Brute force case modding. hehe

Alexm22191 · 06-07-2009, 11:58 PM

hey guys.
i bought a case off ebay with a huge side fan.

i'm going to be living in phoenix soon and think i need more (cheap) cooling

it has a massive side fan, a rear fan (cant remember the size i think it's 120) and a front fan that is covered by the cool power switch. i just ordered a corsair 650 watt power supply which will be more than enough power and i think a fan on top will be a good idea.

here's the question...

is there a way to add a a fan slot? can i physically take a drill and make one? or since it is a fairly generic and simple case can i find a new top panel? the case is cheap so messing up wouldn't be too horrible.

i need better cooling without spending big bucks... is this a good idea?

**forcifer** · 06-08-2009, 01:01 AM

yup its perfectly normal :) i recommend tracing a CD wherever you are going to cut out, and cut out however much of the CD marking you have drawn you want for airflow. then carfully trace where the fan holes are and drill those out. file everything down and you should be good to go.

Alexm22191 · 06-08-2009, 05:33 PM

i think im going to buy a fan first and trace it out. what do you suggest i cut it with?

**forcifer** · 06-08-2009, 06:05 PM

a dremel is more common but i think its harder. i use a router/rotozip

Alexm22191 · 06-08-2009, 06:21 PM

should i just drill a bunch of holes mimicking most fan slots?

**forcifer** · 06-08-2009, 07:13 PM

um that would work but would take a really long time and might block airflow. since it would be an exhaust fan, i would cut out as much as possible because dust wont be a problem. if you want you could add in a fan grill, but thats up to you

Alexm22191 · 06-08-2009, 09:23 PM

ok. i just dont have the tools to cut it.

**forcifer** · 06-08-2009, 10:11 PM

o =/ well that would still work, just would take a while and would probably be restrictive. be sure to use some kind of file to smooth down the edges so that you dont cut yourself or the fan. other then that, i think you will be good to go. think about investing in a dremel of some kind...it becomes VERY handy when modding :)

Alexm22191 · 06-08-2009, 10:25 PM

oh it turns out my dad has a dremel. hopefully i can pull this off without hurting myself too bad.

**forcifer** · 06-08-2009, 11:50 PM

lol you will be fine :) here is a video that will help:
YouTube - Dremel Techniques For Case Modding, Part 1, www.mnpctech.com

**Jtsou** · 06-09-2009, 07:08 AM

I want pics when you are done. :P

derek_jones_36 · 06-09-2009, 07:44 PM

That's a pretty sweet project and I love the size of that fan. Holy @$#% that thing is huge I love it. I really like the Dremel demonstration. I have that model although I like the hole saw idea better...just seems more efficient.

Jones

**forcifer** · 06-09-2009, 08:22 PM

hole saws do work better but are a pain to use. i use a rotozip so that i can create my own grill, etc

Alexm22191 · 06-09-2009, 11:06 PM

alright ill post pics, but knowing me itll be a disaster lol. cheap case whatever.

derek_jones_36 · 06-11-2009, 07:43 PM

What aspect of using the hole saw would you say poses a problem? I can see if there was burning when the hole was made but I might just rectify that by covering the case door with some low adhesive tape to reduce friction. I can see that making a difference. Perhaps a different type of material in the hole saw might make a difference as well. It would be something to consider.

Jones

**forcifer** · 06-11-2009, 10:02 PM

takes a very powerful drill to use a hole saw and you have a high chance of bending the material if you arent careful. also, if you are drilling through acrylic (as i was) it melts making it an even bigger pain. also, you cant make a grill right there the same way you can with a rotozip or dremel

derek_jones_36 · 06-12-2009, 10:37 PM

Gotcha....I have a couple of drills....three to be exact. One Dewalt Hammer Drill....top RPM's are 2400 I believe in High speed fourth gear I think it is. I have one Rigid corded drill that's 2800 RPM's I use for My Pocket Hole Jig and an older drill that's corded as well and still runs at 2400 RPM's Perhaps they would work. I have intentionally selected a drill with a high rpm because the pocket holes require a powerful and quick drill. Also I would be going through the plastic side of my case which is not lexan but a cheap thin version in my Lian Li Case.

