Modular Synth Panels

I've been looking on line at punch presses and other tools for stamping standard-sized holes in the sheet gauges we work with in the synth panel world. All I can seem to find are:

a) giant industrial-size machines that would take up my whole basement. Admittedly, such a machine is guaranteed to meet all my current and future needs, and would be a great conversation piece. Even if I could get one shipped to my house and assembled into the basement, though, I doubt my wife would consider it a good investment.

b) $3K-$6K machines that I could at least fit in the workshop, but would never justify the cost (I mean, I could commission a huge run of very nice Moog/STG style photo printing anodized panels for that amount of cash)

c) Nice knockout punches, but the hole sizes are too big (1" or greater)

d) Cheap manual hole punches with shallow throat depth that would maybe work for single-width panels in flimsy gauges, but nothing bigger

Is there NOTHING out there that can punch standard-size holes in synth panels on the cheap?

Don't even get me started on SQUARE holes; I've given up on those for now.

ALSO: If I want that sexy Moog/STG/Dotcom flange or bent sides (whatever that's called), how do I do that without investing in a full-on pan & brake press? Those things are awesome, but huge and expensive. Armed with one of those, I could turn a roll of raw sheet metal into a freaking refrigerator in nothing flat, but it seems like overkill for modular front panels. I fantasize about a mini pan & brake designed just for Moog-style panels, but unless there's a clan of industrious metalworking leprechauns out there somewhere, I'm not sure such a machine exists.

Suitandtieguy, I *KNOW* you have some magic metalworking tools tucked away in your blacksmith's shop; you've hinted at them before. So, what are the cheapest tools I can get that will work?

I use a cheap manual hole punch from harbor freight. It works fine for euro style aluminum panels. You can see the results in one of my videos,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w3PNx03pO4

pete

On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 1:16 PM, Dotcom Refugee <kendall.jackman@...> wrote:

 

I've been looking on line at punch presses and other tools for stamping standard-sized holes in the sheet gauges we work with in the synth panel world. All I can seem to find are:

--
www.p23.biz

Ahhhh, that 808 is triggering some serious gear lust here.  I want that early 80's Tangerine Dream sound...

Anyway, those panels look great.  What's the specific tool you used?  Searching Harbor Freight for "punch" yields 26 results, and none of them look like what I imagined I'd need:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=punch

Then again, I never did like shop class, so I probably have no clue what I'm even looking for.  I assume the many "pin punch sets" are not what I need?

-kj

On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 4:34 PM, Pete <23isgood@...> wrote:

 

I use a cheap manual hole punch from harbor freight. It works fine for euro style aluminum panels. You can see the results in one of my videos,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w3PNx03pO4

pete

On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 1:16 PM, Dotcom Refugee <kendall.jackman@...> wrote:

 

I've been looking on line at punch presses and other tools for stamping standard-sized holes in the sheet gauges we work with in the synth panel world. All I can seem to find are:

--
www.p23.biz

Hum that's strange. I cant find the punch I have on the website either. The punch I use is a "Pittsburgh Deep Throat Metal Punch" (yea yikes on that name!) it's a hand held punch, and it comes with a set of punches of different sizes, and it can punch up to 14 gauge thick aluminum, but don't try to punch into steel, I broke the smallest punch doing that. The Item number is, 91510. It's not showing up on the website, but I bought mine at the Newark California store years ago. I need to go back to that store and buy a replacement punch for the one I broke. If you can find it make sure you get the metal stand for the punch, as it makes it a lot easier to keep in place when punching out holes. You really need to press down hard on the handle to punch out holes, and the stand makes it more stable.

pete

this is what mine looks like,

http://www.amazon.com/Roper-Whitney-135010001-Throat-Punch/dp/B001VXS7ZK/ref=pd_sbs_indust_1

On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 3:50 PM, Kendall Jackman <kendall.jackman@...> wrote:

 

Ahhhh, that 808 is triggering some serious gear lust here.  I want that early 80's Tangerine Dream sound...

