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I was originally going to install this into my black Chieftec case but after receiving the kit I found it was too small to put in that big of a side panel. At least by my standards it was. So I looked at my server case and said there's my victim! Its an AOpen HX45a case thats been modded before. It's painted a Metallic Blue and has 2 hideous 120mm fans in the side. This was my first mod on that case and not the best. The window hole I needed was just the perfect size to get rid of those fans which I really didn't need anymore.
First thing that must be done is to figure out what tools you will need. To cut the side panel I used a jigsaw with a 24 teeth per inch blade. When cutting metal it is better to use a fine blade. It not only cuts easier but it also leaves a cleaner cut so there is less to file off once your done.
Tools needed to cut the hole...
Now some of you I'm sure are questioning the masking tape. This case is painted with some Rustoleum metallic blue paint and has 2 layers of clear coat on it. The paint is soft and scratches pretty easy. I covered the whole side panel where the jigsaw will be going with masking tape. I didn't have plans on painting this case again so this was done to protect it. Now if you plan on painting your case after cutting the hole, then this step really isn't necessary.
The next step was to trace the hole with the template provided with the kit. First you have to cut the excess off of the template. As you can see from the picture above I have it traced on there already. You can see those 2 dark spots to the left on the masking tape. Those were the holes that held the 120mm fans on. The dark spot is actual a outline of the dent that the grills made into the paint. I didn't want to get any closer to the back edge of the side panel than it already was. Knowing I had the chrome trim to put on I figured out how much room I had to play with and will use the trim to cover up the owies with. You can see through the masking tape where the 120mm holes were and that the cut I made for them was not very pretty at all!
Another important thing you want to do is measure. This is where a ruler or tape measure kicks in. Now you don't really want the window leaning or "not square" with the rest of the case. So you use a tape to line it all up. Your measurements will vary depending on where you are locating the hole at. Mine was 1 1/8" from the rear and 3" from the bottom. With this said its now time to break out the power tools and have some fun!
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