What are your preferred case mod methods? (Cutting, painting..)

I'm interested to know your preferred methods when it comes to case modification. I'm fairly new to this and could use some advice on the best techniques. How do you get a nice clean cut for those switches? How do you paint your consoles for that factory-finish look without them looking like shit or peeling?

Any shared wisdom will be appreciated.

 

Cutting holes for switches/ports: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/other/tips.htm#4

 

I like to run mine caseless. Helps keep the ones without heatsinks a bit cooler not to mention I'm such a hardware geek that I like seeing my stuff up close as it works.

I know it won't help with case modding but that's how I roll. My N64, Sega Genesis, and Dreamcast sit on my set as bare PCBs and heatsinks.

 

The VGA port cutting hint is a revelation to me! I've always just drawn it on in pen/pencil and cut freestyle:stupid:

As I prefer my consoles looking as stock as possible, I don't really go in for painting them, but xbox-scene has some decent painting guides: http://www.xboxscene.com/articles/chrome-xbox.php

 

Dremel, Xacto knife, 3D printer

As far as clean cuts, patience and a steady hand.

3D CAD designed and printed mini SNES shell



Front light switch on a NGPC



Plywood case SNES mini arcade



Various paint jobs

 

I'm probably the worst case modder out there. I use a drill, a soldering iron, and sometimes try to use my dremel.

 

Im in the process of learning how to dremel myself. Those dremel tips that mmmonkey has given me has helped greatly

I just got one of those plastic modeling 5 piece filer sets... so hopefully i can get it down pat.

I wish i can get a hold of an old video card for the VGA template, i've found some old pc parts a while back but i threw them out because i thought i wouldnt be needing them .

 

For painting, I used Vinyl Dye:

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Motherboard-...ers&hash=item4ac2fcfff8&_uhb=1#ht_1645wt_1139

 

Thank you bad_ad :congratulatory: