IEC Panelmount Socket Punch/Cutting Tool

[mafioso]

Hi

Does anyone know where I can buy such a tool? I can't really punch the hole as I want to make these openings into the back panels of existing equipment. Although I've never seen one, I believe you get a type of O punch where the one part goes inside the panel, the other outside and you tighten a bolt and nut to press out the opening you want.

I've made a couple of IEC socket holes by drilling and filing but it's a tedious job.

Thanks for your kind attention.

mafioso

[Shonver]

I believe it's called a chassis punch. A few years ago I wanted to buy one for a project at work, but it was too expensive and I could not justify the expense. You could try RS or Farnell.

[ludo]

Same here. Wanted a punch for 9-pin D-sub connectors, like old serial ports/VGA connectors, and RS wanted over R1k for the bits. Fortunately they were going into aluminium, so drilling + a round file was OK.

You might find a rectangular hole punch that is suitable at a place that sells machine tools. The Greenlee website isn't telling where their agents are at the moment, but I'm sure you know all the milling cutter pushers down there.

Just consider first if you want fused IEC sockets, or switched, or fused and switched, or multiples (male and female, maybe fused and switched) or plain...  I'd also recommend staying away from the clip-in type of socket. They are often terrible, and really just held in by hot glue on much of the "pro audio" gear I see.

[mafioso]

Thanks,Gents!

I usually use the fused variety. I'll give RS a bel on Monday. However, I found them to be expensive on tools. Eg I have 3 airbrushes - one bought from RS cost around R600 and the same thing at Game cost R80

Perhaps I should ask the guys at CTSMEE if we could make a die-set from hardened steel. The problem with drilling and filing is of course steel or aluminium debris often ending up on the boards. If I can hatch a diy plan, I'll post here.

mafioso

[ludo]

I have some foggy memory of Croak saying that he had such a thing. Perhaps he'll see this and tell us if it is also available to amniotes from somewhere.

Andrew will probably boot us out of here any time soon now, so maybe tell us in the DIY forum if you have success? The more so as I'm partial to the fused type as well.

[Family_Dog]

I have a full set of round chassis punches from about 12mm up to 38mm, but it seems there are no rectangular ones really commercially available, or at least there weren't, when I enquired about the same thing. Any good Hardware store can order the Belling-Lee or Q-Max chassis punches for you.

Prices are no longer 21/6 for a 199mm punch, though! 


-F_D

[mafioso]

Thanks FD

I'll continue making enquiries or find out what CTSMEE can come up with.

mafioso

[Shonver]

I have a CAD drawing of a cut-out if you need one (in case they offer to CNC fabricate a tool for you).

[Ampdog]

I am afraid that you will not get a rectangular punch separately. The problem is with getting the two parts aligned exactly at either side of a chassis. I know of such only for a punch press, where exact alighment is guaranteed because of the set-up (one locates the two halves with the punch in the down position and then carefully test true entry first before cutting). Thus I fear your effort will have to be of the drill-and-cut nature - have done that, it's a shlepp. Stuffing the insides with cotton wool keeps the filings at bay. 

[Family_Dog]

Prices are no longer 21/6d for a 199mm punch, though!  Grin

Err.... that's meant to be "19mm" punch. 


-F_D

[mafioso]

Hi everyone

@ Shaun

I was going to measure and draw the pattern and discuss it with the toolroom tiffies on Wednesday evening.

@ Ampdog

Nah, I'm not planning a phono stage or an amp. I sometimes buy things for myself and I've had enough of captive leads and elastic bands.

If you have it on CAD, I will ask you later, thanks.

Off the top of my head (I don't know what the fused-socket tool looks like) - II imagine it will have a male and female part with the female going inside the case and the male cutter part outside.  Centre, will be a threaded bar, for which a hole will have to be drilled first. I further would imagine there will have be a guide bar as well to ensure the two parts centre correctly*

Ja , I WAS going to type "enter" but reckoned the bit about the male and female parts would cause apoplexy

mafioso