Tool for cutting out existing fan grill

[Sharon]

Hi,

Does anyone have suggestions on a tool for cutting out the fan grills in my
PC case and PSU?

I'm thinking of using my dremel, but I'm not sure if there's a better way
or which bit would work best.



Thanks,

-Sharon

 

[Will Dormann]

Hi,

Does anyone have suggestions on a tool for cutting out the fan grills in my
PC case and PSU?

I'm thinking of using my dremel, but I'm not sure if there's a better way
or which bit would work best.

When I cut mine out, I used tin snips and trimmed up the flash with my
dremel. Be careful of where the "dust" goes from the dremel, though.
You'll probably want to pack something in the fan to keep it out.


-WD

 

[Al Dykes]

When I cut mine out, I used tin snips and trimmed up the flash with my
dremel. Be careful of where the "dust" goes from the dremel, though.
You'll probably want to pack something in the fan to keep it out.


-WD

There's something called a Nibbling tool made for this. Radio Shack
should have it in the catalog

http://www.pccasegear.com/prod723.htm

 

[Sooky Grumper]

Hi,

Does anyone have suggestions on a tool for cutting out the fan grills in my
PC case and PSU?

I'm thinking of using my dremel, but I'm not sure if there's a better way
or which bit would work best.



Thanks,

-Sharon

Dremel with reinforced cutting wheel, hacksaw with metal cutting blade,
hand knibbler, jigsaw with metal cutting blade. Dremel is my favourite.
I use a proper drill with cheap grindstones to smooth it out after. I
then glue some generic rubber moulding around it before installing the
fan and grille.

 

[Sooky Grumper]

When I cut mine out, I used tin snips and trimmed up the flash with my
dremel. Be careful of where the "dust" goes from the dremel, though.
You'll probably want to pack something in the fan to keep it out.


-WD

You'll want to take everything out of the case before going anywhere
near it with a power tool. Motors like that will kill HDD data. Any
little bits of metal can cause short circuits on motherboards or other
components, costing hundreds of dollars to replace (in addition to your
time, which you could have just used in the first place to empty out the
case).

 

[jeff findley]

Hi,

Does anyone have suggestions on a tool for cutting out the fan grills in my
PC case and PSU?

I'm thinking of using my dremel, but I'm not sure if there's a better way
or which bit would work best.

Get a "sheet metal nibbler" from Radio Shack. I think they were $5 in
their latest ad.

Here are some pictures of one in action. If you're lucky, it will fit
inside the existing grill holes so you won't have to start by drilling
a hole out first.

http://www.extremecooling.org/ec/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=32&page=2

Jeff

 

[JAD]

nibs are good however they do not work well on uneven surfaces,, REMOVE ALL HARDWARE and play it safe. Drill.and a metal hole saw
(metal cutting set of 5 various sizes from craftsman).demel/emery cloth to clean it up.

 

[AJ]

Hi,

Does anyone have suggestions on a tool for cutting out the fan grills in my
PC case and PSU?

I'm thinking of using my dremel, but I'm not sure if there's a better way
or which bit would work best.



Thanks,

-Sharon

The correct tool is called a hole saw and you can get one at Lowes,
Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc. starting around $9.
http://smallurl.com?i=6424

 

[Sooky Grumper]

The correct tool is called a hole saw and you can get one at Lowes,

LOL

Do you have a reference for all things "correct" that you used to
determine this?

 

[Walt]

I think one would need a hole saw meant to be used with METAL.
I have never, personally, seen such a tool. Plus, the hole
saw you reference, is NOT mentioned as being for METAL either.

 

[AJ]

I think one would need a hole saw meant to be used with METAL.
I have never, personally, seen such a tool. Plus, the hole
saw you reference, is NOT mentioned as being for METAL either.

I have over thirty and they all cut metal. They are made of Bi-metal
and the give away is the variable shape of the teeth. They are most
often white but not always. The Dewalt at Ace are marked as Bi-metal
and lists uses as:
"Extra hard variable pitch, high speed steel teeth, for steel,
stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, wood, plastic and
other compositions."

http://smallurl.com?i=6473

 

[Sooky Grumper]

I think one would need a hole saw meant to be used with METAL.
I have never, personally, seen such a tool. Plus, the hole
saw you reference, is NOT mentioned as being for METAL either.

They generally cost a little more, but I've used them once. You'll need
to do some neatening up, though, as they won't be exact with the case
stamped metal circle. Also, it's a bit fiddly to use on a case chasis:
you need to clamp the case down pretty well, and cheap cases wiggle.

 

[Gary Tait]

There's something called a Nibbling tool made for this. Radio Shack
should have it in the catalog

http://www.pccasegear.com/prod723.htm

But don't get one from there, buy from a place that sells shop tools.

 

[Sharon]

Hi,

I'm just replying here as I received so many helpful responses.

I got the nibbling tool from Radio Shack. I had to go to a few of them
to find one as the owner's of the store's said that the tool has been
discontinued by the Shack, possibly in favor of a new one.

It took all of 10 minutes to cut out the hole and it's much quieter now.

Thanks All!


Sharon

 

[Jon Danniken]

I have over thirty and they all cut metal. They are made of Bi-metal
and the give away is the variable shape of the teeth. They are most
often white but not always. The Dewalt at Ace are marked as Bi-metal
and lists uses as:
"Extra hard variable pitch, high speed steel teeth, for steel,
stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, wood, plastic and
other compositions."

http://smallurl.com?i=6473

You're kidding, right? Using a mandrel-type hole saw for any type of sheet metal is just asking
for a disaster, unless the sheet metal is firmly sandwiched between some wood.

Far, far better (and safer) would be to use a nibbler or a jigsaw with the material held firmly
in place, or a dremel if you are handy with one of those As always, use safety eyewear unless
you want to learn Braille.

Jon

 

[bluestringer]

You're kidding, right? Using a mandrel-type hole saw for any type of sheet metal is just asking
for a disaster, unless the sheet metal is firmly sandwiched between some wood.

Far, far better (and safer) would be to use a nibbler or a jigsaw with the material held firmly
in place, or a dremel if you are handy with one of those As always, use safety eyewear unless
you want to learn Braille.

Jon

No he's not. It works great. Just clamp a piece of scrap wood to the inside
of the case, this gives a bite for the pilot. Don't push, let the teeth do
the work. With a high speed drill, takes about 5 seconds, you're done.

 

[JAD]

Abso lutely!!!

No he's not. It works great. Just clamp a piece of scrap wood to the inside
of the case, this gives a bite for the pilot. Don't push, let the teeth do
the work. With a high speed drill, takes about 5 seconds, you're done.

 

[Guest]

It took all of 10 minutes to cut out the hole and it's much quieter now.

I hope you'll install a wire grill over the opening of the power
supply because there are high voltages within easy reach inside,
including on one of the heatsinks in many cases, some of those
voltages are even higher than the AC from the wall outlets.

 

[Jon Danniken]

No he's not. It works great. Just clamp a piece of scrap wood to the inside
of the case, this gives a bite for the pilot. Don't push, let the teeth do
the work. With a high speed drill, takes about 5 seconds, you're done.

Well I guess if you guys are getting it to work so much the better. It goes against my
experience with sheet metal and mandrel cutters, but I may just have to give it another try the
next time such a need comes up.

Jon