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Dremel or Nibbler?

S

Spare-Flair

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Apr 4, 2003
Messages
7,471
I need to cut out the fan grill in the back of my PC. It is the punched holes type and it really retricts my exhaust airflow. It isn't even raised or anything, it's flush with the fans.

What is better to use? I tried using my dremel (well, not Dremel, Mastercraft brand) on a PCI expansion cover and it didn't turn out too well, I guess the cutting wheels I have are very low quality but the fibreglass reinforced ones are very expensive.

Also, I don't really want to remove all my components from my case at the moment and if I use the dremel, it will be dangerous with flying sparks or metal dust.

Has anybody used a nibbler before? Do they do a neat job? I like the idea of a hand powered nibbler to cut holes in my case. The dremel is very hard to control and I can't attach a flex-shaft to mine. Any photos of nibbler jobs here? I have a pretty thick steel case BTW.
 
I've used both. Nibblers worked better, and needed very little filing when I was done.

Either way, you're gonna hafta move those components outta the case. 1 little metal speck in the wrong place and it'll go up in smoke. And you won't have a clue why.
 
I have an Air Nibbler. Way better than a dremel for cutting holes and whatnot. I dont have any pics available, but just be forewarned, If you are using a hand nibbler, wear gloves. You have a lot of squeezing ahead of ya, hello blisters.
 
I went the ghetto way and used dykes and a file. it looks clean .
dykes rock ( pop, pop , pop , pop ping, pop ,pop) and you are done :p
 
DR_K13 said:
I went the ghetto way and used dykes and a file. it looks clean .
dykes rock ( pop, pop , pop , pop ping, pop ,pop) and you are done :p
Click to expand...

This man speaks truth. A good pair of dykes and a file(or grinding bit for the dremel) is a very easy way to do this especially with aluminum cases.
 
Also, I don't really want to remove all my components from my case at the moment and if I use the dremel, it will be dangerous with flying sparks or metal dust.
Click to expand...

Holy Poop! Always pull out your components when cutting the case. Trouble shooting the problems that arise from that tiny piece of metal, that you can't see, lodging itself all over the place, will wind up putting you in a padded room.
 
I have cut off several of those stupid hole punched crap things on my cases, and I find with my dremel set on super death high speed and a thin cutting disc and some time, I make pretty good clean cuts
 
IF you are doing the back case fan use the dykes and a file( or dremel, Adding a side fan into a case you need a dremel for sure, I am posting a new thing on roto-zip tools. those things are crazy.
 
EDIT:^^just so you know, the sigs are only allowed to be 10 lines long... so change it before it gets changed for you.^^


rotozips arent that new... ive had one for 3 years. and they are great for cutting holes, as long as they dont need to be more the 2 inches deep, lol.

do they make AC powered nibblers... these would be nice
 
Spare-Flair said:
I need to cut out the fan grill in the back of my PC. It is the punched holes type and it really retricts my exhaust airflow. It isn't even raised or anything, it's flush with the fans.

What is better to use? I tried using my dremel (well, not Dremel, Mastercraft brand) on a PCI expansion cover and it didn't turn out too well, I guess the cutting wheels I have are very low quality but the fibreglass reinforced ones are very expensive.

Also, I don't really want to remove all my components from my case at the moment and if I use the dremel, it will be dangerous with flying sparks or metal dust.

Has anybody used a nibbler before? Do they do a neat job? I like the idea of a hand powered nibbler to cut holes in my case. The dremel is very hard to control and I can't attach a flex-shaft to mine. Any photos of nibbler jobs here? I have a pretty thick steel case BTW.
Click to expand...
kinda hard for a nibbler in that kinda small space... nibblers need an initial hole to start in thats at least 3/8"... and since you're cutting a circle, you have to curve it a LOT... thats hard and wont cut straight so you'll need a file... its also going to be hard to squeeze the handle a lot since it cuts really little with every squeeze you do
 
I like the Dremel all the way. I have used the nibbler but not with any success. Maybe if I got a better nibbler I could do a better job.
 
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