Full Glass Side Panel Mod

[Warren Pnigel]

Hi everyone, I was thinking of making a full glass side panel, something like this:

http://cdn5.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/DSC05716.jpg

 

I've decided on this because the acrylic on my phantom 240 case is a little scratched, and I want something more durable that shows off the entire case interior. I'm getting the glass cut by another company, and I wanted to know if you guys have had any experience with this sort of thing. What type of glass would be best? Please keep in mind that I intend on screwing the glass into the case, so I need to be able to drill into the glass. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, and I haven't had much experience with case modding before. Thanks in advance everyone!

[B U H N A N A]

i'm thinking of the same thing except with bitfenix neos, what are you using for the window? I am thinking of using lexan and neodymanium magnets. Also which company is cutting it for you? Are you going to home depot for this?

[Muffinmaddness]

get the company who you get the glass from to drill the holes for you, just make sure you mark them perfectly, i recently did a glass panel mod, ( check the thread below yours) but yeah i would research it alot, as there are loads of problems you can face with glass, also check you can buy another side panel for your case before you start, so if you do mess up you can just buy another panel, if your doing the whole side glass then...wow you're crazy haha

[Captain Matt]

Curious... I Googled how to drill glass. This looks pretty legit.
http://www.wikihow.com/Drill-Holes-Through-Glass

I can't think of a way to secure the glass to the case in a similar fashion to the case linked above, but I recommend that if you do secure it in a manner like that of the above case, please! grab some matte white 3M dinoc and cover the edges where the original case door slip on!

Looking forward and good luck!!

[Warren Pnigel]

For anyone else planning on doing this, you really have 3 options: Hinges (depending on if your case will allow for them), Screws, which im thinking of, or magnets. However with screws you would get the side panel flush with the case, magnets would not allow for this.

[TheKleen]

You can drill through glass fairly easily, you just need specialty bits. I've always used diamond tipped hole saw bits. Make sure you take your time and drill slowly and have a second person spray water on the area constantly (squirt bottle works good). Just be prepared to spend some money on the bits.

 

I'd also consider some clear acrylic if I were you, its usually cheaper, more transparent and easier to cut and shape yourself. Also....glass tends to shatter.

 

You can also polish small scratches out of acrylic. 

[destroyer8769]

For anyone else planning on doing this, you really have 3 options: Hinges (depending on if your case will allow for them), Screws, which im thinking of, or magnets. However with screws you would get the side panel flush with the case, magnets would not allow for this.

With enough modding (recessing the case magnets into the chassis or one metal stubs) you could probably get it so sit flush, but you would have four extra stubs of metal (probably not noticeable if done right).

[W-L]

For anyone else planning on doing this, you really have 3 options: Hinges (depending on if your case will allow for them), Screws, which im thinking of, or magnets. However with screws you would get the side panel flush with the case, magnets would not allow for this.

 

I suggest magnets or using a decorative nut type look the lian li case you posted it looks pretty nice. For magnets if you want it perfectly flush it would be best to fabricate a holder for two magnets that attract each other this will let lining up the panel easier and make it less prone to sliding along compared to metal and magnets.

[deusvult]

Must be noted that Lian Li uses tempered glass. I don't suggest putting a window pane in there.