Chieftech mod

[TranceJunkieXL]

I'm trying to remove those clunky, noisy fan grills from the new Tower I bought last weekend. OMG the dremel cutter is noisy and tricky to control on the not-so-flat surface. Then you have to file the edges off. They sure didn't make these things modder friendly (with those stupid plastic fan holders). Anyone have an easier, less dangerous method for removing the loud fan grills?

[Joe]

i just used a pair of metal snips and then took a dremel and grinded the edges down and smoothed it. although i find the dremel to be very easy to use.

[TranceJunkieXL]

LOL. Try using the <u>cutting bit</u> on that dremel and tell me it's easy on a not-so-flat surface PJ. LOL!<BR>I have tin snips here too, but figured the dremel would be easier. Talk about hard on the ears!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0"> I was just looking through my dremel kit and found some grinding wheels I'm going to try out this weekend in my spare time. I was also considering getting <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.jensentools.com/product/group.asp?parent_id=2550">this</a> or <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.jensentools.com/product/group.asp?parent_id=2510">this</a> to make the finish work easier. I only have 8" files and they aren't that great at detail work like this.<BR>BTW, thanks for the reply/answer (I'm not <i>really</i> an ungrateful bastard - lol <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> ).<BR>I'm having so much fun seeing how this all turns out I can hardly concentrate at work anymore. lol. Time for a new job again I guess.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Joe]

actually to tell you the truth .. cutting out the grill with a cutoff wheel and then taking a sanding drum for the dremel will work just as good as the files and faster. .. just dont slip with the dremel <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

[TranceJunkieXL]

You know, I was using a cutter that looks a little like a reversed drill bit. That wheel might be a little easier to use......hmmmmmmmmmm.

[Joe]

yeah that drill bit one is for stuff like plastics and wood. not for metal lol. the cutoff wheels are more for soft metals/ thin metals.

[GNXtreme]

I used a carbide bit that looks like a knarly drill bit...but it was really squirrelly...had to keep a steady hand on it or it would jump around.

[TranceJunkieXL]

Actually Joe, they are labeled for cutting aluminum, but GNXtreme has a point. They darn thing liked to pinball a bit from where I wanted it, plus imagine someone scraping their fingernails down a chalkboard and then increase the decibel level about tenfold. aiaiaiaiaiaiaiiiiiaiaiaiaaaaaaiaaiaiaiaiiii! LOL! Probably had the whole neighborhood shivering with that racket. LOL!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Well, since I can't turn on the new system without an HSF it looks like I will be experimenting more with the new case mods.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Joe]

but is your case an aluminum cheiftech? ... aluminum is a much softer metal then steel is. aluminum cuts pretty much just like a hard plastic would.

[TranceJunkieXL]

It's aluminum all right. I'm sure those bits aren't specified for cutting harder metals than that. I'll let you know tomorrow after I get home from work how the cutting/grinding went.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[TranceJunkieXL]

Okay. The cut-off wheels work a hell of a lot better than that cutting bit. I tried the grinding bits, and they work okay (my neighbors probably want to shoot me now). Funny thing, they actually melt the aluminum and are now both covered in places. I think I'll wait to finish it until my 5" diamond file set arrives. That will probably work best for now.

[Joe]

do you mean the ceramic bits? .. i meant to use the drum sander bit.

[TranceJunkieXL]

LOL. I didn't know the drum sander would do much. I ended up using the cutting wheels and then just filing the rough edges off with the 10" file. I then used the 5" flat file that arrived on Wednesday to remove the burrs on both sides and my final looks pretty good. Sad thing is, you can tell which one I cut first and which one I cut last. LOL! I guess it's a good thing I started with the front, which can be completely hidden by the plastic bezel.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"><BR>I've placed all the Akasa Pax.mate sound damping material on the top, bottom and sides (I know, covers the window, but I'll fill you all in on the reasoning behind this later). Man that stuff smells horrid.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0"> Trying to figure out where to stick both UV cathodes at the moment.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">