[sdiy] Metal Punch for Synth Panels

[Dave Magnuson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Wilson" <raywilson at comcast.net>
To: "Synth-Diy" <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 9:49 PM
Subject: [sdiy] Metal Punch for Synth Panels


> Where can I buy some kind of punch that can make up to 3/8" holes in 1/16" 
> soft aluminum? I am totally sick of drilling holes in the stuff that never 
> drill properly and are never round. Also they tend to leave burrs that I 
> have to ream off of the material. Is it me am I doing something wrong? Are 
> other people actually drilling round holes without burrs easily? If 
> there's a DRILL seargent out there, I could use some help and I mean a 
> HOLE lot of help.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ray

Hi Ray,

You need a conical drill or "Unibit"

http://www.crawfordtool.com/unibit.html

I drill a small pilot hole (1/8"), then go up to full size with the Unibit. 
The bit will take off all the burrs for you... the next sized step will 
chamfer the edge automatically.   After you drill the whole panel, flip it 
over and use the bit to de-burr the back.

I'll NEVER do back to regular drill bits again

A punch would be great, but it's a lot more expensive (and a lot larger!!) 
if you need that type of diameter and metal thickness capacity.

Dave