Hint: removing moulded mounting pillars

[Bruce Varley]

I use ABS sealed boxes for packaging, the ones I buy (Altronics H0310 & al)
have mounting pillars moulded into the base inside. I've always found the
pillars to be an inconvenience, they never suit the spacing of what I'm
mounting and they take up a lot of space. The first thing I usually do is to
remove them. It's an awkward operation, you can't get a file or sawblade in
because of the sides of the box. I've done it in the past by drilling them
down, that doesn't always work a treat because the drill tends to precess
off the raised surface and you end up with an odd shaped crater wall that's
just as troublesome.

Anyway, what I've found is that if you put the box on its side on a hard
surface, lay the blade of a flat-blade screwdriver up against the base of
the pillar and give the driver a sharp tap with a hammer, the pillar shears
off neatly, level with the surface. All you're left with is a small rough
round area, which doesn't impede surface mounting at all. It's worked every
time with a couple of boxes, either it's designed that way or (more likely)
the moulding operation creates a stress point on the base of the pillar that
fractures. FWIW, hope it helps someone.

 

[K Ludger]

"Bruce Varley" <bxvarley@weastnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:UZWdnR4B8tNx0snUnZ2dnUVZ8tHinZ2d@westnet.com.au...

I use ABS sealed boxes for packaging, the ones I buy (Altronics H0310 & al)
have mounting pillars moulded into the base inside. I've always found the
pillars to be an inconvenience, they never suit the spacing of what I'm
mounting and they take up a lot of space. The first thing I usually do is
to
remove them. It's an awkward operation, you can't get a file or sawblade
in
because of the sides of the box. I've done it in the past by drilling them
down, that doesn't always work a treat because the drill tends to precess
off the raised surface and you end up with an odd shaped crater wall
that's
just as troublesome.

Anyway, what I've found is that if you put the box on its side on a hard
surface, lay the blade of a flat-blade screwdriver up against the base of
the pillar and give the driver a sharp tap with a hammer, the pillar
shears
off neatly, level with the surface. All you're left with is a small rough
round area, which doesn't impede surface mounting at all. It's worked
every
time with a couple of boxes, either it's designed that way or (more
likely)
the moulding operation creates a stress point on the base of the pillar
that
fractures. FWIW, hope it helps someone.


Pincers like the type that used to be used for removing nails/staples from

timber work ok too. Several bites may be needed.

 

[rebel]

On Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:38:43 +0900, "K Ludger" <hgjhg@bjhgl.com> wrote:

"Bruce Varley" <bxvarley@weastnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:UZWdnR4B8tNx0snUnZ2dnUVZ8tHinZ2d@westnet.com.au...
I use ABS sealed boxes for packaging, the ones I buy (Altronics H0310 & al)
have mounting pillars moulded into the base inside. I've always found the
pillars to be an inconvenience, they never suit the spacing of what I'm
mounting and they take up a lot of space. The first thing I usually do is
to
remove them. It's an awkward operation, you can't get a file or sawblade
in
because of the sides of the box. I've done it in the past by drilling them
down, that doesn't always work a treat because the drill tends to precess
off the raised surface and you end up with an odd shaped crater wall
that's
just as troublesome.

Anyway, what I've found is that if you put the box on its side on a hard
surface, lay the blade of a flat-blade screwdriver up against the base of
the pillar and give the driver a sharp tap with a hammer, the pillar
shears
off neatly, level with the surface. All you're left with is a small rough
round area, which doesn't impede surface mounting at all. It's worked
every
time with a couple of boxes, either it's designed that way or (more
likely)
the moulding operation creates a stress point on the base of the pillar
that
fractures. FWIW, hope it helps someone.


Pincers like the type that used to be used for removing nails/staples from
timber work ok too. Several bites may be needed.

I've used pincers in the past. Nowadays I cheat and use my son's Dremel ....