What type of local company do I need to cut a case side panel?

Space Monkey · 6 Sep 2012 at 15:39

Hi all,

What type of local company do I need to search for to cut a case side panel? I can mark out where to cut as I want to make a custom window, but I don't have the tools to cut the metal panel?

TIA

jamesg28 · 6 Sep 2012 at 17:11

can you not just buy a dremel?

Space Monkey · 6 Sep 2012 at 17:14

jamesg28 said:
can you not just buy a dremel?

They are quite expensive for a one off job, and I'm already spending a lot on the PC water cooling, so was hoping someone local could do it easy and quick, plus cheap?

sadbuttrue · 6 Sep 2012 at 17:29

Sent you a trust email.

Space Monkey · 6 Sep 2012 at 17:30

sadbuttrue said:
Sent you a trust email.

Thanks, received

doyll · 7 Sep 2012 at 15:41

À jigsaw works too.

Space Monkey · 7 Sep 2012 at 17:11

doyll said:
À jigsaw works too.

Are they expensive for the one I'd need?

doyll · 7 Sep 2012 at 17:29

$20 on that bid site. Use blades with the most teeth per inch. Tape up everything so you don't scratch it. Practice on something else first, then practice on your side panel by cutting a smaller window first.

Space Monkey · 7 Sep 2012 at 18:11

So do you think a £20-30 jigsaw like a Ryobi for example would do, if so I may just get one and practice on my existing panel, as I was thinking of getting a new panel anyway so I could mod the style I wanted, what do you reckon?

doyll · 7 Sep 2012 at 18:54

should work fine. Just setting down to tea. Google "cutting window in computer" or similar. Read and watch some vid tutorials.

I've done a few and done many similar things as part of my job. Feel free to ask any questions.. even if you think they are dumb.. there are no dumb questions.. only damaged good because enough questions were not asked.

Space Monkey · 7 Sep 2012 at 19:04

doyll said:
should work fine. Just setting down to tea. Google "cutting window in computer" or similar. Read and watch some vid tutorials.

I've done a few and done many similar things as part of my job. Feel free to ask any questions.. even if you think they are dumb.. there are no dumb questions.. only damaged good because enough questions were not asked.

Thank you, I will call on you no doubt as I have zero experience with this kinda thing but I'm willing to learn and have a go

besides, I will have done all the modding and water cooling (another first for me too) myself from start to finish and it'll feel a lot more satisfying that way.

Thanks again

doyll · 7 Sep 2012 at 19:08

No problem. If you weren't in outer space I'd say drop over and I'd show you how it's done.

Space Monkey · 7 Sep 2012 at 19:09

doyll said:
No problem. If you weren't in outer space I'd say drop over and I'd show you how it's done.

Ha ha, genuine chortle here

Outer space, aka Southampton

Space Monkey · 7 Sep 2012 at 19:31

Actually, just watched an decent vid on youtube (don't want to mention who as it could possibly be seen as a competitor?) and he mentions that you can't start a cutting in the metal panel with a jigsaw, you need a dremel type thing? As I don't have that, and won't be buying one, how would I get around this?

doyll · 7 Sep 2012 at 22:23

just drill a hole with a bit a little bigger than jigsaw blade.

Can be fancy and drill holes in each corner too. Drill the corner holes so sides of hole are edge of lines. Then when you saw the line you have a nice radius corner.

You will need a file to cleanup the saw line.

michaelp · 8 Sep 2012 at 08:29

Once you have a big hole in your side panel what are you planning to do? leave it as is or do you intend to have a clear plastic layer over it?

Space Monkey · 9 Sep 2012 at 07:57

michaelp said:
Once you have a big hole in your side panel what are you planning to do? leave it as is or do you intend to have a clear plastic layer over it?

I'm looking to get some light blue tinted acrylic and that black tubing to go around the cut edges, also I've already bought some of that amazing 3M 4010 tape to hold the window in place

I'm modding and water cooling my case and wanted to show off different parts of the pc over the supplied window, also my current window is scratched (though I've seen vids on youtube on how to remove these scratches, so might try that first anyway??)

Space Monkey · 9 Sep 2012 at 08:01

doyll said:
just drill a hole with a bit a little bigger than jigsaw blade.

Can be fancy and drill holes in each corner too. Drill the corner holes so sides of hole are edge of lines. Then when you saw the line you have a nice radius corner. You will need a file to cleanup the saw line.

Good info, thanks again

I'll be doing a build log soon so will report back in there when I decide to tackle the window panel :eek:

doyll · 9 Sep 2012 at 11:01

Polishing out scratches in acrylic is a cakewalk....
Would you believe more like Karate Kid. "Wax on, wax off"

Space Monkey · 9 Sep 2012 at 12:11

doyll said:
Polishing out scratches in acrylic is a cakewalk....
Would you believe more like Karate Kid. "Wax on, wax off"

Ha ha, wax on wax off, Mr Miagee

I've just been to Halfords and bought the bits I need to rub out the scratches, seen a good tutorial on youtube so i'll follow that and see how I get on, if no good or I still want a different window I'll get that jigsaw and mod my own, thanks for all the help so far, it's appreciated