To accurately drill chassis mounting holes in a pre-built cabinet such as a Trinity cabinet, here is and accurate drilling technique you might find useful.
1. Tape enough sheets of heavy paper or cardboard together so that they are larger than the size of the chassis. This will be the chassis layout template.
2. Draw a line representing the front and middle of the chassis. Now measure and lay out exactly where the holes in the chassis are located. Cut, out the mounting holes in the chassis layout template.
When done, test the template for accuracy by holding it up against the chassis and ensuring the holes line up. On the side facing away from the chassis, mark it a Chassis Bottom.
[Alternatively, you could trace the chassis outline and punch through the paper, into the chassis mounting holes for an exact placement.]
3. On the cabinet, from the outside, find the center of the cabinet and roughly lay out where you expect the chassis to sit and where the holes will be drilled. Put down some masking tape in the areas where you expect to have to drill. Put the tape from the front edge of the cabinet to the rear edge. You will have two strips of tape.
4.
IMPORTANT: Since the chassis faceplate will need to be flush to the front panel or valance, measure the distance from the outside edge of the front of the cabinet to the inside edge of the valence. Transfer this dimension to the strips of tape and mark it with a line.
5. Place another strip of tape between the two other pieces of tape, with one edge aligned with the lines from step 4. Locate the centre of the cabinet and mark it on this third piece of tape.
NOTE: In the following step, remember to ensure that the chassis layout template is aligned according to how the chassis will sit when in the cabinet. If you marked the template according to step 2, then place the side marked Chassis Bottom towards you.
6. Align the lines on the tape representing the front edge of the chassis, with the line representing the front of the chassis on the chassis layout template while aligning with the marked cabinet center line. Trace through the chassis layout template holes and make a mark on the masking tape below.
6. Drill the holes of sufficient diameter to accommodate the chassis mounting bolts.
7. Remove the tape and you should have the perfect fit.
NOTE: You could also align the template according to the lines you've drawn, and tape the template down. Then drill through the template.
[An alternative method, requiring good measuring accuracy, is to omit making the template and measure the chassis mounting holes, transferring the dimensions to the masking tape and then drilling.]
Good luck with your build!
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