I can be a bit obsessive / compulsive when it comes to wood working and vape building. It might not be a great trait for a businessman, as it can slow things down, but it serves the builder in me well. Nothing can happen until I create a perfect cover plate that will basically be used as a template going forward for all the buttons. I'll be sending this off to
@Alan, as he will be turning the buttons for me. This one cover plate is important, because ALL buttons will be based on how they work with this unit. I guess it would make sense to send him a few plates, just so we know the buttons work on a few different units, and the cover plate button fit is not just a fluke.
The plate has 6 holes DRILLED
Three, 4 mm round button holes DRILLED
One, 8 mm round button hole DRILLED
One, rectangular screen cut out (approx 14 mm x 21 mm) ROUTED / CHISEL FILE
One, USB port shaped cut out DRILLED / CHISEL / FILE
As I feel the entire Elite project rests on this process, this is time well spent. Today, I formed 10 cover plates at 8 mm thick. At full thickness, I need to nibble away 5 mm across the whole plate except for 3 small mounting tabs that remain 8 mm thick. All holes were formed, and by far the best, most consistent results were had with the right use of the new vice, drill press, and router jig. After removing all that waste and forming the 3 mounting tabs, I will take a chisel, chisel x-acto knife, file, and sandpaper and smooth everything out. I must have formed 30 plates that I've discarded for one reason or another. There really is no other way around it, but to keep building, and figure out every issue, no matter how big or how small.