Nice holes in altoids tins

[Gordon Jamieson]

Hi

I would like to make some rectangular holes for mounting various bits in a standard Altoids tin.  i.e. a MicroSD, MicroUSB, slider switch

There are about 4 ways I can see to do it:

1) use a dremel with cutting bit then use a grinding bit to remove sharp protusions

2) use a hand nibbler tool for cutting out sheet metal

3) use a drill and/or chisel (its thin aluminium sheet)

4) use a stanley knife

Questions:

a) Does the dremel(s) work at all in the space?  I have seen 2 of them but could not find how to get them going. It was a while ago at the new space - I think a power supply might have been missing and/or chuck or bits or some such.  Has anyone successfully used them recently?

b) Do we have a nibbler at the space? Example of this tool: http://www.toolbox.co.uk/draper-35748-255mm-hand-2288-64645

c) Do we have a set of chisels at the space?

d) Do we have a Stanley knife at the space?

Thanking you,

Gordon

[Jim Hayes]

A nibbler would be way too big, I would say.

I'd be tempted to mark it up, drill a hole and finish off the final shape with various small (needle) files.

That's what I did when I wanted to fit a dallas temp sensor into the wall of a copper pipe recently, worked pretty well with a bit of care.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "London Hackspace" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to london-hack-sp...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

[chrisbob12]

If it's thin alu, could it not be cut with a laser? Would be fiddly, but wouldn't deform the metal.

[andyf...@gmail.com]

I would like to make some rectangular holes for mounting various bits in a standard Altoids tin.  i.e. a MicroSD, MicroUSB, slider switch

You don't say where you want the holes, side? lid?

how about a slotting saw on any of the pillar drills?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stF3D9kMhOI

Andy

[Gordon Jamieson]

re laser:

that wont work - CO2 laser reflects off metal.

re pillar with cutting blade:

sounds like a way to get your hand drawn into the cutter if it grips down on the metal you're cutting.  I'd prefer small dremel if I could find a way to get it working.

Here is a neat example of cutting holes with a "paper single hole punch pliers" thingy:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/406228/best-way-to-create-holes-in-an-altoids-tin#post_5372153

The holes I want to cut are as follows:

2 on one end (Micro USB, MicroSD)

1 on other end (power switch slider)

1 on top for ceramic antenna for Adafruit Ultimate GPS module.  Might need to be either ~ 2cm square or 5mm round hole - dont quit know yet.

Gordon

[andyf...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, July 24, 2013 11:04:51 PM UTC+1, Gordon Jamieson wrote:

re pillar with cutting blade:

sounds like a way to get your hand drawn into the cutter if it grips down on the metal you're cutting.  I'd prefer small dremel if I could find a way to get it working.

 It's perfectly safe, the tin is clamped to the workbed (with scrap wood behind the area to be cut) and the workbed is moved so the tin comes in contact with the saw mounted in pillar drill.

Andy

[Morris]

can it be etched similar to a pcb?

[chrisbob12]

IIRC NaOH etches alu - soda crystals might do it

[chrisbob12]

Re laser- I take your point, but metal can be laser cut, and I think the bureaux that do it use IR lasers rather than UV.

[Paddy Duncan]

Nope, they use yag. Our is IR. And the box is tin plated steel, or possibly
just steel.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"London Hackspace" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
email to london-hack-sp...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.3349 / Virus Database: 3209/6517 - Release Date: 07/24/13

[Paddy Duncan]

Oh and a suggestion for the cutting, a small sharp nail punch with the box
backed up with relatively hard wood..

-----Original Message-----
From: london-h...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:london-h...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of chrisbob12
Sent: 25 July 2013 07:37
To: london-h...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [london-hack-space] Re: Nice holes in altoids tins

[invent_or]

Decently sharp wood chisel through it, with a hardwood or hard plastic backer. Give it a whack with a mallet and it'll cut neatly through.
N

[Gordon Jamieson]

I'll give this a go as well as trying the idea with the pillar drill if its in working order

[Adrian Godwin]

Please don't use good chisels for this.

[invent_or]

It won't affect a decent chisel at all, as the chisel is far harder and tougher than the Altoids tin. I recommend using one which has been in the wars though. Decently sharp rather than razor sharp.

N

[Paddy Duncan]

Not with Hackspace chisels thanks.

Paddy

Version: 2013.0.3349 / Virus Database: 3209/6521 - Release Date: 07/25/13