Modding my cases

[Tsaico]

Here are some basic questions i hope to get easy (and cheap!) answers to:
1) What is the best tool with price and performance in mind. Heard about dremmel digital, the rotozip(?), and a standard rotary tool.
2)Will basic sanding and primer be enough to apply a spray paint over case panels?
3)What should I use to smooth out sharp edges after I am finished cutting?
Thanks for any anwers you may have to these questions...
Gonna try to mod a case for the first time...
P.S. so if you also have some words of wisdom you would like to share, feel free...

 

[Tschaft]

Well, I have the single speed mulipro, but i would suggest a multispeed, it just comes in handy. And yes, after u sand good, prime...just make sure not to get too gritty sandpaper, or is will tear right through the plastic. And I used a grinding stone that I bought at walmart, to put in the dremel, and smooth the edges out. Someone yell at me if im wrong.

 

[LYHTSPD]

tips on spray paint... TAKE YOUR TIME!! follow the directions pertaining to drying time on the cans. if you dont let the primer or paint dry all the way before applying the next coat, the coats underneath with NEVER dry completly. then it is soooo each to actually tear the paint off the case! take you time and use a lot of thin, light coats for the paint. if you try and put a real thick, heavy coat on at once, it will take forever to dry and you run the risk of the paint running (not a pretty sight).

as far as a cutting tool, i have done a lot of research on the rotozip, and they are not made to cut through sheet metal. i use a dremmel with a diamond cutting wheel (you can get them at this site). they work a lot better than the reinforced fiberglass cutting wheel, and they will last for a long time. you will need to get a metal grinding tool to smooth out the edges once you get done cutting. if you are cutting a straight line in the case, get a jig saw with a nice metal cutting blade. take a little extra time and make a quick jig to help you cut a straight line (my suggestiong is to clamp the side of the case down on some thing plywood, then tack a small piece of 2x4 or something to use as a rip guide for the cutting guide on the jig).

i hope this helps you. the main thing about case modding is to take your time, enjoy your fruits, and most of all... MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE!!!

OT:.... YES!! i am finally a senior member!!!!!!!

 

[Tsaico]

Cool, I had never even heard of a rotozip. Glad I am not crazy, they really exist. Now I saw a infomercial on a dremmel that had a flxible tool that could be used with any standard dremmel bits or attachments. I think it was called a Digital Dremmel. Anyone use this thing or know about it to make a comment? And I think that I will start small, just cutting out the extra vents around the fans and then painting the thing...

 

[LYHTSPD]

that sounds like a very good place to start! that is where i started i have not heard of a digital dremmel, but i have seen the flex shaft attatchment. it is great for modeling and small stuff because you have a lot more finite control over the tool bit, but when you have to do more gritty and harsh work like tearing through sheet steel, to quote the Beastie Boys, "Strictly hand held is the style I go"! :Q

 

[Tsaico]

One last question, how much should I be paying for a dremmel before I am paying too much?

 

[LYHTSPD]

um, im not sure. i have had mine for about 5-6 years now. i know you can get a nice kit with a bunch of accessories and a carrying case for (this is a guess) under $60. that may seem like a lot, but i promise that you will find ALL kinds of uses for it once you start to play with it!

 

[Jalapeno]

For cutting holes into your case, you can't beat THIS. Much faster, easier, and cheaper than a Dremel. Then just use a metal file to smooth the edges.

 

[LYHTSPD]

well, hole saws are great for cutting a new circular hole, but if you are trying to remove an existing stamped grill, i would stick with a dremmel

 

[pbrain]

there are situations where another tool would be better than a dremmel, but a dremmel will meet most needs--it's just really versatile. so if you just get one tool, get a dremmel.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

I have to agree with what LYHTSPD has said. A Dremel will suit you very well if you want to remove pre-stamped fan grilles. It will also work for doing larger stuff, like cutting new holes, but will take a lot of patience. For doing detail work, nothing can beat the Dremel with a rather small cutoff wheel.

And definitely take your time with the painting. It's really easy to get into a rush, but it is well worth your while to be patient. I took about a week and used 3 cans of black spraypaint and a can of clearcoat and gave my 7896A a mirror black finish that holds up reasonably well.

