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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: ctm on Fri, 04 November 2016, 10:35:32

Title: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: ctm on Fri, 04 November 2016, 10:35:32
I have an Alps plate but I would like to put a Cherry MX switch at top left so that I can put a novelty cap there. From diagrams it looks like I need two 14mmx1mm cutting on top and bottom sides of the switch hole. Is this possible to do with manual files (e.g. this (https://smile.amazon.com/JawayTool-Diamond-Needle-Stone-Glass/dp/B00X5I5YS2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478272689&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=diamond+file&psc=1))? I haven't bought files yet so I would like to get some estimation whether this is doable before I buy the files.
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: Charger on Fri, 04 November 2016, 11:25:45
I made a cherry mx plate for a numpad all with hand tools. If you take your time there is no reason you couldn't make it work.
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: ctm on Fri, 04 November 2016, 13:12:23
Quote from: Charger on Fri, 04 November 2016, 11:25:45
I made a cherry mx plate for a numpad all with hand tools. If you take your time there is no reason you couldn't make it work.
Cool! What tools did you use?
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 04 November 2016, 13:23:09
You might find some useful info in these threads

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53722.0

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59352.0
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: ctm on Fri, 04 November 2016, 13:36:21
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Fri, 04 November 2016, 13:23:09
You might find some useful info in these threads

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53722.0

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59352.0
Thanks! Glad to know regular files can file down a plate in reasonable time.
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 04 November 2016, 15:55:16
I would recommend a larger file for a steel plate.

Needle files have many uses though that that set looks nice: Get them anyway!
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: Data on Fri, 04 November 2016, 17:19:23
Quote from: ctm on Fri, 04 November 2016, 10:35:32
I have an Alps plate but I would like to put a Cherry MX switch at top left so that I can put a novelty cap there. From diagrams it looks like I need two 14mmx1mm cutting on top and bottom sides of the switch hole. Is this possible to do with manual files (e.g. this (https://smile.amazon.com/JawayTool-Diamond-Needle-Stone-Glass/dp/B00X5I5YS2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478272689&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=diamond+file&psc=1))? I haven't bought files yet so I would like to get some estimation whether this is doable before I buy the files.

What are the dimensions of your current switch hole?  Most Alps plates have 15.5 x 12.8mm cutouts.

Reference:
(http://i.imgur.com/ZZyF24A.jpg)

Cherry is 14 x 14mm, so you may not need to remove much material, if any, depending on how close to tolerance your plate was cut (adjusting for kerf) and if your existing holes are centered over the PCB relative to Cherry pins.
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: ctm on Sun, 06 November 2016, 19:24:04
Update: Instead of going the hard way to file down the stainless steel plate, I decided to go with an easier way: file down the switch  ;D
As a proof of concept, I filed down the upper and lower sides (the sides without clippers) of a Cherry MX blue (with broken stem) about 1mm each. It fits into the Alps plate nicely and is very stable with the PCB holder the bottom stem of the switch.
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: Norman_the_Owl on Thu, 10 November 2016, 07:33:53
That works too. Switches are cheaper than plates
Title: Re: Is it possible to file down a steel plate with manual files?
Post by: tufty on Thu, 10 November 2016, 14:14:28
Filing down the switches is a far better idea than trying to file down a stainless plate.  Normal, or even high carbon, steel, OK, get those files out, but stainless is an utter pig.