Cut Letters into Side Panel

Exodus_AU · 8th July 2012, 9:53 PM

Hey,

Ive got an NZXT Switch case and want to cut my gamer name into the side panel, anyone able to advise me of easiest way to do this, what to use?

Jimmy37 · 8th July 2012, 10:25 PM

you want it cut or etched/engraved in? in the acrylic or the plastic/steel part?

ginger_nuts · 9th July 2012, 8:45 AM

A Dremel is a great tool for that kind a thing.

But you need to keep it simple and large.

Otherwise find a local laser cutter firm. Should only cost a few dollars ($40-$60).

Ridox · 9th July 2012, 9:24 AM

I wish people would enter the location information before asking questions like this. If you are in WA i can point you in the direction of a water jet cutting guy.

gruntLOL · 9th July 2012, 10:18 AM

If you're in Adel we can cut or etch for you at work here.

zero_velocity · 9th July 2012, 10:36 AM

There are professionals everywhere, I would advise getting one in your local area to do it. it would cost a few $$ but atleast you dont have to worry about messing it up and living with it forever....

Exodus_AU · 9th July 2012, 8:37 PM

Im in Sydney, i didnt post where cause i just wanted to know what to use, i want to do it into the steel part and cut out so i can run an led up behind it.

the3coopers · 10th July 2012, 12:00 AM

A) The technically advanced way is a laser cutter, CNC-controlled.

B) A good way is a air or drill powered metal nibbler. That doesn't make a huge mess or distort the metal.

C) Lots of people love Dremel tools. Pretty much a mini angle grinder, and you need to be very very skillful to get a nice edge (plus file it a lot)

D) If you are a botch artist like me, you'd use a hole saw (with cutting fluid) then a set of full offset aviation tin snips to join up the holes. Then file it smooth and panel beat out any wobbly bits.

E) You can clamp it to (between) sheets of plywood and then use a jigsaw with a metal blade. Noisy as all hell, and will need to file off the burrs.

Of those, the nibbler probably has the least chance of damaging the existing paint finish. But it will still have a bare edge.

fonzo · 11th July 2012, 8:13 PM

find a laser cutter who will do small runs. alot wont bother doing small things cause its a pain in the ass. once its laser cut u wont need to do anything else but paint it .

8th July 2012, 9:53 PM	#1
Exodus_AU Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 74	Cut Letters into Side Panel Hey, Ive got an NZXT Switch case and want to cut my gamer name into the side panel, anyone able to advise me of easiest way to do this, what to use?

8th July 2012, 10:25 PM	#2
Jimmy37 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 190	you want it cut or etched/engraved in? in the acrylic or the plastic/steel part? __________________ the game

9th July 2012, 8:45 AM	#3
ginger_nuts Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Morphett Vale, SA Posts: 17	A Dremel is a great tool for that kind a thing. But you need to keep it simple and large. Otherwise find a local laser cutter firm. Should only cost a few dollars ($40-$60). __________________ The world will keep turning

9th July 2012, 9:24 AM	#4
Ridox Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 297	I wish people would enter the location information before asking questions like this. If you are in WA i can point you in the direction of a water jet cutting guy. __________________ Desktop: R3 \| X6 1090T 3.8Ghz \| H50 \| HD6870 \| 8GB 1600 DDR3 \| BenQ G2420 HD x3 HTPC: Meraki RZ \| X2 235e \| HD5450 \| 2GB 1600 DDR3 \| Samsung 5.1 htib \| Samsung UB406000 LED Ride : 1998 Toyota Supra \| Black \| Twin Turbo \| Tiptronic \| 400hp - sold Ride : 1998 Toyota Supra \| Silver \| S362 Turbo \| Manual \| 650hp Mechanical design blog take a look and request something today

9th July 2012, 10:18 AM	#5
gruntLOL Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 2,766	If you're in Adel we can cut or etch for you at work here.

9th July 2012, 8:37 PM	#7
Exodus_AU Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 74	Im in Sydney, i didnt post where cause i just wanted to know what to use, i want to do it into the steel part and cut out so i can run an led up behind it.

10th July 2012, 12:00 AM	#8
the3coopers Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sydney 2151 Posts: 647	A) The technically advanced way is a laser cutter, CNC-controlled. B) A good way is a air or drill powered metal nibbler. That doesn't make a huge mess or distort the metal. C) Lots of people love Dremel tools. Pretty much a mini angle grinder, and you need to be very very skillful to get a nice edge (plus file it a lot) D) If you are a botch artist like me, you'd use a hole saw (with cutting fluid) then a set of full offset aviation tin snips to join up the holes. Then file it smooth and panel beat out any wobbly bits. E) You can clamp it to (between) sheets of plywood and then use a jigsaw with a metal blade. Noisy as all hell, and will need to file off the burrs. Of those, the nibbler probably has the least chance of damaging the existing paint finish. But it will still have a bare edge.

11th July 2012, 8:13 PM	#9
fonzo Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Shepp, Victoria Posts: 187	find a laser cutter who will do small runs. alot wont bother doing small things cause its a pain in the ass. once its laser cut u wont need to do anything else but paint it .