[sdiy] slider/fader slot cutting techniques

[George Hearn]

There is a tool-bit called a 'slot drill' available in all sizes.  It's like
an end mill but can be plunged into the work without a pilot hole.  Find
someone with a milling machine you can borrow and buy the $2 slot drill you
require.  If you want a really nice quality slot with high finished edges
and perfectly straight this would be my recommended method.  George

-----Original Message-----
From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Ben Lincoln
Sent: 09 December 2008 22:29
To: Synth DIY
Subject: Re: [sdiy] slider/fader slot cutting techniques

I would think a metal-cutting chop saw would be ideal, unless you need
slots wider than the width of the blade. Position the enclosure below the
blade with the lowest point on the blade in the vertical center of where
you want the slot to go, clamp, bring the sawblade down until the slot is
long enough, repeat. You'd probably want to file the two ends of the slot,
but it would be perfectly straight.

You could also use a milling machine with a really small-diameter end mill
tool, after drilling a pilot hole at one end of where you want the slot to
go. This approach could be approximated with a drill press and a lot of
patience by drilling a hole, moving the enclosure a small amount,
re-clamping, drilling again, etc. and then filing the edges of the slot.

If you don't have access to either of those tools, you could use a cutting
wheel on a dremel, but that would be really tedious and prone to wobbly
lines. If I were going to do it that way, I'd plan on a lot of filing all
of the edges of the slot to clean it up. Hopefully someone else has a
better idea there.

On Tue, December 9, 2008 1:30 pm, Paul Dickow wrote:
> Dear Synth DIYers
> I am revamping my MIDI controller into a new box. 2 of the pots are
> slider/fader.
>
> I haven't yet cut slider-slot type holes in enclosures yet.
> Recommended tricks/rules of thumb? Best tool to use?
> I want to make as non-wonky of a slot as I can...try to avoid wobbly
> edge. etc. the first time around.


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