View Full Version : Out of 3 choices.. the best for cutting a window??
heres the design (roughly). Its an Antec Sx1030b.
http://files.joako.com/caseside.jpg
now, ive got 3 choices..
nibbler, which would be Very newby friendly.. but i dunno about those tiny little corners.. i could sand it off with those nail sanding thingies..
Jigsaw - it would be my first time using one, but it would cut it good, and have those corners done well.. would have to sand down on the edges a bit later on though.
Tin snips. Now, these are far by the easiest.. but i dont know about the edges... how would they look?? and would they cut steel like this?? also, their left cut, but i can probably cut straight with it too right??
Thanx guys.
Jesse23
09-28-02, 02:54 AM
id use a combo of the jigsaw and a dremel
CiscoKid
09-28-02, 02:59 AM
I would use the dremel.
Originally posted by jesse23
id use a combo of the jigsaw and a dremel
I KNEW someone would say this..
I dont have a dremel.. and cant get one.
NEGATIVE ON THE JIGSAW!!!
the first cut will be ok but when go for the second cut the jigsaw will flex the piece in between the holes, and maybe ruin the door.
unless you sandwich it between like pieces of plywood or something...cut the same holes in the plywood...
JMO
;)
Originally posted by Bastid
NEGATIVE ON THE JIGSAW!!!
the first cut will be ok but when go for the second cut the jigsaw will flex the piece in between the holes, and maybe ruin the door.
unless you sandwich it between like pieces of plywood or something...cut the same holes in the plywood...
JMO
;)
alright... i am thinking of the nibbler right now.... but how bout those small tiny corners?? tin snips?
RoundEye
09-28-02, 03:24 PM
Bastid is right about not using the jig saw, it's going to flex the metal too much.
I guess you're going to have to use a combo of nibblers and snips. The only thing is you might need both right and left handed cutters to get into the corners. You may be able to flip the door over the make the right hand cuts left hand, :D
That's a lot of cutting so just take your time so you don't get mad and try and to rush it. Also, in order to make it flat you're going to need a flat file of some sort. A finger nail file is just not going to do.
Whan you file, don't file at a right angle, use long strokes the entire length of the cut.
It's going to take a while, but it'll look killer when you are done.
:2cool:
Originally posted by RoundEye
Bastid is right about not using the jig saw, it's going to flex the metal too much.
I guess you're going to have to use a combo of nibblers and snips. The only thing is you might need both right and left handed cutters to get into the corners. You may be able to flip the door over the make the right hand cuts left hand, :D
That's a lot of cutting so just take your time so you don't get mad and try and to rush it. Also, in order to make it flat you're going to need a flat file of some sort. A finger nail file is just not going to do.
Whan you file, don't file at a right angle, use long strokes the entire length of the cut.
It's going to take a while, but it'll look killer when you are done.
:2cool:
Yah.... will probably do that.. ive got a long flat file man.. ill take a pic of it and post it, its not for finger nails BTW..
so, like, how would i file so that the rough edges would be nice and smooth, and to not damage the paint??
Oh man, that's going to be real tricky because with a few cuts it will get awfully flexible. Any of those tools could do the job. Each will need starting holes.
Here's what I would probably do: Cut a piece of 1/4" plywood to fit and stick it to the back side with lots of double-stick tape and cut with a jigsaw, hopefully one with a plastic face on the base. I'd prop it up at an angle with 2x4s and cut downhill so the chips fall away from the saw. Use a cutting guide for sraight lines.
I think in any case you will have to touch up the paint.
Originally posted by poptom
Oh man, that's going to be real tricky because with a few cuts it will get awfully flexible. Any of those tools could do the job. Each will need starting holes.
Here's what I would probably do: Cut a piece of 1/4" plywood to fit and stick it to the back side with lots of double-stick tape and cut with a jigsaw, hopefully one with a plastic face on the base. I'd prop it up at an angle with 2x4s and cut downhill so the chips fall away from the saw. Use a cutting guide for sraight lines.
