[sdiy] Metal Punch for Synth Panels

[Brett Maddaford]

Hi Ray

I recently did some .com panels and just used a cordles drill with a
metal bit. I did clamp them down on a soft piece of timber which was
secured to the bench with the same clamps (so I drill through the panel
and into the timber leaving less chance for burrs etc), drilled small
pilot holes first and then larger ones and also drilled at a slowish
speed which also helped. I drilled 24 holes in this panel and all of
them are nice and round and in no way damaged the finish on the front of
the panel. 

I looked at getting a bench drill etc but this method seems to work
great and means I don't need to buy a bench drill just for the purpose.

Cya
Brett

-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Wilson [mailto:raywilson at comcast.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, 1 June 2005 11:50 AM
To: Synth-Diy
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