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Cutting a case window fan hole

C

Cruiza

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
1,701
I have an aluminum Chieftec Dragon with side window (Antec 1030 and old Alienware look-a-like). I still like the case, but I would like a side intake fan or two. I think it would help quite a bit with my OCing. However, the window is what I would describe as a cheap plastic material. I don't know if I would call it acrylic or anything. So, I'm wondering if it's possible to make a clean cut for a fan hole (with a dremel), or if it would just go to heck and crack/crumble. Anyone have any experience with such material? Any tips/suggestions are welcome!
 
Sounds like a jig saw would work better. The dremel tends to be slow and if you go faster you might end up burning up/melting the plastic. Also. Try to tape the plastic where you are going to cut with some masking tape. That may help.
 
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use a hole saw, and put your drill in reverse so the teeth do not catch and crack your cutting area. Once finished, you can clean the edges up with a blow torch.
 
Well, thanks for the replies, but considering a hole saw for a 120/140mm fan would cost about $30 I think I'll just get a new case, haha.
 
Well since you are already saying for that price you can get a new case why not just try it with what you have? Heck it can either come out alright, or be garbage and get a new case. I know with my case I dremeled a couple holes for knobs for the fan speed settings. Although I am sure compared to most on this site it doesnt look great, but for what I need it was perfect.

So have no fear, just wear gloves and goggles ha, learned that lesson the hard way
 
piker28 said:
So have no fear, just wear gloves and goggles ha, learned that lesson the hard way
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, haha. If I'm going to get a new case, though, I don't know if I even want to risk ruining my old one, even if it does go unused. I can't bear to just throw it away! :cool:
 
I still say go for it, think about all the stuff people would miss out on if they did not take a chance and do it.

The first cut is the scariest, after that its like riding a bike.
 
Well, I gave it a shot and tried drilling some holes. It starts out fine, but when I get close to being all the way through the window just cracks/breaks. So now my window looks like it got shot, haha. I ended up ordering the CM 692 Advanced last night. :p
 
Did you happen by any chance to put some tape over the window before you drilled? That can sometimes help to stop cracks and chips. Eitherway its an experience and now next time you have more of an idea on what to do. PLus a shattered look is great, people will think you paid for it to look like that ha.
 
Yeah, I put tape on it. Oh, well. I got the 690 II last night and I really like it. It will be really nice if/when I finally make the move to water, too.
 
That is one transition I am to scared to do. It would be nice to ditch most the loud annoying fans though.
 
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