I think in any case you will have to touch up the paint.
if im gonna have to touch up on the paint... i might as well paint the whole damn case! :) now i need a painting guide :D
What do you mean by cut downhill?? like on a slope? and the plastic face... what do you mean by that??
and another thing.. since im thinking of just painting the case.. should I cut the window first? or paint first
?
thanx guys.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by vegeto
if im gonna have to touch up on the paint... i might as well paint the whole damn case! :) now i need a painting guide :D
What do you mean by cut downhill?? like on a slope?
and the plastic face... what do you mean by that??
and another thing.. since im thinking of just painting the case.. should I cut the window first? or paint first
thanx guys.
?[/QUOTE
You can probably find a spray can that's a close enough match.
Yes, a slope. You don't want the chips to get caught under the shoe. They will scratch.
Look at the part of the saw that rides on the surface. If it's metal, cover it with masking tape.
Paint last.
With a jigsaw, you need to hold it firmly (as with any power tool). Press down on it because it will tend to jump. Don't lift it while the blade is moving. Practice on something else first.
Originally posted by poptom
[QUOTE]Originally posted by vegeto
if im gonna have to touch up on the paint... i might as well paint the whole damn case! :) now i need a painting guide :D
What do you mean by cut downhill?? like on a slope?
and the plastic face... what do you mean by that??
and another thing.. since im thinking of just painting the case.. should I cut the window first? or paint first
thanx guys.
?[/QUOTE
You can probably find a spray can that's a close enough match.
Yes, a slope. You don't want the chips to get caught under the shoe. They will scratch.
Look at the part of the saw that rides on the surface. If it's metal, cover it with masking tape.
Paint last.
With a jigsaw, you need to hold it firmly (as with any power tool). Press down on it because it will tend to jump. Don't lift it while the blade is moving. Practice on something else first.
i was actually planning on painting it anyways..
so no biggy on the painting part.. any recommendations for colors?? and a guide too??
oh, and another thing..
how bout the guides?? what do you mean by em??
Originally posted by vegeto
i was actually planning on painting it anyways..
so no biggy on the painting part.. any recommendations for colors?? and a guide too??
Color? You're on your own there. Mine are just beige boxes. You don't need to make a big thing out of a paint job. Just scrub it down with TSP (grocery or hardware store) and Scotch finishing pads (instead of sandpaper or steel wool), rinse it off and wipe it dry. Hold everything by the edges to avoid fingerprints. Same with the plastic parts as they will have wax or something on them for a mold release. Don't use a solvent.
Use an enamel paint.
For a cutting guide, use a yardstick or something like that and clamp or tape it in place for each long cut. Run the saw against it.
Find some scrap sheet metal to practice cutting on. An old fluorescent light fixture, for instance.
Do everything methodically and don't rush it. Good luck!
Christopher561
10-02-02, 07:26 PM
i would recommend a air nibbler if you had a air compressor
Originally posted by Christopher561
i would recommend a air nibbler if you had a air compressor
Right!
That would be the ideal tool but I was sure he didn't have one.
Originally posted by poptom
Right!
That would be the ideal tool but I was sure he didn't have one.
actually..
yah, ive got an air compressor.. my dad bought one for some weird reason.. and never really used it..
any links on the air nibblers?? and like, how would i cut the corners?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46061
or
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36866
You clean out the corners with a half-round file.
(I hope you mean a real air compressor and not just a tire inflator, What horsepower?)
Originally posted by poptom
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46061
or
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36866
You clean out the corners with a half-round file.
(I hope you mean a real air compressor and not just a tire inflator, What horsepower?)
no, i mean a REAL one.. one that takes those heavy duty types of drills.. trust me, its a real one, im not sure of the HP right now..
so, how do these actually work?
is there like a guide on the net.. its either this, which is about 35 bucks with shipping.. or saving up some moolah and buying a dremel..
so?
Originally posted by vegeto
so, how do these actually work?
Works like your hand nibbler but it takes tiny bites real fast and all you have to do is steer it. Very clean cut. Needs about a 3/8" starting hole for each cut.
I think Harbor Freight has better prices in their print catalog, like maybe 10-15 bucks. I'll probably be getting another catalog from them in the next couple of days so I'll check on that. I usually just toss them.
As for a Dremel, you don't need something to tuck away in a dorm room. You're going to do a lot of cutting so you should use a proper cutting tool.
As I've said before, a Dremel is an entertainment device, not a tool.
