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If your thinking about an aluminum top plate and using a nibbler..... [message #32046]

Mon, 02 October 2006 18:27

Bill Epstein
Messages: 1088
Registered: May 2009
Location: Smoky Mts. USA

Illuminati (2nd Degree)

....take it from me, an 1/8" is a s'keenth too thick.

I got these nifty rectangular 3-in-1 IEC, fuse and switch units, drilled holes all the way around the perimeter and looked forward to nibbling the opening clean. unh-unh!

Half an hour with a file. Ouch!

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Re: If your thinking about an aluminum top plate and using a nibbler..... [message #32048 is a reply to message #32046]

Tue, 03 October 2006 08:20

cfranz
Messages: 23
Registered: May 2009

Chancellor

I love those things. Switch, fuse, IEC connector. Not particularly expensive, but a pain to cut.

I've not tried this... yet... I'm going to give it a shot with a router and a metal sidecutter bit. Aluminum isn't a particularly hard metal, it should work even with a wood bit (although you'll probably have to replace the bit more often).

if it works, I'm going to create a template for use with a 3/8 collar.

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Re: If your thinking about an aluminum top plate and using a nibbler..... [message #32049 is a reply to message #32048]

Tue, 03 October 2006 08:47

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18787
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Yeah, I use a nibbler tool on sheet metal that's pretty thin, but gotta go for a hacksaw once it gets bigger than about 1/16" thick.

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Re: If your thinking about an aluminum top plate and using a nibbler..... [message #32050 is a reply to message #32049]

Tue, 03 October 2006 09:01

cfranz
Messages: 23
Registered: May 2009

Chancellor

I've never liked nibblers on metal; I tend to leave a bad edge. Love them for plastic work, or separating out decals. But, a good diamond blade hack saw makes short work of aluminum... if your patient and have good hand/eye coordination.
As I've gotten older, I've lost the eyes for fine manual work. I've pretty much had to give up model railroading... Even with reading glasses and a jeweler’s loupe.

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Re: If your thinking about an aluminum top plate and using a nibbler..... [message #32051 is a reply to message #32050]

Tue, 03 October 2006 12:35

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18787
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

You're right about the nibbler twisting the edge of the cut. If a part is going to be visible, that's not the best way to cut it.

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Where'd ya get em' [message #32053 is a reply to message #32046]

Tue, 03 October 2006 16:49

Shane
Messages: 1117
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (3rd Degree)

Hey Bill,

Where'd ya get those from? I could use several myself.

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Re: Where'd ya get em' [message #32054 is a reply to message #32053]

Tue, 03 October 2006 20:00

Bill Epstein
Messages: 1088
Registered: May 2009
Location: Smoky Mts. USA

Illuminati (2nd Degree)

They're from Digikey, part # Q300-ND. $8.35 each.
Check the page they're on there's several config's.
I got snap-in and wished I had got screw on. The flange is about a 1/16 and nooo room for error.

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Re: If your thinking about an aluminum top plate and using a nibbler..... [message #32055 is a reply to message #32051]

Tue, 03 October 2006 21:50

Forty2wo
Messages: 163
Registered: May 2009

Master

Try a jewelers saw, or other very fine copeing saw blade. It is actually faster and easier than drilling a line of holes then cleaning them up…John

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Re: If your thinking about an aluminum top plate and using a nibbler..... [message #32059 is a reply to message #32046]

Thu, 05 October 2006 11:54

SteveBrown
Messages: 330
Registered: May 2009

Grand Master

FWIW, I use a sabesaw with a metal cutting blade, works great. First I cover the area with that blue painter's tape so nothing gets scratched (easier to draw the outline on, too).

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Re: Hey Steve, [message #32060 is a reply to message #32059]

Thu, 05 October 2006 15:49

Bill Epstein
Messages: 1088
Registered: May 2009
Location: Smoky Mts. USA

Illuminati (2nd Degree)

Euphonia is back-orderd 'til the 16th on the meters, which won't say Western Eelctric on the face.
The website says the mounting hole is 1 3/4". Is that right? And what is the overall size?
I picked up a gorgeous piece of cherry today and hope to have the base ready this weekend.

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