Working with aluminum?

[juggalofisher88]

Where to get a nice inexpensive metal files locally?
Also what would i use to try and counter the hammond lean? Would the files work? Or would sandpaper work (wet or dry)
And no i don't have access to a dremel, or cutting/sand disc for my drill. I got a drill and standard sae bits, and a bench grinder(the destroyer lol)
Also i plan on spray painting it with some of that stone paint, do i need to prep it before hand? Like primer/ sand ect.
THANKS

 

[asdaq]

Diamond needle files are worth their weight in gold, but can be had for cheap at Harbor Freight, the ones with the red handles.

Wet/Dry sandpaper is great stuff, get a range of grits from ~120-2500 with several steps in between and you can square up a Hammond enclosure and even get a nice shine. If you are going to paint, you want to leave it not so shiny so the paint has something to grip, and freshly sanded so as to avoid oxidization from developing on the aluminum. Paint as soon as you can after sanding.

Anodizing is the preferred finish for alu, but you'll have to look into what the paint you intend to use is made for.

 

[juggalofisher88]

Diamond needle files are worth their weight in gold, but can be had for cheap at Harbor Freight, the ones with the red handles.

Wet/Dry sandpaper is great stuff, get a range of grits from ~120-2500 with several steps in between and you can square up a Hammond enclosure and even get a nice shine. If you are going to paint, you want to leave it not so shiny so the paint has something to grip, and freshly sanded so as to avoid oxidization from developing on the aluminum. Paint as soon as you can after sanding.

Anodizing is the preferred finish for alu, but you'll have to look into what the paint you intend to use is made for.

Thanks ill pick some up later, im going to start on all the soldering here shortly, the 510 takes a nut, and im going to use hot glue for everything else, till i get time to do a proper sanding and painting this weekend.
Another question for you. By the looks of the 510 (i think its an older model FDV) the ground will be in contact with the box. This shouldn't hurt anything as long as i have EVERY other possible contact point covered right?