Hi everyone! I figured I'd throw this into the shop area since it may be the best section in the long term.
I need to find some sheet metal hole punches to make midi sockets, 1/4", and 1/8" holes.
I see that the back panel of my x0x has slightly larger holes.
I saw some options on Ebay - a handheld one for example, 5/8" for about $20 that could handle the midi jack (I think).
Can someone confirm the best sizes to look for and possibly point me to a source? I see Green Lee kits for $700 but that's just way outta my league.
As always, thanks!
Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
most of the handheld punches ive seen
only go up to 1/4" or so
for larger holes
a set of sheet metal drills or a step drill
would probably do a good job
just be sure to clamp the work securely to a thicker piece below
only go up to 1/4" or so
for larger holes
a set of sheet metal drills or a step drill
would probably do a good job
just be sure to clamp the work securely to a thicker piece below
- altitude
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- Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 5:17 pm
Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
I am quite fond of these:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... sQ8wIwBA#
for soft aluminum, I just clamp it over a 2x4" and bet nice clean holes. You can also deburr with by just touching the next size up to the piece leaving a nice small chamfer
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... sQ8wIwBA#
for soft aluminum, I just clamp it over a 2x4" and bet nice clean holes. You can also deburr with by just touching the next size up to the piece leaving a nice small chamfer
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
A good place to find things like this are websites where people who build audio gear with vacuum tubes shop. A couple examples:E:pp:ik wrote:Hi everyone! I figured I'd throw this into the shop area since it may be the best section in the long term.
I need to find some sheet metal hole punches to make midi sockets, 1/4", and 1/8" holes.
I see that the back panel of my x0x has slightly larger holes.
I saw some options on Ebay - a handheld one for example, 5/8" for about $20 that could handle the midi jack (I think).
Can someone confirm the best sizes to look for and possibly point me to a source? I see Green Lee kits for $700 but that's just way outta my league.
As always, thanks!
http://www.hndme.com/productcart/pc/vie ... tegory=164
http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/fox ... SISPUNCHES
- e:pp:ik
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
Thanks for the advice and links you two!
Right - there are those Green Lee ones in separate units. I might bite. They look like pretty high quality. $700 for a tin was out of the question but $150 for the critical sizes may justify the purchase.
This is what I found so far:
$20 without the allen key on Ebay - 5/8: inch. This only cuts up to 16 gauge.
Looks like Mouser / Newark has them too so that's a solid option.
Right - there are those Green Lee ones in separate units. I might bite. They look like pretty high quality. $700 for a tin was out of the question but $150 for the critical sizes may justify the purchase.
This is what I found so far:
$20 without the allen key on Ebay - 5/8: inch. This only cuts up to 16 gauge.
Looks like Mouser / Newark has them too so that's a solid option.
Last edited by e:pp:ik on Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
- altitude
- Posts: 995
- Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 5:17 pm
Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
if you want to go with the punch i'd consider just buying an arbor press..
- e:pp:ik
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- Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2008 3:10 pm
Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
Oh that would be sweet. Maybe a bit tough when modding large panels though, no? I haven't got loads of space so I was looking for handheld to get started. Then it's kinda mobile. I'll look anyway though. Maybe if one turns up for a good price It would be a better buy.
- altitude
- Posts: 995
- Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 5:17 pm
Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
an arbor press is small and very usefull: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... sku=146705
- rosch
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
i bought these locally for something between 20-30€, it has a fixed size of 28.3mm (for arcade push buttons), with a guide hole of 12mm diameter (the screw is almost M12 so there's no shaking at 12mm)
they're easily available in smaller sizes, eg for midi sockets it's a little more than 15mm. the sizes are given in PG and mm.
but for say 1/4" or even 1/8" i believe it's easier to just drill it, as you have to drill the guide hole, anyway.
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
Yeah they look cool.
I used a drill then my rotary tool with a bit that fits exactly .
I have a steady hand. I only needed to fit 4 units as I fixed this with the faceplate toolers.
The hand ones look .. well handy . Thanks for the info.
I used a drill then my rotary tool with a bit that fits exactly .
I have a steady hand. I only needed to fit 4 units as I fixed this with the faceplate toolers.
The hand ones look .. well handy . Thanks for the info.
- e:pp:ik
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2008 3:10 pm
Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes
I ended up buying two of the punches as pictured just above to cover off 1/4" and Midi. Still looking for a one that can do 1/8". I'm not a fan of drilling (though that's what I've been doing). Worked great so far!
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.