25 years of building pedals and I still can't drill an enclosure!

[frank_p]

Have good glasses and don't drink too much beer. 

[Mark Hammer]

That works for one's lovelife too.

[petemoore]

  Vari-bit is also very stiff, doesn't budge an iota from side to side.
  Also great because they clean up the exit hole on the other side [if there's room to do so], and can put a champhored burrless finish really nicely. The pot threads prefer this.
 

[ayayay!]

I brought enclosures with me to work today to drill out, but forgot my list of sizes for holes.  Can anyone shoot me the hole sizes for 1/4" jacks, 3PDT switch, and 16mm pot shaft?   

...Or a link if this topic has been posted somewhere for common sizes?  Thanks! 

[StephenGiles]

There is no earthly reason why you should be able to. That is exactly why DIY is someting done by somebody else as far as I am concerned. That is also my wife's philosophy!

[earthtonesaudio]

I brought enclosures with me to work today to drill out, but forgot my list of sizes for holes.  Can anyone shoot me the hole sizes for 1/4" jacks, 3PDT switch, and 16mm pot shaft?   

...Or a link if this topic has been posted somewhere for common sizes?  Thanks! 

Pretty sure the jacks are 3/8"
I think the 3PDT is 15/32" but don't quote me on it.
If you're using the Alpha pots like Futurlec sells, they're 1/4" I think.

You can probably find the info online.

[kurtlives]

Alpha pots are slightly bigger than 1/4".

[ayayay!]

Cool thanks guys! 

I think the 3PDT is 15/32" but don't quote me on it.

I won't.    That's practically a half inch hole.  Maybe that's right.  This is what I get for not being prepared...  Can someone else verify the 3PDT hole size? 

[blanik]

i've given up on perfectly aligned holes in boxes... a long time ago... now i go by eye ...i mark the spots with a marker first, drill a pilot hole, and go with the big bit, i got better results that way than with a press drill :-/

[foxfire]

Cool thanks guys! 

I think the 3PDT is 15/32" but don't quote me on it.

I won't.    That's practically a half inch hole.  Maybe that's right.  This is what I get for not being prepared...  Can someone else verify the 3PDT hole size? 

i just drill them at 1/2". there is a little wiggle room but not so much that i worry about it. if you do worry about it then i would go with 15/32" and for 16mm alpha pots i would go with 9/32" to keep them tight. my step bit has 1/16" steps so i stop just short of drilling a 5/16" hole.  
rylan

[SUPER VELCROBOY]

http://supervelcroboy.wordpress.com/2008/08/17/drilling-jig-for-pedal-enclosures/
http://supervelcroboy.wordpress.com/2008/08/17/enclosure-drill-jig/

[ayayay!]

Cool, thanks guys.  

And blanik, I've gotten away with eyeballing most of my small ones too, but the jackholes (huh-huh) on the side usually don't line up perfectly.   Maybe if I drilled the side holes all the way through from one side to the other...




...That's a joke guys.  DON'T do that.  Bad, bad things can happen if you do that.  

[ayayay!]

OK Supervelcroboy, explain that "there's no need to measure for holes...  you make a sandwich..."  Wha?



Edit:  OK now I get it.  The board on the left is "sandwiching" the enclosure, with the holes predrilled in the board.  Great idea!  You also wouldn't need a drill press if you just wanted to use a hand drill.  (Much faster...)

[frank_p]

Hey guys, you can use drill bushing guides that you put in the "plate" of your jig.  This is common practice in machining/manufacturing.

http://www.profhdwr.com/66120.htm
http://www.mcmaster.com/
(use "drill guides" in the search field)

If you want very precise, use a jig borer  .  Well that is what I was using in mold making.

[SUPER VELCROBOY]

OK Supervelcroboy, explain that "there's no need to measure for holes...  you make a sandwich..."  Wha?



Edit:  OK now I get it.  The board on the left is "sandwiching" the enclosure, with the holes predrilled in the board.  Great idea!  You also wouldn't need a drill press if you just wanted to use a hand drill.  (Much faster...)

right, the bottom accepts the enclosure and holds it into place without movement. The top slides snugly into place and forms a template for your drilling. I use 1/4" bit to do the pilot holes, then i use a unibit to finish off. The side holes are done similarly.