Thread: Advice re cutting hole in plastic box

Have you looked at the router bits for the Dremel?

A simple solution might be found at the local hardware store, in the aisle where they keep the wood for picture frames or similar mouldings - even if it's just a simple woden strip, you can mitre the ends and have something that will neaten the look of the cutout up. Or go wild and style the case in a steampunk theme!

Don't Jaycar still sell the project boxes with alum. face plates?

This (from Jaycar) says it includes a bezel with the LED display

Some good options.
The Jaycar LED panel meter bezel is the sort of thing he was hoping to find. It (the bezel) is attached to the LED display and the whole unit cost about $30. You can't just buy the bezel (and I don't think it is not quite the right size). If anyone knows of suppliers of these types of bezels in different sizes please let me know.
An aluminum front panel would still have the same issues in trying to cut a neat hole by hand. Might be easier to cut by CNC but my machine is not yet up and running.
I will try some of the Dremel router bits and see how they work in both the plastic an aluminum.
Mmmmm - Steampunk. That was definitely not one of the options I had considered!!. It does have have a certain appeal....

LCD's are always a pain to mount, well in my experience anyway, lol.

Have a look at this, not a bad finish and easy to achieve with minimal tooling.

Home Made Bezel / Window for LCD, LED, TFT Displays.

I have a running CNC and while it makes some things easier, sometimes you can't beat a drill press and some black paint

Cheers.

Russell.

Originally Posted by grunto

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to cut a reasonable neat hole in a plastic box (something along the lines of the Jiffy boxes you buy from Jaycar / Altronics)? The size of the hole is about 23mm x 71mm.

Mark out the rectangle accurately, scoring the line in the plastic with a blade/scalpel, drill out the guts, dremel up to near the line, finish off by carefully filing up to the line. With a bit of care and patience, you should be able to get a very clean rectangle.

My Dremel Trio would that in no time at all

Needed a reason to by a Dremel Trio!! Does peeve me that they cost $147 at Bunnings but only $54 at Amazon. May be time to invest in a 120VAC transformer!

Originally Posted by grunto

Needed a reason to by a Dremel Trio!! Does peeve me that they cost $147 at Bunnings but only $54 at Amazon. May be time to invest in a 120VAC transformer!

Don't forget the cost of shipping, it is getting quite expensive from the US.
Then add the cost of the transformer, no warranty on the Trio and the waiting time.
EDIT:
WHOA $169 at Just Tools

Could always get a beat up second hand one from " stash converters " for only $135
LOL

On eBay
Also, just do a search for Dremel Trio

Another way to cut the hole is to make a template that will allow you to use your routerwith a template following guide.
The template can be made from any old timber you have lying around. Fix the box lid securely to a surface and then fix the template in position over that.

I'm with RustyArc. I've done it heaps of times for LCDs. Just hog out the centre and file to the line. It's only 2mm ABS, not at all hard to file. To make it look even better cut another rectangle, cut a rectangle out of the middle the same way then glue it on with contact adhesive.
There was once a time when we didn't have CNC routers to do all of the work for us. Only takes half an hour or so.

LCD in Jiffy Box.JPG