Electric Brewery Build UK Version

[Highlander]

Dont know if this is of any use to anyone, but I`ve just found another monster SS cabinet on ebay for sale.

Current price at time of listing £30.00 + no bids

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrical-en ... 0988955229

Please, Please dont make me.

[barneey]

Finally made a start on the cabinet, marked out the positions of all the holes on the front panel (being carefull to miss anything on the reverse of the panel).

Hit my first problem, the cabinet is made from 1.5mm thick stainless, thought I would trial a QMax cutter to how things went (in a spare piece of stainless), verdict = dont even think about trying.

So back to using my fav cutting tool the starret TCT cutters, trial with a 21mm cutter in the square hole area= knife through butter Ordered a 22mm cutter for the holes.

Drilled the rest of the pilot holes ready for the new hole cutter.

Tried cutting the square / rectangular holes with a dremmel = that didnt work to well again the stainless was a little too thick, so drilled somemore starter holes for the jigsaw.

Piccies so far :-

[mrlard]

I find dremels are fine to get through these panels provided you use the really thin disc. Thick and you are peeing in the wind!

[barneey]

I find dremels are fine to get through these panels provided you use the really thin disc. Thick and you are peeing in the wind!

I tried using both the disc styles I have, the first being the black thick carbon things and secondly the very thin red disc. One thin red disc just about cut through the sheet before it wore out. (Top left retangular hole "3 o clock") you can just make out the cut through the pen mark.

I have a pack of 20 or so of the red discs so might try them again if the jigsaw doesnt perform.

[stom]

Hi Barneey!!

I've got some 1mm thick slitting discs for use with a 4.5" angle grinder. They give a very controlled cut if used carefully. I've used them for similar jobs to what your trying to achieve. You could use one of them to carefully cut the majority of the slit on each edge and then finish off the last bit with dremel reinforced discs. Give me a shout if you want me to send you one down!

Your wasting your time with the dremel red discs on 1.5mm stainless. They're too soft. Reinforced will give you a better chance, but it will still be slow.

[barneey]

Thanks Stom, Email sent

[JonoT]

That's got to be really scary making the 1st cut. Looking really good. Can't wait to see the final item!

[JonoT]

That's got to be really scary making the 1st cut. Looking really good. Can't wait to see the final item!

[Highlander]

Barneey. How is the TCT cutter?
I've got one on order to cut the outside of my Thermo Pot. I'm hoping its better than the colbalt hole saws.

[barneey]

Barneey. How is the TCT cutter?
I've got one on order to cut the outside of my Thermo Pot. I'm hoping its better than the colbalt hole saws.

I`ll answer your question with a and have a look at an old post of mine from last year viewtopic.php?f=6&t=44128&hilit=cutting+stainless

I`ve never got on with colbalt saws, IMHO they are a waste of time and effort, although others use them with good results.

Regards

[barneey]

Having to spend the whole day indoors waiting for a courier today, I thought I would get the jigsaw out and start cutting the square / rectangular holes out for the PIDS and Meters.

Altogether a very sucessful days work.

Just have to wait for the hole cutter to arrive now.

[Highlander]

Excellent. Got one on order, sadly I have an appointment with a plane to Baku tomorrow (might have to leave the staff house this time).
The build is looking good, your not doing very well at dissuading me from going for a control box

[barneey]

Arrived home tonight to find the hole saw had arrived, so thought I would get busy cutting the 22 x 22mm holes required, glad to say the TCT cuter made light work of the job.

One more piccy...

[charliefarley]

Having to spend the whole day indoors waiting for a courier today, I thought I would get the jigsaw out and start cutting the square / rectangular holes out for the PIDS and Meters.

What sort of jigsaw blade did you use for this please?

[barneey]

Thats a good question and a surprising answer, on previous stainless FB`s etc I`ve used bog standard "wickes" metal blades with a makita jigsaw.

For these holes (having lent my makita jigsaw to the father) I use my other very cheap "argos challenge jigsaw" and the blade supplied (marked "steel") no pendulum motion and the slowest speed it would go to. Only use one blade which still has some life left in it. So either these very cheap jigsaw bits are good value for money or the stainless I have is fairly soft.

It did help with the box being 1.5mm thick, the sheet didnt flex very much.

Cheers