a little help to a newbie case modder - putting in a window(rubber gasket use)

[bradyapba]

Ok boys and girls, I need some help.

I have never modded a case before, never really had a want before, becuase my case was always under my desk. Its a little more exposed now, and my cheaper $45 broadway case, wants a window, maybe some lights, new fans, etc, maybe a mod in the front to increase air flow of the front fan.

Plus i just want to try to put in the window, just to say, well, that I did. I do have plenty of drummel tool experience, just never with metal, or on a PC case, mostly it was on wood, as i was redoing my house.

So heres my materials, and my question.

Heres my case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811162028

and i am thinking of putting a window in the side.

I am thinking of using Plexi or this hex-like metal material.

http://www.crazypc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=120199&Product_Code=200

and I was going to use this gasket around the hole.

http://www.crazypc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=120199&Product_Code=8302


My question is do most people put the window or mess inside the gasket? or just attach the window or mess to the inside of the case....

Thats where I am getting a little hazy, and vague...how to install the window/mesh once I have the cut. Inside the case? Inside the Molding? Screws? Glue?

any help, or links to pics would be great.

thanks guys for helping a new modder!

Chris

[Nivram]

Okay, if you're using the type of moulding that I think you're planning on using (it's called H shape moulding, due to the cross-section being vaguely in the shape of the letter H), the window goes inside one side of the moulding, the case metal inside the other side of the moulding, and the locking strip then locks them both inside of there (not really locks it, but makes it a lot tougher to accidentally bump the window out of the hole).
That style moulding is designed for windows, which normally will have a thickness ~1/8", and the thinner sized mesh really wouldn't work well using that moulding, imho. There's also a C style moulding, that fits over the edge of the metal after you've cut the hole. When you use that, you normally use double sided foam tape to hold the window onto the inside of the case door/panel (the foam tape not only holds the window fairly firmly, but helps to offset it ~1/16" from the metal, where it will sit firmly against the moulding).

I've used both, and found that while the H style moulding is tougher to install a window with, I like the look better than I do with the C style moulding. For mesh, I'd suggest using the C style, since I think it would be easier to work with, with mesh, and have a better look (the channel for the H style is just too open to handle the mesh).

Hopefully that answers your questions?? :)

[BLsibub666]

you also dont have to use any molding, you can use glue or bolts to hold the plexi in place, my lan boy case had little plastic rivits, i replaced them with steel spikes. It all depends on the look you want to go for, but you can just drill holes threw the case and the plexi in the same spot and then run the bolt threw, my inwin case has an old school window with the (again i think its the H molding) its a bitch to get in, but it takes some abuse. Get screw drivers, and butter knvies, and put the window in the molding then in the hole (or the other way around) then put in the locking strip so you start the trip on the oposite side as the seam is in the molding, Lay the panle out on something hard so you dont just push the window threw. Take your time with the corners and feel free to push ont he window a little bit to give you some play to work with. I think leaving a little extra of the strip out once your done is good b/c if you have to take it out and put it back in ever it may come in handy, hope that helped

happy modding

[Mickey21]

What I have done in the past, but can take a little bit of work:

1.Cut out the desired hole. (Save the cut out piece is easier but not necessary)
2.On a small sheet of plywood, trace the chape you cut out on the plywood or use a predrawn pattern and trace that shape out.
3.Use a router and cut out a thin portion of the plywood (not all the way through) usually to a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch. This will form your template for forming the metal mesh.
4.Place the mesh over the cut out area making sure to have a sufficient amount of excess beyond the desired shape. This gives you a hard surface to shape the metal.
5.You should have about an inch of excess beyond the desired shape.
6.Using a rubber mallet or rounded hammer, bang out the shape into the recessed area of the plywood to form the window or fan grill. Work your way around the metal in a linear motion (not switching sides). Make sure you flatten the outer edges AT THE END as well so that you can mount the window or grill later. The metal will change shape and flattening out the metal before you have your shape may cause portions of it to bind and kink.
7.Flatten out the edges for the mounting. Take your time and make the bends slowly to watch for distortion. It might take some practice but be patient.
8.In your case, you can either use double sided tape, or drill the holes out and rivet them. Whichever your choice. I prefer drilled out small holes with small rivets small washers to attach the mesh.The washers will give sufficient backing to the mesh to keep the rivet from falling through. Just get washers that are the same diameter of the rivets.

That will give you a clean pushed out look without jagged edges for something to catch on and such. Of course, you also sanded your edges down if possible (sometimes the paint or finish can scratch so be your own judge on that).