[Boatanchors] Chassis punches - Conduit punches - tube sockets

Sat, 1 May 2004 18:35:13 EDT

Paul & Greg,

I'll second the endorsement and add a few comments from practical experience.

Depending on what brand you buy, they come in two or three size ranges.  
Avoid using one that starts off large enough that your finish hole is the first, 
second or maybe third step, expecially if this is the first time you've used 
one.

Second suggestion is to use a good drill press.  Don't try to use them in a 
hand drill unless you don't care too much what the results looks like.

Third is that the working material thickness is less than the step width, not 
equal to it, unless it doesn't matter if the hole has two diameters.  The set 
that I have has 3/16" steps and won't quite do a clean hole in a 3/16" rack 
panel.  Last one I did I roughed in the hole with the step drill to 1/16" under 
and then finished it with an MT drill bit (which cost more by itself than the 
step drill did).

Lastly, they make a cleaner hole in thin material like aluminum chassis than 
an equivalent diameter twist drill because they don't tend to grab and flex 
the thin material like the solid drill bit will.  So you don't get a hole that 
looks like it wanted to be a triangle but didn't quite make it.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Monroe" <[email protected]>
To: "Greg Mijal" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2004 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Chassis punches - Conduit punches - tube sockets

>Greg,
>
>Get a 'step' drill from your local hardware store. Typically you can get
>them in sizes from 3/16" to 3/4" or 7/8 " in 1/16" steps. They do a neater
>job than a punch and are a lot less work.

73
Robert Downs - Houston
<http://www.wa5cab.com> (Web Store)
<[email protected]> (Primary email)
<[email protected]> (Backup email)

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