[sdiy] slider/fader slot cutting techniques

[Paul Dickow]

PS, I'm guessing some of the tooling/thinking/process will be similar
for ABS as it will for aluminum, in any case?

P

On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 3:19 PM, Paul Dickow <paul.dickow at gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks to everyone for the replies on this. It is SO appreciated.
> I should have included the info that I've opted for an ABS enclosure
> on this project. Ordinarily I would not, but as a computer peripheral
> and non audio device I thought I could go plastic on this one. Any
> ideas about whether this will be easier to work with?
>
> For my software music work having those faders is critical, but I can
> see that for my synth DIY hardware projects...I'll be sticking with
> good old knobs for now!
>
> Fortunately this controller is only 2 faders, so I only have to put
> myself through this pain (heartburn) twice! It's a Doepfer Pocket
> Electronic outfitted with 14 knobs, 2 sliders. I just wanted to move
> the whole setup to a lower profile box with smaller parts...
>
> P
>
> On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 2:54 PM, Tom Arnold <xyzzy at sysabend.org> wrote:
>> On Tue, Dec 09, 2008 at 01:30:09PM -0800, 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.
>>
>> I'm doing this exact thing right now and it has caused me quite a bit of
>> heartburn just learning how to do it.
>>
>> My solution was to buy a small mill.  Probably overkill for a one off...
>>
>> I could find no other method to do the holes cutting DIY without drawing
>> lines and using a dremel and the like which is not fun I can tell you.
>> Using a larger metal cutting blade like in a chop saw doesn't work well as
>> it usually wont even start to fulling penetrate the metal due to the large
>> diameter of the blade.  Even using the mill I will have to sharpen the ends
>> by hand so they are square.
>>
>> Oh, and the heartburn?  Well, if you buy a mill and look at tooling you will
>> notice there are end mills specifically for aluminum, then people will tell
>> you that carefull application of lubricant and slow feedrate can bypass the
>> need for special tooling.  Only half true.  Cutting narrow slots in thin
>> aluminum really does require that special made-for-aluminum endmill...
>>
>> --
>>  -----------------------------------------------------------------
>>  - Tom Arnold       -  Free Synth DIY webspace http://www.sdiy.org
>>  - SynthGeek        -
>>  - BBD Fanatic      -  "...is it a virus, a drug, or a religion?"
>>  - echo evho wjxo   -    Juanita Shrugs. "What's the difference?"
>>  --------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Synth-diy mailing list
>> Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>> http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Paul Dickow
> STRATEGY
> www.community-library.net
> www.archigramophone.com
> Community Library/Kranky/Audio Dregs/Entr'acte/ORAC/Dreck/
>



-- 
Paul Dickow
STRATEGY
www.community-library.net
www.archigramophone.com
Community Library/Kranky/Audio Dregs/Entr'acte/ORAC/Dreck/