Cutting 120mm fan hole w/ jigsaw?

dliv3rnce · 02-August-05, 11:44 AM

Anyone have tips on cutting out a stamped 120mm fan grille on a case using a jigsaw? I only own a 3" hole saw that I used for my 80mm grills and blowhole.

Side note: is a 1200 rpm drill good enough for drilling holes in my case?

Ben036 · 02-August-05, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dliv3rnce


	Anyone have tips on cutting out a stamped 120mm fan grille on a case using a jigsaw?

I use a Jig saw to do a lot of my case cutting, and I find that if you go slow, use a good blade, and have whatever you're going to cut strapped down nice and tight to help with vibration and control problems, you can cut just about anything pretty good and smooth.

As for blades, I use a large number of Tooth Per Inch (TPI) Black and Decker Blade, somewhere around 18-24. So that It's a slower, smoother, and more controlled cut. I tried a smaller number TPI, which the package said it was for faster cuts on large metal, but It was much harder to work with. It's something like 2 fine tooth metal blades for $1.88 at Wal-Mart, which should last you for a while.

TiZakit · 02-August-05, 12:12 PM

Put a few layers of decent quality masking tape around where you are going to cut. This way. you won't scratch up the panel with the base of the saw.

FunkyFresh · 02-August-05, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiZakit


	Put a few layers of decent quality masking tape around where you are going to cut. This way. you won't scratch up the panel with the base of the saw.

Amen to that -- it will get scratched otherwise.

I Dremeled out a stock grille on my case, and used U-Channel molding around the edge to cover up some imperfections and give it a more finished look.

dliv3rnce · 02-August-05, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiZakit


	Put a few layers of decent quality masking tape around where you are going to cut. This way. you won't scratch up the panel with the base of the saw.

I've read in a lot of places to get 'quality masking tape'. You could please clarify this and maybe let me know where I can get some? I'm guessing like home depot or ACE. I for one have never seen this high quality tape before

. Thanks.

Ben036 · 02-August-05, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dliv3rnce


	to get 'quality masking tape'.

I think what they mean is getting something like 3M Brand opposed to getting Cheapo McSticks a lot Brand. Somthing thick that you know will stick and not peel off at any given whim.

Nerdz · 03-August-05, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyFresh


	Amen to that -- it will get scratched otherwise. I Dremeled out a stock grille on my case, and used U-Channel molding around the edge to cover up some imperfections and give it a more finished look.

OR use coxial cable...

droeblek9 · 03-August-05, 12:48 AM

1200 RPM is plenty. In all honesty, you might want to go slower than that (just don't depress the trigger all the way). Play around with the RPM and the amount of pressure that you apply and you're sure to find a happy medium

If you'd like to practice before you make a cut/drill a hole on your case, try calling around to some local PC shops and see if they have any cases that they're throwing away or want to part with cheap. If you can score one, then you can practice to your heart's content without worrying about messing up your case.

dliv3rnce · 03-August-05, 01:56 AM

Hey, this is kinda diverting from the topic, but any ideas on how to cut out those two back grills in the picture using a 76mm hole saw? I'm thinking to just leave the case upright, clamp some wood behind the back, lube, and drill. Any suggestions?

Nerdz · 03-August-05, 01:27 PM

Hold the case up vertical (the fan holes facing UP towards you) and just do the rest like youve said.

prime-evil · 03-August-05, 02:35 PM

As far as taping off before cutting goes, I'll often use a nice heavy plastic Contact Paper. Like the stuff that people will peel the backing off and line the inside of drawers with. It's more work to get off, but it's very strong and will resist metal chips.

I admire people with the patience to cut those stamped steel casing with a jigsaw. I use a hand nibbler for thin aluminum casings and tight work, or an air driven nibbler for steel. They are not that expensive and worth considering if you already have an air compressor and they will cut through 1/16 tempered steel.

musclecars&computers · 11-August-05, 06:22 PM

i use a cutout tool for those cuts. u just have to go slow and have a steady hand.

bought this one for $20.00 at http://order.harborfreight.com/EasyA...ht/results.jsp

THRASHER2 · 11-August-05, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musclecars&computers


	i use a cutout tool for those cuts. u just have to go slow and have a steady hand. bought this one for $20.00 at http://order.harborfreight.com/EasyA...ht/results.jsp

I got that baby.....Its got a Kick!!!

Slaymate · 11-August-05, 06:46 PM

I've used a jigsaw before. You need to find a old piece of Plywood that's bigger than the panel you want to cut. Clamp the panel to the plywood so it doesn't move. From here just set it up on some sawhorses and use a good metal cutting blade. Look at the blade, if the cutters are angled upwards you need the good side facing down (the panel) during cutting and the opposite if there going down (they should be up). And most of all "Take Your Time", speed is the biggest mistake in all mods and upgrades.

mnpctech · 25-September-09, 08:53 AM

You can use a tin snip to make the initial cut before using the Jigsaw, or Dremel to remove the perforated grill.

