Need help to mod a case

[klerg]

Hello

I have an old ATX-style case that has some metal slabs or tabs on bottom left and right corners of the cover. Here is some screenshots. I'd like to remove both the tabs, as the case has a screw on the top back of the cover that secures it. It looks like the tabs are welded, do I need to un-weld them or can they be cut off with some tool ?

Thanks in adv

 

[bonehead123]

DremeL4You

Not sure what you mean by "unweld" but even if that was possible, there would the potential to cause more damage than you intended if you're not REALLY talented with welding tools....maybe I'm just missing something here ?

 

[sneekypeet]

A drill and bondo are your friends here.

You should be able to drill the weld, releasing all parts of the latch, but then you will have some body work to do to make it all smooth again.

 

[klerg]

Yes, but which Dremel tool ?

What I mean is there any need to remove the weld or can I just cut off the tab, but as I have no experience welding will need to skip this for sure then.

Yes the base of the tab is welded on, but I only need to get rid of the part that sticks out, how small of a hacksaw can be used ?

What type of Bondo is best for this case ?

What size of drill bit will work here and where on the tab will the drill go on ? Yes, is the bondo going to be for the body work ?

 

[Regeneration]

You may use angle grinder / rotary tool with disc add-on / hacksaw (which will take effort and time) to remove those tabs.

Or maybe you just try to bend it back and forward until it breaks down.

Dremel is overpriced if you ask me, you can use this alternative instead:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Craftsman offers quality angle grinders for cheap if you want the ultimate metal cutter.

 

[klerg]

What kind of file is best to use here ? I have a hacksaw, but not sure what size is good ?

Ah, sure a grinder is a nice tool for this task, and especially angle grinder looks like the best bet , but yes it will not be easy this way

I will try this as well but I doubt that is going to work as it is metal

Dremel does cost a lot, but still like to know which one to use ?

I may go with Craftsman if can find it as the Amazon brand might be cheap

But I may be wrong and if remove the tabs, will the bottom of the cover be stable on the case ?

 

[freeagent]

I would just take a pare of tin snips and squeeze hard.

 

[Regeneration]

What kind of file is best to use here ? I have a hacksaw, but not sure what size is good ?

Ah, sure a grinder is a nice tool for this task, and especially angle grinder looks like the best bet , but yes it will not be easy this way

I will try this as well but I doubt that is going to work as it is metal

Dremel does cost a lot, but still like to know which one to use ?

I may go with Craftsman if can find it as the Amazon brand might be cheap

But I may be wrong and if remove the tabs, will the bottom of the cover be stable on the case ?

Dremel or the alternative I suggested is the perfect tool for this task because you can cut it with precision and then grind/sand any leftovers if there are.

Any Dremel that is capable of 20000 RPM that allows a cutting disc add-on. More RPM, the faster it cuts. 30,000 RPM and more is recommended.

 

[klerg]

Yes good tip but my tin snips broke so will need a new one

Dremel or the alternative I suggested is the perfect tool for this task because you can cut it with precision and then grind/sand any leftovers if there are.

Any Dremel that is capable of 20000 RPM that allows a cutting disc add-on. More RPM, the faster it cuts. 30,000 RPM and more is recommended.

Sure I hope will be able to find a Craftsmen it may take a long time as that is the next best brand. So is sand paper good to do this then ?

I guess will need to look at Dremel's website and see what tool is 20000 RPM and has a cutting disc add. I know 20000 RPM is enough for me.


I'm still concerned when the tabs are gone, how to secure the bottom corners of the cover to the case ?

 

[bonehead123]

More RPM, the faster it cuts

True but the more chance of mistakes too, by making an stray cut somewhere you didn't intend to, or by cutting deeper than necessary....

you MUST have very steady hands AND be able to keep a firm grip on the tool during the cutting process, and the faster it is running, the more chance it could skip off & go somewhere other than where you are making the actual cuts...

And any of the basic Dremel tools will do, you don't need to spend 100's of $$ on a tool you may only use once in a while. But OTOH, if you plan to use it frequently for even more projects that might require more precision, then it would make sense to invest in an upper-tier model

 

[Ahhzz]

Yes good tip but my tin snips broke so will need a new one



Sure I hope will be able to find a Craftsmen it may take a long time as that is the next best brand. So is sand paper good to do this then ?

I guess will need to look at Dremel's website and see what tool is 20000 RPM and has a cutting disc add. I know 20000 RPM is enough for me.


I'm still concerned when the tabs are gone, how to secure the bottom corners of the cover to the case ?

get a tap for the size screw you want to use, tap holes, drill the screws.

 

[klerg]

Yes it looks like using an angle grinder is almost as hard as welding so that is not something I can right now then.

Sure my hands can be steady but it really depends on how fast the circular blade is moving, so I'm not going to start on anything that is over 20000 RPM and is a lightweight tool as well.

Sounds good that is all I'm able to use, yes I do not have that kind of money just for some tool and it is not something I need too often. No for the time being my projects are not going beyond mid-range case modding and that's all.

get a tap for the size screw you want to use, tap holes, drill the screws.

How to get a tap for the screw size I want to use and tap the holes ?



Is any way to secure the bottom corners of the cover to the case without the tabs ?

 

[Frick]

Yes it looks like using an angle grinder is almost as hard as welding so that is not something I can right now then.

Oh god no. Not even close. Using an angle grinder is to welding what breathing air is to climb a mountain. You just need sort of steady hands, but it is pretty stable because of the rotation.

Angle grinders are cheap. I'd get one, try it outdoors on some scrap metal to get a feel for it. If anything I find angle grinders a lot easier to use than mini tools like Dremels.

Or just a saw. The bits doesn't look thick or very solid, so it won't be that difficult.

 

[klerg]

Oh god no. Not even close. Using an angle grinder is to welding what breathing air is to climb a mountain. You just need sort of steady hands, but it is pretty stable because of the rotation.

Angle grinders are cheap. I'd get one, try it outdoors on some scrap metal to get a feel for it. If anything I find angle grinders a lot easier to use than mini tools like Dremels.

Or just a saw. The bits doesn't look thick or very solid, so it won't be that difficult.

Good to hear. I really hope so. Well, that is a nice way to reassure and boost my confidence then. Yes, my hands are steady if the angle grinder is under 15 pounds.

Yes compared to a Dremel. For sure, I will need to practice on something before trying. It looks like angle grinders are smaller than Dremels too.

Only a hacksaw blade. The tabs are almost an inch thick it may take some time.


But I need find out how to secure the bottom corners of the cover to case when the tabs are gone, does anyone know ?

 

[klerg]

I may end up fully removing the tabs, and not just the part that sticks out, so does anyone know how I can secure the bottom corners of the cover to the case ?