[sdiy] Hunk o metal

[Oren Leavitt]

On 2/3/2011 7:10 PM, Sam Ecoff wrote:
>
> I've decided to try my hand at hand making a front panel for my Thomas Henry MPS. I'm having my local printing place make a vinyl sticker for the front panel, but I need to find a piece of sheet metal to use. So.... where does one go to find something like that where they will cut it to size for me (about 16" x 5")? Any tips on drilling it out on a drill press? (what speed do you use for metal? Do I want to use a stepper bit?)
>
> Thanks!
>
> Sam E.
>

Hi Sam,

I get 0.125 inch 6061 aluminum plate for my projects at OnlineMetals.com 
(USA)
They'll cut it to any size you want.
The Irwin "Unibit" stepper bit works great for drilling holes. Just 
pre-drill a small 1/16" pilot hole for it. My drill press runs at 800 
rpm which works fine.

- Oren