Tubular keyswitch knockout

[Joshua904]

I have ten of these key switches I need to install at work

http://www.mcmaster.com/mv1459456309/#7188K26

From what I can tell this is the knock out I need

https://www.zoro.com/greenlee-punch-d-s ... hRelevance


We have a greenlee knock out set already, so I have the tools needed, just nothing but round and square dies.

My question is (if this is the correct knock out) are there cheaper alternatives? The company I work for will need to buy it, but I would prefer to request the cheapest tool possible to guarantee I get it the first time without jumping through hoops. If it simply is what it is, then so be it- they'll have to suck it up.

[Squelchtone]

This is a little cheaper

http://www.amazon.com/HPC-HDPS-4-Metal- ... B004ULM81E

http://americankeysupply.com/index.php? ... ts_id=6195

do your locks just have 1 flat or 2 flats (one on each side) ?

[GWiens2001]

Don't know about knockouts, but I do know tools. Keep in mind that the cheapest alternative may not be the best. Sometimes paying a little more for something may make the job a lot easier. Will the cheapest be able to get the job done? Frequently it will, at least for a while.

Then again sometimes the cheapest tools can be perfect. Am a professional mechanic with probably $100k tied up in my tools. The Harbor Freight 1/2" deep impact sockets I bought a week before I started in this industry just to hold me over until I could afford better tools have now been in heavy use daily for 12 years, and have never broken. Both sets (fractional and metric) combined cost me (on sale) the same as a single socket from Snap-On would have cost. Other Harbor Freight tools have broken and been replaced with better quality tools.

In most cases, though, there is a reason they charge more for one tool over another.

Gordon

[Joshua904]

Squelch- flats on both side.

Gordon- I still have my harbor freight deep wells as well, probably around 8 years ago. I also know their screw drivers don't last more than a week.. So yeah, I feel you.

I'm more or less looking for the tricks of the trade kinda info here. I could drill a 1/2 hole and use a burr bit and elongate the hole up and down and make it work. I'm just kinda over cobbling stuff together, and don't feel like repeating this ten times. It's not a huge rush. I'm going to be using them as a "maintanence bypass" on the back doors of our lathes so we don't have to hold the limit switch while troubleshooting/monitoring.

[Squelchtone]

Is there a place on the back of your lathe that you can mount a single gang wall plate that is made to accept a key switch?






This way you could just drill a 3/4 or 1 inch hole in the back plate on the lathe with a step bit and a couple holes for the plate screws, either self tapping, or nuts and bolts and the plate would do the job of holding the switch locks on and would look nice, but I'm not sure if a plate mounted to the back of your equipment would look nice or strange.

Squelchtone

[Joshua904]

That would be fantastic! I never thought to check for those. I'll buy ya a beer if you ever hit north Florida.

[Joshua904]

http://www.allsecurityelectronics.net/s ... p18351.htm

Can't really find much that don't come with the key switches already.

[Squelchtone]

http://www.allsecurityelectronics.net/store/pc/RP-21-Alarm-Controls-Medico-Keyswitch-Plate-5-Pack-2698p18351.htm

Can't really find much that don't come with the key switches already.

I searched for "single gang 3/4 D plate"

https://www.surveillance-video.com/acce ... 299q.html/

[Joshua904]

Need the double D style.

[Squelchtone]

Need the double D style.

picky pick! I'd like some double D's in my face too, but today's not my day.

Here's what you need, their PR-20 model is the single flat, here's the double flat http://www.alarmcontrols.com/en/site/al ... tes/rp-21/
*I don't know why the hole is at an angle, or why they did such a bad job photoshopping it.
** I know why the hole is at an angle.. that's how Medeco makes their switch locks:


Could you get your switches withthe 1 flat configuration instead of 2 flat sides, and if you used your current switches with the plate I suggested a few posts back, would the switch not stay just fine in a single flat hole based on the shape of the hole?

Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

Cheapest double D tool I know of is from Major Manufacturing called the MDPS-4

[Joshua904]

The key switches I already have. Not exactly what I wanted but it works... Our parts guy isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. He somehow confused "key retaining" with maintained... But atleast he got the SPST part right, along with keyed alike. The ones linked from mc master carr in the original post is what I have. Just really needed an easier way to install them other than rotary tooling that odd shape.

The ones you linked too are the ones I found. Most places were charging per piece higher than what the 5 pack costed from my link in the last post.

I think I'm good now, and thank you for the wall plate idea.

[Squelchtone]

Cheapest double D tool I know of is from Major Manufacturing called the MDPS-4

nice, here's one:

$157.88
http://www.mrlock.com/major-manufacturi ... e-d-mdps-4

[Squelchtone]

ok, here's an HPC one for $139.95, maybe it's time to stop looking at plates and just buy this one

http://www.lockpicks.com/double-d-punch-die-set.html

[RumballSolutions]

If you are stuck without a Dpunch tool, you can always use a template of a double D hole and a zipsaw with a carbide bit to plunge cut sheet metal into the required shape.

I have in a pinch used the faceplate off a deadbolt bolt as the template as it is a double D punch out that is very close to the usual double d required for cam locks.

Deadbolt bolt faceplate also works as a fix plate that can be screwed/riveted/welded to the inside surface to restore a rounded out or oversize D hole.