Where can I go to cut a side window on my case?

[Kamui]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if you guys knew of a third party person that could help me cut a side window on my case.

I live in New Jersey. Any recommendations?

 

[Zepper]

There are inexpensive window kits out there (under $10) and any local sheet-metal or autobody shop should be able to do the cutting if they are willing. The kit's trim can hide rough edges, so the cut doesn't need to be perfect.

.bh.

 

[Bluefront]

That's going to cost too much...... unless somebody takes pity on you. Simpler..... buy a Weiss tin-snip. Mask the area of the hole and pencil in your hole, then drill a 1/2" hole in the center of the intended hole. Snip away in a spiral till you get to your hole size.

Practice a little on some scrap before you make the final cut. You could probably find somebody to give you pointers/help. It's easy....

 

[Tim]

If the DIY route isn't for you, then you can pay and send it to performance-pcs in florida.
Check their website for priceing and options.

 

[Kamui]

thanks for the replies guys....
I might try DIY then... was it hard for you guys the first time?

 

[Bluefront]

It's not hard if the sheet metal is not too thick. You can cut .8mm steel or 2mm aluminum fairly easily. Get much thicker and you need really strong hands.

Get a new Weiss tin-snip..... you won't regret it. Other brands just don't work as well. If you're right handed, you want the model that cuts left turns (red handle I think). The green handle model makes cuts to the right. The yellow handle model is made for straight cuts......but they'll all make straight cuts. You can buy a set of all three cheaper. Honestly...if you're into computer modding, these things are a must.

 

[JasonSix78]

I did mine with a jigsaw (Lowe's/Home Depot has them for ~$20). The kit I bought from FrozenCPU was already cut to size, all I had to do was cut the hole in my side panel and I was ready to rock.

Here's a video demo:
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Here's some written tutorials:
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This is exactly how I did mine.

It's a pretty simple process, just take your time and you won't have any problems.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

I scored a P182 from Newegg for cheap, and I was wondering if it's any different placing a side panel window in one of those given the dampening sandwiched in the side panels. How do the acoustics fare after installing a plexiglas window?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I have a very large steel case and I took it to a metal shop on the coast to get a hole put in it. It was only about $40, which was cheaper than I was expecting, and the work was beautiful. If you have time time, DIY is a great way to go. If the case was aluminum, I might have done it myself, but steel just takes forever. Also I've had a lot more practice with my dremel since then.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Kamui
. was it hard for you guys the first time?

Well that sounds a bit weird, isn't it!?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

MNPCTech's online videos favor use of a jigsaw with 18-barbs/inch "metal or plastic" blades.

It DOES take longer with a Dremel, but I've gotten used to it. If you go the Dremel route, buy 2"-dia. fiberglass-reinforced cutting wheels. Don't apply pressure to the dremel: it will wear out parts you'd rather avoid replacing. Several passes, "touching" the metal, with attention to first creating a "groove" can become restful work except for the noise. Wear safety goggles.

Be careful handling the discard or the resulting edge of the window-hole. Use a rat-tail file to smooth those edges -- followed by coarse sandpaper or a sanding or grinding wheel for the dremel.

 

[Bluefront]

This is the exact reason I prefer to use a Weiss tin-snip when possible, rather than a Dremel......no metal chips flying around (nasty stuff). When using a jig-saw you stand a real possibility of marking up the edges of the cuts by the bottom guide-plate of the saw. I almost never use a jig-saw on sheet metal......a tin-snip is easier.