Jones

**forcifer** · 06-12-2009, 11:59 PM

just use a bunch of short strokes instead of one longer one because it will melt and it will be a pain and might ruin the saw. also, make sure you use a saw meant for cutting metal because otherwise it will catch like none other

06-07-2009, 11:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Alexm22191 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27 OS: XP My System	Brute force case modding. hehe hey guys. i bought a case off ebay with a huge side fan. i'm going to be living in phoenix soon and think i need more (cheap) cooling it has a massive side fan, a rear fan (cant remember the size i think it's 120) and a front fan that is covered by the cool power switch. i just ordered a corsair 650 watt power supply which will be more than enough power and i think a fan on top will be a good idea. here's the question... is there a way to add a a fan slot? can i physically take a drill and make one? or since it is a fairly generic and simple case can i find a new top panel? the case is cheap so messing up wouldn't be too horrible. i need better cooling without spending big bucks... is this a good idea?

06-08-2009, 01:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe yup its perfectly normal :) i recommend tracing a CD wherever you are going to cut out, and cut out however much of the CD marking you have drawn you want for airflow. then carfully trace where the fan holes are and drill those out. file everything down and you should be good to go. __________________ now i remember

06-08-2009, 05:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Alexm22191 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27 OS: XP My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe i think im going to buy a fan first and trace it out. what do you suggest i cut it with?

06-08-2009, 06:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe a dremel is more common but i think its harder. i use a router/rotozip __________________ now i remember

06-08-2009, 06:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Alexm22191 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27 OS: XP My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe should i just drill a bunch of holes mimicking most fan slots?

06-08-2009, 07:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe um that would work but would take a really long time and might block airflow. since it would be an exhaust fan, i would cut out as much as possible because dust wont be a problem. if you want you could add in a fan grill, but thats up to you __________________ now i remember

06-08-2009, 09:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Alexm22191 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27 OS: XP My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe ok. i just dont have the tools to cut it. __________________ Beware: ALEX

06-08-2009, 10:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe o =/ well that would still work, just would take a while and would probably be restrictive. be sure to use some kind of file to smooth down the edges so that you dont cut yourself or the fan. other then that, i think you will be good to go. think about investing in a dremel of some kind...it becomes VERY handy when modding :) __________________ now i remember

06-08-2009, 10:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Alexm22191 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27 OS: XP My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe oh it turns out my dad has a dremel. hopefully i can pull this off without hurting myself too bad. __________________ Beware: ALEX

06-08-2009, 11:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe lol you will be fine :) here is a video that will help: YouTube - Dremel Techniques For Case Modding, Part 1, www.mnpctech.com __________________ now i remember

06-09-2009, 07:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jtsou Hardware Specialist Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisburg, NC Posts: 1,214 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1 My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe I want pics when you are done. :P __________________ CPU-Z-----GPU-Z-----CoreTemp-----Speedfan

06-09-2009, 07:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 466 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe That's a pretty sweet project and I love the size of that fan. Holy @$#% that thing is huge I love it. I really like the Dremel demonstration. I have that model although I like the hole saw idea better...just seems more efficient. Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

06-09-2009, 08:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe hole saws do work better but are a pain to use. i use a rotozip so that i can create my own grill, etc __________________ now i remember

06-09-2009, 11:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
Alexm22191 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27 OS: XP My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe alright ill post pics, but knowing me itll be a disaster lol. cheap case whatever. __________________ Beware: ALEX

06-11-2009, 07:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 466 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe What aspect of using the hole saw would you say poses a problem? I can see if there was burning when the hole was made but I might just rectify that by covering the case door with some low adhesive tape to reduce friction. I can see that making a difference. Perhaps a different type of material in the hole saw might make a difference as well. It would be something to consider. Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

06-11-2009, 10:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe takes a very powerful drill to use a hole saw and you have a high chance of bending the material if you arent careful. also, if you are drilling through acrylic (as i was) it melts making it an even bigger pain. also, you cant make a grill right there the same way you can with a rotozip or dremel __________________ now i remember

06-12-2009, 10:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 466 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe Gotcha....I have a couple of drills....three to be exact. One Dewalt Hammer Drill....top RPM's are 2400 I believe in High speed fourth gear I think it is. I have one Rigid corded drill that's 2800 RPM's I use for My Pocket Hole Jig and an older drill that's corded as well and still runs at 2400 RPM's Perhaps they would work. I have intentionally selected a drill with a high rpm because the pocket holes require a powerful and quick drill. Also I would be going through the plastic side of my case which is not lexan but a cheap thin version in my Lian Li Case. Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

06-12-2009, 11:59 PM	#18 (permalink)
forcifer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,619 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Brute force case modding. hehe just use a bunch of short strokes instead of one longer one because it will melt and it will be a pain and might ruin the saw. also, make sure you use a saw meant for cutting metal because otherwise it will catch like none other __________________ now i remember