[sdiy] chassis punch

Sat Apr 19 08:57:40 CEST 2025

Any of the good industrial/electronic suppliers (E14, RS, Arrow, Mouser etc.) should have a range of punches and attachments, often with an automated, hydraulic cylinder. They are worth their weight in gold and well worth investing in a set that is appropriate for your needs, as, with care, they will last many years if looked after. Don’t forget to lubricate the bearing surfaces, as failure to do so will render the punch useless – same for adhering to the thickness and type of metal it can cut.

Kind Regards

Tony Mowbray

From: Synth-diy <synth-diy-bounces at synth-diy.org> On Behalf Of rrsounds via Synth-diy
Sent: Saturday, 19 April 2025 3:42 PM
To: Michael E Caloroso <mec.forumreader at gmail.com>
Cc: synth-diy at synth-diy.org
Subject: Re: [sdiy] chassis punch

Ali Express sells a plethora of rectangular punches that work with one of their very inexpensive hydraulic punch systems they sell. I have a 38x20mm punch I have used on 3mm aluminum rack panels with the hydraulic pump and the results were wonderfully precise and relatively effort-free. I say relatively because you have to start with a ½” hole (round) and I didn’t have a ½” punch. So I bought a manual punch (like a Greenlee) also from Ali Express, and starting from a drilled 8mm hole, created 1/2” pilot holes, the old-fashioned rotating-the-wrench way.

A lot more effort! Now I have ordered an additional different hydraulic punch system that will do smaller holes, including ½”, with no 8mm hole-drilling or subsequent arm-twisting required.  Looking forward to trying it.

David Reaves

Sent from my iPad

On Apr 19, 2025, at 2:07 AM, Michael E Caloroso via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org <mailto:synth-diy at synth-diy.org> > wrote:

I use a nibbler with my Greenlee punches.

MC

On Fri, Apr 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM Oren Leavitt via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org <mailto:synth-diy at synth-diy.org> > wrote:

Half inch (12+mm) square punches are common. You could do two 
side-by-side square punches to get your desired hole.

Or use a nibbler tool to size up from a smaller rect punch.

- Oren

On 4/18/25 10:55 AM, peter foti via Synth-diy wrote:
> The closest size that Greenlee makes is 11mm x 22mm, item # 60025
> 
> 
> On Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 9:29 AM mark verbos via Synth-diy <synth- 
> diy at synth-diy.org <mailto:diy at synth-diy.org>  <mailto:synth-diy at synth-diy.org <mailto:synth-diy at synth-diy.org> >> wrote:
> 
>     Hi all,
> 
>     I have a chassis punch, the kind where there’s a bolt that you crank
>     down on, that’s the size of an IEC power connector inlet that has
>     served me very well over the years. I would like to be able to
>     install the mini C8 type power connectors on some gear that I am
>     modifying to have a detachable power cable or internal power supply.
>     For that I need a hole that is 25mm x 12mm (maybe 12.5mm) rectangle.
>     I have been unsuccessful finding one. Sure, I could drill 4 tiny
>     holes and connect them with a Dremel, but the punch is sooooo much
>     nicer. Is there some secret source for these that I need to know
>     about? I believe someone on here recommended the ones I have now….
> 
>     Mark
>     ________________________________________________________
>     This is the Synth-diy mailing list
>     Submit email to: Synth-diy at synth-diy.org <mailto:Synth-diy at synth-diy.org>  <mailto:Synth-diy at synth- <mailto:Synth-diy at synth-> 
>     diy.org <http://diy.org> >
>     View archive at: https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/
>     <https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/>
>     Check your settings at: https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/
>     synth-diy <https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy>
>     Selling or trading? Use marketplace at synth-diy.org <mailto:marketplace at synth-diy.org> 
>     <mailto:marketplace at synth-diy.org <mailto:marketplace at synth-diy.org> >
> 

________________________________________________________
This is the Synth-diy mailing list
Submit email to: Synth-diy at synth-diy.org <mailto:Synth-diy at synth-diy.org> 
View archive at: https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/
Check your settings at: https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
Selling or trading? Use marketplace at synth-diy.org <mailto:marketplace at synth-diy.org> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/attachments/20250419/57beac30/attachment.htm>