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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Thomas Le on May 29, 2014, 09:17:52 PM

Title: [Solved] P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Thomas Le on May 29, 2014, 09:17:52 PM
Does anyone know any place that sells P series/type connector panels with the holes drilled, like Audiopyle's D Series panels? Or am I going to have to drill them by hand on blank panels?

Reason I'm asking is because I'm making panels for plugging into my wireless mic rack and I have some spare P series male XLR connectors that I'm trying to put to good use.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Bob Leonard on May 30, 2014, 12:00:20 AM
You don't drill chassis holes. You drill a pilot hole and then punch the hole with a Greenlee hole punch. Drilling large holes in thin metal is a good way to get seriously hurt.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Tim Weaver on May 30, 2014, 01:13:08 AM
Does anyone know any place that sells P series/type connector panels with the holes drilled, like Audiopyle's D Series panels? Or am I going to have to drill them by hand on blank panels?

Reason I'm asking is because I'm making panels for plugging into my wireless mic rack and I have some spare P series male XLR connectors that I'm trying to put to good use.

Call full compass
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Richard Turner on May 30, 2014, 05:43:31 AM
If you can't find what you want off the shelf look into having someone with a plasma cut table or better yet a water jet machine cut them out for you. Certainly someone else somewhaere in the word is looking for the exact same thing.


Patent the design liscence it to a manufacturer....be rich ......
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Thomas Le on May 30, 2014, 10:24:52 AM
Thank you Bob for the tip, I admit I had no idea where to start. Looks like it's a trip to my local Grainger store!

You don't drill chassis holes. You drill a pilot hole and then punch the hole with a Greenlee hole punch. Drilling large holes in thin metal is a good way to get seriously hurt.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Chris Jensen on May 30, 2014, 12:20:12 PM
I would try one of these two companies.  I have obtained quotes from both and it seems like very little to pay for cut and loaded panels. 

http://www.redco.com/Redco-Custom-Panel-Designer.html
http://www.panelauthority.com/index.html
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: David Parker on May 30, 2014, 12:25:50 PM
Does anyone know any place that sells P series/type connector panels with the holes drilled, like Audiopyle's D Series panels? Or am I going to have to drill them by hand on blank panels?

Reason I'm asking is because I'm making panels for plugging into my wireless mic rack and I have some spare P series male XLR connectors that I'm trying to put to good use.
a lot of electricians own hole punches for sheet metal. As bob said, you drill a pilot hole, and the punch has two side, and a bolt pulls them together punching the hole
http://www.zoro.com/g/00054919/k-G2535653?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&kpid=G2535653&gclid=CPOfiuKH1L4CFckWMgodySQALw

Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Thomas Le on May 30, 2014, 12:42:29 PM
I would try one of these two companies.  I have obtained quotes from both and it seems like very little to pay for cut and loaded panels. 

http://www.redco.com/Redco-Custom-Panel-Designer.html
http://www.panelauthority.com/index.html

Unfortunately Redco doesn't do P series/type holes. Panel Authority looks promising after looking at their sample pictures, will have to contact them to be sure...

a lot of electricians own hole punches for sheet metal. As bob said, you drill a pilot hole, and the punch has two side, and a bolt pulls them together punching the hole
http://www.zoro.com/g/00054919/k-G2535653?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&kpid=G2535653&gclid=CPOfiuKH1L4CFckWMgodySQALw



Thanks for the link, will look into this further.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Jonathan Kok on May 30, 2014, 01:29:26 PM
Unfortunately Redco doesn't do P series/type holes. Panel Authority looks promising after looking at their sample pictures, will have to contact them to be sure...

Thanks for the link, will look into this further.
Frankly, if you're trying to save money by re-using 'P-style' connectors, custom panels probably aren't the way you want to go. After all, a Neutrik DL series connector is only $3 a pop.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on May 30, 2014, 02:25:19 PM
You don't drill chassis holes. You drill a pilot hole and then punch the hole with a Greenlee hole punch. Drilling large holes in thin metal is a good way to get seriously hurt.
Step drills run at a low RPM are designed for sheet metal work and produce excellent hole quality.  If you are doing a lot of a particular size, the punch may be faster, but a punch kit is expensive.  Step drills are also expensive - particularly for sizes above 1" or so, but may be more widely useful.

