Cutting Holes In Metal Control Panel

[Darren01274]

What can I use to cut the Hole Sizes in Metal Control Panel Over Lays. Need Buttons and Joystick Hole

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

My CP is 1/8th inch aluminum, and i had the holes cut at our machine shop at work. Just regular hole cutters on a drill press.

[Franco B]

If you don't have CNC access the two other methods you can use that will give clean results are a step drill in a drill press or a punch.

Step drill:



Punch:

I made a sheet metal control panel before with all low-tech tools, no lasers or anything space-age

1. A corded jigsaw with appropriate blade can cut the panel out (mine was shaped like a rectangle)

2. Pilot-point drill bits and a corded drill can make the carriage bolt holes

3. A radio chassis punch can cut 1 1/8" holes for buttons and sticks - I used chainsaw lubricant oil when using this.

4. An angle grinder to clean up the edges (maybe)

The punch works like this :







Mine was Greenlee Radio Chassis Punch #730, 1 1/8", I see them on eBay sometimes





(those aren't my pics but mine looked like that)

Working with metal is like 100 times slower than working with wood, but it can be done and it's not hard or expensive

Find a metal shop.  They can cut the CP in about 2 seconds and should only charge you a few $ for the effort...

Hey that's a good idea

Have fun!
Craig

[Darren01274]

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[Darren01274]

What size holes for regular buttons and what size hole for the joystick. Is 1 1/8" for buttons same as joysticks

Cheers
Darren

[Franco B]

1 1/8"  for most Happ style buttons (player and start)

30mm for most Japanese player buttons and 24mm for the start buttons.

For your joystick hole you can just use whatever size you use for the buttons.

[Darren01274]

Thanks for the replys guys 

[jasonbar]

I used a 1-1/8" hole saw on my metal & wood panels.  Use a slow RPM use lots of cutting oil when cutting metal.  (Hopefully this a bare metal panel & not populated with controls & with an overlay.)

-Jason

[tommyinajar]

Are you going to leave it plain? I was thinking of doing this and then powder coating it at home with an old oven and a harbor freight powder coat gun.