• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Need tool to cut window in case

T

Trackr

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 10, 2011
Messages
1,786
Hey, I am working on 7 builds right now, all of which I am going to give a nice glass window.

But I am having some small difficulty cutting the side of the case.

I am using a Dremel 8200 with a diamond saw wheel, but it's taking a long time and it's not very precise.

I have the option of giving it to a metal workings shop and letting them have at it, but I figured.. why give them the money when I can buy a power tool with the same cash and use it in the future.. not to mention the experience I would get. Plus, they told me the cuts won't be laser-perfect.

So, I look around and I found two things (btw, my budget is 100-150$):

1.) The Worx WX424. It's like a bigger dremel and it seems to cut effortlessly.
2.) The Bosch PMF 180. It's like the Fein Multimaster, but cheaper. I am not sure about the fact that it vibrates instead of spinning.. never used that before.

The Worx is twice the price, and I don't have enough experience to decide between them.

If anyone has any input, I'd really appreciate it.
 
It just takes A LOT of patience to get nice clean cuts... If you lack the patience, just get it laser cut and be done with it.
 
To get nice clean cuts without the metal distorting you need to use a plasma cutter. Plasma cutters are.VERY expensive, so you might as well give it to the metal shop and let them do it. They might give you a discount since youre having a bunch of panels cut.
 
I'd use a jig saw, table model.

After you cut the metal, file and sand it, then use a rubber edge, that will cover any imperfections from cutting.

But like everyone else said, if you want perfect and no metal damage.....plasma.
But I'd think you'd need a machine shop for that, or a body shop.:D
 
I used a jig saw (Sabre Saw) to cut the aluminum side panel of my TJ07 to make a window. I then finished it up with a dremel to deburr the edges.
 
jigsaw, on a good stable workbench, with a good blade. patience and good line drawing are a must. tip: never EVER lift the jigsaw out of the cut before the saw is completely stopped. it doesnt require a laser or a rocket scientist.
 
I know that everyone likes Jigsaws..

But.. I don't know if it's because I have a particularly bad jigsaw (it was my dad's) or I'm just shit at using it.. but I'd seriously prefer to cut the panels with strawberry licorice.

Like I said, I'd rather get a tool for the same price.. I mean why let them have all the fun.

So, what do you guys think about these two tools:

Worx WX424

Bosch PMF 180
 
The WORX isnt fine enough.

The BOSCH is a vibrating tool and will rip the metal to pieces.

you can buy a table version jigsaw at Lowes.:D
 
magoo said:
The WORX isnt fine enough.

The BOSCH is a vibrating tool and will rip the metal to pieces.

you can buy a table version jigsaw at Lowes.:D
Click to expand...

Well, the video clearly shows the Bosch managing a very precise cut, so I don't.. see where you got that it would rip the metal to pieces.. :confused:
 
Trackr said:
No, I am pretty sure that's not it.

I've bought every kind of blade there is and it has never properly cut anything - wood, metal, etc..
Click to expand...

Do you want to hear what you want to hear, or do you want to take peoples advice that have experience? The proper jigsaw with the proper blade does the job 100%. If you are adamant that you know that these 2 obscure tools you picked with your 0 experience are the answer, flip a coin.

Even better since you have 150 to blow, get a band-saw.

Hope that helps! :D
 
Trackr said:
I know that everyone likes Jigsaws..

But.. I don't know if it's because I have a particularly bad jigsaw (it was my dad's) or I'm just shit at using it.. but I'd seriously prefer to cut the panels with strawberry licorice.

Like I said, I'd rather get a tool for the same price.. I mean why let them have all the fun.

So, what do you guys think about these two tools:

Worx WX424

Bosch PMF 180
Click to expand...

Neither of those. Those tools are NOT suited for cutting in sheetmetal. Especially the Bosch, it would take FOREVER to make a window cutout.

The proper tool for the job, if you're not using a plasma cutter, is called a sheetmetal nibbler. As you can see they're still fairly expensive. If you have access to an air compressor you can get a pneumatic nibbler and save some cash.
NOTE: I do not endorse nor have I ever shopped at either of the links I've provided. For display purposes only.
NOTE 1: Ingersoll rand are the largest and best quality of air tool makers in the industry. Most of the "branded" air tools such as Snap-On, Matco, MAC, etc. are all made by Ingersoll, There are a few exceptions, such as Snap on Air Hammers (which are freakin beastly), but they're usually far and few between.

Good luck and definitely watch some instructional videos on using a nibbler to you don't nibble off a finger. ;)

EDIT: And please for the love of God, DO NOT buy those fuckin pieces of shit nibblers at Harbor Freight. They are truly garbage and will fuck up whatever you're doing. Buy quality.
 
WBILLC said:
Do you want to hear what you want to hear, or do you want to take peoples advice that have experience? The proper jigsaw with the proper blade does the job 100%. If you are adamant that you know that these 2 obscure tools you picked with your 0 experience are the answer, flip a coin.

