Has anyone cut slots in their own hardplate for STA

[Davis]

I have an aluminum and SS hardplates that don't have the slots cut out for using a single tank with cam band.
I still need to use a STA for them and was wondering if anyone has ever cut their own slots or had the old plates cut by someone.
I am looking for input and maybe some schematic on where the slots should be cut
anyone know???? Thanks

 

[richies]

I don't have schematics or diagrams, but I cut two slots in my SS backplate because one pair of the slots already there did not match up to my pioneer wing.

I just attached the wing, then used a marker pen through the slot holes of the wing to draw where the holes should go.

I used a good drill and a metal-cutting drill-bit to make the holes, then filed them down.

As long as you mark the holes correctly you shouldn't have any problems. Not sure about aluminum though...

cheers

r

 

[Davis]

Thanks for the idea.
I think I will borrow a friends plate that has the slots and mark them that way.
I figure I could do the aluminum plate myself but the SS one would be a lot harder to do I figure.

 

[richies]

As long as you get a good drill-bit designed to cut hard steel, and a reasonably powerful drill, the SS backplate should be no problem - shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes to drill a set of holes that can be filed through to make a slot.

cheers

r

 

[slowhands]

Aluminum is much easier to drill and debur, but you destroy the manufacturer's anodized finish protecting it. It wll corrode in salt water.

 

[diverrick]

I work in sheetmetal, and live near you . if you need a hand, or advice, I am available. You can have your AL back plate reanodized, but that is expensive.
As a previous poster mentioned SS is much harder to drill, but won't corrode in your life time. You need to a bit more careful drilling up the SS as it'll trash a bit pretty quickly. We regularly drill up SS as well as titanium, just got to do it right.
Rick