Anyway, those panels look great.  What's the specific tool you used?  Searching Harbor Freight for "punch" yields 26 results, and none of them look like what I imagined I'd need:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=punch

Then again, I never did like shop class, so I probably have no clue what I'm even looking for.  I assume the many "pin punch sets" are not what I need?

-kj

On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 4:34 PM, Pete <23isgood@...> wrote:

 

I use a cheap manual hole punch from harbor freight. It works fine for euro style aluminum panels. You can see the results in one of my videos,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w3PNx03pO4

pete

On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 1:16 PM, Dotcom Refugee <kendall.jackman@...> wrote:

 

I've been looking on line at punch presses and other tools for stamping standard-sized holes in the sheet gauges we work with in the synth panel world. All I can seem to find are:

--
www.p23.biz

--
www.p23.biz

For most everything a drill press is sufficient. Forget square holes though. I just bought a drill press for $75 including tax at Harbor Freight. Table top is good enough for the MU panels. The largest hole I've had to drill so far is a 0.375" diameter. Easy peasy for a 1/2" Jacob's chuck drill.

I must disclose that I also own a machine shop with a CNC milling machine so I can always drill them more precisely there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvl0NudRw1M

I'm just guessing but I believe most of the MU panels are extruded aluminum. A brake press would be handy but would probably leave bend marks and possibly stress cracks. I dunno.

You might do a search for aluminum "C" channel. Most likely these are bulk buys from a mill, but again I don't really know. Just a guess.

-David

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "Dotcom Refugee" <kendall.jackman@...> wrote:
>
> I've been looking on line at punch presses and other tools for stamping standard-sized holes in the sheet gauges we work with in the synth panel world. All I can seem to find are:
>
> a) giant industrial-size machines that would take up my whole basement. Admittedly, such a machine is guaranteed to meet all my current and future needs, and would be a great conversation piece. Even if I could get one shipped to my house and assembled into the basement, though, I doubt my wife would consider it a good investment.
>
> b) $3K-$6K machines that I could at least fit in the workshop, but would never justify the cost (I mean, I could commission a huge run of very nice Moog/STG style photo printing anodized panels for that amount of cash)
>
> c) Nice knockout punches, but the hole sizes are too big (1" or greater)
>
> d) Cheap manual hole punches with shallow throat depth that would maybe work for single-width panels in flimsy gauges, but nothing bigger
>
> Is there NOTHING out there that can punch standard-size holes in synth panels on the cheap?
>
> Don't even get me started on SQUARE holes; I've given up on those for now.
>
> ALSO: If I want that sexy Moog/STG/Dotcom flange or bent sides (whatever that's called), how do I do that without investing in a full-on pan & brake press? Those things are awesome, but huge and expensive. Armed with one of those, I could turn a roll of raw sheet metal into a freaking refrigerator in nothing flat, but it seems like overkill for modular front panels. I fantasize about a mini pan & brake designed just for Moog-style panels, but unless there's a clan of industrious metalworking leprechauns out there somewhere, I'm not sure such a machine exists.
>
> Suitandtieguy, I *KNOW* you have some magic metalworking tools tucked away in your blacksmith's shop; you've hinted at them before. So, what are the cheapest tools I can get that will work?
>

Hi,
Watch out, it's a slippery slope when you start buying all this stuff to make your panels!
I started that many years ago and as you've found, there really isn't anything "cheap" that is any use. The Whitney hand punches in the deep series are usefull, but still very limited in the holes they will do. To give good folds you will need a sturdy folding brake as well. I probably have about $30,000 of punch tooling now if I was to go out and buy it all new again and still find I need new sizes!
Over the years I bought a guilotine, two folding brakes, two lever presses, a notching press and more to do my panels. It certainly wasn't an economical way to go about it!!!
This is all before you include all the kit required to do the screen printing and etching etc...

As it happens I really enjoy the mechanical side of building stuff, but unless you want this part of building panels to be your hobby rather than making music, beware, it's an all consuming thing!

