First Time Mod - Drilling Steel/Alumnium

[Cwis3man]

Hello,

 

I'm looking at modding a case to accommodate some water-cooling and an IR Receiver. The IR Receiver will be mounted on the front of the case, and mounted on the back of the front panel. For the water-cooling I'm going to be using a Corsair H55, with the radiator mounted on the outside of the case so I'll need to drill holes for the hoses to fit through.  

 

I will be using a Fractal Design Node 605

Mods Needed:

1x 1/4" Hole through the front of the case for an IR Receiver window

2x 4-40 Screw holes on the back of the front panel to mount the receiver bracket

2x Holes/Slots between the two fans on the side of the case to allow for Corsair H55 Hoses

 

 

Was curious if you guys had any suggestions on the best way to go about it. 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[W-L]

-SNIP-

 

Welcome to the Forums!

 

For drilling metal I highly suggest using a stepped drill bit or another name for it a Christmas tree bit, are you planning to use bolts for some or those connections.

 

[spwath]

Drilling holes for the tubes will not work, as you can not get the tubes trhough the holes without disconecting them from block or rad, and you can not disconect them from block or rad.

[Cwis3man]

Welcome to the Forums!

For drilling metal I highly suggest using a stepped drill bit or another name for it a Christmas tree bit, are you planning to use bolts for some or those connections.

No bolts, the ir reciever will screw into the back of the front panel, and the window clips in with a retention ring

[Cwis3man]

Drilling holes for the tubes will not work, as you can not get the tubes trhough the holes without disconecting them from block or rad, and you can not disconect them from block or rad.

I had planned on drilling holes whete the tubes will be and using a dremel to turn them into slots so I can slide the tubing in through the opening for the fan

[TheKleen]

I just use regular drill bits for metal, sometimes you'll get a little blowout but you can drill through the opposite way with a 1/64" larger bit to remove it, or file it off. Easier than buying specialty bits.

 

For the hoses I'd use dremel cut off disc and round over the top of the slot a little smaller than you need it, then file by hand into shape. You wont have a large enough drill bit to do that and I wouldn't recommend a hole saw on metal.

[W-L]

No bolts, the ir reciever will screw into the back of the front panel, and the window clips in with a retention ring

 

Just for the tubing slots be sure to debur and round overthe cuts to protect the tubing or add in a grommet of sorts.

[Cwis3man]

I'd love to add a grommet of sorts, I had seen a u channel grommet type rubber but it seemed too thick for what I'm looking for, any suggestions for a grommet material /substitute

[W-L]

I'd love to add a grommet of sorts, I had seen a u channel grommet type rubber but it seemed too thick for what I'm looking for, any suggestions for a grommet material /substitute

 

It's hard to substitute U-channel but if you have some small diameter PVC flex tube it will work, there are places to get U channel too:

https://www.dazmode.com/store/product/rubber-u-channel/

 

Mcmaster Carr is another one that has U-Channel and supplies.

[Cwis3man]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351215665662?redirect=mobile

Think this would work?

[W-L]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351215665662?redirect=mobile

Think this would work?

 

Yes that looks like it will work perfectly, just make sure the metal your go over isn't extra thick material like 3mm aluminum.

[Cwis3man]

Here's a better look at the cuts I'll have to make to accommodate the radiator. The fan filter on the outside comes off.