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This is a scroll nibbler. We are going to use it to cut the corner from this aluminium panel.
You need to keep constant, forward pressure, and squeeze the jaws gently.
This tool can also be used for cutting up large sheets of aluminium.
We've clamped the straight edge to the sheet, as a guide.
These are aviation snips. We're going to use them to cut the corner from this aluminium panel.
Keep one blade, flat against the good side of the job.
For this cut out, we will use the drill and file method, which is better suited to thicker panels.
You need to drill a series of holes around the edge of your cut out, as close together as possible.
You can then link up the holes with hacksaw.
Then file to your lines on all sides.
You should then debur all the sharp edges.
The final cut out, is a square in the centre of a panel for things like switches.
We're going to start by making a hole in the centre, with a step hole cutter.
These are available in both metric and imperial, either singularly or in sets.
Step drills are the easiest way to cut a neat clean hole in any sheet material.
Although you can use a step cutter in a hand drill, we have chosen to use a pillar drill.
You can buy a five speed pillar drill, like this one, for less than fifty quid in your local
DIY store or over the Internet. It's by far the easiest way to drill a number of holes
and get them perfectly accurate.
The step drill will cut better with some lubrication, some WD40 or paraffin. A Quick squirt on the
job and keep gentle pressure stepping through all the sizes until you reach the size you need.
You can then cut to your marked lines with the nibbler. You can then tidy your hole
and debur with a file.
There we go, no marks, no scratches, no distortion.