Drilling this looper enclosure

[JackSkellington]

Hey guys, I should build a looper rather large, it has to contain 6 footswitches.
I found this:
https://www.musikding.de/Looper-enclosure-30cm
It should be a good size, it's made of aluminum but I don't know how much it's easy to drill. Indeed, I used to buy sometime these kind of box:
https://www.musikding.de/TEKO-2A_1
It's aluminum, thought it seems thinner and softer then the tipical pedal box Hammond style we use, it does not pierce neatly. I afraid it's the same kind of material, and I have to drill it a lot (6 footswitches, 12 jacks and 1 DC jacks).

Did somebody use to drill these looper enclosure?

Thanks!

[gordo]

I've used a very similar enclosure and yes, they're difficult to drill.  A couple of things made it a bit easier:

• Use the sharpest drill bit(s) you can find.
• Put a block of wood behind the box so that you're not flexing the aluminum.  The wood should be touching the table so that all of the weight of the drill is on the wood.
• Drill smaller pilot holes first.
• Don't let the drill bit get too hot.
• Use a slow drill speed if possible.
• Keep checking the bit to make sure it's not get clogged.

[HamSandwich]

Gordo is spot on for all account. Putting the wood inside/underneath is a game changer. I can't imagine drilling that type of enclosure without doing that.

[davent]

Center punch, create a dimple in the surface, before you attempt to drill any hole.

dave

[JackSkellington]

Thanks guys.
Now, I'm a very disappointed about this looper enclosure issue. Probably 5 fooswitch could be ok, so I'd buy the 25cm lenght, but I supposed is the same thing.
I always use to create a dimple on the surface before to drill. I can use just the drill bit I have. I have to serach a piece of wood and actually I don't have any idea how I can, currently. And there are many holes!

Instead I could buy this:
https://www.musikding.de/Hammond-1590BX2_1
This should be the diecast aluminum we use for the standard pedals. The lenght could be good though if it's a shorter height. But for some reason it doesn't include the bottom cover! Why and how I should have to use it without the the bottom cover? No, I can't buy it.

Maybe this one:
https://www.musikding.de/Box-1032L
or this:
https://www.musikding.de/Box-1032L-5-loops
And this it's pre-drilled how I need, just I'm not sure about the bottom cover. In the Image I can't see it, but there's none mentions. I assume it is included, else they have to say there is not, like the other enclosure.

[benny_profane]

I'm pretty sure that Hammond enclosure has a bottom cover (but contact them to be sure). The mention of 'without bottom cover' in the description is just for dimensions of the box and excludes the cover from that.

[JackSkellington]

They confirm that the bottom cover is included.
I'll buy that. I have to decide if I'll buy the blank one or the pre-drilled one.

Thanks, guys!