[sdiy] Front Panel Express Template question

[Altitude]

The stepped drills work really well on panels (they are pretty much made for
that job).  We use them in our shop all the time and they are wonderful. The
nice advantage to using those is the next step up leaves a nice deburred
edge that looks really good. One thing about drilling aluminum, use a
lubricant that's made for AL otherwise it will stick to the bit.

Cheers,
Raph


__________________________________________
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SH-101 Manual

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-----Original Message-----
From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Adam Schabtach
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2005 1:13 PM
To: 'Synth DIY'
Subject: RE: [sdiy] Front Panel Express Template question

> You could always back a thin piece with another piece.
> Use two-part epoxy to glue the panel to a thicker piece of sheet or 
> plate as a backing.  If you were only using FPE to do the 
> engraving/finishing and were going to drill your own holes anyway, as 
> Michael Ruberto suggested, then this wouldn't add much to your effort.

I'm not gonna drill my own holes. Drilling several Stooge Panels has
convinced me that even with a center punch, a drill press, and the best of
intentions, I'm entirely happy to pay someone else to drill my panels. :-)

OTOH, I haven't yet tried using those stepped bits that people mentioned
here awhile ago. I found some at Costco(!) but haven't yet had the
opportunity to try them on aluminum. They work pretty well on plexiglass,
though, except that it starts to melt a bit.

--Adam