Cutting rectangular holes in enclosures -- TIPS

[icydash]

Oh sweet. Thanks Ian.

[nigelwright7557]

Originally Posted by icydash

Oh! That thing is awesome! Didn't know it even existed. Perhaps I'll just stick to round holes then haha. What is the name/model # of that part, and where can I get it? I'm not seeing many panel mount USB ports available from U.S. companies.

I use a round sheet metal punch for my USB holes.
The one I have is 25mm and gives plenty of room for the connector to go through the hole.
A punch also doesnt leave any sharp edges.

[madtecchy]

Hi Nigel.
Is there any trial downloads of PCBCAD40.

Regards ian

[nigelwright7557]

Sorry I dont have a demo version.
The software does what it says in the ad.

[icydash]

Originally Posted by nigelwright7557

I use a round sheet metal punch for my USB holes.
The one I have is 25mm and gives plenty of room for the connector to go through the hole.
A punch also doesnt leave any sharp edges.

Do you find it works better than like a drill?

[AndrewT]

There are tapered drills and stepped tapered drills, that can cut a variety of non standard diameters.

I burnt out one of my drills by turning down the speed too far, to suit cutting the big holes I was putting into my cast iron brake drums to increase cooling air and help prevent brake fade. Odd that one endeavour to cool led to another of overheating.

That's when I went out and bought a proper drill with two proper speeds: 1100rpm and 400rpm.

[nigelwright7557]

Originally Posted by icydash

Do you find it works better than like a drill?

Yes a punch leaves a blunt hole and needs no more finishing.

[Lavcat]

Originally Posted by madtecchy

Hi.
It is much eaeier to cut a round Hole. you could then fit one of these.

I used to make cameras for a living, some of which were USB. You can't know how much we would have loved to use something like this.