* holy thread revival Batman!

THRiLL KiLL · 25-September-09, 09:44 AM

thread necromancy!!!

godling · 25-September-09, 01:47 PM

Hell, it's just good to see Bill back!

We slowly return ...

Slaymate · 25-September-09, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnpctech


	* holy thread revival Batman!

HaHaHa, just 4 years and a month. Does this mean I'm only 43 again

HoJo · 25-September-09, 08:33 PM

Hell, I don't care if someone posts in the oldest thread we have so long as there's some action.

02-August-05, 11:44 AM		#1 (permalink)
dliv3rnce Apex Techie Lite	Cutting 120mm fan hole w/ jigsaw? Anyone have tips on cutting out a stamped 120mm fan grille on a case using a jigsaw? I only own a 3" hole saw that I used for my 80mm grills and blowhole. Side note: is a 1200 rpm drill good enough for drilling holes in my case? Last edited by dliv3rnce; 02-August-05 at 11:44 AM.. Reason: Forgot to add another question

25-September-09, 08:53 AM		#15 (permalink)
mnpctech Case Modding Guru	Re: Cutting 120mm fan hole w/ jigsaw? You can use a tin snip to make the initial cut before using the Jigsaw, or Dremel to remove the perforated grill. * holy thread revival Batman!

25-September-09, 09:44 AM		#16 (permalink)
THRiLL KiLL PcApEX's PuNK ROckER	Re: Cutting 120mm fan hole w/ jigsaw? thread necromancy!!!

25-September-09, 01:47 PM		#17 (permalink)
godling Apex Tech Maniac Supreme	Re: Cutting 120mm fan hole w/ jigsaw? Hell, it's just good to see Bill back! We slowly return ...

25-September-09, 08:33 PM		#19 (permalink)
HoJo Review Pimp, but still Jo's Ho	Re: Cutting 120mm fan hole w/ jigsaw? Hell, I don't care if someone posts in the oldest thread we have so long as there's some action.

02-August-05, 12:12 PM		#3 (permalink)
TiZakit Apex Tech Demi-God	Put a few layers of decent quality masking tape around where you are going to cut. This way. you won't scratch up the panel with the base of the saw.

03-August-05, 12:48 AM		#8 (permalink)
droeblek9 Warcraft Warrior	1200 RPM is plenty. In all honesty, you might want to go slower than that (just don't depress the trigger all the way). Play around with the RPM and the amount of pressure that you apply and you're sure to find a happy medium If you'd like to practice before you make a cut/drill a hole on your case, try calling around to some local PC shops and see if they have any cases that they're throwing away or want to part with cheap. If you can score one, then you can practice to your heart's content without worrying about messing up your case.

03-August-05, 01:56 AM		#9 (permalink)
dliv3rnce Apex Techie Lite	Hey, this is kinda diverting from the topic, but any ideas on how to cut out those two back grills in the picture using a 76mm hole saw? I'm thinking to just leave the case upright, clamp some wood behind the back, lube, and drill. Any suggestions?

03-August-05, 01:27 PM		#10 (permalink)
Nerdz Sir Knight of Spamalot	Hold the case up vertical (the fan holes facing UP towards you) and just do the rest like youve said.

03-August-05, 02:35 PM		#11 (permalink)
prime-evil Apex Tech Fanatic Supreme	As far as taping off before cutting goes, I'll often use a nice heavy plastic Contact Paper. Like the stuff that people will peel the backing off and line the inside of drawers with. It's more work to get off, but it's very strong and will resist metal chips. I admire people with the patience to cut those stamped steel casing with a jigsaw. I use a hand nibbler for thin aluminum casings and tight work, or an air driven nibbler for steel. They are not that expensive and worth considering if you already have an air compressor and they will cut through 1/16 tempered steel.

11-August-05, 06:22 PM		#12 (permalink)
musclecars&computers Apex Tech Demi-God	i use a cutout tool for those cuts. u just have to go slow and have a steady hand. bought this one for $20.00 at http://order.harborfreight.com/EasyA...ht/results.jsp

11-August-05, 06:46 PM		#14 (permalink)
Slaymate PCApex Reviewer From Hell	I've used a jigsaw before. You need to find a old piece of Plywood that's bigger than the panel you want to cut. Clamp the panel to the plywood so it doesn't move. From here just set it up on some sawhorses and use a good metal cutting blade. Look at the blade, if the cutters are angled upwards you need the good side facing down (the panel) during cutting and the opposite if there going down (they should be up). And most of all "Take Your Time", speed is the biggest mistake in all mods and upgrades.

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