Case Window

[apehands]

Ok I,ve got a couple questions...I just finsished buliding my first computer and it looks great on the inside...but I have no window to enjoy all this.

I want to make a custom window and have read up on all the ways to do it and where to get supplies...blahh bhall blahh. What I really want to know is what is possible in cutiing a custom window. I have heard that the molding is near impossible to get on if you cut in an unusual way. I have also heard that cutting the acrylic window is a pain in the ass if you want to make an unusual shape. What is possible?.. and if you have any pics to show me that would be great. Can I cut on 90 or 45 degree angles and be able to fit the molding and window in place?

Any suggestions on the web on where to find cheap products or custom cut jobs if what I want would could not be done by an ameteur?

Thanks for what ever you can throw at me.

POST PICS OF YOUR WINDOW TO INSIPRE ME

[IRISHFAN]

You don't have to cut the plexiglass or use molding you instead use screws to secure the plexiglass behind whatever cut your imagination can come up with. This may sound like a ghetto mod to some but the only time anyone will see the backside of the plexi is when you take the side off.As far as the cuts go a nibbler works great, dremels are nice for straight cuts and sanding later, and the best tool to use is a jigsaw because it provides more control than the dremel.If you want to do some really crazy design put it on autocad and take it to someone with a laser cutter.

[apehands]

Would I still put the molding on the edges where I cut out? Wouldnt that really look ghetto on the outside? I understand that it would on the inside but what about the gap between the glass and the actual case's rough edges? And screws coming through, how are they secured> nuts on the outside of the case? Will it look ok?

[IRISHFAN]

There are several ways to secure it. There will be no rough edges becase before you put plexiglass anywhere near the cut you will file it and sand down your cuts, plexi scratchs really easy. You can use screws which doesn't look bad and there are no gaps(lowes has screws with decrotive caps which are chrome or black so you don't see the screwhead) You can try using doublesided tape but if there is alot of detail in the cut there may be gaps.

[jong2k4]

One of my friends secured his case window by using a cold weld ( Jay Bee Qwik Weld or something like that) to attach screws to his case, with the threads pointing to the inside of the computer, then drilled holes slightly larger than the screws on the plexi, fitted the plexi over the screws, and then secured it with nuts. That way it can be easily removed and nothing shows outside the case.