This is my DIY side panel window and window etching. I used a thin sheet of plexi bought from a local Home Depot.

For this project, I had to use a power tool to cut up a window hole. In my previous case, which is a generic mid-tower with steel side panels, I used a pair of tin snips to cut the hole. Since I got me a window kit, which had the H-type rubber moulding, it didn't matter if the cut wasn't that clean, as long as it's straight. But for my precious aluminum case, I had to do some clean cutting. So I got me a Black & Decker RTX (Dremels are expensive, and many people have one already). I cut a nice square hole on my side panel. Of course, i did my measurements and checked it thrice. I was lucky enought to use only two reinforced cutting wheels for the whole window. Now for the moulding, I used those door edge mouldings bought from auto shops (I got mine at Autozone). A set is enough since one set contains two long lengths of the moulding. Here's a pic:

I chose to use the black one with the chrome stripe. There are also full chrome and full gold, but I liked the look of the black and chrome strip better, to keep the black and silver look. The window is held in place with some mounting tapes (or double-sided foam tapes from 3M). Of course, the actual window is sized bigger than the hole so there would be an allowance to place the mounting tapes.

Looks good with the blue CCFL.

Now for the etch. The etch was just a later project. I was browsing by the the Dremel bits in Home Depot and saw this etching bit. Since my window is just a cheap sheet, I can risk experimenting a little window etching. And it would look great with some LEDs to make it glow while the CCFL is off. Etching can be a little tricky. The bit most of the time bites on the plexy and would either dig a deep hole or run wild. Now the dig deep part, I managed to keep a steady hand. But for the running wild part, I just continued with it and did the whole design. It then kinda gave the design a little semi-flame look. hehe. escape.

Up til now, I still haven't put any LEDs on the window. I'm lazy what can I say. But now, I would have to scrap that idea for another mod project I'm planning. I want to put two 80mm intake fans on the window to help in my cooling. I have crappy system temps so some intake fans on the side would help. Since I was lucky enough to make a good etch, I won't be throwing that window away. I might even cut it to size and put it on top of my glowpad.