MOTM

> From: Tkacs, Ken <ken.tkacs@...>
> You can also get a drill-press-like stand that holds
> a hand drill which is much better than holding a drill
> by hand for detailed work like this.

I have one of these.  Not as good as a drill press, but much easier than
hand drilling.

> Best of course is a real drill press (you can get a
> tabletop model with 8" adjustable, tilt-able table 
> for under $100 these days).

I agree.  My drill holder was a gift.  I would prefer the drill press.

> When drilling into metal, it's always a good idea to
> put a drop of oil at the drill point. This keeps the 
> bit from overheating and also minimizes little bits
> of metal flying around (they tend to get suspended
> in the goopy oil). Always wear safety glasses.
> 
> Once drilled, you may need to file the flash away
> from the hole with a rat-tail file. The washers and 
> knobs will hide any paint that gets lifted
> away at the hole's edge.

Lots of good tips Ken.  Here are a couple more.

Remember, high drill speeds are for wood.  Metal drill best at lower
speeds.  And, if the idea of a file turns you off (like it does me), you
can clean up the edges very nicely by taking a larger bit than the hole
(1&1/2  to 2 times the size of the hole) and just touch it to the hole on
both sides with the drill turning slowly.  This will give you a nice
beveled edge.

Larry (I've drilled a lot of holes in this stuff) Hendry

> From: Dave Bradley <daveb@...>
> 
> I have plans to drill a lot of panels for DIY
> stuff in the future. I'm going to a machine shop,
> have them cut a metal template for a 2U wide
> panel, and precision drill small pilot holes at 
> every location an MOTM panel could have
> holes. Then I can simply bolt the template
> to a blank using the 4 corner
> holes, and get perfectly aligned pilot holes.

Bradley, you stooge!  You are a freakin' genius.  Since you are going to
all the trouble, how about counting how many list members would like to
have one of those templates and getting a quantity break for yourself too. 
I would buy one.

Larry H

Ditto for me!!!

>>> "J. Larry Hendry" <jlarryh@...> 04/06/00 10:36AM >>>
> From: Dave Bradley <daveb@...>
> 
> I have plans to drill a lot of panels for DIY
> stuff in the future. I'm going to a machine shop,
> have them cut a metal template for a 2U wide
> panel, and precision drill small pilot holes at 
> every location an MOTM panel could have
> holes. Then I can simply bolt the template
> to a blank using the 4 corner
> holes, and get perfectly aligned pilot holes.

Bradley, you stooge!  You are a freakin' genius.  Since you are going to
all the trouble, how about counting how many list members would like to
have one of those templates and getting a quantity break for yourself too. 
I would buy one.

Larry H



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Just out of curiosity, why not paint the board after drilling?  That way any
rust-proofing in the paint will cover the whole thing, instead of missing
the insides of the holes?  Or do you loose grounding that way...?  And I
suppose you run the risk of getting too much paint in the hole, making it
too tight of a fit.  But then you can file that out...  Details, details,
details...

--PBr

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Tkacs, Ken [SMTP:ken.tkacs@...]
> Sent:	Thursday, April 06, 2000 7:27 AM
> To:	'motm@egroups.com'
> Subject:	RE: [motm] Patch Panel  
> 
> Once drilled, you may need to file the flash away from the hole with a
> rat-tail file. The washers and knobs will hide any paint that gets lifted
> away at the hole's edge.
>