[needgoodphones]

What tools and techniques are best for cutting perfectly round holes in altoid tins? I just finished all of the soldering for my first CMoy, everything works correctly, now i just need to know how to cut the holes to mount the LED, the pot, the switch and both of the mini jacks.

 

[kevin gilmore]

You need to get a couple punches that are the right size, and
a medium length handle.

Do NOT under any circumstances try to drill these. You will
rip your hands to pieces.

 

[braillediver]

Real men don't need no punches.

You need a .22 cal pistol for the LED holes and a .38 revolver for the pott.

To be safe have someone else hold the tin and wear safety goggles.

 

[JMT]

I have drilled more Altoids tins that I can count. Just make sure you start with a small bit and work your way up to the size that you need. Then use a round file to smooth out the edges.

 

[rickcr42]

yeah but make sure to do two things first-

Put some masking tape on the area to be drilled and use a punch (a finish nail set is fine) with a block of wood behind it as a "guide" . The block should be sized to the caseor you will get a big time dent .

Otherwise you will be really pissed when the drill starts to run all over the suface tearing it up (not to mention your hands if not careful as Kevin mentioned) .

Oh yeah , use a vise to hold the sucker .

We can not all be JMT , or as we like to call him here , "ole two fingers"

And don't forget to insulate the interior ! Nothing sucks worse than tearing up a case , except for shorting out an amp !

 

[JMT]

Quote:

or as we like to call him here , "ole two fingers"

Fortunately, one of the two is the one that communicates so well.

 

[needgoodphones]

Ok, I know that I need to insulate the board from the case, but don't I want to ground the outside of the switch, pentometer and mini-jacks to the case? Also how do I hook up the mini jacks. The jacks have an pins coming off of the outer casing, I am assuming that those should be grounded to the case. However I can't figure out how the other five pins hook up. I am using two stereo jacks that are digi-key part # CP-3535NGS-ND. Thanks for your help guys, I should be able to get the case cut tommorow, the garage is too cold right now.

 

[akar]

The JMT builds alot of mint tin amps.
Listen to the JMT.
A JMT will never lead you astray.