Cutting my window !

[Firat]

Hey all,

seen as exams are finished i now have the time to cut my window, i have a few questions before i get going...

1. i bought a dremel (dremel 4000) does anyone know the best attachment to cut metal?

2. after i cut it, whats the best way to get rid of the sharp edges? and also the best way to prevent the black powder coat from getting stripped.

3. shoudl i use like a u channel to cover the eges, id prefer not to any other alternatives?

4. how should i attach the acrylic?

Lastly i already had the windows panel for the xigmatek elysium, and its that im going to mod to remove the mest and make it all window, the window will be huge and ugly as it will be big, can i buy a plain panel for this case, if anyone has any information on this i will grately appreciate it!

Thanks all!

Firat

 

[SEBAR]

Watch this video on Dremel Techniques . http://www.mnpctech.com/Discs.html It should answer all of your questions.

 

[jamesriley94]

This completely depends on how much patience you have.

u-channel is by far the easiest option as you dont have to file or sand barely any of the metal away since it's gunna be covered anyway. If you dont want to use it, be prepared to spend days filing until it is perfect. You need a half moon file to do the corners anyway.

Alternatively, ask around for someone with some form of CNC machine. They will be able to do it far far neater than you can by hand. I know chilled PC (http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/) do the CNC cut window as a service, and thats probably the best way to go without u channel really.

Be aware if you do choose to use u channel the thickness of the side panel. I bought some for my case that doesnt fit at all well so bare that in mind. Hope this helps!

 

[SEBAR]

4. how should i attach the acrylic? The Elysium side panel window is attached with some type of rivet, prob plastic push pin style rivets to hold the window in place. I would make a straight cut along the backside of the indow area, cut a piece of acrylic to fit the opening and use the exsisting rivets to secure the window in place. If you are very careful with your cut and file the cut area nicely you could probably get away with using a black paind to go over the cut edges so that it blends in with the rest of the panel.

 

[SEBAR]

Are the right and left side panels interchangeable? if so you could prob order one from Xigmatek and mod your own window design.

 

[Firat]

4. how should i attach the acrylic? The Elysium side panel window is attached with some type of rivet, prob plastic push pin style rivets to hold the window in place. I would make a straight cut along the backside of the indow area, cut a piece of acrylic to fit the opening and use the exsisting rivets to secure the window in place. If you are very careful with your cut and file the cut area nicely you could probably get away with using a black paind to go over the cut edges so that it blends in with the rest of the panel.

yes good idea, i was thinking to do this, but i need to figure out the size i need to drill hole in the new acrylic to fit the push pins.

thnaks

 

[Firat]

This completely depends on how much patience you have.

u-channel is by far the easiest option as you dont have to file or sand barely any of the metal away since it's gunna be covered anyway. If you dont want to use it, be prepared to spend days filing until it is perfect. You need a half moon file to do the corners anyway.

Alternatively, ask around for someone with some form of CNC machine. They will be able to do it far far neater than you can by hand. I know chilled PC (http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/) do the CNC cut window as a service, and thats probably the best way to go without u channel really.

Be aware if you do choose to use u channel the thickness of the side panel. I bought some for my case that doesnt fit at all well so bare that in mind. Hope this helps!

thanks for the input!

 

[jamesriley94]

Drilling and acrylic are never good ideas ever.

Acrylic has a tendency to crack when drilled so always use tape if you can.

 

[ruthless_villain]

yeah double sided tape for the acrylic, if i was you i would just get it water / laser cut, cleaner finish and you have to put in a lot less effort + it actually isnt that expensive

 

[SEBAR]

Drilling and acrylic are never good ideas ever.

Acrylic has a tendency to crack when drilled so always use tape if you can.

Also use a new drill bit that is very sharp, and when drilling do not put any pressure on the drill. let the bit do the cutting. I ran into this problem when I was drilliing the acrylic panel on the Armor Redux mod I did. The first panel I had cracked. That is why I ended up with a frosted panel instead of clear.

 

[Mrboxfacetramp]

the tape would be a more easier method instead of the drill, Due to the nature of acrylic and the tendancy of it to snap or you might end up with a frosted etc acrylic. If you can see if your area has any shops/schools/engineering centres that have a laser or water cutter ;]

 

[Firat]

ok so just got some scotch tape for masking, im going to go to a shot tomorow to get some u channel molding for the edges aswell, going to have a practice go first on an old side panel to make sure im ready for the real thing!

thanks for all your help everyone!

oh, if anyone has any idea were i can get a new side pane for the elysium (non window) replacement it would look better as the window would be smaller let me know!

 

[SEBAR]

Here is mock up of the window mod

Here is the window I did

 

[Firat]

Here is mock up of the window mod

Here is the window I did

This image pretty much sums up what im going to do, but the right side of the window shows the drive cages so im going to stick a black sticker over parts of the acrylic that show the drive cages and the bottom of the case creating the illusion the window is smaller if you get what i mean

 

[SEBAR]

Cant wait to see the finished mod.

 

[Firat]

This is what i mean

So the parts shaded in black will have a black sticker on it, its going to be on the acrylic, its the only way i can make the window smaller as i cant weld metal on it and make the side panel opening smaller its my only option

 

[Ru5ty_t00l]

This is what i mean

So the parts shaded in black will have a black sticker on it, its going to be on the acrylic, its the only way i can make the window smaller as i cant weld metal on it and make the side panel opening smaller its my only option

I wouldn't cut it that way because 1st) the upper ,the left and bottom part of the panel will become extremely flimsy (u will have to enforce it with an extra metal sheet)and 2nd) if u r adding the acrylic panel from the inside (which means that the panel should be at least 2cm bigger than the hole) it might prevent panel to lock in place,so be extra cautious when measuring

and the last one , I would only do the first cuts with the dremel. the rest is better to be cut with a jigsaw

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

Also keep in mind that "right angles" ( 90 °) are incompatible with U channel .