questions about metal cps

[nomad]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows how thick metal control panels are suppose to be and what kind of metal they are made out of generally.  Also, when mounting a short leaf switch button in such a panel, would any modifications needed to be done to the button to make it fit/work properly?

[fredster]

16 gage it looks like.  About .060".  Sheet metal is low carbon steel, like cold roll.  1010, etc.

No, you don't have to make any corrections.  Just make sure the hole is 1/16" bigger than the buttons!

To cut it, you should have special "knock out" punch arrangement.  You can drill thru it with 3/8", but you need to go to a store that sells these punches.  You drill thru, stick a screw in the hole.  Then you put this cutter assembly that makes a knock out hole, like in electrical panels in it.

You won't be able to drill the 1 1/8" hole thru with a drill, it just won't happen.  

[MilitiaMan]

16 gage it looks like.  About .060".  Sheet metal is low carbon steel, like cold roll.  1010, etc.

No, you don't have to make any corrections.  Just make sure the hole is 1/16" bigger than the buttons!

To cut it, you should have special "knock out" punch arrangement.  You can drill thru it with 3/8", but you need to go to a store that sells these punches.  You drill thru, stick a screw in the hole.  Then you put this cutter assembly that makes a knock out hole, like in electrical panels in it.

You won't be able to drill the 1 1/8" hole thru with a drill, it just won't happen.  

Not trying to contradict the previous poster, but you can drill through the metal cp with a hole saw, a high speed drill and LOTS of 3 in 1 oil - but I would recommend the punch method if you can go that route.

The tool you are looking for is a 1 1/8" Greenlee punch - darn thing works like a charm!

MM

[Stingray]

Indeed you can drill through with a hole saw if you are using the proper bit. It takes a long time though. I'll be buying a hole punch before I start my next panel.

-S

[nomad]

Thanks for your replys.  I have another questions about metal cps for you guys.  I was wondering what you put on the metal or do you let it be exposed?  I know this is not very clear, but I mean do you put vinyl, paint, or something else on the metal, or do you just leave it bare when you are done cutting the holes?

[Minwah]

Thanks for your replys.  I have another questions about metal cps for you guys.  I was wondering what you put on the metal or do you let it be exposed?  I know this is not very clear, but I mean do you put vinyl, paint, or something else on the metal, or do you just leave it bare when you are done cutting the holes?

You could paint it but it probably won't wear too well.  Some people use adhesive vinyl (Happ sells some quite nice stuff), and some people get a proper Control Panel Overlay made - there were a few pics in the long classicarcadegraphics.com thread recently...

[Stingray]

Automotive paint should wear fine. However with mine I just sprayed some primer on it inside and out and have ordered a control panel overlay from classic arcade graphics. I'll post pictures of it once I get it.

-S

[Minwah]

Automotive paint should wear fine. However with mine I just sprayed some primer on it inside and out and have ordered a control panel overlay from classic arcade graphics. I'll post pictures of it once I get it.

Great, I'd love to see it - I may get one done from classicarcadegraphics too

[nomad]

Thanks, you guys were a big help