Well, just did this today on a Lian Li case so I thought I'd make a simple lil guide for u guys. It took me about 6 hours today to complete it. Here goes.



1st thing u need to do is remove everything from the case. Actually it's easier to work if u also remove the top panel. However this Lian Li case comes with the top panel riveted to the chassis. So I just left it on the bare chassis. Then whip out the masking tape n tape up the whole panel to prevent scratches while modding.






Next thing is to calculate the dimensions n mark them out using a pencil on the masking tape. Use a pencil so it's easy to erase mistakes. Make sure u check out the bottom of the case for the CD ROM cage structure n also where the PSU is. Measure n measure over n over again. This is the most important part. Any mistakes will b disastrous when u actually start cutting. Also mark out all the holes for the mounting screws n fan hole.






Now comes the cutting part. There's a very important tool called the center punch. Use it to punch all the holes ure going to drill. This makes sure the drill bit stays right in the middle of the marking n not stray to the right n create lotsa problems. Here's how the punch looks like.







After center punching all the markings it's time to start drilling all the holes. Drill the window mounting screw holes. Then dremel out the window from the top panel like this. Make sure to use goggles n respirator mask. Goggles to protect ure eyes n the respirator mask to prevent breathing in all the hazardous dust from the aluminum n also the cutting disc itself.





Now it's time to do lotsa filing on the edges that u cut. The time n effort needed depends on ure skill level of cutting. I cut only bout 1mm away from the markings so the filing required is very minimal. A warning though. Those of u doing this for the 1st time better leave at least 2-3mm to the markings to allow for mistakes while cutting. Then u can file away the excess all the way up to the exact dimensions that u marked earlier. Here's how it looks like after filing n drilling.









Next up is the acrylic work. Leave the protective backing paper on it n mark out all the dimensions according to ure window panel. Then cut out the exact size, drill the mounting holes n cut the blowhole like this.








Here's the completed acrylic piece.

Time for a test fit under the panel. Everything matches up perfectly 1st time. Lotsa practice cuts down a lot of time here.

If ure doing this for the 1st time then the mounting holes r definitely gonna b off by a few mm here n there. Don't worry bout this, just use a small file n file out the holes to fit. File slooooooooowly n make sure u dont crack the acrylic.






Now it's time to peel off the paper n actually mount the window, fan n grill. Again, the same thing with the mounting holes. 1st timers will definitely hafta file all the holes to fit the fan n grill.










I had to cut sum nuts n bolts to fit coz they were too long. No short 1s r available. I haf no idea y short nuts n bolts r so hard to find. Haf no fear though. With the dremel u can make ure own short nuts n bolts. 1st, clamp it tightly like so.






Then start cutting with the dremel. U shud c this being done at night. NICE fireworks display.







Here's the shortened nuts n bolts compared to the standard 1s.









With lotsa practice ure cuts will b as clean as a factory cut panel. Dont b discouraged if ure cuts r not perfect 1st time around. It's not as easy as it looks n sounds. It's very, very, very difficult to achieve cuts like that unless u haf the right equipment n lotsa practice. Mebe u can get a scrap piece of metal n practice 1st. Or u can always redo the window by enlarging the dimensions n u can try cutting again. Here's a close up shot of the cuts. This is what u shud b trying to achieve.







Well, that's it. A nice lil 1/2 day mod. Hope this helps u DIYers out there. Haf fun trying it out. Remember to take ure time n haf fun. Modding is all about fun.

This post has been edited by ianho: Mar 25 2006, 10:30 PM

Looks great bro! Wish I have your tools

bro, i wish i had ur tools man....definitely make my life easier.....

anyway, bro, it's kinda potong stim to see you use that type of screws.....
i got a whole bag of chromed rounded allan key screws (4mm) that are so hot man coz it looks very smooth and it blends into any casing nicely.
i think i got the american chopper fever a bit, coz i emphasize on detailing too much

This post has been edited by AllnGap: Mar 25 2006, 10:55 PM

Nice work there bro ian...

Good job dude~
My Ah Lian...

Gimme sum of those allan key screws lar. I cant find them here lar. I thought of using those colored aluminum allan screws like for the car number plates but they're too big for this window mounting. I needed sumthin small n compact.

As u can c in the pix, the clearance for the screws were extremely tight. I had to fit the screws inside a space of 1cm. Coz the window had to b big to fit the 120mm fan n also there's a metal thingy under the window thats 1cm away from the edge. I spent like 1.5 hours just measuring, measuring, measuring n checking over n over again to make sure the dimensions were right coz of the tight measurements.

