Case Mod Side Panel Help

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Atique Chowdhury

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Hi,
I am using a bitfenix neos and instead of ordering the windowed side panel I wanted to use a sheet of plexiglass so the whole interior shows! The plexiglass can easily be ordered from home depot and its rectangular in dimension for cutting, but how about installing? What are the options to drill it in case? Can i make a door as well like a show case? I want it to be able to swing it like a door :)
 
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Mr5oh

Mr5oh

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I really think it would look better if you still use the side panel and then cut a hole in it to add the window. You can cut most of the panel out. It will look more finished. As for mounting it, glue, silcone, bolts, screws, rivets, just depends on the look you are going for.
 
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Atique Chowdhury

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My DIY skills are average, I made every furniture that I have in my room using IKEA instructions haha. As per the tools, just standard drill machine with 30 different screw heads. No cutters or dremels I think they are called
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Well....cutting out a hole in the side panel will be problematic with only a drill and a screwdriver.
 
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Atique Chowdhury

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which tool should i get?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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One of these, as well as a blade for metal and plxiglasss
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Search/N-5yc1vZc2bp/Ntk-Extended/Ntt-oscillating%2Btool?Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&NCNI-5

An oscillating tool, if that link doesn't work.

But a piece of random sheetmetal and practice on that before cutting into your expensive case.
 
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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It will take a cutting tool like a dremil to cut out a window for the case and grind down the edges.
Fastening a piece of plexi-glass down to the inside with adhesive and then some kind of trim to go round the outside of the cut edge would not be too difficult.
To make a door with flush hinges, a stop for the door, and a latch to keep it from opening all the time is something only a very skilled DIYer could do without it looking like crap (and not the showpiece you want).
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Building IKEA stuff is not 'DIY'.
 
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synphul

synphul

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From what I can tell, working with plexi is a trick unto itself. The ability to make straight clean cuts, bore clean holes etc without chipping/cracking. Certain blades or bits need to be used, the area to be cut needs taped off to prevent shattering. A hand drill isn't really appropriate if looking to make fan holes. There are places that sell hole saws in the proper sizes for various fan sizes, but they're spendy at around $40/ea. Should be used in conjunction with something like a drill press to prevent wander/chatter etc. Dremels work but tend to leave a rough finished product. Even jobs I've seen a lot of skilled people do with a dremel, it's kind of like building fine furniture with a sawzall. Unless there are other cover pieces like a milled fan shroud to cover the edges, it looks like someone diy'd it to death.

For finishing the plexi edges you might have better luck with a small propane torch. A matter of being careful not to melt it to the point of making a straight edge 'wavy' but enough to get rid of the roughness from a saw cut. Sanding it doesn't really do that. Using some sort of router to 'ease' the edges and put a very slight chamfer on the plexi can help prevent chipping/cracking.

I agree with Mr5oh about using the existing side panel and cutting out a window. It will still likely end up looking modded if using rubber channel as a gasket between the cut window hole and the plexi but at least it will be a better finish. It's very difficult to get a 'finished' look like many case manufacturers achieve since they usually skip the rubber gasket and instead the plexi window has been routed (more likely molded since they have all the fancy toys for manufacture) creating a raised portion in the plexi window the exact size of the window hole. That way when the plexi window is installed, the surface of the plexi nests into the window cut out and becomes flush with the case door for a real finished look.
 
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boosted1g

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I dont know about that, modifying IKEA furniture to make it solid and stable requires a good bit of DIY know how :p

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Yes, you may have a point...:na:
But...he used 'the instructions'.
 
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Atique Chowdhury

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lol! My drill machine has a step drill head, can't i use that on top of plexiglass to make 4 holes on 4 corners of the sheet and drill into metal using another drill head which im sure I have in my kit (i also have another case to practice on). So basically 4 screws to hold the plexiglass on to the case? I guess ill have to use screw driver to open it up every time i want to work on the inside. And I am an okay handy man, I have fixed things and I am also an engineering student so it should be fine for me to approach these tasks :)
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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This is what I was referring to with "DIY skills".

Could I do this with my existing tools, my hands, and my experience? Yes.
Can you? Only you know for sure.
 
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Atique Chowdhury

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Ah so is it a good idea to drill 4 holes in 4 sides of plexi so i can screw it to the case? I am still new to case modding! haha hence I am asking for assistance
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Drilling 4 holes in plexi/lexan/acrylic to mount into a cut out hole in the side panel? Sure.
Drilling 4 holes without cracking that plexi/lexan/acrylic? Hard.
Making it look good? Harder.

Practice, practice, practice. Casemodding is a fun hobby.
It is NOT just drilling a couple holes in a sheet of Lexan.
 
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