Tool to create professional IEC chassis cut-out...

I just put an IEC socket on my satellite receiver using a dremel. I used a slide in IEC socket and when it popped in none of my cuts were visible and other than the fact that I cut through some wording it looked just like it was meant to be there. If you're really worried about it you can always file the cut area to make it smooth. leo.

Why not hardwire an outboard socket in to the terminations inside the chassis, and not punch the chassis plate at all?

good course of action: use the IEC and a pen to trace the hole in advance. then use a drill w/ a VERY small bit to make a series of holes just inside the trace (as the IEC, if mounting from outside-in, will have a lip to cover everything). should be 20-30 holes. why so many? cause w/ a small bit the distance b/w holes can be very small, and b/c you cannot make a big mess w/ a small bit.
after all holes drilled, use a nibbler or sharp wire cutter to finish cutting out the hole. insert IEC, then drill the mounting holes for the IEC after its in place
rhyno

good plan Rhyno, but wouldn't a Sawzall get it done much more quickly ;-)

yes, but its easy to let things get out of hand w. a highspeed rotary...much harder to make a mess when you're drilling little 1/16" holes using an impact that's in a perpendicular plane to the chassis, as opposed to 2 parallel surfaces...one being cut (chassis) and one doing the cutting (dremel or sawzall).

it takes 3x as long, but very safe and effective

rhyno