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Project Boxes and 9W D connectors hole punches — Parallax Forums

Project Boxes and 9W D connectors hole punches

TonyDTonyD Posts: 210
edited 2009-03-27 03:20 in General Discussion
Hi All

Almost every project box I build these days seems to have a 9W D connector and I'm tired of drilling and filing holes in sheet metal for 9W D-connectors as no two holes ever look the same. So does anyone know where I might pick up a cheap sheet metal hole punch for a 9W D connector shape.

I'm UK based so I've already tried Farnell and RS who have them listed at about 120 GBP. Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative (UK or otherwise) ?

thanks

- Tony

Comments

  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-03-20 11:53
    I don't know of cheaper source for hole punches, but on some of my projects where I don't need to connect the cable all of the time I have put the connector inside the project box on a couple of long standoffs. This makes for a nice sturdy mount and an easy port to plug into.

    Just a thought...

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
  • Carl HayesCarl Hayes Posts: 841
    edited 2009-03-23 03:53
    Well, you could get a used engraving machine and use it to make holes of any desired shape. It may only cost about twice or thrice as much as a new D-Sub hole punch -- but it'll do lots of other things beside. That's what I use.

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    · -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net
  • StarManStarMan Posts: 306
    edited 2009-03-24 16:46
    Engraving machine?· Is that CNC?· Got a link?
  • Carl HayesCarl Hayes Posts: 841
    edited 2009-03-27 03:20
    Here's one that would serve.· This appears to be a Model IM; I use a Model ITX, which is bigger.· Almost any New Hermes model with an I as the first character of the model number would serve well for making holes of arbitrary shape (the I indicates it has a motor for rotary engraving).



    http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Hermes-tabletop-engraving-machine-Engravograph_W0QQitemZ200323352224QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200323352224&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50


    If you're going to engrave (or make holes in)·large three-dimensional objects you'd want an ITX which can hold objects as large as about 10x10x10 inches and engrave any face.· It can hold larger stuff (like skis, for example, or briefcases), but won't be able to engrave every surface.

    It's great for lettering front panels, too.

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    · -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net

    Post Edited (Carl Hayes) : 3/27/2009 3:29:31 AM GMT
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