 

[Croton]

dremel is the besT!

i have a 'digital' dremel. u guys are actually referring to the Dremel Professional. It basically allows you to adjust the speed digitally, and the dremel keeps that RPM speed no matter what you cut through. very nice tool and one of my best investments!

they also have the flexshaft for the dremel - u guys already dscribed it.

also, to cut out holes, they also have the special attachment to make the dremel act as a jigsaw. i don't recall the name of the product, but go to the website and check it out.

i recently saw an informercial for the dremel, and it was awesome how it could be used to do so many things!!!

i guess you think i work for dremel, but i don't. i just like my dremel a lot!

anyways, coating your case in thin coats is a great idea. just make sure u work in a dust free area, so u don't have dust particles drying on your paint.

and another tip -- IF YOU DO CASE MODS, TAKE OUT YOUR COMPUTER 'GUTS' BEFORE U CUT!! metal shavings and computer parts don't mix very well.

good luck and post some pics of your mods when you're done!
ning

 

[jdavis]

Dremel works great, even for cutting blowholes. You just have to have a steady hand. Practice on some scrap for a bit before making any "real" cuts. If you can figure out how to rotate the dremel around the hole that you are cutting, as you are cutting it, you can make an almost perfect hole. I am an electrician, and have used hole saws and knockouts in the past, but they are expensive and/or require some skill/experience to operate (anyone ever tried to cut through a thick piece of lumber with a hole saw in a right angle drill, and had the drill jump out of your hands and fly several feet? I have before I learned how to control it!)

Get the dremel, and imagine the possibilities. Its the only tool you really need.

 

[Croton]

this attachment here makes your dremel bad ass!!!

http://www.dremel.com/productdisplay/att_template.asp?SKU=568&Color=99CCFF

 

[Jalapeno]

Geez guys, yes, a Dremel is a great tool, I own one myself. But NOT for cutting fan holes in a case! It's too tedious, time consuming, and a waste of time.

A hole saw cuts a hole in less than 20 seconds, perfectly round.

A Dremel cuts a hole as well, with lots of cut-off wheels and even more required accuracy and patience.

The Dremel IS very useful, but one has to be realistic in applying it. For detail work, nothing is better. But, it's not the second coming of Christ.

 

[Jalapeno]

Croton,

a "Grout Removal Kit"? how does this fit in here???

 

[Croton]

u can use it so your dremel is perpendicular to the item you're cutting.

then use the cutting/drill bit to cut your case.

works for me....works VERY nice!

 

[Jalapeno]

Hmmmm... That would be a miniature router, of sorts. Makes sense...

 

[sygyzy]

Step aside guys, I am here. My ears are hurting a bit after I cut a pretty large oval out of the side of my Enlight 7237. Do you know how long it took? About 1.5 hours with a corded Wizard. Here are my tips.

1) Wear eye protection. The wheels to shoot off and sometimes (rarely) you will get sparks. Also the sheet metal grinds down on the wheels so you have very small dust flying all over the place.

2) Wear a dust mask. You don't want to breathe this stuff in, trust me!

3) Wear ear protection. I've been told that machines spinning at high RPMS cause very intense inner ear problems. That's why dentist go deaf alot.

4) Buy ALOT of cutoff wheels. Some of them lasted me a few minutes and some shattered within 15 seconds.

5) If you have a corded tool, UNPLUG it each time you want to do any adjustments or changing of the disks. You don't ever want to risk having it turn on while you are holding the shaft.

6) Don't use anything battery powered because they run out really quick.

I know nothing about painting. I will be putting in the plexiglass this weekend hopefully if caseetc sends me my molding. Can anyone tell us what paint to use? Do we have to sand the case down first? What type of grit (is that the right word?). How many layers? Clearcoat? Primer?

 

[Jalapeno]

sygyzy,

you said it. I rest my case.

 

[Tsaico]

Wow, seems like dremmel is my way to go! Gonna head down to the hard ware store to get me one. I also already have a corded variable speed drill, so I can probably get the hole saw too and just use whatever is easier for the job... Thanks all!

 

[junthin]

Thanks Tsaico for asking a question I was going to ask (Me = Case Modding Newbie )

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Good luck with your case mod!

Could you submit it when done? Thanx.

 

[sygyzy]

WhoDaPlaya - What is the submission for? Are you maintaining some database or something? I am nearly done with my case, I'll submit if I can find a way to take some pictures.

 

[ericd]

One suggestion......BUY THE FLEXSHAFT. I can't tell you how much of a difference that thing makes in ease of use. I can't imagine cutting on a case without it.

Eric