Can't believe it, I live 5 minutes away from 2 huge commercial Hardware stores like Ace n Home DIY n yet I cant find nicer screws.
Will hafta go look for those bling bling screws soon for other projects.





Hehehe. I enjoyed every minute of it. It's extremely satisfying, working on a superb case with superb built quality n materials like the Ah Lian.

This post has been edited by ianho: Mar 26 2006, 12:01 AM

actually those screws serve more practical uses than cosmetic uses.
it's so much stronger on torsional test (twisting), it will not get corrodded, and it's so hard !!!
those screws are actually meant for machinery rather than side panels man

a friend of mine got me these really small allan screws for my top window...



the pictures doesnt really do it justice but it blends in nicely with muh top panel. not sure where he bought it though...can ask him if u want...

This post has been edited by mADmAN: Mar 26 2006, 12:40 AM

I have work before in the assembly factory. During that time, all the allen key screws was chrome. All sizes, cap screws, button head, countersunk, all got. But outside, very hard to get, can only get those black one only.

I remember they told me that it was specially chrome from the black screws.

Regarding the cutting, i used a jigsaw to cut the top panel. I used a steel ruler abd a G-clamp to align the markings with the ruler. This way, you jigsaw will not cut off line. although this was a little slower but the cutting line will be very straight.

Hope this helps

ALLnGap do you sell those chrome cap screws, would love to buy it from you.

This post has been edited by zzzz52: Mar 26 2006, 11:11 AM

i will post the pics later

I just remembered where to get them. I can get it from my friend's RC hobby shop in 1 Utama. Just remembered I haf lots of it but it's all buried deep in my storeroom with all my RC stuff.




Yeah I get what u mean bout using a straight edge so that the jigsaw moves in a perfectly straight line. However the proper way is always to cut inside of the markings n never on it. This is to allow for accidents like snapping blades, saw teeth chipping off suddenly, n different properties of the many types of different metal panels. Snapped blades n chipped teeth take off chunks of metal n different panels react differently to different TPI blades n also different composition blades. Sum panels haf a really ugly wavy appearance though the lines r perfectly straight. This is caused by the up down motion of the blades so the lines r straight but there's a wave profile to the edge when u look at it from the other angle.

Anyway, it also depends on what ure working on. I use the jig on metal cases n dremel on alu.





Wei wei wei. U curi my top window thread n turn it into allan's allan screw thread kar? Kakakakkaka.

This post has been edited by ianho: Mar 26 2006, 03:01 PM

Nice idea. BTW, you missed one step-cutting it with a jigsaw? I think you skipped it to the drill center punch.

BTW, is there a tool to remove the rivets? my Tt tsunami has it bolted on. I think it should be easier with the roof out of the way directly. I was planing the same idea, but mouting a watercool device- (I forgot the name, but alienware has it on some pc's it covers the top roof with three fans. There is a ver2 of this... DAMM, can anyone remember. I totally forgot now) BTW, I have seen a Tt tsunami with it, but the watercool device is not mounted directly. If I'm not mistaken, some Lian Li cases do cater to this water cool system exclusively.

ianho>which direction is the air flowing from the fan, in or out of the case? I suppose its going out right? Though making it go inside and changing the side panel fan should work as well. Too much air intake is not that good, but actually it does work. How much db is that CM fan? And how much things do you have in that case since you need some space as you said? Not sure if I can do it with my tsunami full with every thing.

I didn't skip anything. I dremeled out the window. No jigsaw involved.

As for the rivets, just drill out the rivets n rivet back.

Air is flowing out of case. The db of that fan is very, very low. Not sure bout exact figures but it's a CM Silent UV fan. Can't even hear it. That fan is just there for a test fit to make sure everything fits perfectly. ahpaul82 is gonna mount his CM Aquagate R120 radiator up there.

I have just remove the rivets on my whole casing. Just using normal drill and the drill bit just slightly bigger than the rivet hole.

After that just drill into the rivet hole and the rivet will come off.

Wowwww superb fast mod

It very worth the money i paid.
thank you so much!

nice, nice. Make sure u post up pix of ure complete rig once u finish assembling it.

wow nice tools man... can borow me ahh?? cuz i wanna cut a larger hole for my side panel then make a window on the top panel..

Great mod there, wish i could get a first hand view of the process instead of watching pictures only