Front Panel/Schaeffer Backpanels?

[erland]

Could someone be so kind and post backpanel FPD files?

Any layout with a IEC Power Jack and Neutrik D XLR ins and outs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot

 

[Greg]

Come to think of it, I haven't seen any back panels .fpd files floating around. The reason being that most chassis only have aluminum fronts. The rear is steel, so Front Panel Express won't touch it. I just drill the back myself and sometimes label it.

But for the Neutrik D Series, a 7/8" or 15/16" hole is what you need. And you'll have get the IEC inlet cutout size from the datasheet for your particular IEC.

Become one with the datasheet... I have a folder with a stack of datasheets for IECs, switches, connectors, you name it ! :thumb:

 

[erland]

Bummmer. I might as well get a drill press, a nibbler and a step drill then. Thanks.

 

[AnalogPackrat]

Par-Metal 10 series chassis have aluminum back panels.

A P

 

[erland]

[quote author="AnalogPackrat"]Par-Metal 10 series chassis have aluminum back panels.

A P[/quote]

Those are the ones I ordered.

 

[Greg]

I just checked the site and you're right. I thought they were steel. The back panels seem a hell of a lot harder than the front panels... At least from my experience drilling the front and back.

Sorry for the bad info erland. I order the Series 10 as well.

 

[fucanay]

A drill press would be really handy, but I've been doing all of mine just fine with a hand drill. I use a center punch to mark my holes and then drill a pilot hole with a 1/4" bit. Then I use the step drill to get the right size holes.

For rectangles, I mark everything with a scribe first. Then drill 4 holes on each corner that go pretty close to the edge of the scribe line. Then I take a dremel with a cutting disk on it and cut the inside piece out. Then I file the remaining metal away to get a snug fit.

This is all using the 10 series par-metal cases and I don't think this is a crazy amount of work. Maybe 10 minutes for all of the circular holes and another 10 for the IEC jack.

Of of course, I use a sharpie for labeling. :thumb:

Matt

 

[AnalogPackrat]

[quote author="Greg"]I just checked the site and you're right. I thought they were steel. The back panels seem a hell of a lot harder than the front panels... At least from my experience drilling the front and back.

Sorry for the bad info erland. I order the Series 10 as well.[/quote]

Thanks for the heads-up on the tough rear panels. Must be a different alloy or something. I haven't gotten to the metalwork phase of my first Par-Metal enshrined project yet, so will clamp those puppies extra tight before drilling.

A P

 

[erland]

That doesn't seem that difficult Matt. I'll look into the tools some more. Thanks all.

 

[Greg]

I bought a drill press from Sears for I think $120 and I've been using it for the past couple years. I do the same exact thing Matt does for IEC inlets... drill holes in the corners and use a dremel with a cutting disk. Then file. Only difference is I use a drill press for holes, and I usually clamp the panel down so it doesn't drift at all.

For my front panels, I send them to Front Panel Express.