Antec Case Doors

[WobbleWobble]

I have both a Sonata and a SLK3800B and both doors are broken through normal usage. The part that broke on both my cases are the little plastic latches that latch to the case when you close the door. Both broke within a few months. I am not abusive with the doors, but I do access the power button and optical drives often.

Has anyone else had this problem with Antec cases or cases with doors in general?

I just wish they would make the plastic latches metal, then they would be a lot more durable.

 

[CrispyFried]

My Antec 1080 AMG case door and latch are great, still closes with a very satisfying *click* when I close it car door style, and Ive opened and closed it literally hundreds of times. Very snug fit, very sturdy. Ive had this case for three years now and am always poking around in it.

edit: the sonata latch looks just like the one on my 1080 amg. it slides towards the front to open, right?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Can it be replaced with a magnetic latch, like the ones used on some cabinet doors?

The magnetic part could be mounted in a square hole in the case.

Just a thought.


Galvanized

 

[WobbleWobble]

That's actually a very good thought Galvanized, I'll look into that. Thanks!

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
I have both a Sonata and a SLK3800B and both doors are broken through normal usage. The part that broke on both my cases are the little plastic latches that latch to the case when you close the door. Both broke within a few months. I am not abusive with the doors, but I do access the power button and optical drives often.

Has anyone else had this problem with Antec cases or cases with doors in general?

I just wish they would make the plastic latches metal, then they would be a lot more durable.

SLK3000B here. Door as solid as a rock.

I dislike doors but this is good quality.

 

[WobbleWobble]

The door and hinges are fine, it's just the plastic latch that's a problem for me...

 

[CraKaJaX]

Originally posted by: CrispyFried
My Antec 1080 AMG case door and latch are great, still closes with a very satisfying *click* when I close it car door style, and Ive opened and closed it literally hundreds of times. Very snug fit, very sturdy. Ive had this case for three years now and am always poking around in it.

edit: the sonata latch looks just like the one on my 1080 amg. it slides towards the front to open, right?

Same with me, very satisfied with my P180 door. :thumbsup:

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
The door and hinges are fine, it's just the plastic latch that's a problem for me...

I see, my latch is loosening a bit... only because i cant stop opening and closing my door

Still, they look pretty strong for their task.

The thing I dislike about my SLK3000B is the USB ports at the front, putting the case front back on after cleaning the filter is a bit awkward.

 

[Ike0069]

No problems with my Sonata Door. Had it for 9+ months, but it doesn't get open/closed that often.

 

[govtcheez75]

I don't really like the plastic front bezels on cases in general. Cooler Master does such a better job with their aluminum bezels and doors....but I still like my Antec BLK3700BQE a lot.

 

[Snowice]

while antec case doors aren't the greatest, i haven't yet had one broken on my... i have had a few.

 

[CrispyFried]

Originally posted by: Elcs
The thing I dislike about my SLK3000B is the USB ports at the front, putting the case front back on after cleaning the filter is a bit awkward.

the filter on the 1080 slides out from the bottom, I gather the 3000 doesnt? sounds like a PITA to me as I clean mine every few weeks.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: CrispyFried

Originally posted by: Elcs
The thing I dislike about my SLK3000B is the USB ports at the front, putting the case front back on after cleaning the filter is a bit awkward.

the filter on the 1080 slides out from the bottom, I gather the 3000 doesnt? sounds like a PITA to me as I clean mine every few weeks.

Ill see what I can do with it but it does look like taking the panel off is the only way.

EDIT: Definately. The front panel needs to be take off to remove the filter.

 

[Zap]

I used to have an 1080AMG and the door broke - IIRC the top hinge pin broke off the corner of the door. That, plus cutting my knee a few times on the door to an Aspire "Alien" case has soured me on doors.

 

[arcas]

The hinge on my Sonata was a little tight when I bought it about a year ago. I used a toothpick and dribbled a drop or two of olive oil into the hinge and it's been smooth as silk ever since.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: arcas
The hinge on my Sonata was a little tight when I bought it about a year ago. I used a toothpick and dribbled a drop or two of olive oil into the hinge and it's been smooth as silk ever since.

Great tip! The mechanic in me likes simple solutions. Bike shops sell oil and greases made for plastic. Olive oil would not harm plastic, AFAIK.
My old 70# CRT was a bear to swivel in it's base. So i set it on it's screen(on a thick towel)
and used a long zip-tie to lube the contact area of the base with Judy Butter a lube for mountain bike forks. Worked wonders. Just takes a lite touch to move it now.

Galvanized

 

[viivo]

1080amg door still great after 2+ years. Since the case is on the floor I've hit it more than once with my knee while rolling toward it, but it's still good as new. The plastic looks really cheap and weak, but it's stronger than you would expect.

 

[JCase]

I had two sonata doors break w/in the first 3 months of having it, but I called Antec and they promptly shipped out new ones with no hesitation, and no cost to me. Definitely a poor design on their part, but they make up for it with customer service

 

[charlietee]

Have you guy's removed the door ??? It is a crap shoot for me to get them on and off without breaking them.

Any tips ???

 

[neff2k]

Well just got mine yesterday, and I am in pretty much the same boat. When I put everything together last night decided to take the door off again, and it would not come off. The only way I could was to pull out which broke the two bottom tabs. So this morning I took the door from the right side (Which slid right off) and put it on the main (Left side) access side. Went on with no problem. Then tried to pull it back off to test it, now it is stuck the same way the other door was. I don't get it. Sent a support request into Antec. Might just go back to my other case (P160W)

 

[Markbnj]

[Can it be replaced with a magnetic latch, like the ones used on some cabinet doors?]

I prefer the magnetic closures anyway, just in case I hit the eject button on the keyboard accidentally.

 

[neff2k]

Acutally I found the problem. It was actually my fault for putting the wrong screws in to secure the removeable cages. I had them mixed up with the ones that secure the door. Here are pictures to compare them. When you use to the bigger screws on the cages it catches on the door when you close. So when you try to open the door it is caught.

Right Screw Installed

Wrong Screw installed

Comparison of the two screws

Now I just need to find out how to get a replacement door for the one I broke. Hate when this happens.

 

[ROJAS]

I removed all my Antec doors because Im always doing something with cd recordings. I did break one a few years ago and I got Antec tech support and the rep took my address and send me a new one in the mail. No charge.

You might try this and see if it still works.

 

[neff2k]

Well Antec contacted me today, and they are replacing the door. I am very impressed with their service. Now I remember why I have always bought their cases...

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

closing in on two years old with my antec case and the door is still fine.