Blow Holes For Fans

[Alien-X]

What tool do you use to cut blow holes in the case for the fans ?

[agw_01]

I used a small Black and Decker tool, which can be used as a cutting tool, screwdriver and sander.

Pics and information can be found here if you're interested.

[Alien-X]

Thx a lot for the link, that site helped a lot. I'm going to cut 3 blow holes out in a case that im modding, i bought it from scratch, $20 and now I'm painting it and putting blow holes in it.
Would you use the same stuff to cut out a design in the side panel ?
Also where can you buy the glass window to install on the side.

[Alien-X]

Also whats a good site for purchasing Fan grills, newegg only had 1 good one and a few other plain ones.

[agw_01]

lol glad that site helped... it's mine

Depending on the strength of the tool/blade used and the thickness of the side panel, you may well be able to cut a window in the panel. My dad has mod'd his case by adding a few windows, and he used that same tool which you see in those pics.

I'm not sure where you could get fan grills from in the USA, as I'm from the UK.

Newegg, Pricewatch and Directron seem to be popular with the members here.

[DJ_Keoki]

If you are cutting 80mm blow holes, I recommend using a 3" hole saw, because you will get a perfect hole a lot easier than with a Dremel type tool where you have to follow a line. I used a hole saw to cut my blowholes, and they came out perfect. Just my $.02.

[Todd a]

I just use a jig-saw with a fine toothed metal cutting blade. I clean it out a bit with some sandpaper. It might not be perfect, but if you are any good with a jigsaw it is pretty easy and it cuts fast.

For fan grills you could try...

http://www.plycon.com/fans/custgrill.htm

http://www.plycon.com/fans/fangrills.htm

http://www.plycon.com/fans/ledgrill.htm

... for laser cut, standard wire, or LED blastic grills. This place is OK too and has some good prices on window kits, LED fans, and cold cathodes:

http://www.bestbyte.net/

This is my most recent case mod (yup, I got to pimp it again ) and the blowhole and window was cut with a jig-saw in a few minutes:

[Alien-X]

Thx for links Todd a. Those were just the grills i was looking for.

[Martin_89]

as for fan grills try Ebuyer USA

[Dimarini]

I second the vote for the holesaw if you can afford it. My second choice is a jigsaw. Third would be a dremel or rotozip.

[grover]

I tape an octagonal template I whipped up in AutoCAD and trace it out with my dremel- about half the lines get cut through, and the rest scored- when the tabs are bent back, it creates a very slick & professional looking octagonal hole that matches an 80mm or 120mm fan perfectly I don't bother with guards on my cheap-speed 80mm fans, but the fan guard works fine like this too.

[Hemiboy]

A jig saw and a steady hand.


oh, and LOTS of sanding to make it look ROUND :P