Making a side panel Window ?

Hi,


I've had my NZXT Phantom for almost a year now but it's only recently (2 months ago) that I put together a water cooling loop. So I'm thinking I should get a windowed panel to see my loop. NZXT do sell one but the window is ridiculously small and I don't think it'd cost much more to make my own. So here I am.

I'd like to know pretty much everything there is to know. From How To cut out the panel, to which tools to use, where to get stuff, do you have to use different tools depending on the metal you're cutting (I suppose not all side panels are made of the same metal). And obviously the cost.

I could obviously just do a quick google search or try Youtube but most of the time they won't really talk about the tools they're using or why. Neither will they mention cost. It's great to be able to do something but knowing why and how exactly I'm doing it is what I'm after.

The tools electrical tools I have are a Drill and a Circular Saw (huge crazy thing, probably won't use that, will I ?).

Thanks for taking the time to read and bothering helping me out for those who will




*I suppose none of you would know where to purchase the materials in France (I haven't seen a single French resident around here now that I think about it) but that's normal so I'll ask about that on French forum rather than here.

**Wouldn't want to spam the forums with threads so I'll ask here: Does anybody know how to make homemade fan dust filters ? I'm on a really tight budget and 5€ a 140mm fan filter is just way more than I can afford.
Edited by steelkevin - 11/7/12 at 7:11am

I edited and added which electrical tools I had but I know for sure I can borrow a dremel from a friend and he's probably got a jig saw too. If not he'll borrow one from his dad's office I guess.

@intelman, thanks. the rubber edge molding is U-Channel. Aquatuning sells that. I'll see if I need some. Ok, hardware stores as for acrylic tubing and gasket material. (I just figured out what a hardware store actually was -_-, been wondering if they had those in France for a while now. It appears it's the Castorama shops... where they sell wood, glass, doors, windows, paint, tools... it all makes sense now).
I'd like to see a photo of yours if that's ok .

I was about to ask about the blue tape I've seen used many times where cuts or wholes were about to be made. But in @WarMunkey's link he mentions it and tells what to do with it.
Doing cardboard mock ups is brilliant. I've got tons of cardboard boxes in the basement too


Oh and obviously +Rep for the both of you. You were very helpful.

I'll probably cut mine as much as possible everywhere but keep the PSU and 5.25" bays hidden.
That way I hide every ugly part and the case parts (5.25" cage) and see my components and loop.

It might look weird though. So maybe I'll cut it all and mod the ugly stuff.