detailed dremel work
 

well im planning to cut a tribalish style dragon into the side of my case to make a shaped window... and the one ive got picked out has some smaller detailed parts that look like they would be pretty difficult to get with a cutter disk on my dremal... i was wondering what attachments yall would recomend for doing the more detailed stuff...

and are there some cutting disks that are better then others for cutting thru the steel that my case is made of?

you might consider using some sort of template and a guide collar. i usually see this with a router (i'm a woodworker) - but there might be a good way to rig it up with a smaller machine.

also, there is a dremel tool that i like, but it might be hard to describe. it is just the shape of the shaft, but the end is formed with spiral cutting flutes. it works very well on metal

dremel #9901 t. carbide cutter, and it looks like the whole #99xx series might be good/useful

use a hammer and chisel it will work great trust me

i was thinking i would use a cutting disk for the bigger block like pieces and getting rougher cuts done then another bit for smoothing out all the lines... that #9901 looks like it would be really good for smoothing out the lines and doing some of the more detailed work....

Diamond tipped burr cutters would work

http://www.widgetsupply.com/dremel/c...t-20pc-1_8.jpg

well ive got the tungsten carbide bit... and a pointed one too... im getting ready to trace the dragon onto my case... but i dont know which side to do the work from... if i do it from the outside of the panel ill have to worry about the dremel bouncing up and scratching the finish on the case... but my friend was saying if i did it from the back the front would be distorted... i was wondering if anyone had any experience with the more detailed dremel work like this...and could tell me which side to cut from...

I did this project a few years ago. Now it just sits on my other desk and collects dust. I never really got around to painting it. There's also another cutout on the top of the case that isn't completed yet. Anyway, thought you might be interested.

http://members.cox.net/smontegut/bl1.jpg
http://members.cox.net/smontegut/bl2.jpg

Everything was done with a cutting wheel and these bits highlighted in the picture below (carbide version):

http://members.cox.net/smontegut/bits1.jpg

Oh, <b>JStrider</b>, your best bet is to just repaint the case. If you cut from the front, you probably will have some damage from the bit moving around on you. And if you go in through the back, you'll have small pieces that bend out towards the front which will have to get sanded down and probably ruin some of the original finish anyway.

And 1 last thing:

What I did was to get a blackandwhite picture of what it was I wanted to transfer to the case. I then get some of that 3m Spray Adhesive and glued the paper to the BACK of the case. Then just follow the lines with my dremel. Once the cutting was done, you can simply remove the paper.

If you still want to try to keep your original finish on your case, then definitley glue the paper to the inside of the panel, because it's a bitch getting all of the paper off. It's some pretty tough glue.

well id like to keep the original finish... but i could refinish it if necesary... but id prefer not to...

i was thinking that i would get the picture of the dragon, print it then cut out the areas i was gonna cut and then tape it to the case and go over it with a thick marker... but your way sounds easier... but messier...

Shit man, I'd try your way first. Sounds alot easier and cleaner. You also wouldn't have to deal with the little pieces of paper getting everywhere. I guess it really depends on the intricacy of your design, and if you want to spend all that time cutting up your paper first.

By the way, could I see a picture of your design? I'd like to check it out.

And 1 last thing... I used to be into the modding scene years ago and I remember a few sites that used to have some cool pictures of modded cases. You wouldn't happen to know of any of these sites, would you?

Good luck

well i was looking at my design... and im thinkin it would be a lot of work to cut out with an exacto blade... not to mention a dremel tool also... if only i could print directly onto the side of the case...

the best site for pictures that i have found is virtual-hideouts coolcasegallery... at www.coolcasegallery.net


and here is the design im planning on using...
http://www.cs.ttu.edu/~schrodt/window/dragonsmall.jpg
im gonna be doing it bigger then that... and i figure if i really mess up and end up butchering my case i can just put a big rectangular window in...

I'm a cabinet maker and use 3m's Spray Adhesive 90 on a regular basis, cleans right up w/ a bit of lacquer thinner, the problem is that lacquer thinner will also cut through the paint. Pretty much no matter what ya do, your gonna have to repaint the case.

kind of inspired to do a lil case modding now myself, however my case has some small vent holes so i dont have a full side to work with :(

That will look sweet. Please share the pics as ya go along. As for advice, I have nothing new to add. Except that I would find a peice of steel about the same thickness as your case and practice first. If it turns out good then you have an excellent template. Another thing to think about. Depending on the brand of case, you may be able to order a replacement side to cut on.