Fixing Antec P180 ATX case's plastic tabs for the 6 front fascia?

[Ant]

Hello.

My old Antec P180 ATX case's plastic tabs for the 6/six front fascia
(3/three on each side) are down to one/1 now. Is there a way to fix them
or do I need to buy a new ATX case? :(

Thank you in advance. :)

[Paul]

Post by Ant
Hello.
My old Antec P180 ATX case's plastic tabs for the 6/six front fascia
(3/three on each side) are down to one/1 now. Is there a way to fix them
or do I need to buy a new ATX case? :(
Thank you in advance. :)

There is an article here for the computer case.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article249-page4.html

I can see in this picture, the front fascia would be
the black vertical band on the right hand edge of
this picture. And one of the tabs for that, pokes
through near the bottom inside of the case. I wasn't
able to spot all six of them.

Loading Image...

You realize there isn't much you can do to repair
plastic, and especially not plastic that is called
on to flex, over and over again.

*******

I use 3/4" long stainless steel #2 screws to repair things. I have
a tap and drill bit (sized for the tap).

As an example, I dropped my TV remote on the floor one
too many times, and the two halves of the plastic clamshell
body wouldn't stay together. But after adding four #2
machine screws on the edges, it's as "tight as a drum" now.

I don't put great store in adhesives and glues, as sooner
or later they let go. The screws have worked pretty well.
I managed to snap one off, but that's because when you
drill into plastic with the correct sized drill bit,
it tends to "pull" off center and the hole is a slight
continuous curve, rather than going straight into the
material. I have to cut the screws down, from their full
0.75" length, to 0.375" long, so that the screws don't
experience too much stress from being forced to follow
a "crooked" hole.

Paul

[SC Tom]

Post by Ant
Hello.
My old Antec P180 ATX case's plastic tabs for the 6/six front fascia
(3/three on each side) are down to one/1 now. Is there a way to fix them
or do I need to buy a new ATX case? :(
Thank you in advance. :)

Any chance of drilling out the broken tabs and using something like car
fasteners and the existing holes
<http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/6726463/Car_Door_Panel_Clips_Automotive_Plastic_Nuts_auto_retainer_pin.html>

They come in various lengths and sizes and would still make the panel
removable, but wouldn't have the "duct tape repair" look :-) Just check your
local auto parts houses; there is quite often a "Help" parts rack.

[Michael Black]

Post by Ant
Hello.
My old Antec P180 ATX case's plastic tabs for the 6/six front fascia
(3/three on each side) are down to one/1 now. Is there a way to fix them
or do I need to buy a new ATX case? :(
Thank you in advance. :)

1)Buy a 3D printer
2)figure out how to create a software model of the existing panel
3)print it out with the 3D printer

At least it's an excuse to have a 3D printer.

When I got my HP 4P laser printer a decade ago for fifteen dollars,
one the way home I noticed the panel to access the memory slots was
missing. Maybe I losted it as I carried it, but I wondered if it had
been missing and was thus donated to the Rotary Club as a result. It
had a really low page count on it when I got it.

The panel was plastic, there were tabs to hold it in place.

The best I could do was find a scrap inkjet printer with enough flat
surface on the cover and cut out a piece of plastic the right size.
And then I had to tape it, too much work (assuming I could do it) to
create the tabs to hold it in place.

Michael

[VanguardLH]

Post by Ant
Hello.
My old Antec P180 ATX case's plastic tabs for the 6/six front fascia
(3/three on each side) are down to one/1 now. Is there a way to fix them
or do I need to buy a new ATX case? :(

Another option (than Red Green Show repairs already mentioned by myself
and others): contact Antec to see if you can buy a new front cover. Of
course, if they charge more for the part and shipping than to buy a new
P180 case then buy a new case and transfer mobo and other components to
the new case.

You said you have their P180 model. Maybe another model, like the P183,
has a cover that will fit. They list some spare parts you can order at
https://bobteam.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/1000144031-performance-series-spare-parts-list.
They do list a front bezel replacement part for P180/P180B/P182. I read
that Antec came out with a thicker bezel so it won't warp as much, so if
you get a replacement bezel then it could be the stronger one.

If the case is still within the warranty period, you could try getting
Antec to ship to you for free a new front cover. However, I suspect
they will claim the breakage of the securing tangs is consider abuse and
not covered by their warranty.

I saw a P180 case listed at eBay for $33 (but there is a shipping cost).
Says it has a non-fuctioning from USB port but that could be from an
improper hookup. If the port was truly defective, you could swap in the
one from your front cover. The price might be cheaper than ordering a
replacement from Antec.

[Ant]

Post by VanguardLH

Post by Ant
My old Antec P180 ATX case's plastic tabs for the 6/six front fascia
(3/three on each side) are down to one/1 now. Is there a way to fix them
or do I need to buy a new ATX case? :(

Another option (than Red Green Show repairs already mentioned by myself
and others): contact Antec to see if you can buy a new front cover. Of
course, if they charge more for the part and shipping than to buy a new
P180 case then buy a new case and transfer mobo and other components to
the new case.

I did contact Antec a couple weeks ago, but they said they didn't carry
parts for this very old case model. :(

Post by VanguardLH
You said you have their P180 model. Maybe another model, like the P183,
has a cover that will fit. They list some spare parts you can order at
https://bobteam.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/1000144031-performance-series-spare-parts-list.
They do list a front bezel replacement part for P180/P180B/P182. I read
that Antec came out with a thicker bezel so it won't warp as much, so if
you get a replacement bezel then it could be the stronger one.
If the case is still within the warranty period, you could try getting
Antec to ship to you for free a new front cover. However, I suspect
they will claim the breakage of the securing tangs is consider abuse and
not covered by their warranty.

No warranty since it was bought used on 6/30/2006 according to my
http://zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/toys.html history. ;)

Post by VanguardLH
I saw a P180 case listed at eBay for $33 (but there is a shipping cost).
Says it has a non-fuctioning from USB port but that could be from an
improper hookup. If the port was truly defective, you could swap in the
one from your front cover. The price might be cheaper than ordering a
replacement from Antec.

Did it say anything else broken like tabs? :P
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[VanguardLH]

Post by Ant

Post by VanguardLH
I saw a P180 case listed at eBay for $33 (but there is a shipping cost).
Says it has a non-fuctioning from USB port but that could be from an
improper hookup. If the port was truly defective, you could swap in the
one from your front cover. The price might be cheaper than ordering a
replacement from Antec.

Did it say anything else broken like tabs? :P

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Antec-P180-Computer-Case-with-non-functioning-front-USB-Port-/231717832099