Drilling faceplates?

[chrispbass]

I always mount mine from the outside, you don't need to cut a keyhole, just 2 small holes for the fixing screws and one large one for the body. You can really go to town, and use the proper drawing and mark out the center hole and fixing holes, but i just punch out the main hole, then use a set square on the rack case to square up the xlr, then by eye, center punch the fixing hole center, or go round the hole with a pen then punch the center. The good thing about externally mounting, is that you do have a bit of 'jiggle' if you do need to file a screw hole a tad, as its all covered by the flange on the xlr socket, unless you've really screwed it up!  ;D

The main advantage of mounting xlrs on the inside is that you don't have to un-solder any connecting wires etc from your board to your xlrs when either fitting into or removing from your case. Usually not a problem for us though. Generally, internally mounted sockets are pcb mounting types allowing for mass production where the finshed board is just screwed straight into the case.

I'm sure there may also be asthetic reasons for some people too! 

 

[gemini86]

the downside to mounting inside, is that although it looks nice (if done right) it can also bite you in the ass if you screw it up even a little, and now your faceplate is ruined... (or just mount it on the outside to cover up your f-up, as a last resort)

 

[rmaier]

;D Been there. ;D

 

[braeden]

sometimes we get a bit impatient to get the metalwork done so we can get to the sound !!!!! a constant pressure !

Too true, this is exactly what happened, haha. A little disappointed that I think I'm going to have to buy a new case but at least I have something to practice on now!
I tried to use a hole saw for the XLR's, what a waste of $60.

If anyone in Australia wants to know where to buy the Greenlee 15/16 chassis/knock-out punch you can buy them at www.x-on.com.au (which basically just stocks everything that Mouser has I'm pretty sure). Other than that, eBay, but they seem to be an American manufacturer.

Thanks to everyone for the great information, I also stumbled across this (ancient but useful) article
http://guitarkitbuilder.com/content/how-layout-and-build-guitar-amplifier-chassis

A good read for anyone looking to not ruin their $60 case :