but they are expensive.

    http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...94954405&Nty=1
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    Re: What do you use to cut holes in your steel cases?

    I use my dremel with a diamond coated cutting wheel doen't give the best cuts but I alway tidy them up with U-channel

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