Regards,
Ben

www.bigbluewave.co.uk

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "drryle" <dryle@...> wrote:
>
> For most everything a drill press is sufficient. Forget square holes though. I just bought a drill press for $75 including tax at Harbor Freight. Table top is good enough for the MU panels. The largest hole I've had to drill so far is a 0.375" diameter. Easy peasy for a 1/2" Jacob's chuck drill.
>
> I must disclose that I also own a machine shop with a CNC milling machine so I can always drill them more precisely there.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvl0NudRw1M
>
> I'm just guessing but I believe most of the MU panels are extruded aluminum. A brake press would be handy but would probably leave bend marks and possibly stress cracks. I dunno.
>
> You might do a search for aluminum "C" channel. Most likely these are bulk buys from a mill, but again I don't really know. Just a guess.
>
> -David
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "Dotcom Refugee" <kendall.jackman@> wrote:
> >
> > I've been looking on line at punch presses and other tools for stamping standard-sized holes in the sheet gauges we work with in the synth panel world. All I can seem to find are:
> >
> > a) giant industrial-size machines that would take up my whole basement. Admittedly, such a machine is guaranteed to meet all my current and future needs, and would be a great conversation piece. Even if I could get one shipped to my house and assembled into the basement, though, I doubt my wife would consider it a good investment.
> >
> > b) $3K-$6K machines that I could at least fit in the workshop, but would never justify the cost (I mean, I could commission a huge run of very nice Moog/STG style photo printing anodized panels for that amount of cash)
> >
> > c) Nice knockout punches, but the hole sizes are too big (1" or greater)
> >
> > d) Cheap manual hole punches with shallow throat depth that would maybe work for single-width panels in flimsy gauges, but nothing bigger
> >
> > Is there NOTHING out there that can punch standard-size holes in synth panels on the cheap?
> >
> > Don't even get me started on SQUARE holes; I've given up on those for now.
> >
> > ALSO: If I want that sexy Moog/STG/Dotcom flange or bent sides (whatever that's called), how do I do that without investing in a full-on pan & brake press? Those things are awesome, but huge and expensive. Armed with one of those, I could turn a roll of raw sheet metal into a freaking refrigerator in nothing flat, but it seems like overkill for modular front panels. I fantasize about a mini pan & brake designed just for Moog-style panels, but unless there's a clan of industrious metalworking leprechauns out there somewhere, I'm not sure such a machine exists.
> >
> > Suitandtieguy, I *KNOW* you have some magic metalworking tools tucked away in your blacksmith's shop; you've hinted at them before. So, what are the cheapest tools I can get that will work?
> >
>

Hi Ben,

 Everything you mention is very true! I have spent MUCH more time designing, and fabricating my panels than actually building an actual circuit. There are many weekends that I have spent building stuff and not actually making cool sounds with them when they are done. In reality I have wanted to buy all that gear that you have collected, but I don't have the space to put it anywhere. A lot of those machines are big, and take up a lot of of real estate, but there is nothing better than the right tool for the job.

pete

On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 4:30 AM, synthnut <synthnut@...> wrote:

 

Hi,
Watch out, it's a slippery slope when you start buying all this stuff to make your panels!
I started that many years ago and as you've found, there really isn't anything "cheap" that is any use. The Whitney hand punches in the deep series are usefull, but still very limited in the holes they will do. To give good folds you will need a sturdy folding brake as well. I probably have about $30,000 of punch tooling now if I was to go out and buy it all new again and still find I need new sizes!
Over the years I bought a guilotine, two folding brakes, two lever presses, a notching press and more to do my panels. It certainly wasn't an economical way to go about it!!!
This is all before you include all the kit required to do the screen printing and etching etc...

As it happens I really enjoy the mechanical side of building stuff, but unless you want this part of building panels to be your hobby rather than making music, beware, it's an all consuming thing!

Regards,
Ben

www.bigbluewave.co.uk

--
www.p23.biz

I've posted an update to my 40 channel filter bank:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/mods/jhstring/jhstring.html

This is JH's String Filter with each of the 40 filters brought out to separate level controls and patch points. I had built one of these a couple of years ago and decided to build another with the addition of a 3 input mixer and an output (blend) control. I've since modified the original to match the one posted at the above link. No new sounds, but I have posted an FPD file for the new panel.