Originally posted by poptom
Works like your hand nibbler but it takes tiny bites real fast and all you have to do is steer it. Very clean cut. Needs about a 3/8" starting hole for each cut.
I think Harbor Freight has better prices in their print catalog, like maybe 10-15 bucks. I'll probably be getting another catalog from them in the next couple of days so I'll check on that. I usually just toss them.
As for a Dremel, you don't need something to tuck away in a dorm room. You're going to do a lot of cutting so you should use a proper cutting tool.
As I've said before, a Dremel is an entertainment device, not a tool.
air nibbler then?
guess so.. ill order a print catalog too.. thanx.
knightmare
10-03-02, 07:12 AM
dude! let me tell u about my first cutting experience the other day, i have a aopen steel case i wanted to put a nice side fan blow hole in, i downloaded a template off this forum(btw thx),
1st i drilled a large hole to start the jigsaw, after the jigsaw blade vibrated a million times i got my numb hands off it, i had the case side in a vise too, forget the jigsaw, a dremel? i keep hearing dremel but let me ask-- whatz the part# of the bit u used? i tried damn near everyone of the bits they carry , no go..., aopen must use heat-treated steel, now i have a decent drill so i went to home depot, got a 79mm hole saw and a adaptor/bit, cost me $28
for both, but they have sizes for 80mm fans 92 and 102 etc,, make sure u get the bimetal hole saw not a carbide for wood- such as for putting a hole in a door for a deadbolt etc.. i even tried my dad;s rotozip, no luck, could be just me or my case brand, but if u want a hole in like under 30 secs, a hole saw is the way, that covers the hole part, now the rectangles u want to cut, looks like alot of work, lol , that air nibbler sounds like the way to go, i wonder if a local body shop etc might do it for ya for less than it would cost u for buying the tool, your time etc, plus slap a automotive finish on it..
Originally posted by knightmare
dude! let me tell u about my first cutting experience the other day, i have a aopen steel case i wanted to put a nice side fan blow hole in, i downloaded a template off this forum(btw thx),
1st i drilled a large hole to start the jigsaw, after the jigsaw blade vibrated a million times i got my numb hands off it, i had the case side in a vise too, forget the jigsaw, a dremel? i keep hearing dremel but let me ask-- whatz the part# of the bit u used? i tried damn near everyone of the bits they carry , no go..., aopen must use heat-treated steel, now i have a decent drill so i went to home depot, got a 79mm hole saw and a adaptor/bit, cost me $28
for both, but they have sizes for 80mm fans 92 and 102 etc,, make sure u get the bimetal hole saw not a carbide for wood- such as for putting a hole in a door for a deadbolt etc.. i even tried my dad;s rotozip, no luck, could be just me or my case brand, but if u want a hole in like under 30 secs, a hole saw is the way, that covers the hole part, now the rectangles u want to cut, looks like alot of work, lol , that air nibbler sounds like the way to go, i wonder if a local body shop etc might do it for ya for less than it would cost u for buying the tool, your time etc, plus slap a automotive finish on it..
dood, GOOD IDEA!
I never thought about the body shops.. and they can paint it for me too... im gonna think about it..
poptom, what do you think?
Originally posted by vegeto
dood, GOOD IDEA!
I never thought about the body shops.. and they can paint it for me too... im gonna think about it..
poptom, what do you think?
Dunno about a body shop making that kind of a cut. A sheet-metal shop probably could. I suppose you might find a paint-and-body shop to do the finish if they have guys sitting on their hands. Motorcycle paint shop, maybe. They're into small jobs like fenders and tanks.
Do it yourself, veg, and save a ton of money.
Also, with your pattern, it's going to be delicate like piece of lace so you don't want to carry it around or handle it much.
Hey, you already have a jigsaw. Try it on some scrap material and see what you think. The work has to be supported and you have to bear down on the saw so it doesn't just flap around. I know I said an air nibbler would be ideal but you're not going to make a career out of cutting panels so try what you've got first.
vegeto, if you want those fan templates go here (http://home.tampabay.rr.com/snakepit/fan%20templates/)
:D
Originally posted by poptom
Done anything yet?
nah.. i postponed it..
im gonna wait till ive got some money to blow on this.. and grab a dremel..
argh.. it sux to be broke.
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.