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Windowed Side Panel For Cent. 5

dchrsf said:
Hey guys, I'm having a hard time finding a replacement for the stock side panel on my cent 5 that dosent have a window.

I'm looking for one with a window similiar to this http://www.buzzmemory.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=100412 but in stock.

Also, how hard would it be to actually cut one out assuming there are no ones I can purchase.
Click to expand...

I currently have a CENT 5, and judging by the thickness of the side panel, and whether or not you have a Dremel and some good steady hands, it wouldn't be THAT hard to cut your own window. The only problem would be having to either paint or cover the edges the occur as part of the cut...
 
Thanks blindbug, I agree on that the thickness isnt very at all and it would be fairly simple givin I had the right tools. However, I don't own a dremel and dont have skills in using it. Hell, I cut out the front intake grill on it with snippers :D .

I guess I could still look into it, but would have to ask for a dremel for my b-day, and was just hoping for an easier solution givin the tools I have and time contraints (I've got the mod bug!! Cant wait!) :)
 
dchrsf said:
Thanks blindbug, I agree on that the thickness isnt very at all and it would be fairly simple givin I had the right tools. However, I don't own a dremel and dont have skills in using it. Hell, I cut out the front intake grill on it with snippers :D .

I guess I could still look into it, but would have to ask for a dremel for my b-day, and was just hoping for an easier solution givin the tools I have and time contraints (I've got the mod bug!! Cant wait!) :)
Click to expand...

HA, I know how that MOD BUG goes... but you want to watch out for it, if you are going to cut a window, take your time and do it right. I've messed up many a mod by jumping head long into it, but I have since learned from my mistakes and make sure to take an excessive amount of time, and bask in the moment of modding (makes for a better result in the end to bask with as well) ;).

If you were looking for a cheap solution, you could get yourself a Jeweler's Saw (first result on GOOGLE), and do it yourself. I own a jewelers saw that I bought for modding diecast with, and use it constantly when I am looking for precise cuts. The only problem is that you MUST take your time and it take a LONG time to cut a large amount. Also, you have to make sure you wear goggles and are smooth with your cuts, or else you will get a jeweler's blade stuck in your finger, or worse your eye (i've had one in the finger myself, it is a B!tch to get out (the teeth make it agony).

Otherwise, this is a good excuse to move up to a good dremel. Trust me, you will find uses for it constantly once you get it. Also, don't listen to the hu-bub, get a corded one... it's more powerful, and doesn't run out on you in 10-15 minutes...
 
dchrsf said:
Hell, I cut out the front intake grill on it with snippers .
Click to expand...
Why not use the snips to cut out the window? If (and that's a big IF) used correctly snips don't leave that
bad an edge. That's what hand files & sandpaper are for.

Dremel? They are OK for smaller jobs. But can be woefully under-powered once the jobs grow in size.

Jeweler's Saw? How would you cut out a window with that? I use jeweler's saws all the time, but for making jewelry.
Don't think I'd consider using one for medium to large case modding jobs. Not when I have pneumatics available anyway.
 
Actually, when I said snippers I ment..

520020.jpg
snippers. See that little 'blade' on it? Yep, used that part :)
 
I too had the mod bug and wanted to expand the window on my Cent 5.. I didn't quite like the "rivets" they had surrounding the window, so I just expanded the window past the rivets.

DSC05471Small.JPG



I went out and bought a dremel for the sole purpose of cutting the window in my Cent 5. Never used a dremel in life prior to cutting that window.

Just make sure you mask off anything you don't want scratched. I layed the black side of the panel down and cut from the inside of the panel. After using the dremel, I went around the inside of the window with a file and got all the jaggies filed down. Be careful not to scratch the paint.

I then had some lexan cut @ my local home depot and secured it to the inside of the window with some clear silicon adhesive. Mod done.


Additionally,I got bit by the bug again and went on to cut out some 80mm blowholes into the top of the case.

Hope my post helps. Good Luck.
 
dchrsf said:
Actually, when I said snippers I ment..

