rite of passage

[Mark Pulver]

At 07:45 PM 6/20/96 +0200, (Ian A. Vine (phone UK 0171 419 3450)) said:

>
>>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?
>
>They usually just called sheet metal punches. I've only seen circular ones
>and they work pretty well. You do have to drill a pilot hole and the ones
>I've seen can only handle aluminium up to 2mm thick.

Oh... I just described a hand-held nibbler; I missed the whole punch concept. :)

There are two common types of punches like this, hydraulic operated and
screw operated. The style of punches are commonly known as "Greenlee"
punches, but that's like refering to a box of facial tissues as "Kleenex".

The larger electronics outfits sell these in common forms and sizes (like
SUB-D, DB-25, DIN-5, etc). Look at Newark for the best selection and highest
prices, then look to All-Electronics for surplus/new stuff at better prices.

They work really well, leave a clean hole with minimum cleanup required, but
can be expensive, 'specially if you need one to do heavy gauge panel work.

mark

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