Cutting slots- holes in a 3/16 aluminum plate ? Help Wanted

[Hawk]

I have 6 aluminum plates 4" x 4.5" x 3/16" thick. I need some holes and slots cut into them.

I don't know what kind of bits or tools it takes to do this. Any advice ?

It's for a prototype drum mount.

[metalchurch]

3/16th thick aluminum is not that thick, so a corded Drill with a metal bit would definitely work.

As far as the slots, you could use your drill with a cutting/grinding disk on it.

Not sure on what you're trying to do, but those tools would probably work.

I have neither, otherwise I would do it at no charge.

Good luck with your project Hawk.

[mjb]

i think i know what your trying to do. you could do as joe said, what i might add is for the slots you are tryng to acquire clamp your metal down vice or other, use a punch and mark your holes for your slots so it looks like this ..... then drill them (i would keep a little oil on bit as it makes the bit cut better and will not dull your bit as fast) once you have the holes you'll have to grind ( or file) out the leftovers to get your slot. be nice to have a drummel for that. if your doing what i think your doing you only want the slot to be an inch or so long, right?

or you could have joe do it!

if you need a drummel tool let me know i can bring it out next week.

what size hole will you be drilling? do yourself a favor too bill, make sure you buy good bits, dont by cheap bits and make sure they are metal bits, carbide steel. i only say that cuz if you don't know, you could easily pick up a 1/2 inch wood bit get it home and start drilling and it will be junk in seconds.

[Hawk]

I tried a power drill. Screwed one plate up. Likely need a drill press and some way to cut slots.

Thanks for your imput though.

[Hawk]

I need holes and slots cut identical to the plate on the tom mount in this picture.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=444639

Better :

http://yu380418.trustpass.alibaba.com/p ... owimg.html


Thanks.

[mjb]

ok are you doing a mod of what you brought to practice last time?

are you just making 1 ? as a prototype? if so i think you can do it and make something workable. i mean its gonna be a little rough, i'm pictureing you trying to stand on this piece of metal holding it with your foot and trying to drill holes in it

what i would do is make a perfect template out of a piece of cardboard or paper, lay it down and scribe it on to your blank piece of metal. secure the blank in a vice at a comfortable position so your getting some good down pressure on the drill an do the other stuff i said before. you should be able to pull one off. if you have to make several i would lay them all out and take them to a machine shop and have them do it. probobly wouldn't cost much. that would be gravey for them. but to diy at home with limited amount of tools....... like i said you could pull it off but it aint gonna be pretty probobly.

just my .02

i'd be glad to help you with it though if you would like.

[Hawk]

ok are you doing a mod of what you brought to practice last time?

are you just making 1 ? as a prototype? if so i think you can do it and make something workable. i mean its gonna be a little rough, i'm pictureing you trying to stand on this piece of metal holding it with your foot and trying to drill holes in it

what i would do is make a perfect template out of a piece of cardboard or paper, lay it down and scribe it on to your blank piece of metal. secure the blank in a vice at a comfortable position so your getting some good down pressure on the drill an do the other stuff i said before. you should be able to pull one off. if you have to make several i would lay them all out and take them to a machine shop and have them do it. probobly wouldn't cost much. that would be gravey for them. but to diy at home with limited amount of tools....... like i said you could pull it off but it aint gonna be pretty probobly.

just my .02

i'd be glad to help you with it though if you would like.

Hey, with inflation, your $ .02 is worth a lot. Thanks.

I thought there might be a machinist on here who would say , " I know how to do that".

[alfred]

i could do it for you i work in a machine shop you just have to get them to me, portage area 814-341-0595

[Hawk]

i could do it for you i work in a machine shop you just have to get them to me, portage area 814-341-0595

Cool, I'll call you later on. I'll bring them to you. I'll be glad to pay you.

Thanks

[paul]

Bill get a hold of me I can do them for you on the CNC machine and they will be perfect and exact. Then the pattern can be saved and whenever you want them I just need to pull the file up and load it into the CNC and you will be good to go.
Paul

[lonewolf]

The easiest professional way to do this is with a milling machine. If its a one-shot deal, a regular manual milling machine will do. If you want to go into production, you want a CNC mill, so the machinist can create a computer program of the toolpath that he can save and recall later.

If you are going to make 10,000 of them, you want to tool up and use a punch press.

edit: oops, didn't see your post, Paul