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Dremeling hole for watercooling

M

monoboogie

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 20, 2007
Messages
139
Hey guys,

I have a Antec 900 case, and im installing a water cooling setup.

I dont want to bring the tubes from the external radiator through the pci-slot because my 88 card will warm the coolant up no doubt.

Im planning on dremeling some holes towards the top of the back of the case and inserting some rubber grommets.

I have a dremel, but Im not sure on the bit to use, or the technique (Im a dremel newb)

How would you suggest I go about cutting two holes into the case and what bit should I use?

Thanks for the input :p
 
What size holes? If they're less than 3/8", use a conventional drill and drill bit. If they're significantly larger than that, use a drill with a hole drilling bit. Since this appears to be a steel case, you'll need a hole drilling bit that can cut steel - some lock installation drill bits can handle steel doors and are not too expensive; about 1 1/4" or so. Drill slowly - a twist drill bit will catch on the hole when it first punches through. That's a problem with drilling thin metal. If you try to drill fast, the drill will either try to spin the case around or try to twist your hand off at the wrist. Clamp the case into something solid. If you have a drill press, that can be useful - especially if you can take the back off the case easily to put in the press.

If you need a square or rectangular hole or a really big (several inches or more in diameter) round/oval hole, then use a reinforced cutting wheel on the Dremel and expect to take your time.

If you use a drill to make the hole, you can use the Dremel with a grinding or sanding attachment to clean up the edge - round off sharp edges and such.
 
Well im looking to fit 3/8" ID tubes through, so the holes are going to be a little bigger than 1/2" probably.

So are you saying use a hole drilling bit? Im not sure what you mean by a hole drilling bit, can you shoot me a link? -much appreciated
 
Sorry - I should have called it a hole saw - like these. Make sure you get a bi-metallic one for cutting through steel.

If it's just over 1/2", you might be able to use a regular drill bit if the shaft is reduced to fit into the chuck on your hand drill. Some brands of drill bit are available up to 3/4" with a 3/8" shaft.
 
That looks like it should be used in a drill press. With a hand drill, you'd have to be very careful to get a clean hole. Holding the drill bit perpendicular will be important - lean one way or the other when one level breaks through and you'll scar the case with the next larger bit section.
 
Get a holesaw. I've used a dremel to cut a 120mm fan hole. It's not incredibly hard, but a hole saw will give a cleaner finish and do it a lot easier... :)

 
Michael Daly, you don't need a drill press to use one. I do body work for a living and i use them all the time drilling into cars to put spoilers, emblems, run wires, etc.. all with my handy makita 14.4v cordless drill. they make the cleanest holes with out having to worry about binding the metal like a normal drill bit especially on a computer case where the metal is so thin. but a hole saw will work good too (just a little harder) ;)
 
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