So I Destroyed My Case = :(

[Carlosinfl]

Yesterday I decided I would make a 120mm blow hole on the top of my Antec P-180 case. I placed blue painting tape accross the hole top section of the case and then measured to find the center for the pilot hole that will anchor the drill bit from the 120mm hole saw.

I decided to use my Dewalt cordless power drill and I don't know what happened but drill constantly locked up so I had to apply presure on specific sides of the circle to cut through the metal. However it slipped and ran accross the top section of the case leaving some nasty marks. Even though the top section was wrapped, the teeth made a nasty job of the top finish.

Do you guys think I need a more powerful drill or perhaps the drill bit in the hole saw was not threading down well enough.

Any advice and or ideas? I want to try this again but don't want to destroy another case.

**Yes - I know that I can buy cases with blow holes pre installed however I am fitting these holes for a top mount water cooled radiator.**

 

[Qtip42]

The key is just to keep the item you're drilling into flat. The metal can flex with all that pressure on it so it's not exactly easy. I will say that it is fixable though. Depends on how deep the scratches went.

You could always find a new panel for it.

 

[Carlosinfl]

Yes - I think perhaps a cordless drill is just not powerful enough to handle something like cutting such a large hole.

I know my Antec case is no longer fixable as I have ran a few more practice cuts now however I have another P180 on the way and want to make sure I don't destroy that case now.

 

[awwc]

Antec will send you a top panel free of charge. heh...got one comin myself. Damn dremel.

I'm doin the same thing you are btw. Rad installation on the top panel. Are you fitting it internal or external?

 

[Michael Daly]

Yes - I think perhaps a cordless drill is just not powerful enough to handle something like cutting such a large hole.

If the hole saw is grabbing, power isn't the problem. You don't want more power and more force, you want less.

The requirement for a flat surface (as mentioned above) is important. You want to make sure the drill is perpendicular to the surface and stays perpendicular. A drill press would be good.

If you press hard, the cutting teeth will grab and you'll lose control. Apply very little pressure. A cutting oil can help a lot. If the cutting teeth are sharp, you should be able to just lightly touch the surface of the metal and let it cut slowly through the material. If the case is aluminum, then the teeth can grab easily so a light touch is essential.

 

[Viperlover]

If the hole saw is grabbing, power isn't the problem. You don't want more power and more force, you want less.

The requirement for a flat surface (as mentioned above) is important. You want to make sure the drill is perpendicular to the surface and stays perpendicular. A drill press would be good.

If you press hard, the cutting teeth will grab and you'll lose control. Apply very little pressure. A cutting oil can help a lot. If the cutting teeth are sharp, you should be able to just lightly touch the surface of the metal and let it cut slowly through the material. If the case is aluminum, then the teeth can grab easily so a light touch is essential.

QFT. If you press down too hard, and even a little bit uneven, the hole saw can grab the metal and break your wrist.

 

[rsgunter]

I just cut a 120mm in my Stacker yesterday. I had a VERY good drill bit from a machine shop to use for my holes and that worked out well. A cheap drill bit(or drill) vs thick aluminum = a horrific time.

I used a jigsaw to actually cut the hole and it turned out very well.

 

[Carlosinfl]

Thanks all. I am thinking about mounting it externally.

I did not know Antec will send me a new top section. I was not even aware it was removable or replaceable.

 

[awwc]

taking a look at the panel, it doesn't seem to be "fastened" anywhere with studs, screws or the like. I'm not entirely sure how long it will take, or if it will work even, but my intentions are to take a hair dryer to the panel and see if i can pry the panel away from the metal after heating up the adhesive.

 

[Susquehannock]

Be sure to use slow RPM's. As any machinist will tell you, the larger diameter the cutter the slower the RPM required.

Blue chips are bad. If you see sparks look out! You're burning metal.

 

[0ptional]

Antec will send you a top panel free of charge. heh...got one comin myself. Damn dremel.

I'm doin the same thing you are btw. Rad installation on the top panel. Are you fitting it internal or external?

Now that's service...

 

[Carlosinfl]

I just checked their online store for replacement parts and was unable to find the top section of the P190 case. Did you have to contact them directly?

 

[awwc]

yup. I registered, then sent them an email.

 

[The DooGie]

If you use a hole saw then you need one with very fine teeth. As others have said the larger the hole the slower the speed you need your drill to be running. Also best to clamp the surface you intend to drill to something like a 1/2" thick or more sheet of wood to give it a bit of rigidity.
Personally I would just use a jigsaw though for that size of hole but make sure again that it is a blade with fine teeth made for cutting metal and not one designed to cut wood.

 

[Carlosinfl]

Thanks all. I think I am using a generic metal / wood holesaw bit from local hardware store which is part of my problem and the other 1/2 is me just not having enough experience.

I was able to pry off the top sections of my case where the hole saw slipped and walked all over leaving some nasty teeth marks on the top side. It appears that the case is still salvageable.

Thanks all!