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Metal Control Panel Question
brained:
Hi i've got a dynamo arcade cabinet and it has a metal control panel with an Mk3 Layout.
exibar:
no no no,PLEASE do not try and use that drill spade to cut metal with. You'll wind up hurting yourself if you actually get through the metal with the tip of the spade.
What you want is a Bi-Metal hole cutting saw. Home Depot sells these. You'll also need the arbor that it connects to. The whole deal will run you less than 20 bucks.
Take it slow, wear safety glasses (you only have one set of eyes ya know!), and you'll be fine. A drill press is best used for this, but you can do a pretty good job with a hand drill if you're not rushing things.
To get the sheet metal, measure out the size of your control panel, then head on down to the metal supply company. They'll cut the sheet metal to the size you want. 14 - 16 guage should work well. 14 might be a hair too thick now that I think about it with this going over an existing metal panel. Try an 18 guage peice of galvanized sheet metal. Galvanized sheet metal won't rust easily. But you don't want to breath in the dust from it while cutting, wear a mask.
Good luck with yor project!
Mike B
mmmPeanutButter:
--- Quote from: brained on August 15, 2004, 12:29:44 pm ---
Also I own a 1 1/8" drill spade, what shall I use for drilling that CP?
--- End quote ---
Try to get a greenlee punch. It is extremely easy and will give you a nice clean hole. I got one cheap on ebay. Just keep your eyes open. The 1 1/8 greenlee punch is a pretty standard size so you might want to ask around to see if any electrical conduit guys have one you could use.
(if you don't know how the punch works - drill a pilot hole (3/8?). Unscrew the punch and slide bolt through pilot hole. Attach other side of punch. Use rachet or adj. wrench to tighten the bolt. This will draw the two halved of the punch together and produce the hole. Simple.)
brained:
I've saw a restoration from Oscar, and he welded metal parts to cover up them holes. So I'll have to take this to some metal workshop to cover the holes.
Maybe if I use epoxy and metal bits to cover the holes, has anyone tried this???, or I'll just have to weld them in.... this is my main concern here... Please help me, I want to work with my cab!
BTW, thanx for the suggestions.... I'll look forward for using what you guys recommend. I'm also opened for new suggestions....
Metal panel sucks!!
OSCAR Where are you, I've seen that you made a Restoration of a dynamo cab. Any advice that you have for me??
fredster:
If you put plexi over the CP, you don't have to fill them. Just put the overlay on top.
You can also just use Bondo. Put some backup tape behind the hole and fill it with bondo if you want.
Greenlee punch all the way. You can get one for $30 at an electrical supply house. Get the 1 1/8" punch OD for it. I use it on my metal CP's and it works great.