Part Two: Preparing the Case
Some pictures of what the case looks like, and what was done with it and the sacrificial computer case before any cutting.
Here is what the case started out looking like. A very simple wheeled traveling case for an outdated IBM system.
The back view shows the retractable steel handle and wheels. This case is heavy-duty, and can withstand a lot more punishment than your average aluminum/zinc computer case.
Here is an interior view of the case. You'll notice the foam around the outside. This foam was removed as it would cause heat build up in the case and was not needed.
The Power Supply, Backplate, Motherboard Mounting plate, and 5 1/4" Drive Bay bracket were all removed from the sacrificial case. In order to remove some of the components, rivets had to be removed.
How to remove a rivet from a case:
Insert the end of one jaw of some needle-nose pliers into the hole in the back (flat side) of the rivet.
Push it in firmly, then pry slightly with the inside of the jaw. (You should then see the side of the rivet lift slightly.)
Once the side has begun lifting, close the pliers (grabbing that side), and slowly pull and pry the back of the rivet off.
Continue doing this until the entire back of the rivet has been pried off.
Push one jaw of the needle-nose pliers back into the hole in the back of the rivet, and the front portion will pop off.