New Case to Mod

[willboy]

I wanted to mod a case, but I have never done it before. So I wanted to buy an aluminum case to play around with and learn before I screw up the case I have now. I don't want any windows or anything because I want to put in my own. I wanted it to look kind of cool in case if I want to use it someday but don't want to spend much. And I don't need a power supply. I have a dremel and I heard that aluminum is easier to cut so I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks

[Designer]

If you're worried about messing up don't buy an aluminium case. Although aluminium is a soft metal it's notoriously difficult to cut properly with Demel cutting discs and the like, as it just clogs up the discs. Aluminium cases are a hell of a lot more expensive than a normal steel case. Start slow and work your way up, steel cases tend to have a lot more modding scope.

Beware that (I think I read it somewhere but I'm probably wrong) aluminium dust is a carcenogenic (has been linked to causing cancer), if you do mod an ali case wear a good dust mask when cutting or grinding.

[Spartan]

When cutting aluminium to avoid clogging the teeth of your blade lube it with wax or common bar soap. You will have to do this frequently.

-Spartan

[Jaggannath]

Yes, aluminium dust is a carcinogen. And it's easier to mod the steel cases, give that a go before you try anything else

[Designer]

When I say ali is difficult to cut I mean due to clogging teeth of blades and clogging the grit of grinding wheels. If you intend to clean your cuts up with a hand file I recommend you buy a file card (it's like a very stiff wire brush). You can clean the clogged files up.

I would recommend hand filing any holes out to finish size (get them close with a dremel first) as aluminium cuts rather quickly and it's quite easy to make mistakes

[willboy]

Can you cut steel cases with a dremel?

[flanzig1]

Yes, you can cut steel with a Dremel; with the correct bits or cutting wheels. Go to www.dremel.com for part #s of stell cutting bits.

[willboy]

But why can't I just buy a aluminum case like this one-- http://xoxide.com/kikts1.html
And where the proper protection-
and would just this cutting wheel do fine?? http://www.dremel.com/html/home_fr.html

Thanks for all of the input guys thanks again

[willboy]

The link doesn's work it just takes you to the homepage here is the part number sorry about that--

#456_1 1/2" Cut-Off Wheel

[Designer]

There's no reason why you can't buy an ali case and wear the proper protection, good mask is essential as are safety glasses (believe me, from personal experience having a metal splinter removed from your eyeball is very painful). Just remember ali cuts faster than steel so go easy.

[willboy]

I am going to get an alum, but can a dremel cut steel?

[Joeberg]

Yes, it can. I've found that using the slightly thicker cutting discs results in less shattered discs.

[Redfallon]

You could probably find a plain-jane aluminum or steel case on newegg cheaper. Xoxide is a good sight with alot of nice cases, but they're kinda pricy, and newegg has a little better shipping prices for their cases I think.

[Designer]

Yes, a dremel with the reinforced discs cuts steel rather well but it's slow going. I found you get neater results if you ut just inside your marked area, leaving say 2mm, then use one of the rotary burrs or a mounted abarsive to open the hole out fi finish size, that way you get rid of the rough edges and your less likely to make a mistake

[willboy]

Good idea, thanks for the input.