A Different Stc1000 Question

[woodwormm]

So I hooked up my 3rd STC1000 last night,

I'm getting better at it but how do others cut/trim the jiffy box to suit? i used a drill and jigsaw but it's a real PITA, the black plastic of the jiffy box seems to melt back together after the jigsaw blade's gone through... there must be a trick to cutting these things super easily and accurately? Out of 3 mounted in Jiffy boxes I don't have a single one where the STC faceplate is mounted perfectly square or flush.... and believe me i've tried all i can think of to cut these dammed jiffy boxes accurately...

 

[petesbrew]

So I hooked up my 3rd STC1000 last night,

I'm getting better at it but how do others cut/trim the jiffy box to suit? i used a drill and jigsaw but it's a real PITA, the black plastic of the jiffy box seems to melt back together after the jigsaw blade's gone through... there must be a trick to cutting these things super easily and accurately? Out of 3 mounted in Jiffy boxes I don't have a single one where the STC faceplate is mounted perfectly square or flush.... and believe me i've tried all i can think of to cut these dammed jiffy boxes accurately...

I've got one of those cheap dremel copies from Bunnings. It allows you to get the edges & corners all nice and neat.
As for the initial cutout, I just drilled a shitload of holes and used a hacksaw blade.
Jigsaw is a bit OTT, I reckon. But we're blokes and powertools are so hot right now.

 

[dicko]

So I hooked up my 3rd STC1000 last night,

I'm getting better at it but how do others cut/trim the jiffy box to suit? i used a drill and jigsaw but it's a real PITA, the black plastic of the jiffy box seems to melt back together after the jigsaw blade's gone through... there must be a trick to cutting these things super easily and accurately? Out of 3 mounted in Jiffy boxes I don't have a single one where the STC faceplate is mounted perfectly square or flush.... and believe me i've tried all i can think of to cut these dammed jiffy boxes accurately...

If you are using a jigsaw you will have problems because the plastic is getting too hot when cutting.

Get yourself a Dremel tool and a set of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6pc-Mini-HSS-Ro...=item3ccc65957e
for cutting the hole
The hole will never be square if you haven't marked it out correctly in the first place.
I cut mine with the Dremel and a metal blade on a reasonably slow speed and then finish the hole with a flat medium file.
I hope this helps

Cheers

 

[jaypes]

The easiest way is to mark out the rectangular hole, then drill out the box along the lines. After that use a file to get the box to the correct rectangular shape.

Most people have a drill and a file in their toolboxes.

It takes a bit of time to do it but the result will be professional

 

[Lakey]

+1 for the dremel and file method.

 

[woodwormm]

Doh! you know i have a dremel in the cupboard!... but it's a 'modern' tool i forget i have!....

those disc cutters look nasty... but nice, i want some, definitely safety goggles and shield with them for when they let go!

i'm confident i marked it square... it was the execution with the jigsaw that let me down!

 

[Malted]

Yeah jigsaws will do that.
Others have reccommended using a file.
Cut a smaller hole than you need and clean it up with a file. You can go slow and get a perfect neat edge with a file. Not a rough ******* file/rasp.

 

[bignath]

Dremel tools are great, i have one and use it a lot.

But, you might be surprised to find out how easy a stanley knife will go through one of those jiffy boxes.

Mark the rectangle, and use a steel ruler to continuously "score" the box, and you'll quite quickly get a nice mounting hole.

 

[geneabovill]

Multitool with plastic cutter. Does the neatest job I've seen.

 

[raven19]

Jigsaw worked for me fine, using a blade for cutting wood (not metal - metal cutting ones definately melt the plastic).

 

[dicko]

Doh! you know i have a dremel in the cupboard!... but it's a 'modern' tool i forget i have!....

those disc cutters look nasty... but nice, i want some, definitely safety goggles and shield with them for when they let go!

i'm confident i marked it square... it was the execution with the jigsaw that let me down!

Normal safety precautions are definately recommended.
I try to avoid running any Dremel tool at full speed, I run it only fast enough to do the job.
I worry about those carborundum cutting wheels flying to bits.
I dont think the metal ones would break cutting plastic but they get a bit of a vibration if you run 'em flat out. They are not recommended for metal.

Big Nath's Stanley knife sounds OK as well.

Cheers

 

[stux]

I use a dremel with the disc tool. 4 quick cuts, push to pop out the rectangle. The stc1000 bezel covers up the rough corners. Then a few drill holes for the cables and you're done

The trick is measuring and scribing the cutout accurately

 

[Nick JD]

A jigsaw works perfectly for me. Just gotta go like the clappers so the hot blade doesn't spend enough time in one place to melt the plastic.

 

[geneabovill]

Multitool with plastic cutter. Does the neatest job I've seen.

 

[QldKev]

Multitool with plastic cutter. Does the neatest job I've seen.

So you haven't changed your mind in the last 1.5hours eh?



I use the dremmel with the cutoff wheels, nice slow speed so you don't melt your way through.

QldKev

 

[nathan_madness]

+1 for the Dremel and file method.

 

[Markbeer]

I found an instrument box in Jaycar. Needs no modification the STC-1000 fits in perfectly with the face showing and just two holes for the cord in the back.

Was $20.

So I hooked up my 3rd STC1000 last night,

I'm getting better at it but how do others cut/trim the jiffy box to suit? i used a drill and jigsaw but it's a real PITA, the black plastic of the jiffy box seems to melt back together after the jigsaw blade's gone through... there must be a trick to cutting these things super easily and accurately? Out of 3 mounted in Jiffy boxes I don't have a single one where the STC faceplate is mounted perfectly square or flush.... and believe me i've tried all i can think of to cut these dammed jiffy boxes accurately...

 

[jaypes]

I found an instrument box in Jaycar. Needs no modification the STC-1000 fits in perfectly with the face showing and just two holes for the cord in the back.

Was $20.

Got a link or pic of the box?

 

[iralosavic]

I just drilled a few holes around the corners then used a paring knife, which I sharpened just prior to starting. I've done it with a hacksaw too, but I found a sharp knife to be a lot easier.

 

[QldKev]

Make a box out of paper mache, should be pretty easy to cut