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Gallery, Projects and General => How do I?? => Topic started by: tumutbound on August 11, 2010, 05:25:48 AM

Title: Making slots/holes in thin materials
Post by: tumutbound on August 11, 2010, 05:25:48 AM

I'm finally getting back to mounting a DRO on my X2 mill.
The mount of the scale to the mill body is sorted out and to connect the scale head to the X/Y moving parts, I'm going to use a thin piece of stainless as done here (http://cnc.turkeys.net.au/workshop/scales/11.jpg)

I've ordered some stainless steel shim .254mm thick for this.
The question I have is what's the best method for drilling holes in thin material? I may have to make the holes on the side that attaches to the scale head, slots to allow for adjustment.

My milling/drilling so far has been on much thinner material.

Title: Re: Making slots/holes in thin materials
Post by: DMIOM on August 11, 2010, 05:59:34 AM

First thought is that if you can, punch them - I have one of these (http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=searchProducts&searchTerm=388-3628) punch sets which I find useful for punching all sorts of thin material, including shim stock.

If you're going drill or mill them, then would suggest you consider sandwiching the shim stock between thicker sacrificial plates.

Dave

Title: Re: Making slots/holes in thin materials
Post by: Brass_Machine on August 11, 2010, 03:22:57 PM

Quote from: DMIOM on August 11, 2010, 05:59:34 AM

First thought is that if you can, punch them - I have one of these (http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=searchProducts&searchTerm=388-3628) punch sets which I find useful for punching all sorts of thin material, including shim stock.

If you're going drill or mill them, then would suggest you consider sandwiching the shim stock between thicker sacrificial plates.

Dave

My thoughts almost exactly. Maybe sandwich between some thin wood?

Not sure how strong that particular stock is. You don't want the scale moving.

Eric

Title: Re: Making slots/holes in thin materials
Post by: tumutbound on August 16, 2010, 01:40:11 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.
I sandwiched one of the shims (0.305mm stainless steel)  between 2 pieces of 12mm MDF. and was able to drill a 6mm hole very neatly and in the right position.

Title: Re: Making slots/holes in thin materials
Post by: ksor on August 16, 2010, 01:09:44 PM

When drilling - take a square inch of clothing and place it between the material and the drill, and then "rockNroll" -  :bugeye: yeah, it works !

Title: Re: Making slots/holes in thin materials
Post by: Chazz on August 16, 2010, 01:24:05 PM

Step drills also work quite well in thin\sheet stock.

Cheers,
Chazz