I recommend you either scribe the inside, or hold the tool from the inside. It would be much easier to watch the tool cut and see the line. Thanks for you time you put into this. We in the future appreciate the time and money you put into solving issues for the rest of us.
Licensed HVAC technician for over 20 years here. I never have used a nibbling tool in all that amount if time to cut sheet metal. You could have done that in 1/5th the time with a good pair of tin snips. Not just any will do....Midwest and or Wiss are THE BEST. Both are made in USA and cut like butter and straight. Red handles are right hand and green are left hand. Don't mess with the yellow straight ones. The Dremel with the cutoff wheel you originally used would be my second best method. I also have access to a vertical mill that would make short work out of it too but clamping up that cube shape box would be a PITA.
When I made mine, I used a 1 3/4",hole drill then squared it off with jig saw. With a metal blade. Came out perfect. And thanks again for your wiring diagrams!!!
JRB - That PID Controller Box looks like a mighty professionally produced unit...worthy of having a name engraved on it...Sure beats a thermometer and constantly adjusting the heat source... Steve
@ Johnny's Reloading Bench I realize this is an old video, but watching the video, I'd say cut out a template with construction paper or cardboard first to get the fit how you like it. Then trace the inside of that template for your cuts on the project box, especially if you want to make more in the future. I've decided to pick up reloading and have been watching your videos. Thanks for the time you take and the detail of your content!!
I have cut into similar type boxes by drilling holes in all four corners and then using a dremel. The cutting wheel wont slide around because you start your cut at the holes. But another toy in the workshop is always good.
I use something very similar to this on my beer fridge. Many home brewers use them for electric wort boilers. I see a market for you brother! Bullets and beer production.
I didnt have a single problem with mine and it fired right up first time. My PID came with instructions to reverse the blue and red on the PID so I had the heads up jumping out at me from every direction. I PCd the aluminum project box after making cuts and holes in Cadillac Blue and it looks great...also acts as an insulator I'd suspect....at least with the 8-10 coats of PC it took shaking it! Aluminum is definitely more difficult to PC shake and bake than clean lead is thats for sure
Hey brother nibble from the other side you can see the cutter when it cuts up to the line or tape the inside and look at the cutting side much faster great video
Like the utters said, the line should be on the other side. If you use a try square and a scribe, you can layout accurate lines that will be easy to follow.
Johnny have you been able to find a source for a similar project box just slightly larger than yours? Seems like that might help a bit on fitting and wireing. Thanks for your vids on this, I'm going to do one for myself.
Another good video Johnny. Thumps up!. I bought the bigger PID unit because the larger display . I still need to make a box for it. However One thing about the controller, That unit makes the Lee Furnace equal to my RCBS pro melt as far as heat control. Maybe not in over all constriction. However with the cost savings,,, I could live with that. I would suggest anyone out there to buy or make a controller for their Lee furnace. Dave.
I see you cut the holes in the half of the project box with the finished corners being on top. In the first videos, the finished corners were at the bottom. Are you going to hang the SSR and terminal strips from the top of the box hanging upside down, or attach them to the other half of the box and use longer wires to connect everything?
Would making a wooden box work instead of using the aluminum box? Disadvantages if any? The thermocouple used linked to Amazon is no longer available. Could you suggest another one? thanks
Johnny, have you had a SSR or PID go bad? Mine has worked great for a couple months then today it did not control the temp. It did not stop at my setting of 740 but continued to rise to over 900. At which point I shut it down. Do you think it’s the fault of the PID or the relay?
Perhaps do the layout on the inside (paper glued down) and then put the protection tape on the outside. Use the nibbles to get real close but use a file to final dimensions. Just a thought.
I recommend you either scribe the inside, or hold the tool from the inside. It would be much easier to watch the tool cut and see the line.
Thanks for you time you put into this. We in the future appreciate the time and money you put into solving issues for the rest of us.
Licensed HVAC technician for over 20 years here. I never have used a nibbling tool in all that amount if time to cut sheet metal. You could have done that in 1/5th the time with a good pair of tin snips. Not just any will do....Midwest and or Wiss are THE BEST. Both are made in USA and cut like butter and straight. Red handles are right hand and green are left hand. Don't mess with the yellow straight ones. The Dremel with the cutoff wheel you originally used would be my second best method. I also have access to a vertical mill that would make short work out of it too but clamping up that cube shape box would be a PITA.
