[sdiy] Plastic Panels

[James R. Coplin]

While you can drill plastic with standard twist or brad points, you are far
better off using split point bits designed for plastic. Standard drill bits
pull up on what they are drilling through. In woods and metals this works
great. However, on plastics, it leads to chipping and cracking. You can get
these bits from most major plastic tooling suppliers. I use them in my shop
all the time on acrylic and polycarb and they work much better than when I
was using standard twists.

James R. Coplin
***************
If anyone asks of my whereabouts,
simply tell them i've gone out the window
for a spot of tea and am not 
expected back any time soon.
***************
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl [mailto:owner-synth-
> diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of TIm Daugard
> Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 9:41 AM
> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Plastic Panels
> 
> 
> > The main problem with plastic is making holes in it.  Some plastics work
> > better than others.  I seem to recall you want to use a polycarbonate
> > plastic, but, I would not take my word on that at all.
> 
> I found it is absolutely necessary to use guide holes when drilling
> plastic. I
> use a perfboard clamped to the plastic as guide. I drill the initial holes
> with
> a #60 drill. I widen the holes with an 1/8th inch bit.
> 
> The 1/8th inch holes are the size I need for molex pins as connectors. For
> holes
> bigger, I use a reamer. This allows me widen the holes for switches and
> 1/4 inch
> connectors.
> 
> Tim Daugard
> 
>