An example here (but not necessarily a specific recommendation):
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200627853_200627853?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Power%20Tools-_-Drill%20Bits-_-43067&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=43067&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=43067&gclid=CKaak_ah1L4CFahAMgodiVwAbQ
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on May 30, 2014, 02:25:59 PM
Frankly, if you're trying to save money by re-using 'P-style' connectors, custom panels probably aren't the way you want to go. After all, a Neutrik DL series connector is only $3 a pop.
Agreed - if the OP's labor is worth anything, this turns into a losing proposition in a hurry.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Geoff Doane on May 30, 2014, 02:33:16 PM
Does anyone know any place that sells P series/type connector panels with the holes drilled, like Audiopyle's D Series panels? Or am I going to have to drill them by hand on blank panels?

Reason I'm asking is because I'm making panels for plugging into my wireless mic rack and I have some spare P series male XLR connectors that I'm trying to put to good use.

I've used one of these before:

http://www.middleatlantic.com/products/accessories/connector-panels/universal-connector-panel/uni-1.aspx

You should be able to mount any audio connector you can find.  You can use a drift punch to pop out the segments you need from the panel.

If you go the punch route, you need a 3/4", which unfortunately is not a standard electrical size, and it isn't useful for any other connectors.

GTD
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Josh Millward on May 30, 2014, 03:45:47 PM
I've used one of these before:

http://www.middleatlantic.com/products/accessories/connector-panels/universal-connector-panel/uni-1.aspx

You should be able to mount any audio connector you can find.  You can use a drift punch to pop out the segments you need from the panel.

If you go the punch route, you need a 3/4", which unfortunately is not a standard electrical size, and it isn't useful for any other connectors.

GTD

I agree completely.

I have used the UNI-1 and UNI-2 in the past. In the future I plan on using the UNI-1-C since it provides a place to tie the wire to so it is not wrenching on the solder terminals as the wire flops around in the rack.

You can find more information about the UNI-1-C here: Middle Atlantic UNI-1-C Connector Panel (http://www.middleatlantic.com/products/accessories/connector-panels/universal-connector-panel/uni-1-c.aspx)

If you are making your own panels with P-series connectors, for the male connectors you need a 3/4 inch diameter punch or step drill. If you plan to put any female connectors on a panel, you will need a 15/16" diameter punch or step drill. This is the same size as the Neutrik D series connectors.

If I needed a totally custom panel, Panel Authority, Panel Crafters, Ramtech, Whirlwind, and others have made me great panels in the past. I'm not sure if Ramtech is still doing custom metal work, but if they are not I'm sure they would be glad to point you to someone who does. However, in my case, these days most all my needs can be serviced by the UNI panels from Middle Atlantic.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Tim Weaver on May 30, 2014, 04:22:53 PM
I have punched a great deal of panels in my time, but I don't think I EVER got one to come out straight. If you need these to look even halfway nice, buy a prepunched panel.

Like I said, call Full Compass. I have bought P panels there before.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Tim Weaver on May 30, 2014, 04:24:35 PM
I have punched a great deal of panels in my time, but I don't think I EVER got one to come out straight. If you need these to look even halfway nice, buy a prepunched panel.

Like I said, call Full Compass. I have bought P panels there before.


Also, I have used the Uni-panels before too, but If you are going to use a bunch of the holes they start to get flimsy. I wouldn't use one for a large job.
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Thomas Le on May 30, 2014, 05:21:57 PM
Sorry to stir the pot, but I believe I have a potential candidate, S12M by Raxxess. The picture looks like the panel could hold my P male connectors.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/143702-REG/Raxxess_S12M_Single_Space_Connector_Panel.html/prm/alsVwDtl
Title: Re: P series/type rack panels similar to Audiopyle's?
Post by: Thomas Le on July 11, 2014, 03:44:51 PM
Finally got around to order the screws from amazon, and finish the panel by soldering. Next is to find some washers so to mount the BNC connectors on the empty space. Thanks again for everyone's input!

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