Colin "Lamb" <k7fm@teleport.com> said --
>Cutting holes for sockets and various other parts on an amplifier require a
>certain amount of tools. It really does not take much more to cut the
>entire chassis - just the right size.
Here's a little known tip for working aluminum -- If you sandwich the
aluminum sheet between two pieces of 3/4" birch cabinet plywood, you can
cut and form it as if it were wood, using tools appropriate for wood. This
includes cutting, drilling, and making holes woth a hole saw, wood bore, or
fly-cutter.
For rework, you can clamp wood blocks on each side of the aluminum, and cut
through. Naturally, you do not have to cut all the way through both pieces
of wood -- so sometimes you can recycle one piece.
And the best part? In almost all operations, the wood prevents the
aluminum from burring around the cut.
You should decrease the feed speed as appropriate when cutting the aluminum.
Oh, and you can use the sawdust that contains the aluminum chips and fines
in your home-brew fireworks!
Jim N6OTQ
PS Orleave out the aluminum, like Rich Measures does!
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