How to cut need holes in metal?

**slangnasty** · 01-11-2005, 12:40 PM

I have used a dremel-tool for my metal-cutting and hole creation

.

kinda like the one here... http://www.dremel.com/html/home_fr.html

Depending on the size of the hole needed, I would drill a hole (with drill or dremel) and then use dremel to shape the size in metal. If you go this route, be sure to use the bits/tips/grinders designed for working with metal. The wood ones will work, but you'll go thru them really fast

... if you go this route, wearing a pair of protective lenses to cover your eyes while cutting metal at 35,000 RPM is a very good idea too!

slang

**old_lou** · 01-11-2005, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by dug1967

Well here is a pie in the sky comment... about 10 or 15 years ago I saw the coolest tools
I have searched and searched and have never found them again.

This the one?
Engineer 895 chasis punch 16-30mm
Its sold by electric/electronics firms for knocking out holes for dials and switches.

**Arathranar** · 01-11-2005, 02:39 PM

That's pretty neat. Not big enough for my fans but tempting anyway. How much does it cost?

**dexy** · 01-11-2005, 02:55 PM

to save you money, how about just cutting a complete square/circular hole(forget neatness/precision, just making it a little smaller then ur intended size) then cover the hole with a plastic/metal fan grille (of larger dimension) from like(jameco.com)
Hole cutters are expensive, for the little task you want to accomplish.

Actually you can get pretty neat shapes/holes with the dremel tool and the side cutter/saw bit.

**old_lou** · 01-11-2005, 02:58 PM

can't remember had them about 12 years.
assuming you are in the UK?

http://www.rapidelectronics.co.uk/rk...4566&XPAGENO=1

**old_lou** · 01-11-2005, 03:01 PM

Of course for a fan you can drill lots of small holes and allow the fan to push/pull the air through them using the holes as a grill for the fan but your holes have got to be neat (or use a cover)

**Arathranar** · 01-11-2005, 03:02 PM

to save you money, how about just cutting a complete square/circular hole(forget neatness/precision, just making it a little smaller then ur intended size) then cover the hole with a plastic/metal fan grille (of larger dimension) from like(jameco.com) Hole cutters are expensive, for the little task you want to accomplish.

I could go that route but I'm probably too much of a perfectionist. My current plan involves having a cpu heatsink + fan combo that will only just fit the inside the height of the case (3" tall). Then I'll cut a whole in the case top immediately above that of the right size and add a minimal fan grille (just enough to mostly protect against chopped fingers as I don't want to limit the airflow). So I really want a neat hole that I can dremel a bit to remove sharp edges left after the hole is cut.

I'll also need some 60mm holes in the case side to get airflow out (cpu fans are typically down aren't they?).

Finally since this is going under a seat and the case is a little too long, I'm going to cut a big hole in the end to allow access to all the m/b connectors with the m/b set back within the case. I can get cables into that hole but I can't get them to connect to the m/b if I had it right up to the edge of the case as there's no clearance for the connectors that low to the ground.

**Arathranar** · 01-11-2005, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by old_lou

Of course for a fan you can drill lots of small holes and allow the fan to push/pull the air through them using the holes as a grill for the fan but your holes have got to be neat (or use a cover)

I thought about that but to do a good enough job of that I'd need a stand for my dremel or drill. If I'm going to buy stuff I'd rather but the hole cutter and a neat fan grill to screw over it.

**dexy** · 01-11-2005, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Arathranar

I could go that route but I'm probably too much of a perfectionist. My current plan involves having a cpu heatsink + fan combo that will only just fit the inside the height of the case (3" tall). Then I'll cut a whole in the case top immediately above that of the right size and add a minimal fan grille (just enough to mostly protect against chopped fingers as I don't want to limit the airflow). So I really want a neat hole that I can dremel a bit to remove sharp edges left after the hole is cut.

I'll also need some 60mm holes in the case side to get airflow out (cpu fans are typically down aren't they?).

Finally since this is going under a seat and the case is a little too long, I'm going to cut a big hole in the end to allow access to all the m/b connectors with the m/b set back within the case. I can get cables into that hole but I can't get them to connect to the m/b if I had it right up to the edge of the case as there's no clearance for the connectors that low to the ground.

I really believe you can accomplish that without a knock punch(hole punch). Also you know with knock punches, you only get like 1 hole size/little variation in custom sizes. With dremel you can do the same thing. You just need a stand to hold the dremel, while you slowly move the material through the blade(get the side saw bit, or something like that its called). Its like u drill primer hole, then you use the side thingy to cut(not the cutting disk). Its like a drill bit, but it cuts sideways. A dremel stand would definately help u achieve the neatness. Plus better/cheaper investment, than knock punch.

**dexy** · 01-11-2005, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Arathranar

I thought about that but to do a good enough job of that I'd need a stand for my dremel or drill. If I'm going to buy stuff I'd rather but the hole cutter and a neat fan grill to screw over it.

I think the dremel stand is way cheaper. Also check out www.jameco.com,they have a lot of nice grills/fan covers

Also check http://www.dremel.com/HTML/products/tools/400-351.html