DIY enclosures - Aaaargghhh!!!

[Guest]

Spent the past two afternoons building a DIY enclosure
Because it is DIY and I also have my own rackstrips that I am going to create custom racks with I am not limited to 19inch racks

So I am creating units of my own sizes...

There must be an easier and cheaper way of cutting 2.5mm ALuminum sheet than using a Jigsaw with HSS blades and filing my hands to death trying to get a straight line (don't know why I bother as they never end up in a straight line)

I end up with a front and back panel the same size (with rack holes in them - I am attaching the front and back to rack strips for rigidity)
I then have 2 x side panels and one top and one bottom panel....

I then get L section clips and bolt these to each of the panels other to create a box

To paint it - I am using Car Primer and Spray Car Paint from Halfords.... (buy 2 get one free)

I really want to create my own boxes....
Any ideas - my hands are torn to pieces....... or is it just practise and patience

 

[Svart]

a long ruler, a couple clamps, a pair of air shears. clamp the ruler to the sheet and run the shears along the ruler, allowing it to guide the shears. works like magic.

or...


if you have a plasma cutter, do the same thing, just sub the cutting device. sit back, enjoy a few :guinness: in the time you saved..

 

[smilinfu]

The method using Wall Studs works O.K., I got something usable in about 2 hrs, and I am horrible with such things. I am shure the method could be made quite effective with a little practice. The description of how to do it is around soemwhere, but I don't recal where.

 

[SonsOfThunder]

With the proper lubricant, you can cut Al on a tablesaw. :thumb:

HTH!
Charlie

 

[Guest]

[quote author="buttachunk"]a box break would make it easy...


but here's something online until then;

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=2307[/quote]
Stupid me...
Read that article...
First thing I am buying tomorrow - Gloves!!!

 

[groovelab]

Try one of these if you have a saw.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90405

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44814

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45430

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45432

 

[jameshspencer3]

i use a 10" metal cut blade on a table saw and it works great. i riged a stupid little tube and nozzle attachment to the guide with a foot pump so that i can supply a little bit of water to the blade while i cut.