IEC chassis sockets - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

maninashed · 10th Mar 2012, 1:13 pm

Does anyone know of the availability of a metal punch for fitting IEC chassis mounting sockets to older or homebrew equipment? ,similar to a Qmax .
I've managed to fit them using a template and a dremmel but surely there is an easier way by now. How do other forum members tackle this problem?
Bill

Brian R Pateman · 10th Mar 2012, 2:16 pm

There is a Q Max punch specifically intended for IEC connectors.

RS stock them but as their site is down for maintenance this weekend I can't post a link.

robin0577 · 10th Mar 2012, 4:49 pm

I've taken to using Neutrik Powercon connectors instead, simply because they use a 24mm round hole, same as the XLRs. It's much easier to cut/drill out. Only downside it that they're blue, which might not suit all applications...

These things http://www.10outof10.co.uk/acatalog/...Power_Con.html in case you're unfamiliar with them

(btw, 10 Out Of 10 happens to be my employer but there are plenty of other Neutrik stockists, I just wanted a convenient picture link)

maninashed · 10th Mar 2012, 5:22 pm

Thanks Brian, I'll check RS site later, although nothing comes up in Google.
Robin, thanks too for that suggestion, may be a good idea for older stage equipment. It's just handy and neat though to use an easily available connecting lead.
Bill

Nickthedentist · 11th Mar 2012, 7:05 pm

You can even hire them, apparently, which implies they're not cheap! http://www.russandrews.com/product-I...-Hire-1222.htm

maninashed · 11th Mar 2012, 10:03 pm

Hi Nick, thanks for the link. I know they won't be cheap, but Id sooner buy one and rent it out to forum members on a not for profit basis than pay 20 quid dead money. I would say that by now, someone with the manufacturing facilities should have produced such a simple tool. I can remember buying my first Qmax chassis cutter for a valve base when I was about 16 and used it time and time again, I still have it (and others). Having said that, all three of my lads are engineers, but when they want something repaired they know where to come !
Bill

Herald1360 · 12th Mar 2012, 1:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by maninashed

Id sooner buy one and rent it out to forum members on a not for profit basis than pay 20 quid dead money.

More like £120 I reckon.....

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/punches-dies/4778892/

10th Mar 2012, 1:13 pm	#1
maninashed Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2011 Location: Preston, Lancashire UK Posts: 955	IEC chassis sockets Does anyone know of the availability of a metal punch for fitting IEC chassis mounting sockets to older or homebrew equipment? ,similar to a Qmax . I've managed to fit them using a template and a dremmel but surely there is an easier way by now. How do other forum members tackle this problem? Bill

10th Mar 2012, 2:16 pm	#2
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: IEC chassis sockets There is a Q Max punch specifically intended for IEC connectors. RS stock them but as their site is down for maintenance this weekend I can't post a link. __________________ Brian

10th Mar 2012, 4:49 pm	#3
robin0577 Pentode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: London, UK. Posts: 139	Re: IEC chassis sockets I've taken to using Neutrik Powercon connectors instead, simply because they use a 24mm round hole, same as the XLRs. It's much easier to cut/drill out. Only downside it that they're blue, which might not suit all applications... These things http://www.10outof10.co.uk/acatalog/...Power_Con.html in case you're unfamiliar with them (btw, 10 Out Of 10 happens to be my employer but there are plenty of other Neutrik stockists, I just wanted a convenient picture link) __________________ "Broken we can fix, crp is a design issue" Last edited by robin0577; 10th Mar 2012 at 4:58 pm. Reason: addition*

10th Mar 2012, 5:22 pm	#4
maninashed Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2011 Location: Preston, Lancashire UK Posts: 955	Re: IEC chassis sockets Thanks Brian, I'll check RS site later, although nothing comes up in Google. Robin, thanks too for that suggestion, may be a good idea for older stage equipment. It's just handy and neat though to use an easily available connecting lead. Bill

11th Mar 2012, 7:05 pm	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: IEC chassis sockets You can even hire them, apparently, which implies they're not cheap! http://www.russandrews.com/product-I...-Hire-1222.htm

11th Mar 2012, 10:03 pm	#6
maninashed Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2011 Location: Preston, Lancashire UK Posts: 955	Re: IEC chassis sockets Hi Nick, thanks for the link. I know they won't be cheap, but Id sooner buy one and rent it out to forum members on a not for profit basis than pay 20 quid dead money. I would say that by now, someone with the manufacturing facilities should have produced such a simple tool. I can remember buying my first Qmax chassis cutter for a valve base when I was about 16 and used it time and time again, I still have it (and others). Having said that, all three of my lads are engineers, but when they want something repaired they know where to come ! Bill