As some of you may know, the Antec Lanboy has very bad cooling properties, steps I have taken are:

1.BACK\\ Cut out mesh fangrill on back of case, improve cfm
2. FRONT\\ Got rid of screwless 80mm fan bracket system for a 92mm fan w/ cutout grill for max cfm

Ok so I need to cut a 80mm hole into the side of my Antec Lanboy case(metal).


I tryed once and screwed up bad, costing me the price of a new side panel.

Can anyone tell me what tools they use and the methods that work best.

Im using one of those cliche biohazard grills, so it should cover "some" "screwup" marks


EDIT: Can someone tell me if combining the 12 and 5 volt lines like in the pick would work ???

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Your proposed location for a fan in the side panel isn't that logically sound. About the only good a fan there would do is to exhaust warm air from a hard drive located there. Better to move the fan to the floor of the case, and half a foot to the left so it is more central, and intake cool air and blow it straight up towards the parts that really need the cooling. Put it on some form of legs so your fan has at least a half-inch of clearance off the floor. A fan exhaust in the region right in the middle of the upper area of the window would be pretty effective and getting rid of warm CPU/AGP air. Of course, an exhaust fan in the usual area at the rear of the case would be good too. If you have no room for a top blowhole, then I'd definitely consider a side panel exhaust as mentioned before.

Wait until you see my completed Micro-Beast MATX case, you'll see that a tight, cramped case CAN get really good airflow...but dang, it sure ain't easy!

well the fans are 12v rated for a reason so i would think the fan would burn out if you put 17 volts through it.

Typo I'm geussing? You'll get 7V if you combine them like that.

Quote: Originally Posted by lAnonymousl Typo I'm geussing? You'll get 7V if you combine them like that.

nah just ignorance. i was just going off of tycoon's little picture that shows 17V.

If you *really* have to have it there, despite advice to the contrary, I would do one of two things: either work from the inside of the side panel to minimize the appearance of scratches from the occasional escaped power tool, or use masking tape on the outside, and draw the template for the fan hole on the tape with a mechanical pencil.

The tool of choice can be just about anything that cuts well enough, without leaving too many rough edges, and that you feel comfortable using. A 3" hole saw, a Dremel, or a drill and scroll saw, it's all dependent on what you have on hand, or can beg/borrow/buy (*not* steal )

I would have to agree with Coel, though, that the better placement for a fan hole (intake or exhaust) would be a bit further back from where you propose to place it.

Yep, Grandpa is on target with the tips. I'd work from the inside and still use tape (who wants the inside scratched?). Mark your drill locations on the tape, bore the screw holes and a pilot hole for a 3" hole saw. If you already have a drill, I say a decent holesaw is worth the $$. You'll use it again, I assure you.


As far as the location you're proposing for that fan, I have to agree with the consensus that you need to change location. Warm air rises, cool air sinks. Air flow can take advantage of that, or screw it all up. It looks like the cool air coming from the front intake fan (the cool air originally intended to flow upwards in the case, cooling the higher, hotter air and exhausting it out the back) will basically hang a left and go right back out the side panel.
Make sure you have a whiz-bang CPU cooler, and maybe consider a duct job if there's enough room. If not, slide that fan back. Make it a 120mm in the window itself. If neither of those meet with your liking or plans, just consider moving that fan back somehow. Good luck!

Tycoon, I can only assume your password has been discovered & is being used by a total n00b - anyone whose been here more than a week can't avoid threads/articles on the 7-volt trick & the various methods of hole cutting ... so, with that n00b in mind, here's a few links:

http://guides.pcapex.com/modding/diy:_blowholes.php
http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=33429
http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=12291

/

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonny English Tycoon, I can only assume your password has been discovered & is being used by a total n00b - anyone whose been here more than a week can't avoid threads/articles on the 7-volt trick & the various methods of hole cutting ... so, with that n00b in mind, here's a few links: http://guides.pcapex.com/modding/diy:_blowholes.php http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=33429 http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=12291 /

*cough cough* LOL...dang, just when I thought I'd had an original thought.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonny English Tycoon, I can only assume your password has been discovered & is being used by a total n00b - anyone whose been here more than a week can't avoid threads/articles on the 7-volt trick & the various methods of hole cutting ... so, with that n00b in mind, here's a few links: http://guides.pcapex.com/modding/diy:_blowholes.php http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=33429 http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=12291 /

The post was more for feedback, so I could ask questions and possibly show my progress. The volt thing was just an add I have wanting to know for a while so I though, heck might as well throw it in.

And now im changing the placment of the fan becuase of what people have said. Its not always the pure knowledge that I need. Its the feedback.

Also guys, I DO have a 80mm holesaw, a dremel and jigsaw...what one should I use....


-Problems I have with the jigsaw is shaking, hard to keep what your cutting held down.
-Holesaw seems to scratch stuff up pretty bad.
-Never used a dremel to cut a hole...

I was thinking that if I cut out allmost all of it, and attactched a drum sander to finish it off, that would work?

