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The infamous 'Nibbler' please help

N

nandaman

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
287
I have been looking to cut my side panel case for quite some time now, but I don't have any power tools at all. I really don't have the money to afford them either. On a lot of case modding/computer hardware sites I have seen a tool called a nibbler/metal cutter. It sells for around 10 bucks like the ones here:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3831/too-01/Nibbler_Metal_Cutter.html

http://www.buy.com/prod/case-mod-metal-cutting-nibbler-tool/q/loc/101/10362758.html

Are these any good at all? I can't find any reviews or anything like that on this piece of hardware. The price seems great, but I don't want to buy something that is doesn't really work. I will not be doing any 'big' modding. I will just be cutting a single square in the side of the case. Please respond- any comments are appreciated!
 
just save up 50 bux or so and get a dremel, it will serve you much better. also, that seems to be more for cutting grills/thin metals not case panels.
 
I have cut many a panels with one of those. It's not too bad, depending on the material your cutting. Aluminum is easy, thicker steel get tiring real quick. Pick up a nice pair of leather work gloves if your cutting a big hole.

A dremal is another option, but it's much easier to mess up with if you've never cut with one.

To get started with a nibbler, you will need a drill to start the hole with.
 
Like stated above, you'd need to get a hole drilled.

I have "drilled" holes into thin aluminium with a nail, and a knife... but it can get ugly... and damage a knife :p.

Figure out what else you'll be doing (adding a piece of plexi, how you'll mount it, etc) before you make the leap to cutting things.
 
scoob8000 said:
I have cut many a panels with one of those. It's not too bad, depending on the material your cutting. Aluminum is easy, thicker steel get tiring real quick. Pick up a nice pair of leather work gloves if your cutting a big hole.

A dremal is another option, but it's much easier to mess up with if you've never cut with one.

To get started with a nibbler, you will need a drill to start the hole with.
Click to expand...


Thanks man. That's what I was needing to hear. Atleast it works well enough to try it out. It's some thin, cheap aluminum from some old Raidmax case and it already has a partial whole in it from the design. I'll post a pic of it when I get home later on.
 
Gazoo said:
Like stated above, you'd need to get a hole drilled.

I have "drilled" holes into thin aluminium with a nail, and a knife... but it can get ugly... and damage a knife :p.

Figure out what else you'll be doing (adding a piece of plexi, how you'll mount it, etc) before you make the leap to cutting things.
Click to expand...

Alright, I'll try and plan it out. Thanks. You mind helping me out if I post a pic later of the side of the case and describe to you what I'm trying it do? Btw, thanks again everyone for all the replys! They've been very helpful.
 
nandaman said:
Alright, I'll try and plan it out. Thanks. You mind helping me out if I post a pic later of the side of the case and describe to you what I'm trying it do? Btw, thanks again everyone for all the replys! They've been very helpful.
Click to expand...

Thats what the forum is here for! :)

Sounds like a good project for a nibbler, especially if it's your first time cutting.

My first project with one was putting two windows in a big heavy, steel Codegen case. My hands were so friggin sore..
 
They do make power nibblers, they use 'em at some of my work sites to cut through heavy gauge steel studs. Not sure how much or where to get 'em from though.
 
My god... Use a Jigsaw with a metal blade.

Dremels are too slow, nibblers hurt. You can cut a side window in 4 minutes with a jigsaw with a 30TPI + blade.
 
While it's now pretty much been beaten to death that there's better way to cut a hole, yes, you can do it with a nibbler tool. My first window installation was done with one, 8"x10" window in a steel case. It took me 3 days of on again, off again work to accomplish it, but it was quite the feeling of accomplishment once it was done! :)
You'll also want a file (half round is best, since you'll have one rounded side, one flat side) to smooth out your cut when you're done, and (like what's already been pointed out) you'll need to drill a hole to start out with.
What you might consider, too, is to do curves with a nibbler, and straight cuts with a hacksaw blade. It can be done, slowly to control your cut, and the hacksaw blade will give you a faster cut that's just about as smooth, without having to invest a lot of money in power tools. Make certain to buy decent bi-metallic blades for faster cutting.

Oh, and good luck! :D
 
Ive cut out grills and stuff with the nibbler but its going to be difficult to get a good smooth looking edge on bigger holes like for windows.
 
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