Enclosure Drilling Question...

[aBunchOfPedals]

Hi,
I'm looking for some information about enclosure drilling. Things like: How far does a 3pdt need to be from the edge? How close can two pots be? I'm not really looking for a specific enclosure. I'm making my own and it has 4 mono jacks, power, two pots, 3pdt and LED. It has a SHO clone in it. It's going in a 1590b case. Here's a picture of it so you can see what I'm working with. It's a tight space so I'm trying to keep it neat.
http://imgur.com/a/j1z7p
I just want to know how close I can get the pots and how close to the edges I can get the jacks and switches.

[italianguy63]

What you have laid out there looks absolutely fine.  Pretty much you can put them anywhere space permits.  Generally, I don't get pots closer than 3/8" to 1/2" from the edge of the enclosure.  Stomp switch the same.  However, if you make an effect that you will house a 9V battery, then 1-1/2" from the edge is a good distance.  MC

[EBK]

I'd recommend playing around with the layout using software to see how things will look/fit.   Some links and somewhat incomplete description/example here from one of my posts: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=116342.msg1076868#msg1076868

Another example where I applied a "different" technique:

To quote myself, "I carefully planned out the placement of the toggle using my precision digital calipers while drinking beer the whole time -- the two balance each other perfectly.   "

[duck_arse]

if that were my box, and I was having landscape layout, I'd put three jax across the long top, and the DC [low enough] on the left side, then shuffle the pots as far across to the left [and over the DC jack] as your chosen knob diameter will allow. mind, I've fcuked many a drill/layout.

[EBK]

mind, I've fcuked many a drill/layout.

And, that's why JB Weld was invented. 

[aBunchOfPedals]

What you have laid out there looks absolutely fine.  Pretty much you can put them anywhere space permits.  Generally, I don't get pots closer than 3/8" to 1/2" from the edge of the enclosure.  Stomp switch the same.  However, if you make an effect that you will house a 9V battery, then 1-1/2" from the edge is a good distance.  MC

I basically want to space everything as close to the edges as possible .  Thanks for the info.

[aBunchOfPedals]

I'd recommend playing around with the layout using software to see how things will look/fit.   Some links and somewhat incomplete description/example here from one of my posts: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=116342.msg1076868#msg1076868


To quote myself, "I carefully planned out the placement of the toggle using my precision digital calipers while drinking beer the whole time -- the two balance each other perfectly.   "

Thanks man, that's good info.  I'll check it out

[aBunchOfPedals]

I'd recommend playing around with the layout using software to see how things will look/fit.   Some links and somewhat incomplete description/example here from one of my posts: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=116342.msg1076868#msg1076868

Another example where I applied a "different" technique:

To quote myself, "I carefully planned out the placement of the toggle using my precision digital calipers while drinking beer the whole time -- the two balance each other perfectly.   "

one more thing... How did you patch those holes?

[slashandburn]

https://www.rapidonline.com/anixter-dome-plugs-80524

I keep a stash of these for my jack drilling fcuk-ups. Robs you of some real estate and it's not exactly professional but it's a lot less work than JB Weld. Saved my bacon a few times.

[EBK]

one more thing... How did you patch those holes?

Those are JB Weld patches.  Used a drill bit to flare out the holes a tiny bit on each side, coated the edges of the holes with a bit of JB weld, then laid the box on a small piece of parchment paper as a temporary backing, and filled them in with more JB weld.  Larger holes like those can take a couple of applications of JB weld to get them filled enough so that they will be flush after sanding.  Once sanded, priming/painting complete the repair. 
This is the same box, after also filling the screw holes with JB weld and painting (used magnets to replace the screws):

[slashandburn]

Thats an awesome recovery job btw, Erik!   I should stop taking the lazy route so often.

[aBunchOfPedals]

https://www.rapidonline.com/anixter-dome-plugs-80524

I keep a stash of these for my jack drilling fcuk-ups. Robs you of some real estate and it's not exactly professional but it's a lot less work than JB Weld. Saved my bacon a few times.

Oh yea, I use those on my pedals that have a lot of unused 1/4" jacks.

[aBunchOfPedals]

one more thing... How did you patch those holes?

Those are JB Weld patches.  Used a drill bit to flare out the holes a tiny bit on each side, coated the edges of the holes with a bit of JB weld, then laid the box on a small piece of parchment paper as a temporary backing, and filled them in with more JB weld.  Larger holes like those can take a couple of applications of JB weld to get them filled enough so that they will be flush after sanding.  Once sanded, priming/painting complete the repair. 
This is the same box, after also filling the screw holes with JB weld and painting (used magnets to replace the screws):

yea man, that looks good.

[Rixen]

cardboard mock-ups can be your friend when space is tight..