Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

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e:pp:ik
 
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Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by e:pp:ik »

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!

guest
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by guest »

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

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altitude
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by altitude »

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

Brassteacher
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by Brassteacher »

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!
A good place to find things like this are websites where people who build audio gear with vacuum tubes shop. A couple examples:

http://www.hndme.com/productcart/pc/vie ... tegory=164

http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/fox ... SISPUNCHES

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e:pp:ik
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by e:pp:ik »

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:

Image

$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.

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altitude
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by altitude »

if you want to go with the punch i'd consider just buying an arbor press..

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e:pp:ik
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by e:pp:ik »

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.

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altitude
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by altitude »

an arbor press is small and very usefull: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... sku=146705

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rosch
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by rosch »

Image Image

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.

textile
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by textile »

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. :D

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e:pp:ik
 
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Re: Metal Hole punches: source and sizes

Post by e:pp:ik »

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!

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