[sdiy] Hunk o metal

[Sam Ecoff]

Excellent reminders, Dave! As someone who is first and foremost a pianist, I'm pretty obsessive about safety equipment. (and I include ear plugs in that category!) I won't start the drill press until the piece being worked on is clamped to the press so securely that I can't move it using all of my strength.

Thanks to all who've offered great suggestions so far. I picked up the vinyl laminated labels from the printer yesterday, and they really look spectacular. They were even able to automatically cut out all of the holes for the pots! Onlinemetals.com can get me a piece of aluminum for only $14, and the label was only $7. I wouldn't use this method for production, but if I can get the holes drilled accurately, this might turn out to be a pretty effective way to turn out a neat looking one-off. I shudder to think what a 16" x 5.25" panel with over 40 pot holes and tons of tick marks and labeling would cost through FPE. My guess is more than the $21 this panel is costing me. I'll post pics when I'm done. Thanks very much for all of the helpful advice!

Sam E.



On Feb 4, 2011, at 10:22 AM, Dave Manley wrote:

> 
>> 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?)
> 
> No one has mentioned safety issues - use goggles, gloves.  Anyone exerience
> the rotating hand slicer that unsecured work can become when the drill breaks
> through the bottom of the hole?
> 
> -Dave