Will This Do This?

[rp]

Cutting IEC post again - SIA (Sorry In Advance):

I don't want to file on Maggie's farm no more, will this Radio Shack thing get into this 3/4" hole and precisely nibble away at the metal to the line? Is the cutting part something small and precise? Al no problem? Can you do clean work w/ it or does it chew and bend and maul? I don't want to buy some junky tool that just going to make me curse.

This is a $75 chassis with ship and all and I don't want to bring a dremel or jigsaw near it - one slip...

[Cliff Schecht]

Nibblers can make very clean holes in aluminum chassis. I use these over any other tool for cutting any non-circular holes including PT/OT cutouts. The trick is getting the predrilled holes strategically placed so that you can get a clean cutout. For big PT cutouts, for example, I drill four corner holes just big enough to fit in the nibbler and cut from hole to hole. You still may want to file the rough edges down, but I usually don't bother if they are hidden.

[Cantplay]

Thats a sheet metal nibbler.

A good one will do the job easily. Thats not a good one.

Klein makes a nice one.

http://www.uscoles.com/KAP/pangearplatenibbledl.jpg

I've cut many IEC socket holes with this tool.

John

[rp]

Thats a sheet metal nibbler.

A good one will do the job easily. Thats not a good one.

Klein makes a nice one.

http://www.uscoles.com/KAP/pangearplatenibbledl.jpg

I've cut many IEC socket holes with this tool.

John

Oh! That's what that is! Home depot first thing tomorrow. Thanks!!

[Cantplay]

Try to work with the handles inside the chassis, its easier to see what you're doing.

Practice on a scrap and see if its better to nibble along a line, or up to it.

John

[jjman]

I have that one. Definately practice 1st. I used it to cut mine.

[cbass]

I could make a better hole with a quality jigsaw and the proper blade.Than I could with a nibbler.Perhaps my nibbler sucks.
The jig saw will leave some burrs to file off.Plus ive used a jigsaw at my job almost everyday for the last 20 years so ilkie to think i can handle it pretty well.

[cbass]

Someone needs to make a round IEC plug.That would make life a whole lot easier.

[Gaz]

1+

[rp]

Someone needs to make a round IEC plug.That would make life a whole lot easier.

You mean so that a standard IEC female would mate? It'd require a huge hole or be really thick and stick out like 3/4".

Let start a global petition to Bring Back The Bulgin!

[Colossal]

Someone needs to make a round IEC plug.That would make life a whole lot easier.

Round would be nice, but then the socket could rotate under mechanical stress which would be an automatic no-no for compliance and safety certification. Sure would make life a lot easier if it were round though.

I made a router jig to do the cutout and it works really well. Just drill the two mounting holes in the chassis for the IEC, mount the jig, run the router around it and there you go. I realize not everyone has access to, time, patience, and interest in a router setup though. Although convenient, those Greenlee IEC punches are cost prohibitive and hard to find too and they would dull quickly if cutting a substantial thickness.

[cbass]

I like the router jig idea.I assume thats for aluminum only.Do you just use a regular carbide pattern bit?

[surfsup]

Someone needs to make a round IEC plug.That would make life a whole lot easier.

Round would be nice, but then the socket could rotate under mechanical stress which would be an automatic no-no for compliance and safety certification.

Could be three holes. A large center for the plug and two outer for securing to chassis, which would also prevent rotation.

Problem is hand mfg accounts for very little and most are punched on a machine.

[Colossal]

I like the router jig idea.I assume thats for aluminum only.Do you just use a regular carbide pattern bit?

I've been using a tiny 1/4" carbide bit. All it is is a sharpened edge on one side of the shaft and a domed top to feel the edges of the jig. It gets in the corners well. Yes, aluminum only (cuts like a gravy sandwich!).

[dorrisant]

Colossal,

Could you post a pic of your router setup and bit?

Tony