rite of passage

[Mark Pulver]

At 10:27 AM 6/20/96 -0700, Troy Sheets said:

>
>> The other question has to do with Gene's ASM boards (in a way).  I'm
>> planning to build one when the main shipment happens, but am having a
>> little trouble with the front panel idea.  I know the general idea is
>> to purchase metal sheets, and cut, drill, and transfer labels onto
>> them, but my present living circumstances (a two-bedroom apartment)
>> kind of limit my available tools.  Is there a more economical way (in
>> terms of space and/or money) to do this?
>
>Isn't there some sort of "Notching" tool that can punch holes and 
>rectanges (in selected sizes) in thin sheet metal or plasic?  Has anyone
>used something like this before?  I only remember reading about it in some
>catalog, does anyone use this type of tool who would like to comment on
>it?

Yup. I have one, and in a past life (like when I was building a lot) I used
it all the time.

The tool works well, but you'll need a good metal file/Dremel grinder/etc to
clean up after it. The nibbler leaves little nooks and crannies around the
sides of the cuts. It's not hard to clean up after, but it is something that
you have to do. Depending on the gauge of the panel you're cutting, it sure
beats drilling a bunch of 1/4" holes side-by-side and grinding out all the
flash.

mark

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Pulver/Chicago, IL             The home of "Son of 'The MIDI Wall'"
mpulver at wwa.com                        http://shoga.wwa.com/~mpulver