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Circuitbenders Forum => Circuitbending discussion => BENDING TIPS => Topic started by: Dylan on August 02, 2009, 02:30:47 AM

Title: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: Dylan on August 02, 2009, 02:30:47 AM

How the heck do I do it? Any tips?

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: SineHacker on August 02, 2009, 01:50:31 PM

I usually drill a hole as close to the size you need as possible, then file to the shape you need, although it takes some time, you can usually be really accurate with your positioning - I'm guessing your rocker switches have clips for mounting?

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: Circuitbenders on August 02, 2009, 02:32:37 PM

If you're doing it in fairly thin metal drill a hole to nearly the right size and then use a nibbler tool to bite chunks out until its the right size. Its a lot quicker than filing. It also works on some softer plastics.

If you're careful you can cut a rectangular hole in plastic using a sharp craft knife and a steel rule.

For thicker metal or plastic i usually use a dremel tool with a cutting disk.

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: computer at sea on October 17, 2009, 02:27:46 AM

I'd go with a file.  The dremel always seems to get away from me.

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: Gordonjcp on October 17, 2009, 11:04:51 AM

If you're doing a lot of rocker switches (or any oddly-shaped device that goes through a panel) it's probably easier to buy a proper cutter.  What you do is drill a hole, slip the bolt for the cutter through, put the top part of the cutter on and then start to tighten the bolt until it punches a hole right through.

Perfect results, every time.

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: noystoise on October 18, 2009, 07:12:52 AM

Quote from: Gordonjcp on October 17, 2009, 11:04:51 AM

If you're doing a lot of rocker switches (or any oddly-shaped device that goes through a panel) it's probably easier to buy a proper cutter.  What you do is drill a hole, slip the bolt for the cutter through, put the top part of the cutter on and then start to tighten the bolt until it punches a hole right through.

Perfect results, every time.

such a tool exists?! please tell me more!

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: Gordonjcp on October 18, 2009, 11:10:59 AM

http://tinyurl.com/ygg35tz (http://tinyurl.com/ygg35tz)

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: Circuitbenders on October 18, 2009, 01:20:42 PM

its certainly easier to use a proper hole punch, but also a whole lot more expensive i suspect. Unless you're doing it on an industrial scale.  :-\

Title: Re: Mounting rocker switches
Post by: SineHacker on October 25, 2009, 11:22:32 AM

they've got a metal hole punch in uni, it's awesome for making interfaces, it has punch-bits (I don't know the correct term) that are shaped for generic sliders, works well with non-brittle perspex like makrolon to