How to: Gut a PC

Hello!
I haven't seen a guide on how to do this, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm working on doing this to an old server case I bought locally. I haven't finished the gutting as of yet, since I'm out of drill bits, but I'll post a completed pic once I'm done

Tools:
- Hammer
- Drill with multiple bits
- Both Phillips (the sharper the point, the better) and Flat-head screwdriver
- Permanent marker -- bright color preferred (optional, but helpful)
- Crowbar (optional, but helpful)
- Some strength
- Patience (a beer or bowl may be needed for this... I needed both)

Tools.jpg

Procedure:

- Establish which holes on the case need to be drilled, and mark them with your permanent marker if choosing to do so
- Get your drill
- Stand over your case so you may secure it with your knees/legs
- Begin drilling the selected hole for approx. 10-15 secs. Blow the metal shavings that will accumulate to check your progress
- Take your Phillips screwdriver and hammer, and hammer into that hole until you see the '+' imprint left from the screwdriver
- Drill the hole again, blow away the shavings
- Rinse/repeat until you have made a hole
- Once you've drilled all the holes for the part of the case you're removing (drive bays, support bars, motherboard trays etc) take your flathead and hammer and try to pry it free from the case. I found a crowbar to help with this, but most of it came free with just the screwdriver/hammer. NOTE: this could bend the chassis (framing) of the case, no worries -- hammer it back :lol:
- Rinse/repeat until all the unwanted metal is removed!

drillin.jpgpausetohammer.jpgscrewdriver.jpgholes.jpg

I was able to remove the motherboard tray, hdd enclosure, and some random support beams before my last bit broke. Unfortunately, I only had one to begin with :wall:. You can see the tiny remains of it in the very first pic under the tools section.

I don't claim that this is the best method to remove the guts -- I'm sure you could use saws and different drill attachments to make this task even easier and cleaner looking -- but I found success doing it with the small amount of tools I had! ANYBODY with experience in doing this is encouraged to post. I'll try and answer any questions I can, but I'm pretty n00b-like myself :lol:

Hope this helps! :leaf:
 
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