520020.jpg
snippers. See that little 'blade' on it? Yep, used that part :)
Click to expand...
Hmmm, my mistake. I'd assume you were you cutting a wire grill or something similar. (??? )
Because that's what that part of those needlenose pliers are for, wire cutting. Not suitable for
cutting sheet metal, but it will work if you are desperate I guess.

- edit -
Argh-h-h-h!! .... the mod bug just bit me as well. Gonna have to go back out in the garage
and continue working on my new side window project. Will be far from the conventional window
design I assure you. Pneumatic tools & carbide bits here I come! :D
 
Susquehannock said:
Hmmm, my mistake. I'd assume you were you cutting a wire grill or something similar. (??? )
Because that's what that part of those needlenose pliers are for, wire cutting. Not suitable for
cutting sheet metal, but it will work if you are desperate I guess.

- edit -
Argh-h-h-h!! .... the mod bug just bit me as well. Gonna have to go back out in the garage
and continue working on my new side window project. Will be far from the conventional window
design I assure you. Pneumatic tools & carbide bits here I come! :D
Click to expand...

haha. honestly a good pair of actual aircraft snips would work, or a dremel is fine for the window. either way its not too hard, its a matter of spending the money on the tools really.
 
Yeah, I'm with you there about the snips Darkala. The problem is many people don't know how
to use them correctly. Which is why I never recommend snips for the beginner.

Easy to end up with a hack job if you don't know what you are doing. Not to mention the fact
that you can screw up a good pair of aviation snips if they are not used properly.

Which is why so many are under the impression snips are hard to use IMO. Because their
snips have twisted jaws. Or they aren't properly set for the thickness metal they intend to cut.
 
if your going to be doing a fair bit of cutting a dremel is not what you want :)

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=923 <-- dremel on steroids though without the extra tools and other shiny stuff a dremel has but incredibly usefull

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=8993 <-- simple easy solution when combined with a cheapish drill

these are just devices used to illustrate a point

while i will probably be spending some moeny on a grinder soon the jigsaw that suits me is a super cheap one that cost 39 au$ (25-30 us$ ish)

and my drill was just 50 and cordless though i may be looking at swapping this for another (or stealing my fathers ramset drill :) )
 
tacticus said:
if your going to be doing a fair bit of cutting a dremel is not what you want :)

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=923 <-- dremel on steroids though without the extra tools and other shiny stuff a dremel has but incredibly usefull

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=8993 <-- simple easy solution when combined with a cheapish drill

these are just devices used to illustrate a point

while i will probably be spending some moeny on a grinder soon the jigsaw that suits me is a super cheap one that cost 39 au$ (25-30 us$ ish)

and my drill was just 50 and cordless though i may be looking at swapping this for another (or stealing my fathers ramset drill :) )
Click to expand...

The only problem here is that if the OP were going to go out and buy some new tools to do this, a dremel tool would probably come in handy much more often than a jigsaw and especially a grinder. It also allows him to make more intricate cuts and do the finishing touches with the same tool (at a minimal cost for a sanding attachment). I understand what you are saying about the jigsaw and grinder being faster and probably more appropriate in some cases... but the dremel is a much more robust and useful solution for someone who sounds like they don't do heavy work very often...
 
Well said blindbug. The Dremel might not be the best tool, but it is just right for most
casual modders.

Dremel on steroids you say? Blah, this is what a Dremel on steroids looks like :p
 
blindbug said:
The only problem here is that if the OP were going to go out and buy some new tools to do this, a dremel tool would probably come in handy much more often than a jigsaw and especially a grinder. It also allows him to make more intricate cuts and do the finishing touches with the same tool (at a minimal cost for a sanding attachment). I understand what you are saying about the jigsaw and grinder being faster and probably more appropriate in some cases... but the dremel is a much more robust and useful solution for someone who sounds like they don't do heavy work very often...
Click to expand...

good point i wasn't approaching it from the casual modder perspective more the tools i will eventually own for the rest of my life

ohh and on the dremel on steroids :p
i was incorrect but i beg to differ about your option as well

http://www.me.unlv.edu/News/MEGNews/CNC in place.JPG
 
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