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Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: Tau Phaser LED

From: Richard Brewster <pugix@...>
Date: 2008-04-28

I used a hand-held variable speed power drill with a unibit to drill
most of my Stooge panels. The unibit is by far the best discovery I
made for panel drilling. I use a center punch for each hole on the
front of the panel, then cover the whole panel in strips of painter's
masking tape. I use one of those sliding clamps with the rubber grips
to hold the panel down to the workbench with the area being drilled
protruding over the edge a bit. My drill has a level on it that helps
me keep the drill perpendicular to the work. Take your time and be
patient. I've only had one mishap where the drill slipped and slightly
marred a panel.

I bought one of those little drill presses for my Dremel tool, and I
find that I hardly use it. It's too flimsy. You can't drill a panel
with a Dremel tool anyway.

Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com

adaaxs wrote:
> I decided to drill an led hole in my panel too. The lack of led and switch options have
> driven me to have my Tau, Multimix and others punched.
>
> Yesterday , my wife saw me looking at a Dremel drill press for $38 at a Loews and bought
> it for me. I don't know if it is possible or what to get to do it but I figure I can drill a pilot
> hole and them hand ream it out (when my carpenter friend can't cut a super clean 4.98mm
> hole in the thing).
>
> I was planning on using shielded hook up on the outputs, Center to tip. Braid (screen) to
> already bussed ground plane on out jacks. Screen trimmed on pcb end of wire. Twisted
> twos or threes of stranded hookup on everything else.
>
>
>> i bored the LED hole out today with a Unibit on a handdrill and it
>> went smooth as anything.
>>
>> has anyone completed their tau pipe modules yet?
>> im waiting for a 100k log pot to arrive.
>> and i have yet to do the front panel wiring.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "adaaxs" <wonggster@> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I have a Sears hand drill that is a two speed, geared job, amazing
>>>
>> bit of analog
>>
>>> toolmaking. It is a very fine and effective tool, better than many
>>>
>> of the electrics I have
>>
>>> had.
>>>
>>> gw
>>>
>>>> I do have an actual hand drill that belonged to my father. It has
>>>> wooden handles and a crank on the side like an eggbeater. I use to
>>>> drill PCB's, as it can't accidently skip and destroy traces.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> The paint won't chip, either. I make those holes smaller because
>>>>>> individual users can always drill them bigger if they need to, but
>>>>>> we can't drill them smaller : )
>>>>>>
>>>> Indeed :)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> Cool. I've never drilled through metal this thick before. Is it an
>>>>>> easy process? Do I need to get any exotic tools to do this (ie can
>>>>>> I use a hand drill or do I need a press)? What steps are you going
>>>>>> to take to minimize the amount of paint chipping?
>>>>>>
>>>> You want a variable-spped power drill with a large-enough chuck to
>>>> fit the bits you are using. When I had to drill a bunch of panels,
>>>> including some tricky stuff like the LED holes for a MiniWave, I
>>>> borrowed this massive professional drill press from my next door
>>>> neighbor. Which was much better than using a hand-held power drill,
>>>> but not necessary if you only have to drill a few holes.
>>>>
>>>> Secure it from moving (you can use the mounting holes in the corners
>>>> of the panel to screw it to a board), drill from front of the panel
>>>> so that any damage to the paint is to the back side, and use a
>>>> lubricant such as cutting and tapping spray.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.hotrodmotm.com/drill_howto.htm
>>>>
>>>>
>
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