cutting blowholes with a dremel? ( 2 Views )

1. I just bought a brand new dremel, and would like to cut a pair of 120mm holes in the top of my case to mount my rad, are there any good tutorials to cutting the holes with a dremmel?
   
   
   (anýl, Guinea)


2. Get the big 1.25" fiber reinforced disks, run the tool speed midway for aluminum and mid-high for steel and let the tool do the work. I tend to get the wire 120mm fan grills for a template, I then cover the top of the case with masking tape 2 layers thick just in case I get a skip and mark the screw holes on the tape. After that I drill the holes and screw the grill down with screws and nuts and use a fine-point sharpie to trace the hole using the inside of the inner wire ring as my guide. After that I remove the grill and commence to throwing grit. Just go slow, taper the hole a bit (keep the top of the disk leaning in on the hole a bit, it helps for cutting circles) and don't bear down on the tool. I've cut 3 blowholes and one window on my old Lian Li case and barely took a 16th off one disk by using that method.
   
   
   (eslem, American Samoa)


3. Here's something: http://www.mnpctech.com/Dremel.html
   
   
   (serpil, French Guiana)


4. The disks that he sells last far longer than the Dremel branded ones too.
   
   
   (sinan, Dominican Republic)


5. prepare a few cool cusswords for screw-ups too... this is a custom project, and it requires custom cussing... go at it unprepared and you could end up witha stupid slip-up and not even a cool cuss word out of the deal...
   
   
   (ahmet, Poland)


6. That's why I advocat the double layers of masking tape. I've had my Dremel go dancing off across the top of my case more than once and you'd be surprised what a bit of prophylactic action will do to save your ass.
   
   
   (selin, Cote D'Ivoire)


7. Quote:

   Originally Posted by madmat That's why I advocat the double layers of masking tape. I've had my Dremel go dancing off across the top of my case more than once and you'd be surprised what a bit of prophylactic action will do to save your ass.

   my x-toaster (the strange offspring of an x-box and a toaster) would have appreciated your advice....
   
   
   (gülþen, Vanuatu)


8. Quote:

   what a bit of prophylactic action will do to save your ass.

   EWWWWW! :D
   
   
   (ipek, Tanzania, United Republic of)


9. Yeah I love cheese
   
   
   (osman, Equatorial Guinea)


10. I'd highly recommend a holesaw over a dremel any day for a nice perfect round hole, although you will need a reasonably powerful drill and about $20-$30 for the holesaw itself. If done correctly though, the holes are much cleaner than one would probably be able to cut with a dremel.
    
    If you do use a dremel, consider curtting an octagonal shape rather than a round hole. It may be easier to do since you can use a straight edge as a guide and it may some out cleaner as well. I read somewhere (perhaps a panaflo fan datasheet?) that an octagonal shape actually increases airflow slightly when compared to a simple circle.
    
    No matter what, as always, measure twice (or three times) and cut once. Mask off everything that you do not want to knick or scratch with masking or painters tape. Write where you plan to cut, etc, right over the tape.
    
    Good luck :).
    
    
    (savaþ barýþ, Liechtenstein)


11. Quote:

    Originally Posted by DarkenReaper57 I'd highly recommend a holesaw over a dremel any day for a nice perfect round hole, although you will need a reasonably powerful drill and about $20-$30 for the holesaw itself. If done correctly though, the holes are much cleaner than one would probably be able to cut with a dremel. If you do use a dremel, consider curtting an octagonal shape rather than a round hole. It may be easier to do since you can use a straight edge as a guide and it may some out cleaner as well. I read somewhere (perhaps a panaflo fan datasheet?) that an octagonal shape actually increases airflow slightly when compared to a simple circle. No matter what, as always, measure twice (or three times) and cut once. Mask off everything that you do not want to knick or scratch with masking or painters tape. Write where you plan to cut, etc, right over the tape. Good luck :).

    I like the idea of using a holesaw. Sounds a lot neater and easier than using a dremel (which I was just about to purchase). I've never used on or seen one, but it's a bit that you can use with a drill? Can you give me an example of how it works, and where you can get one?
    
    
    (okan, Bolivia)


12. Quote:

    Originally Posted by DarkenReaper57 I'd highly recommend a holesaw over a dremel any day for a nice perfect round hole, although you will need a reasonably powerful drill and about $20-$30 for the holesaw itself. If done correctly though, the holes are much cleaner than one would probably be able to cut with a dremel. If you do use a dremel, consider curtting an octagonal shape rather than a round hole. It may be easier to do since you can use a straight edge as a guide and it may some out cleaner as well. I read somewhere (perhaps a panaflo fan datasheet?) that an octagonal shape actually increases airflow slightly when compared to a simple circle. No matter what, as always, measure twice (or three times) and cut once. Mask off everything that you do not want to knick or scratch with masking or painters tape. Write where you plan to cut, etc, right over the tape. Good luck :).

    I second that even though I just made a 120mm blow hole few days ago with a Dremel. It was very easy as long as you put some masking tape on top and you have steady hands.. I used like 3 regular cutting disks that came with the tool... however I found myself the "Holesaw" solution was much better... check this little video out it shows perfectly what to do:
    
    Thanks to Danger Den guys ;)
    
    Right Click and Save
    120mm Fan Hole Case Cut
    
    
    Also here are some pics of my Dremel work :D
    
    
    
    
    
    More details Here
    
    
    (melke, Guinea)


13. I personally don't like holesaws. You have to predrill the centerhole or risk the saw wandering around and ending up off center and while a centerpunch can help alleaviate this problem somewhat, on some cases you can end up partially caving in a panel attempting to get a decent punch mark. Not only that but they leave ragged edges which isn't so bad using a Dremel due to the fact you're grinding through the material rather than cutting it.
    
    Call me vain but I think my dremel cut holes come out as good as any I've done with a holesaw too.
    
    
    
    
    (birdem, Slovakia)


14. Quote:

    Originally Posted by madmat Call me vain but I think my dremel cut holes come out as good as any I've done with a holesaw too.

    you are my hero... I cant even cut straight lines as good as that...
    
    
    (resul, Togo)


15. Quote:

    Originally Posted by nhusby you are my hero... I cant even cut straight lines as good as that...

    It's just a matter of taking your time and letting the wheel do the work. I've found that the smaller the radius curve you're cutting the smaller the wheel you should use.
    
    When you use a smaller wheel it gives a smaller contact patch and allows for a tighter turn-in.
    
    
    (fgghjj, Hong Kong)

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