EDIT: im was trying to put more voltage into the fan to increase the speed.

Quote: Originally Posted by TYCOON EDIT: Can someone tell me if combining the 12 and 5 volt lines like in the pick would work ???

To get 17 volts you'd need to make the grounding wire connect to your -5 volt rail.

Some love the SDremel, but the Hole Saw is usually the easiest, fastest, and least likely to screw up with.

Just drill your center hole, then align your grill, mark and drill the four fan/grill screw holes, then make the 80mm/3" fan hole. You can use tape to protect the surfaces, but it isn't really that likely that you will mess it up unless the drill binds. Sometimes useing a block of wood and a couple of C clamps is a good idea to secure the panel and prevent the drill from binding and sending it all spinning and scratching. Lastly, de-bur and your pretty much set.

Quote: Originally Posted by TYCOON Also guys, I DO have a 80mm holesaw, a dremel and jigsaw...what one should I use.... -Problems I have with the jigsaw is shaking, hard to keep what your cutting held down. -Holesaw seems to scratch stuff up pretty bad. -Never used a dremel to cut a hole... I was thinking that if I cut out allmost all of it, and attactched a drum sander to finish it off, that would work?

Holesaw. Either on the window or on the metal, prep it the same, using masking tape and pilot holes. When you get the holesaw through, it shouldn't need more than a sanding by hand to smooth out the edges.

My experience with hole saws is that you cant get them in metric. Also the biggest I've ever seen was only big enough for an 80mm fan. Let me tell ya, I HATE 80mm.... But if you find a hole saw that works on 92mm's and 120mm's PLEASE TELL ME. I am about to cut holes on my panels and I'd rather use that then a dremel or jigsaw....

Quote: Originally Posted by TYCOON ... Also guys, I DO have a 80mm holesaw, a dremel and jigsaw...what one should I use.... -Problems I have with the jigsaw is shaking, hard to keep what your cutting held down. -Holesaw seems to scratch stuff up pretty bad. -Never used a dremel to cut a hole... I was thinking that if I cut out allmost all of it, and attactched a drum sander to finish it off, that would work?

Well, if the holesaw is 80mm, it's too big (should be 76mm for an 80mm fan) ... if not, lots of tape should protect the panel.

I wouldn't use a Dremel to cut something like that either ... not that I'm particularly against Dremels, i just get sick of the people who get into a mastabatory frenzy about them

A jigsaw is a possibility, but it is hard to get a good result ... the main thing is to go slowly - just cut a tiny bit, pull the blade back, turn the saw, & cut another tiny bit; if you try & push it in one long cut it'll end up egg shaped.

1st choice - 76mm holesaw
2nd choie - jigsaw
99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 th choice - Dremel

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco My experience with hole saws is that you cant get them in metric. Also the biggest I've ever seen was only big enough for an 80mm fan. Let me tell ya, I HATE 80mm.... But if you find a hole saw that works on 92mm's and 120mm's PLEASE TELL ME. I am about to cut holes on my panels and I'd rather use that then a dremel or jigsaw....

You can use a 4 or 4.5 mm holesaw for 120mm. They work on about all materials. For hardcase, I made the panels from acrylic and used one of these (with a different center bit) to cut my fan holes.

http://www.fine-tools.com/G312210.htm

LOL sorry I think you mean 4 or 4.5 inch for 120's cause a 4.5mm is not goin to cut 120mm....

Thanks for the link, I may have to pick one up.

And as Johnny English was saying about 80mm fans need 76mm hole what do 92mm's and 120mm's need? Keep in mind Im using edging that'll take up like 2 or 3mm.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco LOL sorry I think you mean 4 or 4.5 inch for 120's cause a 4.5mm is not goin to cut 120mm.... Thanks for the link, I may have to pick one up. And as Johnny English was saying about 80mm fans need 76mm hole what do 92mm's and 120mm's need? Keep in mind Im using edging that'll take up like 2 or 3mm.

hahahah..ok ok...inches. I always wonder what the point of the Cold War was if we are STILL dealing with that damn metric system.

You'll have to measure your fans horizontally/vertically to see what Johnny meant. If you cut a hole the same size (80mm for an 80mm fan) it'll be too big. Really really.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco ... And as Johnny English was saying about 80mm fans need 76mm hole what do 92mm's and 120mm's need? Keep in mind Im using edging that'll take up like 2 or 3mm.

It's going to depend in part on what you can get, but the main consideration is that the holesaw needs to be slightly smaller than the fan size - basically get the closest smaller size you can.

For example, for 80mm fans the closest holesaw size will be 76mm, for a 92mm fan it'll be 86mm, and for a 120mm fan ... well, the closest holesaw size I've been able to find is 102mm.

Quote: Originally Posted by hp07 hahahah..ok ok...inches. I always wonder what the point of the Cold War was if we are STILL dealing with that damn metric system. ...

So _that's_ what the Cold War was about ... I always though it was about Communism vs Capitalism, and/or who had the biggest "stockpile"