lowly antec 300 mod - first-timer

[ehhhhhhh]

I've got fed up with removing all the components to clean the CPU cooler so I've decided to do a CPU cut-out.... well, it's not on the same level as the other mods here, though maybe it will be useful for someone

I'm not very practical or experienced when it comes to modifying anything, so I'd welcome any recommendations, etc...

so, here's the case:



the tool: (-Mental note: never start something like this if you have only one disc left )



and the u-channel from chilled pc:




after approx 1:30 hours of cutting I've got this far, but my only disc broke....


I've suspended the project until I've got the replacement discs from the bay....
.....aaaand...here it is (sorry for the rubbish pics, I left my camera charger on the other side of London):




it's like a drug...at this point I couldn't stop myself, and did a cut-out for the power supply cables, so all of them are running behind the tray now, whoo hoo





what I would have done differently is that I did not cover the backside of the MB tray..so I have created some minor scratches...I consider this as a message from my unconscious rushing me to paint the insides black

...that's all... well, reading it back it's quite lame, though I'm gonna post it if I got this far

[Pob255]

Nice

Tip for you These http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-5...612115&sr=8-17 31mm reinforced cutting discs, they last longer and shatter far less often.
These are cheap for the price, although I've had better discs, these are only 1mm wide, I've used different 1.4mm wide discs which last and even longer but cost far more. (£7 for 5)

PS I think the stuff Chilled PC sell is actually C-channel, if it's the same as the length I got from them a while back, then in cross section it's actually round not U shaped.


C-channel on the left, U-channel on the right, big problem I've had is trying to find U-channel that small in the UK, I ended up buying that U-channel from MNPCtech in the US and getting it shipped.

PPS If you've not done so already think about fitting a filter on the side panel fan vent, even if you don't a have a fan there you'll find that you're pulling quite a bit of dusty unfiltered air in through it.

[ehhhhhhh]

thanks for the tips, I really appreciate it
I was really struggling to get suppliers for some of the stuff..

Those discs look much better compared what I've got from ebay... btw, where could I get a decent roatary tool? I don't really know which brand has good reputation in these circles...


Sidepanel: I've got a layer of rubber sheet (~3.5mm thick) on both the side panels covering the vent ...later on I might cut the sidepanel to fit a window, though I need to investigate how flexible are the plexi windows

[lego batman]

Nice job ehhhhh, been wanting to do that to my 300 for a while. Looks really clean too!
Pob255, are those cutting discs specific to any particular tool? I've been trying to find some for my random handheld drill but they are hard to find for some reason.

[ehhhhhhh]

I was hesitating to start this job, but surprisingly it's quite relaxing, not to mention the rewarding aspect.

I reckon you can use most of the discs with any tool, as you can fit it with a screw to the small holder thingie which was supplied for your drill...

[Pob255]

Yes the discs come with a shaft, which is good as these silverline ones have a larger securing screw than normal.

The Key thing to look for on disc's is that reinforcement, they have a sheet of material bonded to each side, which greatly adds to the discs strength.
Also the larger size makes cutting easier.

I'm really not sure about using a Drill as a rotary tool, rotary tools are very high rpm + low torque
From experience you can use a rotary tool as a drill but it's not very good and I'd expect the oppersit to be true.

For cheap rotary tool
I recently got myself one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/GMC-DEC003AC...2650299&sr=8-1
So far it seems decent, however the true test of a rotary tool is a couple of months down the line.

The Black & Decker RTX has gained a lot of popularity in the US over the Dremel, mainly because over there the cost is cheaper and the quality is just as good if not better than a Dremel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNhBLzW5i3o

You cannot get the RTX model in the UK
However we do have the RT650KA which I think is the same http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Decker...2650548&sr=1-2

And of course there is the Dremel 300 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dremel-300-M...2651066&sr=1-3

[Domestic_Ginger]

I got some of those cutting discs form ebay for 2.50; should have used Pobs linki! They work really well.

[nibbler]

Yup, I did all my antec 300 dremeling with only 2 reinforced cutting disks. I'm amazed you got as far as you did with what is essentially sand paper on a small piece of cardboard

[Marvin-HHGTTG]

Looks incredibly good with the edging in place, some really well radius-ed curves.

[ehhhhhhh]

thanks a lot Marvin, it's always good to get some compliments

[Fallen Angel -X]

Thats a nice mod youve done

Good clean finish aswell

[Fuzzed_out]

Nice mod, love the finish and the curve radii.