First-timer window case mod

[WT]

So I purchased a window from Directron, and at $9 for an atomic green window kit I was not expecting high quality parts, but I was pleasantly surprised by most of the pieces. My concern is the hideous rubber surround that holds the window in place. What I want to do is scrap this and cut the panel hole smaller than the window and then mount that (any suggestions ? Glue or rivets ?).
Now on to the concern: What do I use to dress up the edge of the side panel ?? Are there any alternatives to the rubber grommet surround or should I just paint a strip around the case cutout ? Its a silver case with green CC tube and fans and a green Vantec fan controller so my initial thought was to match the atomic green mod and paint it, but I'm open to suggestions.

Sorry for being anal, its all about the looks here lately. :frown:

 

[sparkey]

http://www.mnpctech.com/UChannel.html

this stuff does'nt look as bad as the window channel lock that comes with most kits . i have purchased from these peeps befor (twice) and been very happy with their service

 

[Zepper]

For factory windows they paint the door after the hole is cut and the mounting holes are drilled. Personally I'd use stainless steel machine screws (allen (hex), torx or security head) to hold the plastic in place with acorn or Nylock nuts on the inside. I'd also trim the rim off one side of appropriately-sized butyl rubber grommets leaving the hub and drill the holes in the plastic to fit the hub of the grommet then put the trimmed grommets into the plastic from the inside. Put the screws in from the outside and tighten the nut up to the rim of the grommet that is to the inside of the plastic. The grommets will keep the differing coefficients of expansion from warping the door as well as protecting the plastic from cracking around the screws if the door is accidentally dropped, etc. I'd also put some kind of fiber washers under the heads of the screws too - you can spray-paint them to match too.

You could always take the door to a metalworking shop and have them laser or plasma cut the hole in the door so there would be a perfectly clean cut and repaint the door. Not gonna be cheap but as you said, looks are all-important... You should probably have them drill the mounting holes as well so they would be perfectly even too.

http://www.bgmicro.com has what they call "continuous grommet" that is like the black stuff that Sparkey linked but it is translucent instead of black. IOW, if you really snoop you might be able to see the rough edges of the metal through the stuff...

Hey Sparkey,
. I really like those big rubber feet on that site! I t hink I'm gonna treat my box to a set.

.bh.

 

[WT]

OOPS, I had completely forgotten to check out MNPCTech, and I should know better after buying a Tt Swing based on his mods done on it. The case being chopped up is a full tower Chieftec, so its heavy as hell and quality steel too.. probably close to 60 lbs with all the hardware in it.
I found what looks most appealing so far here:

chrome trim strips

My concern of course is having never cut the case before. I have a friend willing to hack away, but he cannot radius cut the corners, and to be done right I need rounded corners to match the window and also to make the chrome trim fit properly. I have used a dremel a total of one time (and thehn only on plastic) so this is not an area I am comfy exploring, but until I get more $$, the machine shop would be too pricey for me.

I know it sounds halfass, but I'd like to keep from drilling the acrylic window, as that scares me the most, and just mount it via some weatherstripping glue on the inside. Opinions on this ?

 

[Zepper]

Use an appropriately sized hole saw to do the corners depending on the radius you want.

Industrial strength double-sided mounting tape shoud do you for mounting. Radio Schlock used to carry it.. Clean both surfaces with 90+ strength isopropyl alcohol before sticking.

.bh.

 

[aigomorla]

wwow op, 1.19 / feet for your chrome thing,

And sparky's 2.99 / 6 feet :thumbsup: thanks for that link sparky.


:X i just thought u should take price into concideration. it says you need 14 inches per 120mm fan hole, that means a side pannel like that :X easily 20 inches + which means $$ just to cover the cuts.

How about instead of a big hole, why not design some etch and then double sided take the acrylic behind. Problem is, how good are you with a dremel