Post by thread:[OT]: how to make a rectangular hole on enclosure

Hello, I want to make a small rectangular hole on a plastic enclosure so as to fit in a slide switch, but since it is not circular, I cannot use a drill. Is there any way or tools to make this hole easily? Paul __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

Do this: - Draw the borders of your rectangular hole on the enclosure - Make holes with your drill with a small diameter following the borders of the enclosure, but make the on the "inside" of the hole. Make the holes as close as possible. - Now, with a cutter, cut the remaining material between holes and that’s it, you have your rectangular hole! Good Luk! Mauricio Jancic Janso Desarrollos (54) 11 - 4544 - 5613 (54) 11 - 4542 - 3519 Republica Argentina > {Original Message removed}

If you have the extra cash -- There are punch sets and "nibblers available from McMaster-Carr (or other vendors - I've seen them at McMaster). http://www.mcmaster.com - search punch and search nibblers - both are nice, and not too expensive. They even have nice D-Sub punches. You probably can search around and find cheaper prices, but they are fast and reliable. Steve Smith Electrical Engineer University of Akron Departmen of Chemistry http://ebers.chemistry.uakron.edu {Original Message removed}

At 10:03 AM 9/25/02 -0700, paul wood wrote: >I want to make a small rectangular hole on a plastic >enclosure so as to fit in a slide switch, but since it >is not circular, I cannot use a drill. Is there any >way or tools to make this hole easily? Drill a round hole first, then file it to shape. Since you are filing plastic, a square file with coarse teeth is probably best. Won't cost more than a few dollars at your local hardware store. dwayne -- Dwayne Reid <spam_OUTdwaynerTakeThisOuTplanet.eon.net> Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax Celebrating 18 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2002) .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .- `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address. This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

1. Tape with paper-type tape around the slot-to-be, mark it. 2. Then make indentation with paper-cutter. 3. Heat paper-cutter (sharp thin blade knife) -- you might be able to get one type that can fit into your soldering iron. 4. Slice the plastic with the heated-cutter. It should slice the plastic like a piece of butter. 5. goback to 3, until done ** Hot enough cutter is crucial, and be careful that it doesnot become so hot that melt the holder. Cheers, Ling SM > >I want to make a small rectangular hole on a plastic > >enclosure so as to fit in a slide switch, but since it > >is not circular, I cannot use a drill. Is there any > >way or tools to make this hole easily? -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

a) Punches (some simple need pre drilled hole, then using internal screw through hole to punch, more expensive which don´t need pre-drilling are whole bench apparatus...) b) Drill + Nibbler ( I modified one cheap hand held, removed the top which was intended to hold the sheet steel while nibbling, so now it is smaller and get through a 8mm drilled hole.) c) Drill + quadratic file. d) drill, then use a fine hobby ("leaf-" ? ) saw (put saw blade through hole, before attaching it to blade holder) e) like d but use hot wire f) drill several holes close to each other around inner edge of wha tis to be the hole, then cut what is left with a small cutter plier, and use a knife or file to make smooth. g) use solder iron or thick hot wire to melt a ditch around the borders, when almost through use knife and knock or iron again from other side. h) I regrinded a small 3mm drill to be wery sharp along sides, so I can drill, then move it sideways. But it is hard to move straight... /Morgan paul wood wrote: >Hello, > >I want to make a small rectangular hole on a plastic >enclosure so as to fit in a slide switch, but since it >is not circular, I cannot use a drill. Is there any >way or tools to make this hole easily? > >Paul -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

Paul Wood: > I want to make a small rectangular hole on a plastic > enclosure so as to fit in a slide switch, but since it > is not circular, I cannot use a drill. Is there any > way or tools to make this hole easily? dremel tool -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

Dremel. I don't know if it's an international brand, but you're Dutch anyway. :) You can get a cheap dremel clone at Big Boss or Praxis in the order of 20 to 30 Euro's. Claudio -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- Hello, I want to make a small rectangular hole on a plastic enclosure so as to fit in a slide switch, but since it is not circular, I cannot use a drill. Is there any way or tools to make this hole easily? Paul -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.