Even better since you have 150 to blow, get a band-saw.

Hope that helps! :D
Click to expand...

What do you want me to say?

My jigsaw doesn't cut. It vibrates all around and makes a damn mess.

That's why I think it's the fact that it's the cheapest jigsaw in the store.

Meaning, I want to get the jigsaw in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an5AXHtEt0M

I just don't know which one it is.

OmegaSupreme said:
Neither of those. Those tools are NOT suited for cutting in sheetmetal. Especially the Bosch, it would take FOREVER to make a window cutout.

The proper tool for the job, if you're not using a plasma cutter, is called a sheetmetal nibbler. As you can see they're still fairly expensive. If you have access to an air compressor you can get a pneumatic nibbler and save some cash.
NOTE: I do not endorse nor have I ever shopped at either of the links I've provided. For display purposes only.
NOTE 1: Ingersoll rand are the largest and best quality of air tool makers in the industry. Most of the "branded" air tools such as Snap-On, Matco, MAC, etc. are all made by Ingersoll, There are a few exceptions, such as Snap on Air Hammers (which are freakin beastly), but they're usually far and few between.

Good luck and definitely watch some instructional videos on using a nibbler to you don't nibble off a finger. ;)

EDIT: And please for the love of God, DO NOT buy those fuckin pieces of shit nibblers at Harbor Freight. They are truly garbage and will fuck up whatever you're doing. Buy quality.
Click to expand...

I can't afford a 300$ nibbler as much as I would want to. 150$ is already too much.

How about the higher-end Bosch oscillating tools? The should be around or under 150$ and much more powerful. Also, they'd be nice around the house for later.
 
The oscillating tools just wont cut it (see what I did there :p ). Did you see how long it.took them to.cut a tiny little nail? Andyoure trying to cut out windows? Dude youll be there FOR DAYS! If you truly want nice cuts you need the right tool for the job. Thats either a plasma cutter or a nibbler. You can get away with using a die-grinder (dremel), but even those wont cut nearly as clean. IMO, take it to the metal shop and let them do it.

Or search around the internet for a cheaper electric nibbler.
 
Like I've said......

I've cut an ass load of metal for windows, from steel to aluminum......

The dremmel takes too long and won't make a straight cut.
Those tools you linked will tear the metal to pieces. I've seen them in action, they are mostly for demolition and cutting pipe, nails or sheetrock and the like.

I good jigsaw with a fine metal blade and a guide to keep it straight is your best DIY tool.

A band saw is also a great tool.:D
 
That saw has an orbital setting i think, which means the blade isn't going straight up and down but has some forward and back motion as well. I don't think you want that. Also, though I've never cut up a case (on the outside) I'd think you also want the smallest blade possible just for accuracy.
 
I don't see how people suggesting a band saw can get that to work on cutting a hole.... The very nature of the closed loop band blade prohibits cutting an unbroken hole.

I use an angle grinder with cutting discs. Then clean it up and add fillets with files and dremel. Angle grinders will eat right through that small sheet metal and leave a relatively clean cut.
 
A nibbler is the best tool for the money. It is SPECIFICALLY designed to cut through sheet metal without warping it or distorting it in any way. Its used to cut quarter panels off of cars where there CAN NOT be any distortion in the metal. If there was any it would be clearly visible as soon as it was painted.
 
A jig saw should work, but you need to ensure you have good technique and decent tools. A solid work surface, clamping the material so it can't move and vibrate, good tool control, and using the correct blade are all necessary. Also, a guide fence (sawboard) wouldn't hurt.
 
Endgame said:
What is the difference between a good jigsaw and a bad one? I have one similar to this http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM3329309701P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2 and I don't have much luck with it on metal (the blade keeps wanting to jam in the metal).

Also, what kind of guide are you using for straight cuts?
Click to expand...

Let me bold the part that you should be listening to: FINE METAL BLADE

My jig saw isn't anything special, but you want a high TPI metal cutting blade. I used a Bosch set.
 
FaRKle0079 said:
Let me bold the part that you should be listening to: FINE METAL BLADE

My jig saw isn't anything special, but you want a high TPI metal cutting blade. I used a Bosch set.
Click to expand...

Can you please link to a jigsaw saw that would cut my case?

I'd like to give this a try before I go out and buy a more expensive jigsaw.
 
I use a Skill hand jig saw, nothing fancy that I bought from Lowes.

I use with that a Bosch variety pack of blades, the one marked fine metal cutting.:D
 
A small router. Perhaps one of those tools that is used to cut drywall openings. Make a guide out of wood and then use the router.

But a jigsaw will work even with the wrong blade. Clamp a piece of wood on both sides of the panel. The wood will keep the job steady.

There are lots of ways to cut sheet metal.
 
Small router is a bad idea. Low speed, high torque is the way to cut metal. Sheet steel will quickly wear out the relatively small contact area of a router bit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top