Punching holes in metal CP

[19rjs99]

Is a 1-1/4" punch too big for buttons. I know it should be 1-1/8" but I can get a 1-1/4" alot easier. Thanks for any help. Also if anyone knows where to get a 1-1/8" punch reasonably priced let me know.

[jcoleman]

I just bought a 1.12" Greenlee punch at Lowe's for @ $40.  I'm note sure if I'm going to use it or not, though...might be willing to part with it for say $30 ( + shipping) .  I need to give my next project some more thought and design time first.  Call dibs if you want it when I'm done. 

Coleman

[jcoleman]

BTW, 1.12" is just enough room for buttons.   (1/8 = .125)

[whammoed]

I got mine cheaply on Ebay.  If we are talking happs horizontal pushbutton then a 1.25" punch may be cutting it a bit close.  The bezel on those buttons is 1.30".

[jcoleman]

I got mine cheaply on Ebay.  If we are talking happs horizontal pushbutton then a 1.25" punch may be cutting it a bit close.  The bezel on those buttons is 1.30".

Ummmm...if you cut a 1.30" hole then the button will fall right through the hole...

[whammoed]

I got mine cheaply on Ebay.

[Ken Layton]

The Greenlee punch from Home Depot is for punching 3/4" electrical conduit holes. The hole size it punches is 28.2mm diameter which is perfect for control panel punching. You get what you pay for here. The reason Greenlee is so expensive is because of the thickness of the metal you are punching through. These are high quality punches and worth every penny.

Some local tool rental stores can rent you the punch for $10 a day if you don't want to buy it.

Remember that to keep the punch sharp and cut through the metal fast and easy you spray the hell out of both halves of the punch & die with WD-40. This is one of the rare times that WD-40 is actually good for something and is recommended.

[jcoleman]

I got mine cheaply on Ebay.

[jcoleman]

Also keep in mind that you need a 3/4" hole in the metal in the first place - that hole saw will set you back about $10.  Note that a 1-1/8" bi-metal hole saw is only $14.

Coleman

[19rjs99]

Thanks for all the advise. I just got one from ebay for $8.00 shipped.

[whammoed]

Thanks for all the advise. I just got one from ebay for $8.00 shipped.

Ding!  Great Price.

[PetitMorte]

Something that I've found REALLY helps in drilling holes in a metal panel is to sandwich the metal panel between2 pieces of wood before drilling.  That way the drill dowan't go skidding all over the place when you start to drill.