Making tube socket holes.

[HiFiCanada]

Once I get my General Radio 1203-B power supply for the WA-P2 Heathkit preamps, I want to install two tube sockets on the side of the power supply.
I want to use the 1 in tube sockets, the same tube sockets that take the KT88 tubes and slip them in the new holes that I just made.
I won a Greenlee 7307 conduit slug splitter knock out punch kit set - 1/2" thru 2"
and got it coming, I think that should just be ideal for making nice clean holes , should it?
I don't see any special punch set for making tube socket holes, so I figure this should work.
Is this what is used to make tube socket holes?

Thanks in advance


Bob

 

[perchdog]

those are pipe sized punches... look into greenlee 730 series (radio chassis) punches. they are sized to nominal dimensions such as required for most sockets

 

[Tom Bavis]

The 3/4" conduit punch will be close... just under 1 1/8". See the attached page for hole sizes: http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProducts.do?groupId=518&subgroupId=76

 

[kyle]

I live in London and have a set of appropriate punches. Let me know if you need to borrow any.

 

[Kegger]

Ever since I got stepped bits I quit using punches here.

 

[BrokenHill]

Last time I made holes for tube sockets I bought one of those stepped drill
bits and it really does make nice clean holes using it with a drill press.:yes:

 

[vinylkid58]

The unibit step drills go through aluminum like butta.:yes:

jeff

 

[Dmannnnn]

:yes:

Ever since I got stepped bits I quit using punches here.

 

[rockinrob86]

I love this kit, and it has worked great for me.

http://www.harborfreight.com/knockout-punch-kit-91201.html


I keep it well oiled, and it works like a charm...

and it is $19.99!

 

[gadget73]

Unibits work, but I like punches better when they are available in suitable size and of good quality. It seems to take a lot more file work to de-burr a unibit drilled hole than a punched hole. Unfortunately I do not own a set of punches, so I just do a lot of file dressing.

 

[apurcell22]

With good quality step bits, I have very little deburing to do. Less than punches.
Al

 

[gadget73]

I guess if you can get to both sides to use the bit to deburr it its not so bad. Last hole I punched in something, I couldn't fit the bit in there from the bottom side and it came out a bit ugly. Should have been a suitable quality bit, its an actual Irwin Unibit that I was using. It left some ugliness inside that took some work with the half round to clean up.

 

[NOSValves]

Pretty hard to get a cleaner hole then with of quality punch set, but the step drills do a nice job and are quicker for sure.