Reikon

So I'm going to be putting my HAF back together soon after my clear coat cures a bit longer (nothing special, just a plain matte black finish inside), and I just had a few questions regarding airflow and riveting as this is my first actual case modding job to date.

As far as the rivets go, I've purchased 1/8 Steel Rivets 1/4 long. Are these to long? How short should I be aiming for? And will steel mess up my case/finish at all as I will be using the "hand clamp style rivet gun"). I only purchased the steel ones because they looked a bit nicer than the aluminum ones on the shelf and I do not remember what type of rivets I drilled out >_<

Also, I was wondering the effectiveness of re-building the case without the hard drive bay and placing my hard drives in the drive bay above. Would this increase airflow significantly? Would it weaken the case to much structurally?
Also on the topic of airflow, how much would an added fan at the bottom of my case help? I'm really just looking for the quietest (most inexpensive) way to get the most cooling out of this case as it duals as my gaming and HTPC setup in my living room. So if anyone has any ideas for a good inexpensive (reletively quiet) fan setup please let me know.

Thank you for any help given as this is my first modding of a computer case to date ^_^

CattleRustler

with regards to the rivetting, not sure about the size you mentioned, but in general, if you want to protect your paint work, get a plastic card or a piece of card-stock, or even cardboard if thats all you have, and drill/cut a small hole in it, just big enough to clear the nose of the pop rivet gun with a rivet loaded. When you pop in the rivets, pop thru the card with the hole. Those guns tend to jump up and in towards your work piece when the shank snaps, and its very very easy to damage the finish on the case like that. It happened to me on Jessie's Gumdrop but luckily it was on a small add on piece that I was able to touch up with paint.

good luck

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Reikon

Thanks for the input, I'll deff do that when i set this back up. (+rep)

Now anyone know anything about added airflow? or rivet length?

TDN1979

On all the cases that I have taken apart, the 1/8"x1/4" is the most common size. All that I have done have been aluminum as well. Steel rivets are used in high stress apps. that are under a lot of load. The computer case is not but this will not affect you with using steel. If you like the looks better, use them. Like CR said though, when that shank snaps, your gun will jerk and you can damage your case paint. I had it happen on a case but it was powder coated and didn't leave a mark. I always pull the handle once (mine doesn't snap on the first pull) then on the second pull, I pull out away from the case. This has worked well for me.

TDN1979

I just looked at the pics of your case and it looks like the HDD bays are a structural part of the case. You can try removing them and see how your case does, but if you notice any flexing, put it back in. as for air flow, I'm sure it will go up without that wall there but it's not worth it if the case will be weak.

PathogenX

I think you better put the HDD back
like TND1979 said it looks like a part of the structure
it might be too flexible
and jsut put your harddrives in a drive bay

the hdd cage dosent constrict that much airflow

Reikon

Thanks a ton! I think I'll just add an intake to the bottom in front of the cages then just to be safe.