Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff
Equipment Case Sources and Modifications
<< < (3/5) > >>
james_s:

--- Quote from: engrguy42 on April 14, 2020, 12:27:41 pm ---What benefit does a nibbler have over a Dremel, especially for metal or heavy plastic enclosures?

--- End quote ---

Nice clean, straight cuts that with just a little filing look like a professionally stamped holes. The results of a Dremel tend to look like shit, as if the hole was gnawed by a rodent. It's also far too easy to slip and gouge something or have the bit oscillate and make a mess. Also not sure how you'd get square corners with a rotary tool.

I tape a printed template to the panel, drill a series of round holes around the edges to take out the bulk of the material, then follow up with a nibbler and do a finishing pass with a file.
engrguy42:

--- Quote from: james_s on April 14, 2020, 04:36:13 pm ---
--- Quote from: engrguy42 on April 14, 2020, 12:27:41 pm ---What benefit does a nibbler have over a Dremel, especially for metal or heavy plastic enclosures?

--- End quote ---

Nice clean, straight cuts that with just a little filing look like a professionally stamped holes. The results of a Dremel tend to look like shit, as if the hole was gnawed by a rodent. It's also far too easy to slip and gouge something or have the bit oscillate and make a mess. Also not sure how you'd get square corners with a rotary tool.

I tape a printed template to the panel, drill a series of round holes around the edges to take out the bulk of the material, then follow up with a nibbler and do a finishing pass with a file.

--- End quote ---

Yeah, no question you'll need a file to finish no matter what you do. Just seems to me that a Dremel gets you 80% there a whole lot quicker. Maybe I have a mistaken view of a nibbler, and not sure how that would work with a reasonably thick junction box plastic or metal. But hey, whatever works.

I just wish there was a small, handheld device that drilled a small hole, then dropped in a tiny saber saw blade device to make a straight cut. Or better yet, even something like a tiny drill press on a small table. Drill the hold, slide the blade in, and make a straight cut using a guide.

Maybe there's something out there.... 
David Hess:

--- Quote from: engrguy42 on April 13, 2020, 09:49:54 pm ---The largest pain has always been cutting square holes in cases like this. I hate it. So does everyone use a Dremel for this, or is there some other magic tool that does it better?
--- End quote ---

A small jig saw with a fine blade works well but you have to take precautions not to scratch the surface.  A coping saw works well if you want a manual tool; feed the coping saw blade through a hole and reattach it.
engrguy42:

--- Quote from: David Hess on April 14, 2020, 05:17:42 pm ---
--- Quote from: engrguy42 on April 13, 2020, 09:49:54 pm ---The largest pain has always been cutting square holes in cases like this. I hate it. So does everyone use a Dremel for this, or is there some other magic tool that does it better?
--- End quote ---

A small jig saw with a fine blade works well but you have to take precautions not to scratch the surface.  A coping saw works well if you want a manual tool; feed the coping saw blade through a hole and reattach it.

--- End quote ---

Yeah, I was thinking of using my jigsaw but I guess I assumed there weren't blades available that are small/narrow enough. Like a coping saw...

Maybe a combo mini drill press table with a coping saw attachment.....

Now you're talkin'....  :-+ 

HEY I THINK YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING !!!

How about a micro band saw table thingy !!!!  :-+ :-+
todd_fuller:
Woodworkers would refer to that as a scroll saw.
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
Previous page
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...

Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod