[sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack equipment?

[BrightBoy]

The round punch would be for the main body of the connector and you'll need to drill two holes
for the mounting screws.

BB

-----Original Message-----
From: cheater cheater <cheater00social at gmail.com>
Sent: Jun 15, 2026 6:17 PM
To: BrightBoy <jdec at mindspring.com>
Cc: synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack equipment?

I won't be replacing the TRS socket, I'll be putting the XLR in an empty space.

Thanks for the product suggestions so far, I'll check them out.

On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 9:26 PM BrightBoy via Synth-diy
wrote:
>
> In the USA, Greenlee has been the defacto chassis punch manufacturer since the industrial age started.
>
>
>
> I also recommend getting the stout automatic center punch to make sure your drill doesn't walk
> on the mounting holes.
>
>
>
> My favorite? The heavy duty Starrett #18C
>
>
>
> Good luck!
>
>
>
> BB
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Bryant
> Sent: Jun 15, 2026 3:12 PM
> To: synth-diy , cheater cheater
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack equipment?
>
>
>
> Lots of punches available, but the problem for you will be making something of the exact diameter of the TRS socket to centralise the punch. Then make up a template to punch the mounting holes.
> ________________________________
> From: Synth-diy on behalf of cheater cheater via Synth-diy
> Sent: 15 June 2026 19:45
> To: synth-diy
> Subject: [sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack equipment?
>
> I have a couple dbx 286s units, and in their infinite wisdom dbx did
> not include XLR output, only input, so I'm looking for a good clean
> way to install a high quality xlr output plug. It already has balanced
> TRS, so electrically it isn't anything spectacular, but I'm looking to
> punch the enclosure in a nice way and then install the plug. I was
> wondering if anyone had experience with this, and can recommend a good
> combination of panel mount XLR jack and a punch that makes holes that
> fit it well. I know Neutrik do panel mount XLR, so that would be my
> go-to, but I don't know how best to go about doing the hole punching,
> so I would appreciate any suggestions or experiences. Thanks.
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