Best way to remove security screws?

Nebell

Nebell

2[H]4U
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Jul 20, 2015
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I got myself InWin 909 case, which is beautiful, but also rather expensive, so I don't really want to ruin it. I want to remove the hard drive holders in the top slot which are just wasting space.

I don't have a dremel tool and I don't feel like buying one just to cut those screws so I can unscrew them, only a drill. I was recommended by a colleague to drill them out, but I'd like a second opinion. I was planning to drill anyway to mount a pump/reservoir on top. And if drilling is my only option, then what's the best way of doing it?

Here are a few photos:

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Your second opinion is that those aren't screws, they're rivets. You have to drill them out. If they are the same size as rivets elsewhere on the case, they're 3.5mm, so use a 1/8" drill bit for metal. If they're smaller, use a 3/32" drill bit.

For the actual process, you need to be straight on that center hole to do it without damaging anything else, I recommend turning the case so that the rivets are straight up, and the drilling straight down. Also, give firm but not hard pressure, and don't use full speed on the bit. After a few seconds it will break through, so be prepared to release the trigger to protect the rest of the case. Expect the bit and the fragments to be hot.
 
I didn't expect such great advice, thanks Grebuloner and jojo69!
 
Grebuloner said:
Your second opinion is that those aren't screws, they're rivets. You have to drill them out. If they are the same size as rivets elsewhere on the case, they're 3.5mm, so use a 1/8" drill bit for metal. If they're smaller, use a 3/32" drill bit.
Click to expand...

The hole is about 3mm, but their full diameter is about 6mm. The drills I have are not really marked with inches.
Do you have a better explanation on how big drill I need? The approx size of a whole rivet or the hole in it?
 
You must have 3.5mm (hole size) rivets then. Just checked the bits I use on my cases and the metric measurement is 3.2 mm. If you don't have that size, a 3 mm should work (don't use a 3.5), possibly with a very tiny wiggle. Also, the bits need to be rated for drilling metal. Mine are titanium and came in a two pack for pretty darn cheap from my local hardware store.
 
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Grebuloner said:
You must have 3.5mm (hole size) rivets then. Just checked the bits I use on my cases and the metric measurement is 3.2 mm. If you don't have that size, a 3 mm should work (don't use a 3.5), possibly with a very tiny wiggle. Also, the bits need to be rated for drilling metal. Mine are titanium and came in a two pack for pretty darn cheap from my local hardware store.
Click to expand...

I took the one makred with #3 (not 3", but they are just marked with numbers".
Is it too big?

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I would go smaller, you just want to drill out the middle piece, then the flats will fall off
 
Yeah I went with 2 size smaller ones, managed to drill through but then used one size bigger than the small one and then forced it either out by drilling into it or just drilling through.
It was quite smooth and not that hard at all! Thanks jojo69/Grebuloner even though it went smooth I would probably have messed something up if you guys didn't give me tips :)

Here are the top HDD racks removed.

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