This is a tough one to build, but the results are worth it.

Forgive me if this has been asked before but what does one do with even a few of the individual outs, let alone all 40? Just trying to wrap my head around this. An example patch demo would be awesome if you had time for it.


_Kyle

--- On Tue, 4/10/12, Scott Juskiw <maillist@...> wrote:

From: Scott Juskiw <maillist@...>
Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] 40 Channel Filter Bank (take 2)
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 9:01 AM

 

All for me.

On 2012-04-09, at 9:24 PM, John L Rice wrote:

> Absolutely stunning! Is this one also for you Scott, or are you selling it? ;-)
>

I was asking myself exactly the same thing before I discovered the sound samples at the bottom of the page. Check Pink 1. Amazing stuff imho...

Still I'd also be interested in some more sound/application examples...

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Kyle Stephens <lightburnx@...> wrote:
>
> Forgive me if this has been asked before but what does one do with even a few of the individual outs, let alone all 40? Just trying to wrap my head around this. An example patch demo would be awesome if you had time for it.
>
>
> _Kyle
>
> --- On Tue, 4/10/12, Scott Juskiw <maillist@...> wrote:
>
> From: Scott Juskiw <maillist@...>
> Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] 40 Channel Filter Bank (take 2)
> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 9:01 AM
>
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> All for me.
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> On 2012-04-09, at 9:24 PM, John L Rice wrote:
>
>
>
> > Absolutely stunning! Is this one also for you Scott, or are you selling it? ;-)
>
> >
>

Yeah, that's just playing with the stock feature set. I could conceive of a few submixes routed to further modulations, just throwing that out there. I think more than anything I'd be running out of inputs to connect the outs to heh. Still wondering how it sounds :) (and agreed, the demos sound pretty neat).


_Kyle

--- On Tue, 4/10/12, roglok <roglok@...> wrote:

From: roglok <roglok@...>
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: 40 Channel Filter Bank (take 2)
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 3:42 PM

 

I was asking myself exactly the same thing before I discovered the sound samples at the bottom of the page. Check Pink 1. Amazing stuff imho...

Still I'd also be interested in some more sound/application examples...

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Kyle Stephens <lightburnx@...> wrote:
>
> Forgive me if this has been asked before but what does one do with even a few of the individual outs, let alone all 40? Just trying to wrap my head around this. An example patch demo would be awesome if you had time for it.
>
>
> _Kyle
>
> --- On Tue, 4/10/12, Scott Juskiw <maillist@...> wrote:
>
> From: Scott Juskiw <maillist@...>
> Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] 40 Channel Filter Bank (take 2)
> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 9:01 AM
>
>
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> All for me.
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> On 2012-04-09, at 9:24 PM, John L Rice wrote:
>
>
>
> > Absolutely stunning! Is this one also for you Scott, or are you selling it? ;-)
>
> >
>

ah, right - of course you don't need 40 individual outputs for those demos...

i could, for example, imagine an installation with 40 satellite speakers each tuned to a different frequency... might sound awesome...

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@...> wrote:
>
> I was asking myself exactly the same thing before I discovered the sound samples at the bottom of the page. Check Pink 1. Amazing stuff imho...
>
> Still I'd also be interested in some more sound/application examples...
>
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Kyle Stephens <lightburnx@> wrote:
> >
> > Forgive me if this has been asked before but what does one do with even a few of the individual outs, let alone all 40? Just trying to wrap my head around this. An example patch demo would be awesome if you had time for it.
> >
> >
> > _Kyle
> >
> > --- On Tue, 4/10/12, Scott Juskiw <maillist@> wrote:
> >
> > From: Scott Juskiw <maillist@>
> > Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] 40 Channel Filter Bank (take 2)
> > To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 9:01 AM
> >
> >
> >
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> > All for me.
> >
> >
> >
> > On 2012-04-09, at 9:24 PM, John L Rice wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > > Absolutely stunning! Is this one also for you Scott, or are you selling it? ;-)
> >
> > >
> >
>