Great video series on building the temp controller! Sent you $5 just to say thanks for the time you saved me.
When I made mine, I used a 1 3/4",hole drill then squared it off with jig saw. With a metal blade. Came out perfect. And thanks again for your wiring diagrams!!!
JRB - That PID Controller Box looks like a mighty professionally produced unit...worthy of having a name engraved on it...Sure beats a thermometer and constantly adjusting the heat source... Steve
@
Johnny's Reloading Bench I realize this is an old video, but watching the video, I'd say cut out a template with construction paper or cardboard first to get the fit how you like it. Then trace the inside of that template for your cuts on the project box, especially if you want to make more in the future. I've decided to pick up reloading and have been watching your videos. Thanks for the time you take and the detail of your content!!
I have cut into similar type boxes by drilling holes in all four corners and then using a dremel. The cutting wheel wont slide around because you start your cut at the holes. But another toy in the workshop is always good.
I use something very similar to this on my beer fridge. Many home brewers use them for electric wort boilers.
I see a market for you brother! Bullets and beer production.
Pretty slick tool! I've used the air nibblers but I didn't know that they made a manual one.
I didnt have a single problem with mine and it fired right up first time. My PID came with instructions to reverse the blue and red on the PID so I had the heads up jumping out at me from every direction. I PCd the aluminum project box after making cuts and holes in Cadillac Blue and it looks great...also acts as an insulator I'd suspect....at least with the 8-10 coats of PC it took shaking it! Aluminum is definitely more difficult to PC shake and bake than clean lead is thats for sure
Nice find! That looks like it's worth having! Thanks for sharing.......
on the first unit, use a green scrub pad to add a brushed stainless look to the metal.
That's exactly what I did to mine. It did a fair job of hiding most of the scratches.
Hey brother nibble from the other side you can see the cutter when it cuts up to the line or tape the inside and look at the cutting side much faster great video
That was my original plan but the tool was too long to cut from the inside.
Like the utters said, the line should be on the other side. If you use a try square and a scribe, you can layout accurate lines that will be easy to follow.
Johnny have you been able to find a source for a similar project box just slightly larger than yours? Seems like that might help a bit on fitting and wireing. Thanks for your vids on this, I'm going to do one for myself.
Fine flat file to clean it up👍
Another good video Johnny. Thumps up!. I bought the bigger PID unit because the larger display . I still need to make a box for it. However One thing about the controller, That unit makes the Lee Furnace equal to my RCBS pro melt as far as heat control. Maybe not in over all constriction. However with the cost savings,,, I could live with that. I would suggest anyone out there to buy or make a controller for their Lee furnace. Dave.
I see you cut the holes in the half of the project box with the finished corners being on top. In the first videos, the finished corners were at the bottom. Are you going to hang the SSR and terminal strips from the top of the box hanging upside down, or attach them to the other half of the box and use longer wires to connect everything?
I left the SSR and terminal strips on the bottom and used longer wires. It came out pretty well!
Would making a wooden box work instead of using the aluminum box? Disadvantages if any?
The thermocouple used linked to Amazon is no longer available. Could you suggest another one? thanks
Johnny, have you had a SSR or PID go bad? Mine has worked great for a couple months then today it did not control the temp. It did not stop at my setting of 740 but continued to rise to over 900. At which point I shut it down.
Do you think it’s the fault of the PID or the relay?
Johnny. You need to hurry up and complete this before Elvis burns down his loading room.
if you make your lines on the inside you could just follow the lines with the cutter
How much are you charging to build them?
That's pretty cool.
Why did you cut from the side you had taped. That way you could easy see and fallow the line you had drawn on the tape?
That was my original plan. The tool was too long to fit on the other side. It worked out in the end, but there are certainly easier ways to do it.
Perhaps do the layout on the inside (paper glued down) and then put the protection tape on the outside. Use the nibbles to get real close but use a file to final dimensions. Just a thought.
Just wondering How much you charge for a pid controller
I've never sold one. I am still trying to decide whether I want to do that or not.
How much to build me one and ship to Richmond KY
Looks easier if you line was drawn on the other side.
My old girlfriend was a nibbler.