Punching Holes For Control Panel

[TMannion87]

Hi all,

I'm finally getting started on my control panel build, following the build seen here:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=341219&page=2

More specifically, using this box:

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=143

I was wondering how everyone is punching holes in their boxes? I know that a hydraulic punch is the easiest way to go, but I'd rather not invest the money into something I'm going to use once.

What have other people had success with? Metal hole saw? Step bit? Or is my only option a punch set? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[iijakii]

I bought all of my switches/leds to be 22mm, so used a single stepbit for those. PID and outlets were a pain. Rotary tool if you have the right stuff for the job is easiest. On one of my builds I used a plasma cutter for the PID holes.

 

[Deece]

Cnc plasma cutter, this only works if you have access to one affordable however. I drew the file in adobe illustrator and converted it to a .dxf for the machine, I got it burnt free but if you had to pay its only about 1/2 hr of the operators time, probably around 25-30 bucks if they are reasonable. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451063772.042116.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451063801.072822.jpg

Second pic is of a test panel I had laying around. If you use steel paint typically has to be removed first, first one is stainless.

 

[Toejam792]

I bought used punches off ebay and used a jig saw for the square holes it worked great

 

[BrasserieDuChienBrun]

I used a hole saw for the 22 mm holes and a jig saw for the pid holes. Take your time, use cutting oil and you shouldn't any problem. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451076861.001469.jpg

 

[BrasserieDuChienBrun]

I used a hole saw for the 22 mm holes and a jig saw for the pid holes. Take your time, use cutting oil and you should'nt have any problem. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451077447.607435.jpg

 

[abarker8541]

I have that same box.....use a hole saw, then clean up the burr's with a step bit

 

[TMannion87]

Looks like I'm gonna go the hole saw route, thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[JoshuaW]

I used a knockout punch on my holes, and a Dremel on everything else. Used a ton of cutting disks, but thankfully they arent terribly expensive. My panel was also stainless, and was more of a challenge to cut than some other materials I have worked with.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Step bit for circles, and Jigsaw with a metal cutting blade for the square holes for my electrical outlets(Im using Strangebrew Elsinore so no PID's)

 

[jddevinn]

Punches for holes work great and you'll never accidentally oversize. Step bit is a bunch cheaper though.

 

[golfindia]

While not the same quality as Greenlee, harbor freight has a cheap knockout punch set; 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.25".... If you only have to do a couple holes, that may be an option.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Honestly its really hard to screw up using a step bit if you use one with sufficient steps. Most LED's and switches have a pretty big bezel. As long as you do one step at a time as you get close to your goal and test fit if it goes in i had no problems installing 6 LED's and 2 switches in like 20 minutes.